Food of the Seventies, Ozark BBQ Potato Chips

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Description
These are my all time favorite chips, but I've not seen them in forever. They came in a bag with a hillbilly lounging on the front. They had a sweetish taste which is akin to the mequite bbq chips you find now. I'm not sure if they were regional or not.
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User Stories and Comments

The following are comments left about Ozark BBQ Potato Chips from site visitors such as yourself. They are not spell checked or reviewed for accuracy.

Nita - November 15, 2007 - Report this comment
Wow, I remember Ozark BBQ chips. They definitely had a taste you could never forget. They were the best bbq chips of all time. Yup and I loved the Hillbilly on the front of the bag. I would love to know what happened to Ozark BBQ chips. My mouth is watering for some right now.
phyl - December 13, 2007 - Report this comment
those were the best chips and the only ones i have ever just had to have... wish they would start back to making them... they were the best!
Wow! - February 06, 2008 - Report this comment
Hey, I have been searching high and low for these chips! If you all find any, please let meknow. I think I remember seeing them even as late as 1990's. I grew up in Southern Illinois. We had them all the time. But, I have not seen them in a good while, and I live in Texas now.
todd - February 20, 2008 - Report this comment
where in illinois did you grow up, collinsville here
Patti - May 23, 2008 - Report this comment
Hey i grew up in Colinsville too!!! Class of 85. Ozark chips were THE best!
Dan - May 24, 2008 - Report this comment
I grew up in St. Louis and to this day I vividly remember how great those Ozark BBQ chips were. Some chip company should recreate that recipe and they would make a fortune!!! I only remember seeing them as a young boy in the 70's. They had a sweet mesquite flavor and the chips had a light texture that was an awesome combination. I'm 42 now but if I close my eyes I'm back in grade school trading for more Ozark BBQ chips because I ate mine and I want more !! Someone please bring back that product ...I'd buy them by the case.
Tom - July 13, 2008 - Report this comment
Im from Thayer Mo. and snacked on those chips throughout the 60s. Sure miss them. Did Lays make them?
keith - July 19, 2008 - Report this comment
Ozark BBQ chips were awesome !! The two double brown bags inside the huge bag. Ohh. I grew up in st. louis but in socal now. I still look for these to this day. But I guess they are gone. The closest thing I can find is "hawaiian chips" luau bbq sweet and spicy chips.
David - July 19, 2008 - Report this comment
I also grew up in St. Louis and remember these chips. They were great! Now live near Cincinnati and occasionally have to make a trip back to satisy my craving for Imo's pizza. Anyone else remember 'Charles Chips'? They came in a big can. I think they also had pretzels too. If memory serves me they had home delivery of Charles' products--I remember the delivery truck coming and the guy dropping off the cans of chips. And..as a St. Louisan I have to say I went to Parkway North--class of '83.
Stephanie - August 21, 2008 - Report this comment
Glad to know I'm not the only one who's been craving these for the last 15 years. These were our family's favorite. They were sweet and salty and crunchy and spicy. I remember taking the small bags in my lunch in elementary school. So yummy. (Hazelwood Central '95)
Lisa - September 10, 2008 - Report this comment
OH MY GOSH !!! I thought I was the only person in the world looking for Ozarka BBQ Chips !!! I am from Arkansas and we had them here utill the late 80's. I remember taking them to school for lunch in the early 70's. I am not sure but someone told me once that they were made by Charle's Chips. Which you can still find sometimes.
Rick - October 26, 2008 - Report this comment
Hands down the best damn BBQ chip ever. I remember that the package said "hickory smoke flavor" not mesquite. The Hawaiian BBQ chips are similar but not the same. For a while in the 1980's they were reproduced with new packaging under the Chesty's Potato Chips brand, but I haven't found them since.
Phyl - October 27, 2008 - Report this comment
Thanks and i'm still looking... The charles chip truck came to our house too they were awesome
Dana Johnston - November 06, 2008 - Report this comment
YESSSSSS!!!!!! I am going crazy. I constantly crave BBQ chips but all the ones I've tried just don't taste right. PLEASE SOMEONE BRING THESE BACK!!!!:)
Teri P. - November 15, 2008 - Report this comment
Yes, I loved Ozark BBQ chips they were my favorite, I grew up in Granite City, and you could get them anywhere around there, but now I live in Mo. and I have even drove for 2 hours, back to G.C. to find them and they are nowhere to be found.
Dwight - December 01, 2008 - Report this comment
I grew up in Mt Carmel Il and my wife grew up in Princeton In. We both loved Hillbilly Chips. She can recreate the flavor using Paprika, garlic powder, chili pwder, onion powder, and a sweetner.
Tom - December 11, 2008 - Report this comment
My Dad worked for the distributer in Nebraska in the late 60s. I can picture the bag and it is as other have described. I remember them being "Guys Hillbilly Brand BBQ Potato Chips". I'm not sure if my memory is absolutely perfect on that...but they were great!
Rich Brown - December 17, 2008 - Report this comment
Not sure if these are the same, my favorite bbq chips were rippled and made by So Good potato chip company in St. Louis Mo. Anybody else remember these? Where were they located and what happened to the business? They were the best IMHO.
Rita - December 30, 2008 - Report this comment
I have been looking for these chips for years, I grew up in Indy and ozark barbecue chips were my favorite chips. I try every BBQ chip that I come across and have never found one that even comes close.
RODCOOK - January 02, 2009 - Report this comment
I GREW UP IN OLNEY IL,WORKED AT KEEN STATION,I TRYED OZARK BBQS FOR THE 1ST TIME.LOVE& MII THEM,WISH I COULD FIND THE AGAIN.IF ANYBODY KNOWS WHERE TO FIND THEM E-MAIL ME.RODBOD@SPEEDNET.COM
Betsy - January 10, 2009 - Report this comment
Still looking for those chips, they were the best bbq chips in the world. Grew up in Northern Il, and have traveled quite a bit and nothing comes close. Need to do some research on owners, Guy and Kitty Clover, maybe relatives might have some info on recipe. Also may have been sold to Chesty's Brand. I'll keep trying, good luck to all.
Lee - January 28, 2009 - Report this comment
hands down the best chip ever. Grew up in rockford and family from Ak. and always had them in both places until late 80's. Was an employee at vitners potato chip factory and we shipped some as late as 1990. haven't seen them since
Pebbles - February 05, 2009 - Report this comment
OMG I am so glad I know im not the only one from Granite City/Collinsville tha misses the Hillbilly BBQ chips they were the best damn chip ever made.. I also remember there was a chip kind of like Bugles but tasted a lot better I use to get from national food store in Collinsville but I cant remember the name. If any one knows what im talking about let me know LOL
CHERYL - February 20, 2009 - Report this comment
OKAY,I TOO REMEMBER THE OZARK BBQ POTATO CHIPS. I CAN REMEMBER WAITING TO GET MY ALLOWANCE EVERY WEEK.JUST SO I COULD BUY MYSELF A BAG OF THEM.AND SOMETIMES I'D DO EXTRA CHORES THROUGH THE WEEK FOR EXTRA CHIP MONEY,LOL. AND I TOO HAVE BEEN SEARCHING FOR THEM FOREVER, AND ALL OVER EVERYWHERE. BUT I HAVE FOUND A CHIP THAT IS SO UNCANNILY CLOSE TO OZARK. THEY ARE CALLED; UNCLE RAY'S BAR*B*Q. THEY ARE THE TASTE OF THE OZARK BBQ CHIPS. AT FIRST I THOUGHT MAYBE IT WAS WISHFUL THINKING ON MY PART. BUT IT IS NOT. I HAVE BOUGHT SEVEARL BAGS. I HAVE HAD OTHERS TRY THEM. I ASK IF THEY REMEMBER THE OZARK CHIPS FIRST. I DO NOT LET THEM SEE THE FRONT OF THE BAG. THEY HAVE TRIED THEM, AND SO FAR EVERYONE THAT KNOWS OZARK BBQ POTATO CHIPS HAS SAID, OMG!! WHERE DID YOU FIND THEM?!?!? THEY ARE EXTREMELY SURPRISED TO LEARN THEY ARE NOT OZARK'S. I HAVE GOTTEN SEVERAL PEOPLE HOOKED ON THE UNCLE RAY'S BAR*B*Q CHIPS NOW....
