I’ve Been Around The World (In 80 Snacks) And I Can’t Find…
Should have been looking in Medomsley Road, Consett. All of which to say in one of the many think-tank like* editorial meetings of the FreakyTrigger collective last Friday it suddenly hit us: Phileas Fogg Tortilla Chips are no more. We all checked out snacking memories as to the last time we had seen a packet, and we guessed some time in 2004 in a Sam Smith’s pub. By then they had rebranded as some sort of sex tourism snack, which despite introducing some great new flavours, was a bit of a disaster from a rebrand perspective. Indeed it was this redesign that we assumed sunk the brand in a world: which seemed sad in a world overflowing with snacking opportunities that the British originator of the posh snack had fallen out of favour. Could it be that this most worldly of snack, with its amusing little stories and many fine personal memories**, was no more?
However eagle-eyed FT report Cis saw a packet in Oxford this week and reports thusly:
Yesterday I was in one of walton street’s many posho delis and saw a pack of Phileas Fogg crisps! they are rebranded utterly, these ones were called ‘cool casa tortillas’ and in a powder blue packet, it seemed rank foolishness given that surely the concept-grouping of cool/blue/tortilla belongs in the public heart to dorito’s. Also how on earth can you pretend that ‘tortilla’-style
crisps are classy?
Cis is young, and so first I will deal with the two points she brings up at the end. Tortilla Chips ARE CLASSY. Or at least were classy when Phileas Fogg introduced them in the mid-eighties. Their sort had not been seen before in the UK. The 1980’s were a nachos free zone, which Fogg helped change. As for you blue = cool blue Doritos, well unfrotunately Fogg beat them to it. Fogg used to do three types of tortilla: Original (a bit spicy, in the classic biege packet), then joined by Devilishly Hot (black packet), and a Thankfully Cool Tortilla (powder blue packet - as seen here). So their blue predates the Doritos Blue in the UK. (For a summary of many of the old packs, and stories look here, but note the lack of Devilishly Hot Tortillas which suggests this site is not quite as complete as one might hope***).
But the excitement comes from the fact that Fogg is not dead. Its a bit like waiting to hear news from a traveller, long assumed lost, only yo find him turning up on time. Or is it. A quick look at the new website for Phileas Fogg shows a dispiriting sight. Namely this new rebrand came out in the summer of last year. They have correctly tried to distance themselve from their previous “backpacker” rebrand, to something a bit more timeless, semi-pastels but with a top hatted gentleman in view. But this rebrand took place six months ago, and I have not seen a packet in London. Good to see though that it appears the trips are back, as are the diary entries which can all be perused on the website. And in what seems to be the strangest boutique gift ever, you can even get a gift presentation pack of all seven of the new flavours..
Those flavours in full:
Spikin Lime Tortillas
Cool Casa Tortillas
Chili con Queso Tortillas
Kalonji Seed Poppadoms
Teriyaki Crackers
Brie and Onion Toasts
Black Olive & Pesto Crostini
At least they are still made in Medomsley Road, Consett! Rightly identified as one of the UK most famous addresses. Go forth snack children, and find them.
*I assume most think tanks are just excuses to go to the pub.
**One of my most cherished memories involves me trying to find a non-alcoholic way of celebrating my A-Level results, having been phoned by a teacher at 8:30 in the morning. I found myself at the local Co-op, buyiong a pack of the Devilishly Hot Tortilla chips, and wandering up and down the High Street in a haze of achievement and a slightly burnt and over-salted mouth.
***It appears that a completely different rebrand exists in Ireland, and Devilishly Hot are still availible there.
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marna on January 10th, 2007
Not tortilla chips at all, but reading this has just made my Tayto craving even STRONGER! I want stinkycrisps!
FT's alext on January 10th, 2007
I take it this means they are not relaunching their Original Tortilla chips, which is a shame, a) because they were the bestest tortilla chips on the market and b) because I have very fond memories of scoffing them, and of the small luxury associated with buying a packet.
lockedintheattic on January 11th, 2007
I can’t believe they’ve ditched the original flavour. I agree with Alex - no other tortilla chip on the market comes close, flavour-wise, to theirs.
chap on January 11th, 2007
It’s all about Mignon Morceaux, a meal in a bag. I suppose they’re also no more.
