Andy Capp’s – Crispy, Savory, and Salty Mouthwatering Snacks

A potato and corn-based snack called Andy Capp’s Fries is modeled after the well-known French fry shape. These chips are so much like the famous Chipsticks brand from the UK, but they come in various tasty and original flavors. Andy Capp’s Hot Fries, Cheddar Fries, BBQ Fries, and Ranch Fries are all offered in small and large bags. With a wide range of snack options, from classic fries to flavored twists, Andy Capp’s has something to offer for everyone.

In this article, we will delve into the history of Andy Capp’s, explore its snack range, and discover what sets this brand apart from the rest. Whether you’re a long-time fan or just discovering Andy Capp’s for the first time, this article is the perfect guide to all things Andy Capp’s.

Brief History

An American snack company called Andy Capp’s makes flavored corn and potato snacks that resemble French fries. The product was developed in 1971 by Goodmark Foods, Inc., which obtained name and image licensing from Publishers-Hall Syndicate for the comic strip character Andy Capp. 

The comic strip was printed on the back of the packaging up until recently. ConAgra Foods bought Goodmark Foods in 1998, and the company continues to produce and market the item to this day.

Goodmarks Food, Inc.

Goodmarks Food Inc. was the manufacturer of Andy Capp’s for a long time. This is why learning its history and milestones can be interesting. Slim Jim dry meat sticks, Pemmican beef jerky, Penrose pickled sausage, and a range of baked grain snacks under Andy Capp’s brand are all produced by GoodMark Foods, Inc., the largest maker of meat snacks in the world. A facility in Garner, North Carolina, is where GoodMark Foods makes its food items and is backed up by businesses in California, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. ConAgra, Inc., a multinational food corporation, bought the business in 1998.

A Philadelphia entrepreneur who gave the world the meat-stick snack, Slim Jim, established the company’s flagship product and brand name on the East Coast fifty years before the GoodMark Foods moniker first appeared. Adolph Levis earned a career by providing delicatessens with pickled cabbage, mushrooms, and tomatoes. This allowed him to gain first-hand knowledge of the most popular prepared food items among consumers. 

Levis visited several delicatessens and noted that the sales of pepperoni and bologna were constantly increasing. This realization inspired his business instincts, and he asked a nearby meat plant to produce a little dry sausage. After creating his product, Levis came up with an insignia for its packaging that was allegedly influenced by his opinion that the sausage was “beautiful.” He created a figure in a tuxedo, replete with a top hat and a cane, to serve as the product’s representation, and gave him the moniker Slim Jim.

At first, Levis supplied taverns in the Philadelphia region with his Slim Jim meat snacks. Later, after selling Slim Jims for many years, he started selling his all-beef snacks to convenience stores, making a little fortune. Levis was ready to hang up his apron by the late 1960s. 

In 1967, he sold Cherry-Levis Co., which produced Slim Jim, to the General Mills corporation, headquartered in Minneapolis. For the following three decades, Slim Jim would be overseen by Ron E. Doggett, a rising executive at General Mills in the late 1960s who was also a member of the executive group that advocated purchasing Levis’s business.

Fast forward 30 years and GoodMark Foods announced that it was being bought by ConAgra, Inc., a diversified, international food corporation with $24 billion in sales. After the transaction was completed in 1998, GoodMark Foods was once again operating under a considerably broader corporate structure. 

Logo

Flavors

BBQ Fries

In every flavor they offer, Andy Capp produces some delicious fries. One of the most popular variations is the sweet BBQ flavor, and they are sufficiently addicting that it is difficult to refrain from eating the entire bag. The BBQ fries have the perfect amount of crispiness and consistency. The bag has a robust and sweet barbecue fragrance that reminds one of barbecue sauce. 

Instead of volume, this product is offered by weight. Even if some contents settle during shipping and handling, you can be confident of the correct weight. After being discontinued, the BBQ Fries returned in 2011 with a new bag style that complemented the tastes of the current Hot Fries.

Onion Rings

Andy Capp’s has long been known as the “king of fries” and has no other food associated with his name. The medium bag of onion rings, while only weighing 2 oz, feels incredibly light. The rings closely matched the appearance of the ones depicted on the package. 

They are comparably smaller than Funyuns and have a distinct yellow hue, as well as a scattering of small, black seasoning particles. When citing, there is a loud, crisp crunch and a light onion flavor that becomes more pronounced as you eat more pieces. Overall, Andy Capp’s onion rings have a perfect blend of garlic and other spices.

These rings may not completely transform the chip industry, but they are undoubtedly one of the most delicious snacks in this category.

Battered Hot Onion Rings

The hot rings appeared significantly different from the original onion rings, with plenty of orange seasoning on the surfaces and a scattering of darker particles. When crunching into it, you will see that it has a decently crisp texture and that there is an even amount of onion and spicy sauce. Although not a lot at first, as you eat, you will notice a stronger onion taste. 

Cheddar Fries

Andy Capp’s cheddar fries are slightly hot, with an unrecognizable taste. It does, however, have a flavor that isn’t particularly cheese-like. Make sure a napkin is close at hand because, just like other Andy Capp’s goods, cheddar fries may leave plenty of residue on your hands.

