The time has come again to crown a new champion in Philly.
Yes, we know the Olympics are over, and — Philadelphia Union aside — no local teams are earning a trophy before November (or February).
But potato chip giant Herr’s has tallied up the votes for the third edition of its “Flavored by Philly” competition, where chip flavors based off three beloved local restaurants are released for a limited time, and put to a fan vote. This year, the “Special Hot Stromboli” chip based on Romano’s Stromboli came out on top.
“I wish I could gift wrap the joy and put it into you so that you’d be able to feel what it’s like to have this kind of thing happen to you,” said Peter Romano Jr., who leads the third generation of the family business.
The Essington-based restaurant has been a staple since 1950, when Nazzereno Romano invented the unique pizza turnover sandwich.
“[Romano’s] creative interpretation of a beloved Philadelphia classic truly captures the essence of the ‘Flavored by Philly’ contest,” Herr’s CEO and Chairman Ed Herr said in a press release.
The name “stromboli” came from Romano’s future brother-in-law, in reference to the Italian island, movie and scandal involving actress Ingrid Bergman and director Roberto Rossellini that was global news at the time, Romano Jr. said.
“Romano’s Stromboli: Special Hot Chips” beat out the “Potato Pierogi” flavor, inspired by Mom Mom’s Kitchen in Southwest Center City, and a “Cheese Ravioli and Marinara”-flavored chip, inspired by Talluto’s in South Philly.
Romano said he’s sure his grandfather would love the chip flavor.
“What would grandpa think about the fact his business was still operating 80 years after he opened it? That four generations of this family would have worked in it, and that the stromboli would be known all over the world?” Romano mused. “I think he would like it. I think he’d like the whole thing.”
Winning the competition earned Romano’s $10,000, while fan John Lishok, who nominated the dish as a flavor option, won $5,000. The runners-up restaurants will get $2,500 each and their nominators will receive $1,000. Romano said that the prize money will go toward taking the stromboli “to the next level,” mass producing the item or potentially producing it offsite as a wholesale venture. He also said he looks forward to meeting Lishok and thanking him.
Romano’s “Special Hot Stromboli” flavor joins 2023 winner Corropolese’s “Tomato Pie” chip and the local-themed “Long Hots and Sharp Provolone” flavor — created by chip innovator Ryan R. — in the “Flavored by Philly” hall of fame.
According to Herr’s, voting was up again significantly from the previous year, with over 26,000 votes, compared to more than 17,600 last year, and more than 11,000 votes in the inaugural edition. Herr’s spokesperson Nicole Fenner declined to provide an exact breakdown of the votes.
If you’re keeping score, Billy Penn’s unscientific office taste test is now three-for-three in predicting the winner of this competition. The Romano’s-inspired flavor got 14 of the office votes, while the “sour cream and onion”-tasting, Mom Mom’s-inspired flavor had 11, and the “Accurately tomatoey,” Talluto’s-inspired flavor got nine.
Meanwhile, “Potato Pierogi” was the hands-down favorite in our Instagram poll, with 58% of the votes, with “Special Hot Stromboli” coming in second with 21%.
Office tasters described the “Special Hot Stromboli” chips as the “perfect blend of chip and sandwich,” with a “somewhat vinegary, hot-pepper flavor,” that was “like eating a hoagie.” Those who weren’t fans of the flavor described it as “bland” and “underwhelming,” with one taster saying it reminded him of a Subway sandwich, but not in a good way. We can’t confirm reports that person has fled the city …
Herr’s included the restaurants in developing the chip flavor, and initially faced a high bar from Peter Romano Sr. — now 92 years old — who rejected the first four flavor samples. Luckily, Herr’s came back a few weeks later with three options, and one passed the taste test.
Unfortunately, the window to try this year’s “Flavored by Philly” is closing quickly, since they are limited-edition chips. Romano Jr. said he’s got a few boxes he hasn’t shipped out to friends and family around the world yet.
There are no plans for a battle of champions, according to Fenner.
Yet.
