Despite multiple promises to review more gluten free products, here's another review of something that is most definitely not gluten free. I hope this doesn't come as a slap in the face to you gluten-intolerant folks out there—it's just that we haven't seen anything interesting in the gluten free category in quite a while, and we couldn't pass up this tasty-looking 99 cent soft pretzel.
And considering that this pretzel is pre-packaged, shelf-stable, and inexpensive, I have to say that it's not bad at all. In my opinion, it's not particularly pretzel-like. It's more like soft white bread if you ask me, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. It does have the typical brown "skin" of a pretzel, but even that is pretty soft. Sonia was mesmerized by the softness of this pretzel. She sat there staring at her piece, squeezing it, and smiling strangely. I asked if she was going to eat it, and sensing that I might snatch it away from her if she didn't, she quickly wolfed it down. She loved it. It tasted like lightly salted fresh white bread. It made great sandwiches and tasted good with cheese and chili.
It's nothing very fancy. But the genius of a pretzel is its simplicity. Sonia gives this a near-perfect score of 4.5 stars. It's certainly not bad, but I might have marked it higher had it been more pretzel-esque. As it is, I give it a respectable 3.5.
Bottom line: 8 out of 10.
So this is just pretzel bread, then. It is kinda confusing that they refer to it as a "stick." Do they not have it as a type of bread out there? That would be odd, as it seems you are in the pretzel capital of the US! I love me some pretzel bread. It's the best for a juicy burger, as it doesn't fall apart. Mmm. It's 9 am and I want a burger.
ReplyDeleteThat's a good point. Yeah, we have pretzel bread here. I guess that's the closest comparison you could make, but it's still just a tad less pretzel-ish than most pretzel bread I've had.
DeleteI don't think I would ever eat just one serving...half of a pretzel? I wouldn't be able to stop!
ReplyDeleteare these big enough to make hoagies out of or are they more like little pretzel sticks nathan?
ReplyDeletealso, im not sure if all TJs carry the same stuff, but my local TJs just started selling these frozen korean scallion pancakes (pajeon) that you can either cook on a skillet or in the toaster oven. they are amazing! you guys definitely need to try them out!
Dirt, they're big enough to make small-ish hoagies (4 or 5 inches). Thanks for the rec with the pajeon. We just bought some actually, but haven't tried them yet.
DeleteThese make great sandwiches. Specifically, George Foreman Grill paninis.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea!
Deletethere are actually two soft pretzel sticks at traders. one which comes in the plastic wrap above and another in a paper pouch. the one is paper is even better.
ReplyDeleteDidn't see the paper pouch one at our TJ's, Galadriel. We'll have to keep an eye out next time!
DeletePop one in the microwave for 30 seconds. It softens it up considerably, gives it more of a pretzel texture and the pretzel aroma is AMAZING.
ReplyDeleteGood tip. I'll try that next time!
DeleteI usually slice them and then toast them for my sandwiches.
ReplyDeleteTrader Joe's employees are obsessed with this! You will see a lot in the lunch room, whether it is being used as a hot dog bun, or handy vehicle for the latest cheese. My favorite is to top it with sliced steak and caramelized onion cheddar and toast it up, then serve it with Au Jus. Yum!
ReplyDeleteWe love them, I always get more then one when I'm there.
ReplyDelete