FT's Tim on January 11th, 2007
I suspect the mignon morceaux, my favourites also, have been superceded by the brie and onion toasts. These new-fangled snacks may be delicious, for all I know, but I can’t see how they can match the unnecessarily garlicky goodness of the mms.
FT's pˆnk s lord sükråt cunctør on January 11th, 2007
isn’t mignon the french for kitten?
Chap on January 11th, 2007
I’ve always translated them as ‘miniture morsels’, with a total disregard for the actual french language.
FT's CarsmileSteve on January 12th, 2007
mignon is more like “cute” isn’t it, so kittens often described as mignon, perhaps.
they were also my favourite, eating a WHOLE BAG was like a trip to another more garlicky universe…
…is it any wonder i never got a song at school…
Louise on March 27th, 2007
Gutted! Have spent the last few weeks trailing the supermarkets, off licenses and corner shops of NW Surrey trying to locate a packet of original tortillas - they ARE the ONLY tortilla chips and best there ever were - doritos don’t come close!
Why oh why can’t they bring them back - I can still taste them and it’s been eons since I last stuffed a packet - used to work quite well with white grapes and houmous funnily enough…
I might start a petition to bring them back….!
AG on May 19th, 2007
I agree, these were/are the best ever, i also have fond memories of going shopping with my mum, and getting a bag!! love it !! I loved orginal, but also used to go mad for the hot ones!!
But where are they now, i often keep my eye out for them, i can’t belive sainsburys dropped them, they need their heads read.
If anyone knows where i can get my hands on a pack or 3 please let me know.
Cheers, AG
pat moore on June 23rd, 2007
Well what do I do ? I too have been around the world metaphorically
speaking searching for a small black bag of Phealis Fogg Hot Chilly Tortilla Chips !
Seven years ago they were everywhere & now they have disappeared off the face of the London Earth ! Why ??
Nobody seems to stock them !! Why what is going on ? ? ?
Your advise will be welcome.
Warm Regards,
Pat Moore.
pat moore on June 23rd, 2007
Well what do I do ? I too have been around the world metaphorically
speaking searching for a small black bag of Phealis Fogg Hot Chilly Tortilla Chips !
Seven years ago they were everywhere & now they have disappeared off the face of the London Earth ! Why ??
Nobody seems to stock them !! Why what is going on ? ? ?
Your advise will be welcome.
Warm Regards,
Pat Moore.
patmoore21@msn.com
FT's kate_1 on January 6th, 2008
can’t believe mignon morceaux are no more - why would they do this?!
I’m currently halfway through a pregnancy and craving the little bits of garlicky goodness and I can’t find any anywhere - not sure how I’m going to manage the next few months!
If there is anyone out there listening who is able to influence this in any way - take pity and bring back the mignon morceaux - it would be a great act of kindness (for me and perhaps more particularly my poor husband who has been driven to distraction looking for the darn things)!
Dan on January 9th, 2008
The last place I saw anything vaguely Mignon Morceaux like was in a Spar shop at a garage. They were Spar branded garlic bread bites or something. Not the same but as close as we’re going to get I guess. Mind you, that was 2 years ago now. They might be gone too.
EDIT: Apparently Waitrose has very similar things called Garlic Croutons. Joy!
johnbarrett on January 24th, 2008
i still long for the extra hot tortillas! nothing has ever come close. please bring them back!!!
Dianne on February 2nd, 2008
I agree about those Phileas Fogg extra hot crisps there’s never been a taste like it. If anyone hears where we can get them, let me know
Chris Horsley on June 5th, 2008
try Tesco’s own brand Chilli Tortila Chips they are pretty close but no quite as hot
Norina Muirhead on June 9th, 2008
Please bring back Phileas Fogg original flavour tortilla chips - no other tortilla chip comes close!! I really miss that flavour.
Julie Blaymires on September 24th, 2008
I miss Phileas Fogg original tortilla’s but have managed to find a substitute at Aldi. ‘Snackrite Tortilla salted chips’