The Impulsive Buy

SPOTTED: Pepperidge Farm Cinnamon Sugar and Salted Caramel Chessmen Cookies

Marvo / January 16, 2026 / Spotted on Shelves / 1 Comment

That’s an e4 or d4 move right there, Pepperidge Farm. (Cinnamon Sugar spotted by Jennifer F at Vons. Salted Caramel spotted by Amanda Y at H-E-B.)

If you’re out shopping and see new products, snap a picture of them, and send them in via an email ([email protected]) with where you found them and “Spotted” in the subject line. Also, if you want to send in photos and are wondering if we’ve already covered something or if they’re new, don’t worry about it. Let us worry about it.

OTHER THINGS I CONSUMED: 1/16/26

Marvo / January 16, 2026 / Other Things I Consumed, Reviews / 1 Comment

Unwell Cherry Lime Energy Drink

This energy drink is um, well, unawesome. While it has a strong cherry aroma, its cherry lime flavor doesn’t pop. Its flavor is muted, which is surprising because that wasn’t the case when I tried Unwell’s Frosted Cranberry Energy Drink several weeks ago.

But that’s not all that’s disappointing. There’s something mid-sip that I can only describe as a somewhat thick texture that’s similar to what I experience with protein beverages. That would be fine if this had protein, but it has none. It’s not a deal breaker, but again, I don’t recall Unwell’s Frosted Cranberry having it.

The beverage has 150 milligrams of caffeine from natural sources, 745 milligrams of electrolytes, doesn’t contain artificial sweeteners, and is made with real fruit juice (although the can says just 4 percent). Also, the can brings Airheads candy to mind.

Barebells Wild Strawberry Protein Soda

While Barebells, known for its protein bars, calls this a “soda” with 200 milligrams of caffeine, the can should really say “Protein Energy Drink.” Along with Wild Strawberry, there are also Sweet Cherry and Pineapple Sunrise varieties.

The “soda” has a pleasant strawberry aroma and a mild strawberry flavor. There’s also a slight creaminess, which I guess could be from the whey protein isolate, which provides 10 grams of protein. It contains no strawberry juice but does have artificial sweeteners. Not surprisingly, because it’s a protein “soda” with whey protein isolate, it has the same slightly thick texture as other protein beverages.

It’s an okay-tasting drink with a high caffeine content and a decent amount of protein. It’s tasty and caffeinated enough that I might try the other flavors.

A&W Ice Cream Sundae Soda

Yes, this came out more than half a year ago, but I came across it during a visit to 7-Eleven. Actually, I passed by it a few times during previous 7-Eleven visits. However, I finally decided to pick it up because of FOMO and YOLO, and because the bottle and soda colors reminded me of Chewbacca and Han Solo.

Back in August, our reviewer, Amber, gave it a 5 rating because of its artificial chocolate aroma and the way it mostly tasted like a cream soda, with no chocolate flavor. While I could definitely smell its artificial chocolate aroma, I thought it had a pronounced chocolate syrup flavor with a bit of cream soda behind it. That artificial chocolate flavor is not for everyone, but I liked it a lot. Since it’s a limited edition flavor, I might have to pick it up again the next time I’m at 7-Eleven.

H-E-B Limited Edition Bread and Butter Pickle Sweet & Spicy Wavy Potato Chips

Reigning Spotted Photo Champion, Robbie, sent me a box of stuff from H-E-B to try because he knows I’m so enamored with the grocery store. He asked me what I would like to try, and I told him H-E-B’s limited edition potato chips. So he delivered with this flavor and a Korean BBQ, which unfortunately did not survive the USPS.

Having tried those Lay’s Flamin’ Hot Dill Pickle chips from a few years ago, I expected these to be as potent and fiery as those. However, I was surprised to find that these chips were neither potent nor fiery. They have a pleasant pickle flavor that’s not overpowering and a “spiciness” that’s almost nonexistent. I loved them so much that I ate more than half the bag while watching a Korean drama episode on Netflix.

A&W Barebells Chips Energy Drink H-E-B Potato Chips Soda Unwell

REVIEW: Goldfish Seasoned Pretzels

Julie / January 16, 2026 / Reviews / Leave a Comment

Sweet, salty, spicy, or seasoned, there is a school of Goldfish for every snacker. Its latest endeavor: Seasoned Pretzels, available in Honey Mustard and Hot Buffalo varieties.

The pretzels are a little larger than standard Goldfish crackers, with seasoning uniformly coating their golden pretzel surface. The seasoning looked thorough without being heavy, and I wondered if the seasoning could a) coat my fingers like Cheeto dust or b) be enough to stand up to the pretzel.

The answers to my questions are no and yes, respectively. While the seasoning looks light, the flavor is—as the packaging promises—bold.

The Honey Mustard variety achieves the perfect balance of sweet and savory, which pairs perfectly with its pretzel base. The seasoning has the slight bite of Dijon mustard, but it isn’t overly pungent. As a honey mustard lover, I found these fish dangerously easy to eat.

Hot Buffalo is a little tangy and a little hot. It mixes vinegar with cayenne flavor that results in a tingly, slow-building heat that never scorches. Even after munching more fish than a hungry sea lion, I found that the flavor remained palatable and didn’t cause a bothersome aftertaste. The flavor was similar to Goldfish Frank’s Red Hot crackers, but without the cheesy cracker base.

The texture of both flavors is also wonderful. Even though the oven-baked pretzels are light and snackable, they are satisfyingly crunchy. Their centers are dense without being a threat to your dental work.

Goldfish Seasoned Pretzels remind me of another pretzel product: Snyder’s Pieces, specifically the Honey Mustard & Onion and Hot Buffalo Wing varieties. Snyder’s Pieces are irregularly-shaped bits of pretzel, seasoned so that the flavor can coat and seep into the non-crusty bits. I remember the Snyder’s product as somewhat oily or buttery-tasting, with a richness that feels heavy even after a small serving. Even though both products offer bold flavor, I would choose Goldfish next time.

There may be plenty of fish in the sea, but Goldfish Seasoned Pretzels are a catch. The light, crunchy snack is like the pretzel version of Flavor Blasted Goldfish: generously seasoned and a little more exciting than your usual lunchbox fare. If these fish swim to your grocery store shelves, reel them in.

Purchased Price: $2.79
Size: 8 oz bag (227 g)
Purchased at: Wegmans
Rating: 9 out of 10 (both flavors)
Nutrition Facts: (per 23 pieces) 140 calories, 5 grams of fat, 0.5 gram of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 350 milligrams of sodium, 21 grams of carbohydrates, less than 1 gram of fiber, less than 1 gram of sugar, and 2 grams of protein.

Goldfish Pretzels

SPOTTED: 1/16/2026

Marvo / January 16, 2026 / Spotted on Shelves / Leave a Comment

Here are some interesting new products found on store shelves by your fellow readers. If you’ve tried any of them, share your thoughts in the comments.