Sure, you’ve got the 116″ flat screen that hasn’t even been released yet, the speakers that have already caused your elderly neighbors to call the police, and the oversized couch made from the skin of only the cutest of baby seals, but have you thought about what’s really important: What snacks are you going to put on the table? We hit the supermarket and put our editors through a rigorous blind taste test of snack foods to help you decide what to bring home for the big game on Sunday. Check back every Friday throughout football season for a new snack-food face-off.
Brand: ShopRite
Price: $1.99
Score: 6
Verdict: We’re strong believers in store-brand products, but the ShopRite mustard just couldn’t hold up to the good stuff.
Comments: “Lousy and bland.”
“Creamy and spicy.”
“Meh.”
Brand: Gulden’s
Price: $6.99
Score: 6.16
Verdict: The classic deli standby suffered a little bit in our blind taste test. People seemed to think it was either too strong, or not strong enough, and it never landed right in the sweet (or spicy) spot.
Comments: “Kind of like the Jets – no kick.”
“A little too strong.”
“These all taste the same.”
And the winner is…
Brand: French’s
Price: $3.29
Score: 6.83
Verdict: Coming in at half the price of Gulden’s, for double the product and almost a full point ahead in taste, the best mustard for your brat is a perfectly yellow no-brainer.
Comments: “Tangy!”
“Wonderfully spicy. Perfect for corned beef!”
“Good kick and texture.”