Betty - February 25, 2009 - Report this comment
Yep had the Ray's and they are great just like the Ozark BBQ
Leslie - March 01, 2009 - Report this comment
My mom and family grew up in Cahokia IL and since we were a military family when we went back to visit, my mom used to stock up....I love them too! She got me hooked and I was just a little girl. Glad the Illini know good chips!!!!
Maureen - April 11, 2009 - Report this comment
I have been telling my husband about these chips. He is from Pennsylvania and they have Middlesworth potato chips which are similar. I loved Ozark BBQ chips. Bring them back!
atomicsnowman - April 15, 2009 - Report this comment
To all the Fans,i've found the closest thing to Ozark BBQ chips.HY-VEE FOODS,has a HY-VEE BRAND BBQ CHIPS they have lots of seasoning,the bottom of the bag may be over load for some,so you may want to shake them up before eating.but they really do taste close to the Grand Old Chip !hope you can find them where you live...Snowman
John - April 28, 2009 - Report this comment
Hey, I work at Uncle Ray's potato chips and I would just like to say thanks to those that recommended Uncle Ray's BBQ. We have had several people tell us that we taste like the Ozark chips. In addition, to Snowman's comment - we make all of Hy-Vee's BBQ potato chips, using the same Uncle Ray's BBQ flavor. (We also make most of Kroger's potato chips with the same BBQ flavor). So if you're looking for that taste, Hy-Vee, Kroger, or especially Uncle Ray's are worth a try!
Mike Pierce - May 03, 2009 - Report this comment
I grew up in Bloomingdale,IN and it had a small grocery store where I would alway's get a bag of those Ozark BBQ chips and I do miss them but a year ago living in TN I bought a bag of Uncle Ray's BBQ chips and those chips taste so much like them and its been years and eating a lot of different BBQ chips before I finally found a brand so similar in taste like them!
Jennifer Cox - May 20, 2009 - Report this comment
I grow up in Hopkinsville,KY and I loved Ozark BBQ chips. I just wish I could find them today. There is no other BBQ potato chip like Ozark BBQ chips. I can see the bag in my mind red with yellow thin lines a hillbilly dressed in black.
Mona Brockes - June 07, 2009 - Report this comment
Wow...my partner and I, both from SE Missouri have talked about these chips for years. Haven't seen them since the 80's...can't find them. If any of you do, please, let me know!! I now live in TN and I, too, go 'home' to get Imo's pizza. This is definitely a 'blast from the past'. Isn't it great!! BRING BACK THE OBBQC!! They are awesome and although there have been close seconds nothing can compare!!
stuart - June 22, 2009 - Report this comment
I remember these from the 70's. They were excellent until Chesty's or maybe Lay's logo started appearing on the bag. Then they tasted like anyother and then disappeared into history.
bobby g - June 24, 2009 - Report this comment
I ain't the only one to love the Hillbilly BBQ chips. I grew up just south of Detroit, late 60's at the local bowling alley every Saturday mornings. I never forget the taste. We need to find them. I remember you could see them thru the bag. Awesome.
bob - June 27, 2009 - Report this comment
They were made by Chesty Chips in Terre Haute,IN.I grew up near the factory The factory has been shut down for years.But damn do I miss that little hillbilly and those tasty chips!!!
Kevin - July 05, 2009 - Report this comment
Homeland has a generic label BBQ chip that is close in taste to the Ozark Brand Chip. I remember when we lived in Granite City and Sorento, eating the chips and they ROCKED!
Birdman - July 23, 2009 - Report this comment
Well not sure where the Ozark BBQ Chips were made but no one can touch them. I live In Omaha Nebraska and we had a Kitty Clover plant here. That was many years ago. There is one that is close it is a No frills Brand. I miss them Hillbilly Chips!
Mindy - July 24, 2009 - Report this comment
I grew up in Kentucky and loved Kas chips, which I think were another name for Ozark chips. I also lived in St Louis and SE Missouri and now live in Tennessee. i also make trips back for Imo's Pizza and Red Hot Riplet chips.
Doug - July 28, 2009 - Report this comment
I was eating a bag of Uncle Ray's BBQ chips and thought about Ozark Brand BBQ chips. I miss them since the Chesty plant here in TH closed down.
sharyn - August 04, 2009 - Report this comment
yep red bag, hillbilly guy on the front. I thought they were made by Kas??? They were really good. amazing how you can still rememeber how things even taste years later!!
Becky - August 11, 2009 - Report this comment
I have been looking for these for years. Grew up in Missouri & when I moved to California, I used to have my mom send me boxes of these things. But they have long since disappeared. Nothing else like them!
Joycee - September 01, 2009 - Report this comment
If memory serves, Ozark Brand BBQ chips were originally produced by the So Good Potato Chip Company in St. Louis.
Kathy - September 10, 2009 - Report this comment
I grew up in Cahokia,IL and my mom bought these all of the time. They were the best BBQ chip ever.When I grew up and moved away,I would buy several bags to take back home whenever I came back to visit. So dissappointed they don't make these anymore.
Kentucky Craig - October 06, 2009 - Report this comment
Kas Ozark Style BBQ Potato Chips in the outer Orange Reddish stripped bag with the bearfoot bearded hillbilly wearing his hat and suspenders containing twin inner brown bags were the best chips ever consumed by anyone. How this far Western Kentuckian Iongs for them to this very day. I am 51 and will never forget them. They were an absolute delight from my youth. I thought they would last forever but sadly they now belong to memory and the ages.
Jerry - October 06, 2009 - Report this comment
I recently had some Schnucks brand BBQ chips. My friend and I both thought they tasted a lot like the Snack Time Ozark Country Style Bar-B-Q flavored Potato Chips. Here's a link showing the front of the bag. http://www.flickr.com/photos/neatocoolville/3834561048/
Kevin/Kennett,MO - October 26, 2009 - Report this comment
Those were the best chips ever!!! Like most "local" things good, I'm sure some corporation bought the compitition and it ceased to exist...Does anyone remember Reelfoot Hot Dogs and Bologna....the bright red franks????? The best dogs ever....If anyone knows anything please advise!
KitKat - November 08, 2009 - Report this comment
I was just eating some BBQ chips wishing they were as good as Ozark! I thought I'd get on here ad see if I could find some! I ahve great memories of those awesome chips!!! SLURP
lesam42 - November 12, 2009 - Report this comment
I grew up around Carbondale, IL and was just crazy about Ozark BBQ chips. My parents would buy them and let me have one of the inner bags all to myself. I always thought they were really neat since we would camp in the foothills of the Ozarks every summer. Gosh, what I wouldn't give for those chips again!
