Trader Joe’s has established itself as a go-to store for snack lovers. Whether you’re into sweet, savory, or anything in between, Trader Joe’s has a treat to satisfy your cravings — and as summer approaches, snacking is more important than ever. You need snacks for beach trips, picnics, and road trips. Personally, I think potato chips are the undisputed snack of the summer. They’re perfect in a sandwich on the beach, or just on their own. That’s why Trader Joe’s is bringing back its beloved Patio Potato Chips after two years of being gone.
What are the Trader Joe’s Patio Potato Chips?
Trader Joe’s Patio Potato Chips are essentially a combination of four chip flavors: Sea Salt & Vinegar, Homestyle Ketchup, Delicious Dill, and Smokin’ Sweet BBQ. With four different flavors of chip in one bag, you have the freedom to choose your chip based on your current craving. If you’re indecisive when it comes to choosing a potato chip flavor, the Patio Potato Chips are made for you. You can pick out your favorite flavors from the bag (for me, that’s Smokin’ Sweet BBQ of course), or mix and match the different chips if you can’t decide on just one. You can combine the Delicious Dill and Homestyle Ketchup to make a pickle-esque ketchup flavor, or the Sea Salt & Vinegar with Smokin’ Sweet BBQ for a tangy, salty kick. The flavors combine together to make the ultimate summer potato chip experience — perfect for enjoying on a patio, as suggested by the name.
Trader Joe’s fans have gone a long time without the iconic Patio Potato Chips. The chips are typically brought onto shelves for the summer months, but they did not make their usual return in 2023. In 2024, fans were unable to get their hands on the chips again due to the supplier’s factory burning down. With such an unexpected tragedy striking, Patio Potato Chip lovers were unable to prepare for the loss of their favorite chips and were left to go about their summer without their go-to snack. After two years without them, it seemed like they were gone for good, until they started popping up in Trader Joe’s locations this month.
How are people online reacting to the return of Patio Potato Chips?
Fans are in shock that the iconic chips have finally made their way back to stores. With seemingly no announcement of the chips’ return, shoppers were surprised to see the bags back on shelves while browsing. It almost felt like a miracle to those who spent the past two years reminiscing on the Patio Potato Chips with no hope for their return. TikToker @acekberg could not believe her eyes when she spotted the Patio Potato Chips on her Trader Joe’s run. After finally getting a taste of the chips after two years, she declared it was the greatest day of her life.
Others on TikTok shared her excitement, like Ashley Harvey, who commented “within 2 min of seeing this video i was out the door.” Some have never even tried the chips, but after seeing everyone’s excitement for their comeback, have to get their hands on some. One user commented “I’ve never tried them before but seeing how satisfied you look eating them, I must try it now.” It might even be a good idea to stock up on the chips, in case we ever lose them again.