What’s That Sound? These Super-Crunchy ’90s Chips Are Back in Stores

What do you call an alligator in a vest? An investigator. What do you call a semi-attractive gator in a cowboy hat and big ol’ boots sitting by a fire with a slightly seductive smile? Well, that’s just the alligator from the discontinued Lay’s Crunch Tators, a bygone brand of chips that’s probably familiar to all the ’90s kids who watched Home Alone over and over again. So move aside, Tony the Tiger, ’cause there’s an old flame back in town and, let’s just be honest, this town ain’t big enough for the two of you (or my heart).

Hold on, are you saying that Lay’s Crunch Tators chips are back?

Oh yeah! Our boy is back. And he’s back in three flavors: Cowboy, Naked, and Spicy Naked. Oh, sorry, I was just talking about that little alligator mascot again. Lay’s Crunch Tators chips are back in Mighty Mesquite, Original, and Hoppin’ Jalapeño. And while Original and Mighty Mesquite Crunch Tators have been spotted during the last two holiday seasons in Dollar General stores, the Hoppin’ Jalapeño flavor is here for the first time since the ’90s. Previous releases appeared to be contained to a few random stores across the United States, but my guess is that you’ll have more luck finding them this year, as they’re already being spotted at Dollar General stores nationwide. And, naturally, people are thrilled.

For those of you who were merely a glimmer in their parents’ eyes when Lay’s Crunch Tators were on shelves the first time around, one of the things that’s kept their memory alive is that a bag of the chips can be spotted in the background in a scene in the 1990 holiday classic Home Alone (when Kevin is “eating junk and watching rubbish”). They’re also fondly remembered for their unique texture—they were extra crunchy kettle chips before Kettle became a household name. As one Instagram commenter aptly put it, “I love em, but my teeth dont.” But if you think that you can handle the crunch, visit your nearest Dollar General store now to find the three flavors for a limited time. Enjoy yourself, you filthy animal!