Missouri - November 16, 2009 - Report this comment
I was just recalling those chips because I bought a bag of Lay's Honey BBQ chips and they are much the same. Brought back some memories.
Mike - November 25, 2009 - Report this comment
I grew up in Murphysboro,IL and loved these chips so much. I moved down south and use to come home for the holidays and buy several bags and my mom would pick me up some, then one day she couldn't find them. I was not happy. Would love to locate some, anyone have a clue about any. Did the company go out of business or what?
Tammy - December 23, 2009 - Report this comment
I grew up in St. Louis and like most of all of us Ozark Chip lovers... I miss them very much that sweet BBQ taste and often wonder why someone has not stolen the chip recipe. LOL Duke is willing to sell the busch bean recipe so someone that use to worked in the Ozark Chip Plant should surely remember the reccipe. I know I would love to have just one...or two...really a never ending supply. Our memories are wonderful of getting our allowence and running to the store and getting a bag of chip and pop. But now at 50 it is just a good memory like many other things in my life.
Tammi - January 14, 2010 - Report this comment
I am SE MO remember eating those BBQ loved them. Frito Lay has a Lay Honey BBQ chip out, that tastes like them, so you might try them.
Don - February 21, 2010 - Report this comment
I grew up in Alton and I believe the chips were discontinued in the late 80's to early 90's. They were made by KAS. My Mom used to ship them to me when I was in the Air Force and couldn't get them where I was at. I haven't tried Ray's but now I want to. Are they distibuted in the Southeast? If so, where?
Rick - March 27, 2010 - Report this comment
Amazon.com sells the Uncle Ray's BBQ chips.
Kevin - April 01, 2010 - Report this comment
I would also put forth Golden Flake's Thin & Crispy HOT Chips as a close runner-up to the Ozark BBQ chips. Same red, powdery seasoning, but a bit hotter. These are available nationally at Dollar General or regionally close to Birmingham, AL.
Jason - April 14, 2010 - Report this comment
Grippo's BBQ chips taste like Ozark. For years I couldn't find anything that tasted like Ozark. The first time I tried Grippo's I thought "Hello...these take just like Ozark!"
Robin - April 18, 2010 - Report this comment
I loved these chips. A bologna sandwich with the chips on the sandwich and a Big Red. Mmmmmm
William - July 13, 2010 - Report this comment
I am 39, grew up in St. Louis and love these chips. Wish i could have more. They need to bring them back. Kids today would love them. Please chip lovers give us the next best thing to the OZARK! At lease let me know. pdiddybop@yahoo.com
Shari - July 27, 2010 - Report this comment
I grew up in NE Kansas and loved Ozark BBQ chips. Used to ride my bike downtown just for a bag. I have recently started eating the Uncle Ray's BBQ chips and they are very close to the Ozark chips.
Mike Batchelor - July 27, 2010 - Report this comment
I have been craving these for 20 years! My absolute favorite childhood food! http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=31034201&id=1201863132 I tried the Uncle Rays - Pretty good, but doesn't quite have the sweetness of Ozark. The same chips were also sold as KAS BBQ chips. As I recall, the KAS Potato Chip Company was bought out by Guys Potato Chips. The Krunchers! Potato Chips were originally a Premium KAS Chip...Now they are owned by Snyders of Hanover - I would Imagine they would probably own the recipe somewhere maybe? Or maybe still have a longtime employee or two who worked at the factory in the KAS days...
Charles B. - August 21, 2010 - Report this comment
I grew up in South St.Louis and my most enjoyable memory is, Ozark BBQ poatato chips and a Mountain Dew... wow what a combo .. could not wait to get to the little corner store to buy them on my way to school!!! going on 50 and i still remember the taste everytime i drink a Mountain Dew!
Shelly - August 22, 2010 - Report this comment
What I'd give for a taste of an Ozark BBQ chip. I've been craving them for years and years. I use to eat them at my big sister Sharon's house with a bolonga cheese sandwich. Sure wish I could find them again.. Please help.
Legina - September 15, 2010 - Report this comment
I am from Kentucky and these chips were sold at a little market and we would stop and get two big bags every time that we passed this store. I have looked for them for over thirty years...wish that they would bring them back!!!!!!!!!!
Daniel - October 14, 2010 - Report this comment
Best ever bbq chips when I brought them to grade school the best looking girl in school would be my girlfriend for the day if I gave her a bag
Martin - October 31, 2010 - Report this comment
Kum and Go stores bought the Hiland brand chips and produced them for a short time as Blazn Hot. Last time I was in Iowa, they had some as kettle cooked, but did not have the same taste. Hopefully they will produce them again. I always would load up before leaving Iowa with 10-15 bags.
pete - November 06, 2010 - Report this comment
I had a flashback about these chips, did a google, and I see I'm not alone! 35 years ago and up North at the family cottage. A bag of Ozarks, an ice cold Pepsi in the tall twisty glass bottle, and my comic books, with a nice summer breeze blowing in the doorwall. Good times. Better Made's "Sweet BBQ" is sorta similar, but not the same.
Jay - November 06, 2010 - Report this comment
i grew up in St. Louis and Kas was the best tasting chip ever. The BBQ and the plain, can't find anything to compare nowhere and I have lived all over the country!
Jay - November 06, 2010 - Report this comment
I remember So Good Chips, they were good, but not Kas, I remember the T.V. commercials with Sally So Good, but they wern't Kas!
Susan - December 17, 2010 - Report this comment
Love the Ozark BBQ chips! Been looking for a good substitute. Appreciate the suggestions here! They were my favorite.
Dave - December 22, 2010 - Report this comment
Kas, Chesty, Kitty Clover, and Cains were bought by Borden about 1990. They had Krunchers. A year or so later, Borden bought Jay's. They sent Krunchers to Jay's. Borden closed the former companies. Jay's employees took over Jay's, but had to file bankruptcy. Hanover came in and bought them out.
Cheryl Trogus - December 26, 2010 - Report this comment
I recently bought a Chesty Potato Chip Can - the real deal. Lived in Terre Haute for years - George Johnson was one of the original founders of Chesty - what ever happened to the family? I know Jimmy was killed in an auto accident (drunk Ddiver) wWere was the family home (up on a hill is all I remember) Best chips I ever ate as a kid. Am interested in finding out what happened to the company and the family.
Janice Heleine - January 22, 2011 - Report this comment
My Dad was a Chesty Chip truck driver in Terre Haute, IN for about 30 years. George Johnson was the original owner of Chest Foods. He was highly thought of by the employees at Chesty. Kas & Kitty Clover along with some other brands were made by Chesty. They were just packaged in their own brand name bags. When I was young (I'm 57 now)and laws weren't as strict, my dad would sometimes take us into the plant and give us a tour of it. We would see the process from the potatoes still in the bag, through the washing process, peeling, slicing and into the huge vats of oil that they were fried in. They were long, round metal "tubes" that had some "paddles" tilted inside so that as the tube turned around it pushed the chips slowly to the other end and onto a mesh belt that allowed the oil to drip off before they were salted. We would get to eat a few of the chips while they were still warm. Now that's the time to eat chips!!!! Ozark chips were made by Chesty. For promo's & advertisement for the Ozark Chips, all the route men were given a "Hillbilly Hat" & a replica of one of the long barreled rifles the hill billies were said to use. It was winter and my dad walked in with this tall felt "hillbilly hat" on his head, the rifle in one hand and his rubber boots open (it was winter and he wore them to keep the snow & water out of his shoes). All of us kids about died laughing at him! Yes, those chips were delicious but they bring back more memories to me than just great chips. My dad was proud to say he worked for Chesty Chips and because of that all of us kids were proud to say he worked there. My dad turns 81 in 2 days. His memory isn't very good but if I can find out more from him about George and Chesty I'll leave a comment. Chesty was sold to another company and they closed them not long after. Fortunately my dad had retired by then. How about the Blue & Yellow striped shirt the Chesty Boy used to wear & Ruffles the Clown (Ruffle Chips that Frito-Lay later took the name from for their ruffle chips) that use to be part of the advertisements when Chesty use to help sponsor IU basketball games on TV. "Those Were the Days My Friend...."
