Takis

While the Mexican-based company Barcel dates back decades, Takis debuted in the US in the early 2000s. Their shape (and name) is modeled after the taquito, a rolled tortilla stuffed with cheesy and meaty goodness.

Similarly delicious in heat and crunch to Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, Takis really found their niche when Hostess went under in 2012. Convenience stores saw empty shelf space where Twinkies and Sno-Balls once found their home. Takis swooped in and filled the gap.

Since then, Takis saw its distribution spread in the US, though particularly in places with large Hispanic populations. The snack comes in a variety of flavors, with Fuego (hot chili pepper and lime) particularly popular. There’s also Nitro (habanero, lime, and cucumber), and guacamole.

In June 2013, an anonymous article on the internet claimed that “doctors” linked chemicals in Takis to stomach ulcers and colon cancer in children. This was disproved by the myth-busters at Snopes, who noted that though spicy foods like Takis can cause stomach pain (and too much junk food is always a no-no), they’re definitely not opening holes up in children’s stomachs.