Cheese Steak Fries 

Cheese Steak Fries have a spicier, more spicy Dorito-like flavor. Although the burn may not be particularly intense, one can certainly taste the chili powder. In a way, it resembles eating tacos with plenty of chili powder.

Hot Fries

The heated version of Andy Capp’s Pub Fries is what the Hot fries are. They have an odd flavor that develops as you keep eating. They’re fiery, peppery, and sour. The fries pair perfectly with alcoholic beverages such as beer. The cheese powder from these fries constantly gets on your hands (the Cheeto effect). It definitely takes some getting used to, but once you adjust, it is perfectly fine to snack.

Ranch Fries

The fries featured typical French fry shapes, a light yellow tint, and several green flecks on the surface. When crunched in, the flavor of ranch dressing gets extremely apparent, and the texture is really light. The flavor leaves a lasting impression on people who enjoy snacking.

Salsa Fries

The salsa taste in these tasty fries is pleasant and spicy. They have a little heat and a distinct salsa flavor. The fries have a wonderfully crisp and come in a variety of thicknesses and lengths.

In direct contrast to Andy Capp’s regular fries, the salsa fries do not stick to teeth at all. The flavor smells like salsa, however, the snack itself has a subtle aroma and taste. 

White Cheddar Cheese Steak Fries

A thicker-sliced variation of the normal Andy Capp cheddar steak fries is also available, and this one is called white cheddar cheese steak fries. These have a pleasant flavor, but they don’t taste like Smartfood. It tastes more like cheese curds. The flavor is enhanced by the thickness. Overall, white cheddar cheese steak fries are delicious and mouthwatering snacks. 

Ingredients

• Degermed Yellow Corn Meal
• Vegetable Oil (Palm Oil and/or Cottonseed Oil)
• Dried Potatoes
• Water
• Cheese Powder (Whey, Salt, Buttermilk Solids, Reduced Lactose Whey, Maltodextrin, Monosodium Glutamate, Citric Acid, Cheddar & Blue Cheese [Pasteurized Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes], Yellow 5 Lake, Yellow 6 Lake, Autolyzed Yeast Extract, Spice, Artificial Flavor, Canola Oil, Disodium Phosphate, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Lactic Acid)
• Less than 2% of: Salt, Onion Powder, Monosodium Glutamate, TBHQ (Preservative), Shortening Powder (Soybean Oil, Corn Syrup Solids, Sodium Caseinate, Mono & Diglycerides), Mono- and Diglycerides, Cheddar Cheese Flavor (Maltodextrin, Flavor, Whey Solids, Salt, Disodium Phosphate), Citric Acid, Dried Chives, Dried Parsley, Extractives of Paprika, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Natural Flavor, Whey Powder, Yellow 5 Lake, Yellow 6 Lake.

Nutrition

Serving Size:	1 oz (28g)	% Daily Value*
Amount Per Serving
Calories	131
Calories from Fat	77
Total Fat	8.6g	13%
Saturated Fat	2.2g	11%
Trans Fat	0g
Polyunsaturated Fat	4.5g
Monounsaturated Fat	1.5g
Cholesterol	0mg	0%
Sodium	158mg	7%
Potassium	309mg	9%
Total Carbohydrates	13g	4%
Dietary Fiber	0.9g	3%
Sugars	0.1g
Protein	1.7g
Vitamin A		0%
Vitamin C		20%
Calcium		0.4%
Iron		3.2%

• Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000-calorie diet.

Origin Of French Fries

Since Andy Capp’s makes French fries in numerous variations, it is natural to also explore where the French fries originate from. Who came up with the idea for deep-fried potatoes first? Given that there are no known reputable sources for the invention of French fries, this is a question that may never have a solution. What is known is that the Francophone “pomme frites” or “fried potato” was likely the original version of the French fry. Historians believe that French fries might have been either a Belgian or a French dish.

According to historians, the Spanish brought potatoes to Europe, so it’s possible that they invented their own kind of fried potato. This comes as no surprise because it is commonly known that the potato originated in the “New World“ or the Americas. The director of the Frietmuseum, or “Fries Museum,” in Bruges, Belgium, historian Paul Ilegems, notes that deep frying is a common practice in Mediterranean cooking, supporting the theory that the Spanish actually originated the idea of “French fries.”

Belgian officials have even petitioned UNESCO to recognize the french fry as a significant component of Belgian cultural heritage. Many Belgians think that the term “French fries” is a misnomer that resulted from the outside world’s inability to distinguish between the many Francophone cultures.

Bottom Line

All in all, Andy Capp’s is a beloved snack brand that has been satisfying taste buds for generations. This snack brand manufactures delicious, crispy, and mouthwatering hot fries and savory snacks. Every bite of Andy Capp’s fries delivers a powerful punch and savory kick. Andy Capp’s offers a variety of flavors, including cheddar cheese steak fries, hot fries, ranch fries, salsa fries, cheddar fries, BBQ fries, and onion rings. They are spicy but not too hot. Fries ramp up the heat just enough for you to feel satisfied and happy. Known for its delicious, crispy fries and its iconic character, Andy Capp, this brand is a must try.