Around the World in Search of the Perfect Snack

As a frequent traveler, nacho hunter, and pub enthusiast, I am always on the look out for interesting snacks to accompany a nice ale or lager beer. One of my favorite treats during childhood trips to London was a packet of Phileas Fogg crisps. I haven’t had any in years, but I’m just now realizing that they may be the greatest pub snack in the entire world.

Looking back, my brother and I exhibited quite refined taste in our preference for Phileas Fogg products. Beyond the basic bag of “Salt and Lineker” Walkers, a lot of the snacks on offer at the newsagents were clearly marketed toward kids. One of the best was Monster Munch (this site is amazing, btw—who knew that the “Flamin’ Hot” monster enjoyed BMXing and Worcester sauce milkshakes?).

But Phileas Fogg was very much a “grown-up” snack, and as such it was more widely available at off-licenses and pubs. Instead of football and monsters, the branding of these crisps is based on the fictional character of Phileas Fogg (from Jules Vernes’ Around the World in Eighty Days). They employ class packaging and a tagline of “Fine Foods from Around the World,” and the conceit is genius: during his adventures to far-flung lands like “Paris” and the the “South China Sea,” Phileas would write letters home to his Aunt Agatha in England describing the delicious snacks he sampled along the way. Our favorite were the Mexican Tortilla Chips. Here is what Phileas had to say about their discovery:

My dearest Aunt Agatha,

We have spent several days crossing the great Mexican desert by what must be the most uncomfortable means of conveyance yet pursued during our travels. However, we are now resting in Santa Cruz and my servant, Passepartout, has been out and has brought me a local delicacy which is called Tortilla Chips. These are made by the peasant women from ripened corn which grows in abundance here. They grind the corn with stones into a flour and season lightly with salt and spices. It is then rolled out into thin leaves and baked. The result is a savoury that quite surpasses our English potato crisps. I write this in my hotel room and have beshide me a dish of these Tortilla Chips with a bottle of a very fiery liquor they call Tequila.

Your affectionate and respectful nephew,

Phileas Fogg

Notice how the back of the packet even references the consumption of hard liquor! Cheeky Phileas!

Even though these delicious crisps preceded my ability to go the pub, I think something about the brand spoke to my nascent wanderlust, affinity for Mexican food, and desire to search far and wide for the perfect compliment to a an imperial measure of London Pride. Now I have to figure out how to get a bulk order to New York…