Jimmy - January 31, 2011 - Report this comment
I lived in western KY and southern Indiana and I also remember the "Hillbilly" chips well! Been a long time but Grippos brand BBQ chips sure remind me of the good ole "Hillbillys" they are all good but seem to be just a little better when ya get the big box!
Barbie - February 13, 2011 - Report this comment
I grew up in Indianapolis and loved those Ozark BBQ chips. I remember as a kid going to the public swimming pool and getting to go to the snack stand. They always had those chips and I would by as many bags as I had money for (usually $1.00). To this day when I smell the chlorine of a swimming pool I crave those chips. The closest taste that I have found are Mike-sells zesty BBQ chips. The bad part is that I live in Nevada now and Mike-sells does not distribute here so I can't get those either! The story from Janice is great. Thanks for posting it.
Ray - February 13, 2011 - Report this comment
I grew up in Southern Illinois back in the early 70's and 80's. I loved KAS Ozark Mountain BBQ chips, they came in a big bag with two seperate bags of chips. My mom got them a lot because they would be on sale at local grocery stores every week it seemed. KAS was bought out by JAY's, they JAY's delivery guy talked about them as well (He was KAS driver originally), they did try them out again in the early 90's but quickly dropped off again.
Pam D - February 20, 2011 - Report this comment
Had a sudden flashback major hankering for Ozark BBQ chips. Searched all over without luck. Did a search on them and was happy to see I'm not the only one who loved them. I saw someone suggested the Uncle Ray's brand as being as close as they can remember. I did find the Uncle Ray's on Amazon. Ordered some and hope, hope, hope they are close. LOL
Cathy - March 06, 2011 - Report this comment
I'm sorry to hear that Chesty was closed up.They were the best chips ever! I had a bag a few years ago when my brother made a trip to Indiana. They were still just as good as they were back when I was a kid.We made many field trips when I was in school to the Chesty plant.They always gave us bags of chips to take home. It was fun watching them make the chips! Wish I could get a bag!
Darren - March 10, 2011 - Report this comment
Chicago. Chesty chips! Finally found the little blond boy with the striped shirt. Late 1960's they were a dime a bag. I think the only other chips out there were Jay's.I used to go to the corner Ma and Pop store and buy a bag and a glass bottle of RC Cola for about 30 cents. Back then your parents could run a tab. Those were the days. I'm 48 now. Thanks Chesty, you may have been my first chip.
Kay - March 24, 2011 - Report this comment
I remember these when I was a little girl. The man lounging on the bag with the turned up mustache always intrigued me. I really do miss these chips. They are absolutely the best chips I ever tasted!!!! I had a bag of bar-b-que Jays and they are pretty good but not as good as Ozarks. They are a little too sweet. What loved about Ozarks is they had the perfect combination of sweet and spicy.
JIM - March 26, 2011 - Report this comment
If you Liked Ozark,you have to try Uncle Rays BBQ chips. They are the closest thing to the Ozark. Trust me you will be pleased!!!
Dave Handley - March 27, 2011 - Report this comment
Ozark BBQ Chips were the very best ever! With a timeless taste that brings back memories of a wonderful childhood!
Chris Benson - April 02, 2011 - Report this comment
I'm here today because I was happy to be eating a bag of Lay's BBQ that finally tasted like something - for several years now, they've be "KC Masterpiece", which I generally avoided. I grew up in Iowa and now live in California, so I was THRILLED when we recently got back Laura Scudders - it's a poor man's treat, but the QC varies a lot and you can get an RRB (Really RED Batch). Anyway, it reminded me of the GOD (Good Old Days), when I was around 10 and I'd spend the night with my best friend and we'd get TWO BAGS - one for each of us, and we'd chow down past midnight. My family was from Ottumwa, and they had a local brand called "Guy's" that also had a mean chip, but I think I might pay up to $100 for one bag of fresh Ozark BBQ Chips just to see if my memory was fooling me. As I recall, they were SO RED that it was worth licking some before you ate them.
Kenneth Elmore - April 06, 2011 - Report this comment
I am a over the road truck driver. I remember these ozark bbq chips,and had been looking for them for years. I found these chips, only they are called something else now. I do not remember the name, but they are in most of the truck stops and mom and pop stores in Southern MO. These are not sold outside of MO, and are not available any were else. When I'm in Mo I always pick up several bags. The bag is orange/red. These are the same ozark brand bbq chips. Sorry I am unable to remember the name.
J. Giles - April 24, 2011 - Report this comment
I grew up in Marion, Il in the 70's. My brother drove a Charlie Chip Truck, wish I kept those cans, now they are a collectors item. I also loved the ozark bbq chips, I ate them everyday after school with orange soda, nothing has come close to that in the past 30 years, so sad }
DJL - May 22, 2011 - Report this comment
Kitty Clover also made a hotdog and mustard flavor chip I loved in grade school. Their sour cream and onion was good also. Ozark BBQ chips were indeed the best and a fond memory of my youth.
DJL - May 22, 2011 - Report this comment
[IMG]http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/9036/3834561048f624a0d4c0.jpg[/IMG]
smith - May 24, 2011 - Report this comment
I grew up on Guys BBQ potato chips here in Iowa and have generally been avoiding all the recent BBQ chips as they don't taste quite right. Tried some Uncle Ray's BBQ chips today and Wow they taste just like Guys used to. Which is what brought me to this website researching whatever happened to Guys. Guess I will stick with Uncle Rays--they taste great, plus I love reading the stories on the bag!
db - May 31, 2011 - Report this comment
I remember looking in the front door of the Chesty Potato Chip plant to see the blonde boy in the striped shirt done portrayed on the floor made of tiles. Such memories of growing up in terre Haute!
jake - June 24, 2011 - Report this comment
I found a chip like the old hillbilly chips.lays makes the called sweet southern heat bbq stl pattonville 96
Caroline Hood - July 19, 2011 - Report this comment
I loved them! I remember there was so much seasoning on the chip..can't find a chip even close to these chips..somebody make them again..as you can see there are many fans that would buy them!
sue b. - July 22, 2011 - Report this comment
I am glad I am not the only person looking for Ozark BBQ chips. They were by far the best bbq chips ever made. I grew up in St. Louis and bought these chips reguraly as a kid at the corner store. I have read a lot of comments on here about Uncle Rays BBQ chips and I will give them a try. It's obvious this will be as close as I ever get again to the ones I miss. Thanks for the info.
MTD - July 22, 2011 - Report this comment
If you loved KAS BBQ chips than you will really love Old Vienna Ozark Barbeque Potato Chips. They are made in Fenton, Missouri. They also make Red Hot Riplet chips.
