An Ode to the Red Dust: Finding Ketchup Chips South of the Border

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A sweet, red, tangy bag of chips sits on a convenience store shelf,

Waiting to be selected for purchase 

I notice nostalgia in a bag 

And I’m pleasantly surprised 

Dare I say it’s serendipitous

A taste of my adolescence

When I would travel north over the border 

However it’s

Unavailable south of the Maple Leaf border, 

With much excitement

I begin to enjoy every seasoned bite

And then I have an insatiable appetite to look for more 

At another store

Have you ever had ketchup chips? Ketchup chips are a distinctly Canadian flavor that never gained popularity in the United States, hence why you would struggle to find any in the States. However, some can be found in states close to Canada. I remember eating these chips for the first time as a child during my summer family visits to Toronto/Ottawa from Boston. Honestly, I can’t stand the taste of ketchup, and I never put it on anything that it would normally be eaten with. Despite that, the flavor of these chips doesn’t remind me of the unpleasant taste I associate with ketchup. Anyway, if you’re a Canadian who loves ketchup chips, then feel free to share your thoughts with me.

P.S. Believe it or not, a phobia where individuals are afraid (yes, it’s a real fear) of ketchup is called mortuusequusphobia.