Reviews: TIPS Beef Tallow Potato Chips and Grillo’s Thickles

TIPS Beef Tallow Potato Chips

TIPS enters the premium snack aisle with a unique twist on a classic comfort food: kettle-style potato chips cooked in 100% beef tallow rather than traditional seed oils. This “seed oil free” approach taps into the growing movement toward animal-based fats and clean-label snacking. The Classic variety keeps things simple with only three ingredients (potatoes, beef tallow, and sea salt) delivering a pure, savory crunch that highlights the brand’s focus on minimalism and authenticity. Additional SKUs are planned, but have not launched as of the writing of this review.

Things that stand out:

• The flavor is straightforward and has a richer flavor than regular potato chips thanks to the beef tallow. We also really like the thicker cut that they’ve used. Both give the chips an artisanal vibe.
• Clean ingredient panel and “seed oil free” with animal fat positioning aligns well with current trends.

Things to consider:

• The flavor of beef tallow may not appeal to all palates and could limit mass-market reach.
• The packaging design feels somewhat cluttered, with uneven color blocking and photo cutouts that reduce shelf impact. The brand would definitely benefit from some improved curb appeal.
• As a trend-driven product, long-term consumer enthusiasm for tallow-based snacks remains uncertain. And in the short term, competitors could easily replicate this concept, challenging TIPS to differentiate beyond the novelty factor.

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Grillo’s Thickles

Grillo’s Thickles are a clever yet practical innovation from the beloved pickle brand, offering a thicker take on their classic dill chips. Packaged in a 16 oz. clear plastic container, the product proudly shows off its natural ingredients, including visible garlic cloves, dill sprigs, and grape leaves. The bright green lid and cartoon pickle mascot reinforce Grillo’s signature look, giving it strong shelf recognition and a fun, approachable personality. Designed to meet the growing demand for snackable pickles, these thick-cut chips deliver a crunch and flavor profile that’s simple, clean, and refreshingly authentic.

Things that stand out:

• More substantial crunch thanks to the thicker size. It’s what you’d expect from a pickle speer, but in a one-bite format.
• Fresh, vibrant dill and garlic flavor consistent with Grillo’s reputation for quality.
• The transparent container effectively showcases product freshness and purity. Playful packaging design featuring the Grillo’s mascot adds strong brand personality.

Things to consider:

• Could benefit from clearer positioning as a snack product versus traditional pickle chips.
• A spicy or alternative flavor extension would be a welcome addition and would add some variety to the line.

Rating: