Hello again friends.
Today, I am excited to bring you a comparison that no one seems to think of when comparing salty snacks–Traditional Chex Mix vs. Gardettos. This is quite the power match for me, as I have always wondered which one is better. After today, I will finally be able to put these questions to rest for myself and other curious snackers.
The two snack mix behemoths… who wins? Let’s find out.
Overview
Per the usual, we will start out with a general look at each product before delving into the review/comparison. The original Chex Mix has a very colorful and inviting packaging. It practically beckons at you to take it off of the shelf. It seems almost like a younger brother to the comparatively more “mature” aesthetic of the Gardettos. Whether or not these differences in packaging actually mean anything is to be seen. There isn’t much else of note on the packaging, except for the usual advertisem*nts to try other flavors. See for yourself; I’ve included pictures of both bags below.
Comparison
Here is where things get interesting. The two mixes have many of the same “snack bits” in common– both have the rye chips, pretzels, and curvy breadsticks. However, the Gardettosdo nothave the actual “chex”, and the Chex Mixdo nothave the larger, more rounded breadsticks. I will include a picture of both mixes in their own separate bowls for you to compare.
As you can see, there are some subtle differences between them. But there’s way too much in common here for me to skip this comparison. They are way too similar, and I am always surprised at how rarely the debate is brought up in the snack world. At any rate, how do they compare taste wise? Let’s see!
Okay, the Gardettos have a sharper seasoning to them. If you grab each individual piece in a handful and eat it at once, you will notice quickly that the Gardettos have a faster initial punch. It has a peppery, almost zesty seasoning. The Gardettos are also more dense, as you might expect. Having 2 different types of breadsticks in the mixture adds a little more “girth” to the overall bite. I would reach for the Gardettos if you want a snack that will fill you up a bit more.
Meanwhile, the Chex Mix has a more yeasty flavor. Having the physical chex seems to go a long way in creating that profile. It’s not bad, but the Chex Mix feels a lot like “snack cereal,” which is to say that when you eat your cereal in the morning, you’re not really getting anything substantial. It’s just something to coat your taste buds during those early morning rises. The Gardettos are more like the oatmeal equivalent–substantial, more oomph. From a texture standpoint, the Chex Mix definitely feel lighter, so I could see it being easier to get carried away with this mixture as opposed to the Gardettos. In addition, the flavor of the Chex Mix sticks around longer than the flavor of the Gardettos. It is more of an “overarching” flavor profile as opposed to the quick 1-2 punch with the Gardettos.
They are both enjoyable mixes, it just depends on the person. Even though I much preferred the initial flavor of the Gardettos, I didn’t like how quickly that flavor tapered off compared to the Chex Mix. The Chex is a little more consistent, whereas the Gardettos don’t waste any time. Both mixes have a really nice texture and crunch, so they each get points for that as well. Gotta have a good crunch with salty snacks. I think the “bold” version of the Chex Mix would probably make for a more accurate comparison between the two brands.
Regardless, the show must go on. They are both great, but I do tend to be someone who prefers stronger flavors with savory snacks. For that reason, I would have to say that I prefer the Gardettos. Your mileage may vary. The Gardettos had more substance and a better initial flavor. Even though that flavor falls off more compared to that of the Chex Mix, I still found myself reaching for more of the Gardettos. Texture was close here, but I also found the Gardettos having a little more of that satisfying crunch.
The Verdict
All in all, I would give the Traditional Chex Mix 3.5/5 stars,and theGardettos 4/5 stars.
Both solid, but grab the Gardettos. Those are king.
I hope you all enjoyed. I will see you on the next one!!
-thechiefeats
P.S: Health conscious? Below is the nutritional info for Chex Mix & Gardettos:
