--- description: After a viral debate erupted on Twitter on the ranking of flavors of chips in a Lays variety pack, it's time to set the record straight. title: Doritos Nacho Cheese Is the Best Chip Flavor and That's That image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt68d357fac4e609bb/69894695b21a9cba05500429/doritos-nacho-cheese-best-chip-flavor.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  * [Newsfeed](/tag/time-section-newsfeed/) ## Newsfeed Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close # Why Nacho Cheese Doritos Should Top Your List of Chip Flavor Rankings Because It's Obviously the Best  by [Cady Lang](/author/cady-lang/)  ## Cady Lang Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Mar 12, 2019 4:40 PM CUT  top view of nachos chips background texture top view of nachos chips background textureGetty Images  by [Cady Lang](/author/cady-lang/)  ## Cady Lang Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Mar 12, 2019 4:40 PM CUT A viral debate about what the [ranking of chip flavors](http://time.com/5549684/lays-chips-viral-debate/ "undefined") should be erupted on the Internet in the past two days, after Twitter user and comedian [@KevonStage](https://twitter.com/KevOnStage/status/1104768216163848192 "undefined") posed the eternal question to the Internet: “What is the correct way to rank these chips?” The chips in question are the standard Lay’s variety pack, which consists of six classic Lay’s offerings (listed here in the order in which they appear on the variety box’s packaging, NOT in the ranked order of their greatness): Lay’s Original, Doritos Nacho Cheese, Cheetos Original (crunchy style), Fritos Original, Lay’s Barbecue, and Doritos Cool Ranch. These beloved staples of many a lunchtime swap in cafeterias across America are now the center of a contentious discussion on the Internet which has grown so heated that both Chris Evans and Octavia Spencer have weighed in, albeit incorrectly. > [](https://twitter.com/ChrisEvans/status/1105176693600337921) Now, however, it’s time to set the record straight: this is the definitive and correct ranking of the Lay’s Variety Pack flavors, listed in order from worst to best, as determined by a life-long chip enthusiast, who is neither swayed by viral public opinion or celebrity endorsements, even if they are by [the very woke Captain America.](http://time.com/4667314/chris-evans-on-david-duke/ "undefined")  SAN RAFAEL, CA - JULY 11: Bags of Fritos corn chips are displayed on a shelf at Santa Venetia Market on July 11, 2017 in San Rafael, California. PepsiCo reported a better-than-expected second quarter earnings with revenue of $15.71 billion that was fueled by price hikes in its Frito Lay snack division. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) Justin Sullivan—Getty Images ## Fritos Fritos never quite feel like a standalone chip, but rather a vehicle for the myriad of dips it’s always paired with, which is probably why their Scoops version is so popular. Its corn taste is bland on its own, which is why you always see it alongside guacamole, salsa, queso, clam dip or in recipes like Frito pie. Plus, its extreme saltiness makes it fairly hard to eat on its own, which is why it’s the worst chip in the Lay’s Variety pack.  SAN RAFAEL, CA - JULY 11: Bags of Lay's chips are displayed on a shelf at Santa Venetia Market on July 11, 2017 in San Rafael, California. PepsiCo reported a better-than-expected second quarter earnings with revenue of $15.71 billion that was fueled by price hikes in its Frito Lay snack division. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) Justin Sullivan—Getty Images ## Lay’s Barbecue Lay’s Barbecue chips are fine, but just fine is not going to cut it in a competitive chip ranking! Lay’s’ particular barbecue flavor is more sweet than spicy or smoky, which can be cloying if you’re going to eat the whole bag.  "Edmonton, Canada - April 28, 2012: A close-up picture of a bag of Doritos Cool Ranch tortilla chips. Doritos have been produced since 1964 by food company Frito-Lay, a division of PepsiCo, Inc." Spauln—Getty Images ## Doritos Cool Ranch Doritos Cool Ranch taste great, but something about them feels like Doritos lite. They’re tasty, but mild, made for people who are willing to sacrifice flavor intensity and excitement for fingers that won’t be stained by orange dust.  Cheetos Crunchy Geri Lavrov—Moment Editorial/Getty Images ## Cheetos When it comes to the cheese puff variety, Cheetos are top-notch, especially if it includes the very excellent Flaming Hot Cheetos. For the purposes of this ranking, however, the Cheeto to be considered is the original crunchy Cheeto, which is deliciously cheesy, but not compelling enough to out-rank other chip types.  Richard Levine—Corbis via Getty Images ## Lay’s Original Consider Classic Lay’s the OG, the tried-and-true of all chips. There’s a good reason for that — in terms of taste and texture, they go with everything, from the humble PB&J to fancier sandwich varieties, like say, the Monte Cristo. It’s versatile and reliable, like your favorite pair of blue jeans.  Doritos potato chips Geri Lavrov—Moment Editorial/Getty Images ## Doritos Nacho Cheese Doritos Nacho Cheese are undeniably the best chip flavor in the Lay’s Variety pack and quite possibly, in the entire chip lexicon. Balancing both cheesy goodness and spice, their flavor profile is intense but not overwhelming, a culinary statement that is bold, confident and unapologetic. Doritos Nacho Cheese is a chip for tastemakers and people who are leaders, not followers. It’s a chip that can stand alone but also play nicely with others ([hello, Taco Bell taco shell collab!](http://newsfeed.time.com/2012/06/05/taco-bells-doritos-locos-tacos-are-an-insanely-huge-hit/ "undefined")). In short, it is perfect and that is why it is the best chip in the Lay’s variety pack. ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/5549747/doritos-nacho-cheese-best-flavor-chip-debate-twitter/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/5549747/doritos-nacho-cheese-best-flavor-chip-debate-twitter/"},"headline":"Why Nacho Cheese Doritos Should Top Your List of Chip Flavor Rankings Because It's Obviously the Best","datePublished":"2019-03-12T16:40:21.000Z","dateModified":"2026-05-11T04:46:09.500Z","description":"The answer to the great chip ranking of 2019","url":"https://time.com/5549747/doritos-nacho-cheese-best-flavor-chip-debate-twitter/","keywords":["Newsfeed","Food","onetime"],"thumbnailUrl":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt68d357fac4e609bb/69894695b21a9cba05500429/doritos-nacho-cheese-best-chip-flavor.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Cady Lang","jobTitle":null,"url":"https://time.com/author/cady-lang/"}],"articleSection":"","image":[{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt68d357fac4e609bb/69894695b21a9cba05500429/doritos-nacho-cheese-best-chip-flavor.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","width":1200,"height":675,"headline":"top view of nachos snacks pile","caption":"top view of nachos snacks pile","creditText":"Getty Images","representativeOfPage":true}],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"/tag/time-section-newsfeed/","name":"Newsfeed"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/5549747/doritos-nacho-cheese-best-flavor-chip-debate-twitter/","name":"Why Nacho Cheese Doritos Should Top Your List of Chip Flavor Rankings Because It's Obviously the Best"}}]}] ```