Raymond S - July 30, 2011 - Report this comment
My dad sold Home Town Potato Chip Co. here in Louisville Ky. to Chesty Foods in 1956. The best BBQ chips now are Grippo out of Cincinnati Ohio.
TEF - August 25, 2011 - Report this comment
I Worked for Chesty Potato Chips as a route salesman. They sold to the Fairmont Snacks and the chips were sold under that name, later under the ownership of the Culbro Corp. the name of Chesty along with Kas and Kitty Clover was brought back. We sold Indian Corn Chips, Cornies, Tor Ticos, Pepitos, Bachman Pretzels and Ozark BBQ Potato Chips. I think they closed down around 1986 or so. Culbro/Snacktime Company also introduced "Krunchers" Potato chips in three flavors around 1983--that was our last great hope and it wasn't enough so save the regional snack company against the big space buying programs of national giant Frito Lay. Chesty, Arties, Seyfert and many many other regional companies closed and or sold. Walmart exploded on the scene and everything was for sale and over the next 10 years or so all your regional grocery stores closed. Only the big boys could survive and after Chesty closed I ended up working for Frito Lay for over ten years. I still have much memorabilia from my Chesty days. It was good times selling chips to small locally owned and operated markets. Hey does anybody remember the annual Chesty promotions when you got a pack of garden seeds on each bag or a free back to school pencil?
tef - August 26, 2011 - Report this comment
http://www.flickr.com/photos/neatocoolville/3834561048/go to this web address and you can see a picture of a Ozark BBQ Potato Chips bag--Looks like the late 70's to 80's-- You can see Chesty,Kas and Kitty Cloveron the back.
Steve - September 08, 2011 - Report this comment
People are confusing more than one BBQ potato chip sold in the St. Louis area in the '70s through early '90s. I grew up eating KAS 'Ozark Style' BBQ potato chips. It was KAS in the '70s that made the chips I loved. Later in the late '80s or so the brand was sold or KAS was bought out and a new company name was on the bag but the hillbilly was the same--------------but the flavor was changed to be sweeter (the same way Steak n Shake ruined their chili and chili mac!). The confusion arises from more than one BBQ potato chip being marketed as 'Ozark Style' back then in the St. Louis area. For me 'Ozark Style' only meant KAS which remains the finest BBQ chips I've ever tasted. For anyone in the South a good BBQ chip is Golden Flake Sweet Heat BBQ.
Gster - September 26, 2011 - Report this comment
Hey folks - stumbled upon this and thought I would share my thoughts on a new chip (to me) that reminds me a LOT of the original Ozark BBQ chips. They are made by Herr's and the flavor is Red Hot. Schnucks was selling them for a while, but when I checked yesterday, they were out or had stopped selling them. I did read that WalMart might carry them. Anyhoo, check them out and see if they remind you of the Old Ozark chips as much as they did me.
Steve - October 26, 2011 - Report this comment
Today I found a new bbq chip flavor from Ruffles with a Memphis style taste. It really reminded me and my wife of the Ozark style chips from Kas. Aahh, those were the days of great bbq chips. Amazingly no other chip company even comes close to the great flavor of Kas Ozark Style BBQ Chips.
toby latham - October 27, 2011 - Report this comment
Herrs baby back ribs tastes close to the KAS flavor
Paul H. - October 28, 2011 - Report this comment
Menards home improvement stores sell a lot of foods that aren't available in grocery stores here in Indianapolis. Menards carries Uncle Ray's chips; I've tried several flavors but I haven't ried the BBQ yet. I loved Indian Corn Chips as a kid; I used to think they were better than Fritos but may they were just the same. Anyone want to comment on corn chip differences?
Chris P. - November 01, 2011 - Report this comment
The Ozark chips are still available in St.Louis under the Old Vienna brand. Try oldviennallc.com
Shari T. - January 17, 2012 - Report this comment
Try Lays Wavy Hickory Barbecue they taste just like the Ozard 70's potato chips!!
Shimeka T. - April 02, 2012 - Report this comment
Old Vienna makes an Ozark Bbq flavor chip. It used to have ridges but that changed awhile back. They're easy to find at St. Louis area gas stations - for some reason they market the RedHot Riplets to grocery stores but not the other flavors. Anyway the Ozark BBQ flavor has that sweet smokey flavor of the old ones, I just wish they kept those little ridges to hold on to all that flavor!!!
Dave L. - April 16, 2012 - Report this comment
Is it just me or does anyone remember how the Ozark chips always seemed to be heavily coated with their seasonings, like the ratio mixer was always set on high! now you're lucky if you can find two chips out of a bag that are covered nearly as well.
Bill G. - May 08, 2012 - Report this comment
Ozark BBQ were dang good. There is a company called Golden Flake that has good product that is almost the same, they call it Sweet Heat BBQ. I found them in Tennessee, but they have a website where you can order their products.
Zoe R. - July 05, 2012 - Report this comment
Awesome chips...nicely coated... great .. I love the package and my mom was a "demonstrator " for Chesty too .. back in the day... brings back great memories.
Mark - September 02, 2012 - Report this comment
they sold them in Indy and it was always a treat eating them. I like Grippos now, but if they sold them in Ohio I'd be all over them
Melody H. - November 03, 2012 - Report this comment
Wow, and here I thought it was just me. I grew up in St. Louis city and am 49, and I remember well and here they were produced by (Kas)and sadly there has NEVER been anything like them since. There was another chip out at the same time a Onion Garlic chip but I can't recall the name but they came in a close second to my beloved Ozark's.
Nancy - November 11, 2012 - Report this comment
I loved Ozark style chips since I was a kid. I grew up near Chicago but all our relatives were in southern IL - that's where the chips were. I loved them so much that I remember as late as roughly 1986-87 driving down to southern IL & while there buying all the bbq chips on the shelves lol. I know at some point KAS/KAZ? took them over - I have tried many other brands & none of them come close enough for me. In the Chicago area, Jays makes a good bbq but it's a tad sweet. In Kentucky, MikeSells makes a good hickory bbq & Grippos makes a very hot, smokey, slightly sweet bbq. I want my Ozarks & that silly looking hillbilly!!! Too bad one of us doesn't have the recipe!
jeremy - November 24, 2012 - Report this comment
do they still make them they were the best.i havent seen them in years.i miss the hillbilly i grew up in madisonville,ky and i think im the only one that remembers them here.grippo's are my fav now but i shure would love to taste them ozark's one more time and have some flash backs of some childhoods memories eat'n THE BEST DAMN BBQ CHIP!!!!!!
kathy - December 24, 2012 - Report this comment
Old Vienna BBQ chips are pretty good but NOT nowhere near as good as the Kas Ozark BBq were. But maybe if they made the Old Vienna BBQ in a rippled chip with more of the seasoning? Perhaps maybe a little close? Opinions would be appreciated!!!
