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10/31/2005 Entry: "Name Brand Products"

Some things in life, you get what you pay for. Many times you can find a good value by buying a knock-off or no-name brand. Like Tater-Tots. Grocery store versions of these tasty 'tato morsels are just as good as name brand. But some things don't cut it in generic. Some things it's worth it to pay the extra few cents. Here are some items that you really should not buy generically.

Paper towels. Especially the Sam's Club version. They're so thin, you need twice as many to do the same work. So you don't save. Buy Bounty.

Pop Tarts. Store brand toaster pastries are AWFUL! All the Pop Tart lovers I know (Unk, Lisa, Gina) agree. Name brand is the best.

Worcestershire Sauce. Susan bought some French's brand a while back. I used it on some hamburgers, and tasted some off notes. I figured it couldn't have been the sauce. All Worcestershire sauces should be the same, right? Well, they're not. Lea and Perrins makes a good one. I compared the ingredients just the other day. I noticed the French's doesn't have anchovies. Is that the secret? Perhaps.

What are your "must buy name brand" products? Leave a comment, won't you?

Replies: 9 people have rocked the mic!

I am not nuts about store brand milk or bread. Store brand chips are also usually lacking. Store brand soda just doesn't cut it. That is all I can think of right now. Oh wait store brand ice cream is non. Ok that is it for my contribution.

Posted by Jim @ 10/31/2005 05:52 PM EST

You're right on the soda. Store brand plain white vs. name brand plain white? I bet I couldn't tell the difference. Doesn't Nissans make Shaws bread? I know that Humpty Dumpty used to make Shop N Save's chips. So plain chips vs plain chips, I couldn't tell. Sour Cream and Onion, or BBQ, and it's a different game. Store brand sour cream/onion chips can't compare to Lays. Ice cream? Again, plain chocolate store brand vs. plain chocolate Hood? I couldn't tell. But Friendlys chocolate decandence or whatever? Now that's chocolate ice cream! (Of course, Dorman's is THE chocolate ice cream!)

Posted by BR @ 10/31/2005 08:48 PM EST

English muffins, crackers, soup and cream cheese are nons in my book. However, the store brand string cheese and peanuts may actually be better.

Posted by Paddy @ 10/31/2005 10:17 PM EST

Philly Cream Cheese, Coke, Grey Poupon, Heinz 57 Ketchup, Lea & Perrins Worcestershire sauce, A1 Steak sauce. Usually the Old well known name brands beat out the cheaper brands. However, some not well known companies make some great food...things you might get in the deli, ethnic section or local coop, like peanut butter (I like Teddy's crunchy) or foreign cheeses, or crackers. Wines.

On the other hand, no matter how eclectic my tastes can be, I'll never turn down an authentic "Cheeto" or "Frito" or "Cheese Nip"

mmmm

Posted by Quick @ 11/01/2005 08:58 AM EST

Off-brand milk... awful.

Posted by Anonymous Coward @ 11/01/2005 12:57 PM EST

Trolli Gummy Worms, Cheetos, diet coke, Alhambra Party Ice (yes...I have to have this brand ice or I am not happy!)

Posted by Amy @ 11/01/2005 04:49 PM EST

Canned soup - it has to be Campbell's, especially tomato. Anything else tastes like a floury paste. crazy

Posted by Vicki @ 11/02/2005 06:18 PM EST

Hmmm. I have the benefit of two stores in my town...the big box chain store, and an upscale exclusive store. The first one, I buy nothing store-brand (especially the paper towels.) The other is awesome -- they make their own peanut butter and fresh orange juice every day. Sure, it's a few pennies more, but it's worth it. We are spoiled little brats now.

Posted by sheila rene @ 11/03/2005 08:39 AM EST

Mayo. Gotta be Hellman's light. Dipes: store brands just don't hold up or size-up as well as Pampers or Huggies.

Posted by Amy @ 11/09/2005 08:42 PM EST

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