For those able to remember Twirls when they were made by Smiths crisps, if you want some now you'll be wanting to pick up the Bobby's brand. Particularly avoid Red Mill as they are horrid. Most supermarket own brands fail to live up to the delicate flavouring and texture of the smiths original.

I've just had (as I often do) a pack of the Bobby's variety and they are without doubt as close to the original as you can get.

Here's a scan of the Salt & Vinegar pack I just had.




Um. Yes. That's it.

Ah yes. I particularly enjoy the prawn cocktail version of these that I pick up in a little shop in Oldfield Park that has a very eclectic selection of potato-based snacks.

Most other brands have spirals that are too heavy on the fat and dwarf the flavour or the spirals are too tough. Now if only they'd re-release farmer browns. Is there any way we can lobby Bobby's to remake fish and chips? Maybe if we suggest there'll be a bulk order.

Ah, Bobby's, former (?) purveyors of the Mega Bar, the greatest chocolate bar in the history of the world.

The entire Bobby's range, or something surely close to it, used to be stocked by one solitary corner shop around the, er, corner from my then-girlfriend's old house in a dour suburb of armpit-of-the-universe Neath. That shop was the only place I ever saw any Bobby's products on sale anywhere in Britain, and when she moved my supply was cut off. And I've not had a Mega Bar for about 10 years. The fact they're still apparently going quite strong encourages me.

I must get around to posting up my photographs of Resolven.

Man alive, I forgot Bobby's existed. Nice to see they're still around. I remember their salt and vinegar spirals fondly - need to find me some of dat stuff.

Though 'Cost Cutter' is no doubt a franchise: I was suprised to see a Bobby's display in the branch I stumbled into (looking for fags and sparkling wine) in Saffron Walden. A whole gamut of popcorn/snacks/spirals and the like on their own stand. Who Knows? Check your local branch...

It's funny really that Bobby's are generally associated with cheapness and yet they produce some real quality. They used to do a copy of Ice Gems where you got a pack about 3 times the size for less money. I expect they were ordered to stop. The best thing was they tasted really nice at a time when the genuine article tasted really horrible.