Carol - January 24, 2013 - Report this comment
My favorite was Kas Cornies, I have never found another cheese puff that was as good. I grew up in Granite City, Il in the 60's and remember Kas chips was all my Mom bought...2 bags inside a larger bag....and cornies were always in my school lunch.
jeff - February 22, 2013 - Report this comment
I live in centralia Illinois we had KAS potato chips plant here
Denise - April 03, 2013 - Report this comment
I remember these chips. I would LOVE to find them again!!!! I grew up in a small Missouri town in the Bootheel. I always bought a bag whenever I got any money from my parents. They were the best chips ever!
george - May 29, 2013 - Report this comment
I was thinking,the chips sound like those we had in Ozark's,in the late 60's.They were BBQ,with a real sweet flavor,just about like mesquite now,but not exactly the same,they were just right.If I remember right they were made by Kitty Clover,in KC.I think that bunch was bought out by Lays.
graig - June 02, 2013 - Report this comment
Full Circle barbecue chips (organic) taste exactly like i remember these tasting.
Elaine lo - June 05, 2013 - Report this comment
Grew up in St Louis Ozark BBQ chips was the best even not to mention Green onion potato chips in the Black and green bag!! Where can u find then!! Lol ST.LOUIS BORN AND RAISED..SUMNER BULLDOGS C/O 86'
Tiffany - June 21, 2013 - Report this comment
I grew up in southern Illinois, but am in Louisiana now. When I was a kid, I really thought I was a big dog when Grandpa would take me in to Heise's Tavern and buy me a bag of Hillbilly bbq potato chips and a Pepsi. The only thing I've found that is remotely close Golden Flake Sweet Heat bbq chips.
Alice - July 24, 2013 - Report this comment
I was thinking about those BBQ chips today, I could almost smell them. They were the best!!
Mark - July 27, 2013 - Report this comment
Oh how I was craving a bag of these tonight! When I was a kid in the early 70's, my dad and I would go to the neighborhood grocery store and get a bag of these and have the owner cut us up a pound of thick-sliced bologna.... yum!
rmichael - August 01, 2013 - Report this comment
from fulton ky--loved the kas hillbilly bbq chips. I love the krunchers Hawaiian bbq with sweet onion. not as good but simimlar
Bonnie - August 06, 2013 - Report this comment
I used to buy these chips at a small grocery store by our cottage in Edenville, Michigan. They were the best lots of flavoring. Uncle Rays bbq are the next best thing. Taste a lot like the hillbilly brand.
Shanitra Ransom - August 27, 2013 - Report this comment
I have been in deep search for these chips for years I thought it was just me having that same craving from childhood to now. Everytime I vacation out of state I look for those chips. The are #1 in my book. Two brown bags of chips inside one big bsg with the most explosive flavor....I LOVE OZARK!
Steve CALHOUN - September 04, 2013 - Report this comment
I moved to Farmington, Missouri in 1965 and had the pleasant of tasting the good ole Ozark BBQ chips for the 1st time. I was hooked. I still taste them. Wouldn't it be great it someone would come out with them again with the same recipe. Maybe we could contact Lays and see if they still have the recipe and see it the would bring them out for trial in different parts of the country. I now live in Florida, and would order them by the case to just to get my hands on them again. It was good to see such an interest on Ozark chips after all these years.
Rick M. - September 11, 2013 - Report this comment
Growing up in the 60's in Ripley county we had a small local grocery store on 21 Hiway that carried those fantastic chips. I remember walking the road looking for soda bottles to trade in and we were lucky we would have enough to get a double bag and a Mt Dew in the hillbilly bottle too. Oh to relive those days again.
Sammy S - February 03, 2014 - Report this comment
I grew up in NE Arkansas and the Ozark Bbq chips are a legend in my family. I have bragged over and over to my children and they have no idea what they are missing. I used to love to crack open one of the two brown bags and just smell the goodness. Always full of flavor and were finger licking good. Wish they would come back. From the looks of this blog, they would have a very loyal and faithful following. Let's bring the true bbq chip to future generations!!! Who's with me?
Tamekia Rogers - February 05, 2014 - Report this comment
I would like to know where I can find kas potato chips I love those chips those are the best ones I haven't seen those bags in forever get them back in stores you all will make a lot of money every time something good comes around they take away from us that's not fair get them back in stores you see people love them.
Rolando B - March 19, 2014 - Report this comment
I was born and raised in St Louis MO and my older brother would come home and bring me a bag of Ozark BBQ potato chips and hot sundance corn chips, some of the best snacking ever, I agree would love to see the OBBQ chips return, the hillbilly was great.
m simms, southern IN - March 23, 2014 - Report this comment
Oh, I remember the Ozark BarBQ chips and the Chesty chips (Chesty first!). We would ride our bikes to the little general store and get a bag of chips and a soda pop from the big metal cooler with ice in it. They also carried Gordon chips, but I didn't like them as well. It's funny how memories of a flavor take us back so many years!
scott - April 18, 2014 - Report this comment
i grew up in southern indiana,.. those chips were awesome,... guess what i found!!! UNCLERAYS.COM uncle rays hot flavored bbq... awesome... anyway they are as close as i found,...
joey - May 05, 2014 - Report this comment
this potato chip was a huge part of my childhood! the closest thing found to the taste is the red hot riplets! i think the same company makes those!
mayberry - July 18, 2014 - Report this comment
i grew up in lexington ky, i never noticed the name, i just knew to get the brand with the country guy on the front of the bag and, that the bag was a reddish orange clear bag. best bbq chips every!!!! my favorite now is grippos bbq. i would love to have ozark now, with some squirrels chew candy....AND dont forget the tiger red pop!!!!! lexington is owesome....WAIT, wheres the liver pudding?!!!!thanks yal
Mandy - August 18, 2014 - Report this comment
Kas Potato Chips were made here in Centralia, Il. Kas closed in the '80s. Centralia also the home of Payday candy bars which are no longer made here. Many times the smell of chips & candy bars would drift over the town! Miss that!
Becky - August 30, 2014 - Report this comment
My grandfather, George Johnson, owned Chesty Chips, in Terre Haute, IN. I unfortunately no little about the history of the chips. I do remember Chesty being bought out by Borden's. Will check with family and get more history. U
Rick - September 20, 2014 - Report this comment
Chesty Potato Chips in Terre Haute, IN invented and made the delicious Ozark BBQ Chips. Chesty also owned KAS and Kitty Clover regional brands and sold Ozark BBQ under all their brand names. Then Chesty was bought out by Borden's (yes..the milk company). They shut down the Terre Haute plant, also bought Seyfert's Chips in Ft Wayne, IN and combined the plants. Borden's have since sold them and I have not idea who owns the Chesty Chips name and recipes now.
scott - October 02, 2014 - Report this comment
I remember there being two brown bags in a larger bag that had the hillbilly traffic.
Tom - October 30, 2014 - Report this comment
I was a soft drink salesman for nearly 40 years in southern Indiana, and was friends with several Chesty salesmen over the years. I recall when they were so strong, but as the years went by, they lost so much business, due to Frito-Lays 'space buy-out' programs. Story I was told, is they combined businesses with Seyferts brand chips. And because Chesty was union, and Seyferts being non union, all their combined products were combined under the Seyferts brand. The end for Chesty. If you want to blame anyone, because you cannot find your 'favorite brands' from your childhood, then put the blame on Frito Lay. Their strategy to go in a retail account, and 'buy' all the space in the store, has put all your old favorites out of business. Frito Lay is owned by Pepsico, so that is why you are limited to soft drink brands in the retail market,that are only sold by Pepsi. Coke does as best they can to compete. All the independent soft drink companies have been nearly forced out of business.
