The results are in for the fourth edition of Herr’s annual “Flavored by Philly” chip contest, and the people have decided that the champion of champions is … drum roll, please … “Long Hots & Sharp Provolone.”
The winner of the tournament’s inaugural edition — which took submissions crafted by local chip creators — beat out the competition’s other previous winning flavors: the “Tomato Pie” inspired by Corropolese Bakery and the “Special Hot Stromboli” chip based on Romano’s original sandwich.
In previous years, there was a cash prize for the flavor creator, restaurant and fan who submitted it, to go along with the bragging rights.
This year’s prize is permanence: a forever spot in Herr’s product lineup, alongside the familiar staples like “Barbecue,” “Sour Cream & Onion” and “Salt & Vinegar.”
While years two and three involved flavors based on beloved small restaurants in the area, submitted by their fans, the first year took suggestions from members of the public. “Long Hots & Sharp Provolone” was the brainchild of Ryan Reigel, a Philly transplant originally from DuBois in central Pa., who said the nerves and excitement were similar both times his chip was competing.
“All the chips that were entered in both contests were definitely Philly classic flavors, and I think that they were all outstanding,” said Reigel, whose background in the beverage and restaurant industries helped him come up with the flavor description. “Each time I was a little nervous. Each submission that they had on both rounds was top notch.
Reigel’s Philly inspiration came from the long hots and provolone that were a mandatory addition to the John’s Roast Pork sandwich he and a friend ordered before Eagles games. The same friend who introduced him to that pregame ritual convinced him to enter Herr’s contest. Then Reigel helped the company create his vision, which defeated “(215) Special Sauce” and “Wiz Wit” flavors for the inaugural crown.
“I was so surprised when I first opened up the first bag that I got, and smelled and tasted the results of what was in my head to the chip that they produced,” he said. “I can’t say enough about the Herr’s team, about how they’ve worked with me and evolved this chip from a concept into what is now just a full-time chip in their lineup. It’s really an honor.”
Reigel said the biggest takeaway from competing in the “Flavored by Philly” contest wasn’t winning, but the friends and acquaintances he got to reconnect with while promoting the chip.
4-for-4
The competition result also extends the WHYY office’s perfect streak of predicting the winner through Billy Penn’s semi-scientific taste test and online polling. “Long Hots & Sharp Provolone” was the comfortable favorite for both, with 27 out of 45 in-person tasters picking it and 47% of Instagram voters selecting it. “Tomato Pie” was second with 11 office votes and 38% online, with “Special Hot Stromboli” bringing up the rear with seven votes and 15% online.
Herr’s doesn’t divulge voting results, but the Chester-based chip company’s director of marketing, Eric Kremer, said their numbers — and sales — weren’t too far off from ours.
“It was a close two-three finish, with ‘Long Hots’ really standing out as the one that consumers want to see every day,” Kremer said, adding that all flavors received at least 10,000 votes.
All told, this year’s “Flavored by Philly: Crunch Off” contest saw a whopping 199,008 votes submitted, more than a sixfold increase over the roughly 26,000 votes last year. The 2025 edition added Phillies slugger and MVP candidate Kyle Schwarber — whose charity, Neighbourhood Heroes, the chip company supports — as a spokesperson.
“To get 200,000 — our expectation was around 30,000 — was unbelievable, and it just shows you how passionate and how big this city is to be able to mobilize around things like potato chip flavors to have their voice be heard,” Kremer said.
If you’re a fan of “Tomato Pie” and “Special Hot Stromboli” flavors, be warned. Production has ended and they are expected to sell out within the next month, Kremer said.
Even so, Kremer said that the outgoing flavors have some relatives in the permanent Herr’s lineup. If you liked the “Tomato Pie,” try the “Ketchup” flavor, or the “Honey BBQ” flavor if the sweetness is what drew you.
There isn’t a clear like-for-like in Herr’s permanent lineup for the “Special Hot Stromboli,” but there’s a chip that hits a similar meaty-savoury note coming among the company’s next limited-time offerings. It’s the “Smoked Brisket” chip, part of Herr’s Gameday flavors, alongside a “Loaded Queso” option.
But “Long Hots & Sharp Provolone” fans can rest easy. It’s staying on store shelves.
Reigel said his supportive wife and son are also excited about the news — and now he doesn’t have to hide his supply from them, as they can always get more.
“My wife goes to a special place whenever she has chips. She’s just got what I call the ‘chip face.’ She’s just got this wonderful, joyous look about her when she eats a potato chip. Sometimes, I had to safeguard my stash on a couple of occasions from her,” he joked.
“But she was just very supportive. As was my son, he’s now almost 4 years old, and it’s probably the only spicy food that he eats consistently. He asks for them. So he’s into the chip, and he thinks it’s really neat, too.”
Kremer confirmed that the “Flavored by Philly” contest will be back next year, but wouldn’t say whether it would include new flavors or replay favorites. Instead, he hinted it might include a tie-in to the 250th anniversary celebration that will dominate much of 2026 in Philadelphia.
Until then, keep on crunchin’.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
