Friday, May 7, 2010

Bet you really can eat just one: The world's biggest Pringle of Blackfoot, Idaho


Thank God these food engineers use their power for good and not evil.

We have yet to be disappointed at seeing anything that bills itself as the "world's biggest," whatever it may be. This was especially true when we were at the Idaho Potato Expo of Blackfoot, Idaho, a place where they take their taters seriously (it's the beloved location of our Eccentric Roadside banner at the top of the blog). They have the world's biggest potato "crisp" on display there, but first, a quick review: a potato "crisp" is made from processed, dehydrated potatoes ala Pringles; a potato "chip" is a thin slice of fresh potato crisply fried ala Lays. And it isn't just us mooks at Eccentric Roadside determining this earth-shattering record...it's in the holy grail of all things record-breaking: the Guinness. It was made by the clever food engineers at Proctor and Gamble, back in 1991 on what one would assume was a rather slow day at the Pringle factory, and measures 25 x 14 inches and weighs 5.4 ounces. And if you're on Jenny Craig, this probably isn't the crisp for you: it's 920 calories, equal to 80 regular can-sized Pringles. The Potato Expo is one of the all-time great eccentric roadside attractions we've been to, so keep your eyes peeled the next time you're in Blackfoot...it's a delight for grownups and tots alike.

5 comments:

Mod Betty / Retro Roadmap said...

Actually I was half expecting to see that chair from the episode of The Odd Couple when Felix redoes the apartment in all sorts of "modern"furniture. I swear I remember one of the chairs looking like a giant Pringle! I admit to digging the regular size pringles, they're mighty tasty until you eat too many, but then that oogy feeling passes and you eat a bunch more :-)

Gunnar and Sherry said...

I've been know to eat a Pringle or two myself. I prefer real chips but any port in a storm, you know?

Anonymous said...

Pringles are such a strange conceit. Think about it; it's kind of like reinventing the wheel. I wonder if their invention was the result of the mania for freeze-drying food that was so popular in the sixties.

Gunnar and Sherry said...

I always thought the makers of Pringles were playing God, making those chips all exactly the same. And I think they cheated a litle with the world's biggest Pringle, because, technically, it should be curved have to fit into can!

Chris Weiss said...

My father is the guy on the right (viewer perspective). It was awesome to see this photo. Been a while. I remember when he first brought the photo home to show us along with a huge box of abnormally large pringles.