Daniela - October 30, 2014 - Report this comment
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stephen - November 10, 2014 - Report this comment
When my wife and I talk about our childhood in the late 60s and early 70s we would end up remembering the countless times we would ride our bikes down to Mama Mia's Pizza on Broadway in Alton Ill. We would pool our money and buy a bag of Ozark BBQ chips and two 16 oz. bottles of Pepsi and sit outside the store and share the chips and watch the traffic go by
David - February 21, 2015 - Report this comment
hey I don't appreciate you ever raise my comment. Hello, yeah in the seventy's we use to love the cast barbeque potato chipshey I don't appreciate you ever raise my comment. Hello, yeah in the seventy's we use to love the KAS barbeque potato chips.by far the best potato chip ever created. I ran into a guy that was a vendor for old Vienna snack chips. He told me he had been working for the company for over 35 years and was nearing retirement. He said that. KASwas the original maker of the BBQ chip in question however now old Vienna was selling them in their original flavor bag. So, he said you can now buy the same potato chip by buying the old Vienna BBQ original brand and it would be the same thing. I don't know about the previous owner ships as stated by some of the people above, however, I do know that I have tried both the Ozark BBQ and I have tried the old Vienna original barbecue potato chip, &, they are the exact same potato chip. So, please enjoy a bag of them today, &, they will bring back so many wonderful memories.
SNARO - February 22, 2015 - Report this comment
Ummmm..wha you talkin about? Hillbilly chips and Mt. Dew..it'll tickle yer innards..
John - March 24, 2015 - Report this comment
I too remember these Chips they were indeed awesome and I miss not being able to get them. If you remember, on the early chips there was a yellow see thru part of the bag that made the chips look even more barbecue than they were. To the person who commented from Kennett MO, about the Reelfoot bologna and franks. The Reelfoot plant was in Union City, TN and went out of business some years back. They did have the best bologna and wieners.
Toni Esselman - April 18, 2015 - Report this comment
I remember my a Daddy and I would get our Oazrk BBQ chips from a milk store called farm fresh by our house. I'd trade in glass milk bottles for cash to buy them. Then we'd sit near Boise brule bottoms and watch the Mississippi River on the banks of mcbride Missouri. Between perryville mo and Chester Il.
Bobby Daniels - June 06, 2015 - Report this comment
I lived in Union City, TN and these chips were in abundance and were awesome! I never found BBQ chips these good until I moved to Southeastern KY and found Grippo's.
JNS - June 08, 2015 - Report this comment
I'M A PROUD PRODUCT OF SE MO (POPLAR BLUFF,BUTLER CNTY) AND DAD WAS A MANAGER FOR LANCE BRAND SNACKS (CHIPS,COKIES,CAKES).. LANCE MAY HAVE PUT SHOES ON OUR FEET ,BUT OZARK BBQ CHIPS NEXT TO A GRILLED CHEESE SAMICH WAS ON THE BRAIN...BOY, THOSE SHO' WAS GOOD...
Shanitra - July 12, 2015 - Report this comment
I've searched for years and years hoping to find Ozark barbeque potato chips. These were the best chips ever and today I'm still in high hopes that these potato chips will return.
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Ron - August 25, 2015 - Report this comment
Remember those Ozark BBQ chips very well--loved them growing up in St. Louis during the '70s and '80s! Came in a large red bag with the hillbilly on them and contained two smaller unmarked brown bags inside of them. Very unique flavor, unlike any other BBQ chip on the market. They seemed to disappear sometime in the late '80s I think and I have not seen them since. Would love to know if anyone still makes them and if they can be ordered online.
Mike - October 12, 2015 - Report this comment
I sold the Ozark Hillbilly Chips from '73 to '90. KAS is out of business and thes are no longer available. There are wannabes out there, but their not the same. I'm 67 years old.
Rick - October 18, 2015 - Report this comment
Anyone remember Hurst Potato Chips in the greater St.Louis, Mo area?....man, those were the best chips around.....circa 1960's. I can't even find their name in Google Search. Wish I could buy them again. Anyone else remember them please leave a comment.
Paulee - October 28, 2015 - Report this comment
THEY ARE MAKING OZARK BBQ CHIPS AGAIN> MARSH"S SUPER MARKET CARRYS THEM IN INDIANAPOLIS INDIANA AND A FEW OTHER STORES AS WELL
Marsha Major - January 09, 2016 - Report this comment
Bring ozark BBQ chips back to St.Louis, please!
laurie - April 27, 2016 - Report this comment
Only thing I can say is the best barbecue chips ever bring them back PLEASE I have some bib boos and a straw hat ready to go back to those good days
Michael - June 25, 2016 - Report this comment
Loved the kas bbq potato chips. I grew up in southern ill as well. I brought a small baggie full for my lunches at school.
robert goodman - October 01, 2016 - Report this comment
i lived in mo ft ord all i remeber is the chips
Darren Cooper - November 24, 2016 - Report this comment
Cooper Motel, in Tuscola, IL sold Ozark Bar-B-Que chips from the late 60's throughout the 70's. They were made by a company called Snack Time (who also made "Cornies" cheese puffs), then Chesty?? Grab a pack from the rack, after school, kick back with a Coke and watch Gilligan screw up.
Mike Darnell - November 26, 2016 - Report this comment
Ozark BBQ were great, I grew up in Cahokia and my mom would always buy the big bag ( the one that had the 2 smaller bags in them) and we would eat them like crazy Ozark chips and Bologna and cheese sandwiches the 80's were great! Lol
Vivian Robak - December 10, 2016 - Report this comment
My hometown is Chicago, (Hickory Hills.) Me and my siblings were all talking about those chips. We couldn't remember the name of them. We used to walk up to the White Hen Pantry, and buy them. AHHHHHH, the 70's. . . . .
Jim - December 31, 2016 - Report this comment
My goodness I long for some Ozarks! Uncle Rays BBQ is definitely the closest that I have found. They decided to play head games with me and recently change the color scheme on the bag. I thought they were gone forever too! Have you ever seen a 43 year old man flip out...lol. The other day my wife picked up a bag of Utz BBQ chips at Target in central Indiana and they are pretty darn close also.
kathy - February 20, 2017 - Report this comment
Old Vienna has pretty good chips but if only they would make a rippled bbq chip.They could possibly taste similar to the Kas Ozark bbq chips. Gosh I miss those!
Dino - March 30, 2017 - Report this comment
I grew up in St.Louis City on the north side back in the 80s n 90s. Them orzark BBQ chips are/were the BEST of all time!! I even remover my dad buying the family size bags. It was a big bag with two smaller brown individual bags of chips in the big bag. That BBQ flavor had a slight smokey tangy taste along with the sweetness that I haven't tasted since I was a kid. They did bring them back as late as the 90s. It was branded different and didn't taste the same. I wish they would bring them back the right way.
Rick - May 12, 2017 - Report this comment
They were sold by Chesty Chips Terre Haute, In. which closed in the late 1980's....
Douglas - July 26, 2017 - Report this comment
I've been watching this conversation for quite some time. Peeking in every few months. I've tried quite a few of the suggestions above and haven't found anything close to the old Ozark brand chips.......until now. - Kitchencooked.net brand chips; smoky sweet BBQ in the black and white bag. Looks like they're a smaller company out of Illinois. I found them at our local Farm and Home store in Cottleville, MO.(St.Peters) and bought them on a whim. - I was absolutely floored when I tasted these chips; closing my eyes takes me back to my youth. They are definitely the closest thing to the Ozark brand chips , that I remember from the 70's and 80's. They have that very unique BBQ taste that's just not found in any other chips today. (Most of the BBQ chips today are either bland, taste just like the others or both).
