Pennsylvanians are passionate about their potato chips.

Fully knowing how loyal snackers are about their favorite brands, we decided to let the chips fall in an unofficial taste test of Pennsylvania chips. Of course, the state is the epicenter of potato chip manufacturers from mom and pops to mega manufacturers.

The big question - do cult-favorite brands like Middleswarth Potato Chips and Hartleys Potato Chips stack up against some of the others?

We stuck to plain and kettle cooked chips, only because some brands only produce kettle-cooked chips. We passed on the ripples and flavors such as “chicken and waffle” and “barbecue."

What we discovered is there are no duds in this bunch of spuds. Our panel of taste-testers included PennLive Life & Culture Editor Chris Mautner, Social Media Producer Megan Lavey-Heaton, Food and Dining Reporter Sue Gleiter and interns Bennett Leckrone and Jillian Atelsek.

We munched on them in the name of sharing this definitive ranking of the best. We know not everyone will agree with our results, so sound off in the comments and tell us about your favorite Pa. potato chip.

Goods Potato Chips are made in Adamstown, Lancaster County.

Made in Adamstown, Lancaster County

Cooked in lard and advertised to have an “old-fashioned taste, which everyone loves!”

You’d think a kettle cooked chip cooked in lard would catapult it to the No. 1 slot. Instead, our tasters likened Good’s chips to the generic ones served in oversized bowls at school functions. (Where’s the Hawaiian Punch and cookies?) Truly, there was nothing wrong with these chips. We just expected better.

Middlesworth Potato Chips are produced in Middleburg, Snyder County.

Made in Middleburg, Snyder County.

Advertised as a “delicious treat,” Middleswarth cooks its chips in shortening.

These chips have a cult following and are so popular they are shipped around the globe. Unfortunately, Middleswarth should stick to what it does best, its BBQ chips. The plain chips are simply that, plain. They are also thin and lack crunch.

Hartleys Potato Chips are made in Lewistown in Mifflin County.

Made in Lewistown, Mifflin County.

Made since 1935 and cooked in palm and cottonseed oils.

These chips taste delicious – OH, wait. We take that back. An otherwise solid chip is ruined by an oily aftertaste. Great start, bad finish.

Herr's potato chips are made in Nottingham, Chester County.

Made in Nottingham, Chester County.

Cooked in corn and/or cottonseed oils.

So thin we can see right through them. Our squad of tasters were lukewarm, calling them just “meh” and a little too greasy. But with that said, Herr’s is still worthy of buying in a pinch for a party or cookout.

Dieffenbach's Hand Cooked Kettle Chips are made in Womelsdorf, Berks County.

Made in Womelsdorf, Berks County.

Specializing in kettle cooked chips, they use vegetable oil.

This is one sturdy chip and super crispy. Dieffenbach’s kettle cooks its chips, giving it the upper hand. The chip stands up to dipping, which we like. However, on the downside some of our tasters claimed the chip lacked flavor. So, with that, PLEASE pass the dip.

Martin's Kettle-Cook'd Potato Chips from Thomasville, York County.

Made in Thomasville, York County.

Slow cooked with shortening.

These chips are also kettle cooked but miss the deep crunch associated with the cooking process. The flavor was slightly flat compared to some of the others. But overall Martin’s produces a solid chip worth purchasing.

Utz Original Potato Chips are made in Hanover, York County.

Manufactured in Hanover, York County.

Made with three ingredients – potatoes, cottonseed oil and salt.

If you want a regular potato chip, this a good standard chip. They are on the thin side and sort of melt in your mouth. We’re short on description but that should tell you - these chips are THAT good.

Nibble with Gibble's are manufactured in Chambersburg, Franklin County.

Made in Chambersburg, Franklin County.

Produced from prime lard, potatoes and salt.

Prime lard for the win! This was the dark horse in the bunch. Gibble’s stood out for the hearty texture and snappy crunch. It’s an attractive potato chip, maybe a bit too salty for some. But come on, shouldn’t chips be salty?