Sheri - September 21, 2017 - Report this comment
This was my favorite chip of all time. We had a kas potato chip company in our townwhen I was growing up. Pretty sure that was the company that made them. The smell voming from that factory was amazing. We also had a candy factory that made payday,milk shake and other candy bars.
Rhonda - December 08, 2017 - Report this comment
Old Vienna of St. Louis who makes the red hot riplets has a chip now like the Ozark they are calling it southern style barbecue sweet & spicy
psc41 - January 17, 2018 - Report this comment
They were the only BBQ chips I like. Had othe others but, not the same as the Ozark Country BBQ. I have tri s a lot of others or that were suppose to be the same or as good as but, no sir. You can’t find anything even close. Lived in a small town south of Springfield, IL they sold at drug store and few other places. So wish they still made them. But, like a lot of the really good stuff they are gone. Such a shame because New isn’t always better.
Mary - February 18, 2018 - Report this comment
Chesty (Ozark Hillbilly) Barbecue Potato Chips were the best of all time! Haven't found one that we liked as well since. I read on this page someone said another chip company should unearth the recipe and make them. I agree! Would be nice to have them back on the market!!!!! My brother use to eat them while watching Creature Feature :) Most times "Original is Better" The quality of a lot of things have gone down hill over the years...what happened to "if it ain't broke don't fix it?:)
Stacey - June 23, 2018 - Report this comment
Wow! They were my favorite too. I was just telling some friends back home in Indiana that the McCormick Grill Mates BBQ rub is that flavor. At least it sure makes me think so.
chip fanatic - August 05, 2018 - Report this comment
I miss these also. And the KAS. Luckily Grippo's is still in production. They aren't the same (nothing is or will be), but Grippo's BBQ is by far my favorite chip. They're made in Cincinatti, OH, but sometimes you get lucky and find them randomly in Southern IL or Northwestern Kentucky.
Bryan - September 19, 2018 - Report this comment
Schlotzsky’s Deli’s BBQ Chips remind me a lot of the old Ozark BBQ chips.
PAM IN KCMO - October 01, 2018 - Report this comment
There is no other like the Ozark Mountain BBQ chips with the Hillbilly on them...When you ate a bag of them your lips were red, your tongue and your hands, yum they were the greatest chip around ever, at the time to me. There is no way they can ever be duplicated now because of our food standards, with the monitoring of fat, cholesterol and sodium. Just like when Lays changed there chips and started using canola oil and what ever else they decided to use to get closer to health, yuck. Potato chip cookies have never been the same since. Oh, to get the back to bad, unhealthy and harmful ingredients we ate back in the 60's and 70's again LOL
Steve - October 27, 2018 - Report this comment
The best BBQ chips ever, loved these as a kid in the 1970's.
Steve Williams - March 11, 2019 - Report this comment
I'm pretty sure that Kas brand potato chips used to be made in Centralia Il. They were the company that made Ozark BBQ chips. They are no longer in business. Swallowed up by the big snack food companies.
Steve - March 11, 2019 - Report this comment
https://www.tippingpitchers.com/forum/tippingpitchers-com-forums/the-lounge/79199-the-results-are-in-for-the-best-potato-chips/page4 Interesting info on the Kas company.
Jc - July 12, 2019 - Report this comment
Barrel o’ Fun bbq chips seem to taste like ozark bbq
BC - August 10, 2019 - Report this comment
These were absolutely the best chips ever, but I always ate mine with a bottle of ice cold (so cold almost, but not quite, a slush) Sundrop! I love that this thread is still active after over 10 years. C’mon internet, we should be able to find the recipe!
Tapeworm - August 16, 2019 - Report this comment
Once I opened a bag of them and found a human toe. A HUUUUMAAAAAN TOOOOOOOOOOE!!!!!!!!
Pam Winters - August 23, 2019 - Report this comment
Ozark BBQ chips,Best in the world.
wF - January 05, 2020 - Report this comment
we rarely had things like soda or potato chips in our house growing up but if we did it was always double cola and Ozark chips
MikeN - May 11, 2020 - Report this comment
I grew up in Columbia Illinois, near StL. I recall Ozark BBQ potato chips too. Miss them.
ChrisI - May 22, 2020 - Report this comment
Lived in St.Louis 72 Thur 78, I loved those BBQ Chips so much, I would make sandwich’s out of them. And that’s the truth.
St Louisan - June 22, 2020 - Report this comment
Does anyone remember the Ingredients of these Ozark bbq chips? I've seen photos of the front side of the bag, but none of the back, would love to see it. I wish I knew people who used to run the plant that made these chips. They were fantastic chips and a favorite snack of my childhood in the 70's. Wow, I miss the good-old-days.
Jeff Smith - November 23, 2020 - Report this comment
Loved them growing up, the closest you’ll find today are Golden Flake Sweet Heat Barbecue available in Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, Arkansas, Louisiana, South Carolina, Kentucky, Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Virginia, North Carolina, Indiana, Maryland. They’re very similar in taste but not covered in as much of the spices as the Ozarks which would turn your fingers and mouth and anything else it touched red.
Iliff - June 20, 2021 - Report this comment
I just had some Ruffles Flamin' Hot BBQ Potato Chips that reminded me of the Ozark BBQ chips.
Pat K - October 18, 2021 - Report this comment
That recipe comes and goes. UTZ out of Hanover PA sells BBQ ripples. It's them.
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D. Ray - August 26, 2022 - Report this comment
I have been looking for a chip close to Ozark for decades and I finally found them. Utz Ripples BBQ chips are so close to Ozark it’s amazing. Try them and see. They are out of Hanover, PA.
Duranie82 - June 19, 2023 - Report this comment
I just did a taste test, after finding this page! I am in STLMO for the weekend. I still have to try Uncle Ray's, Grippo's, or Utz Barbecue Ripple chips. I tried Wavy Lays Hickory Barbecue chips; Schnucks - St. Louis Style Hot Bbq Chips; Schnucks - Maxed Out Barbeque Chips; Schnucks - Red, White & Barbecue Baby Back Rib Flavored Chips; Schnucks - I Like 'Em Sweet and Tangy Barbecue Flavored Chips. Of those I tried, I think the Schnucks - Maxed Out Barbeque Chips were the closest in taste to the Ozark BBQ chips. I haven't had the Ozark chips since at least 1980 so...I have to rely on sensory memory. The Wavy Lays Hickory Barbecue was good too, but the Maxed Out chips felt the closest for me.
M.Fisher - July 17, 2023 - Report this comment
Jay's regular bbq are the best bbq chip. Sold in the Chicago area. I remember Ozark. The best. For a regular chip Lays is the best.
Steven Seyer - September 14, 2023 - Report this comment
Absolutely love the Ozark Country Style Bar-B-Q Potato Chips. Was my favorite BBQ chip. now all BBQ chips tastes like BBQ sauce.
Ms. Angela - October 07, 2023 - Report this comment
I loved Ozark potato chips as a child. I grew up in Centreville/East Saint Louis and use to have a bag for lunch every day. I'm 54yrs old and can still remember how they taste. It's just like this restaurant named "Scotias" in E. St. Louis sold some of the best fried shrimps ever. You could smell the restaurant blocks before getting to it. I miss that restaurant. When the owner passed away the restaurant 😢 ended up closing. I wish I had her recipes. It had a very distinct smell. Childhood memories.

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