A Maine favorite since 1947, Humpty Dumpty chips are a regional snack favorite with unique flavors like Sour Cream & Clam and All Dressed.
By Aimee Tucker|Oct 15 2021|
Coffee By Design | Portland, Maine
Photo Credit : Katherine Keenan
Munching on potato chips is an American past-time, and while a few “big brands” have a clear advantage in today’s market, there are still plenty of regional varieties — whether old favorites or new, small-batch brands like Humpty Dumpty chips, featured here — that reflect the tastes of local consumers and have become beloved classic New England foods.
So why the potato chip obsession? According to The Oxford Companion to American Food and Drink, home recipes for fried “potato shavings” began appearing in cookbooks as early as 1824, but the product’s fragility made it hard to package and transfer. During the 1930s and 1940s better packaging led to increasing potato chip popularity, but it wasn’t until the 1950s, when television commercials began promoting salty snacks with gusto, that potato chips and their peanut, popcorn, and pretzel cousins really took off. As a snacking nation, we’ve never looked back.
A vintage Humpty Dumpty Potato Chips can awaits collectors in an Amherst, NH, antique store. Photo Credit : Aimee Tucker
Humpty Dumpty is often cited as Maine’s favorite (and yes, also bargain) potato chip brand, getting its start in South Portland, Maine, as The Humpty Dumpty Potato Chips Company, Inc. back in 1947. The company changed hands a few times over the years, most notably in 2000 when it was sold to a Canadian snack company before its current owner, Old Dutch Foods, took over in 2006. With flavors like Ketchup, Dill Pickle, Salt & Vinegar, BBQ, plus the popular Sour Cream & Clam and All-Dressed flavors, Humpty Dumpty’s US sales are limited almost exclusively to Maine, and yet, the brand maintains a loyal and enthusiastic following among Mainers and the many folks who visit the Pine Tree state each year.
Having only ever tried the Humpty Dumpty Ketchup variety on trips toAcadia National Parkduring my college days, I hit up a few convenience stores during a recent trip to Maine for a few new Humpty Dumpty chip flavors to try. While I was disappointed that I couldn’t find the Sour Cream & Clam variety, I did manage to pick up both the Dill Pickle and the All Dressed flavors.
The Dill Pickle variety wasn’t for me (the first sour whiff of the opened bag was like a punch in the nose)…
Dill Pickle Humpty Dumpty chips. Photo Credit : Aimee Seavey
…but the All Dressed was better, a ridged “everything” chip flavored like (as the label kind of illustrates) barbecue sauce, ketchup, and salt & vinegar. Hearty in texture thanks to the ripples the Dill Pickle chips lacked, the BBQ/ketchup flavor is the first thing you’ll taste, but the tang of the salt & vinegar rounds out the flavor, and the result is (for me, at least) pretty addictive.
All Dressed Humpty Dumpty Chips are dangerously addictive! Photo Credit : Aimee Seavey
I should note that Ruffles also makes an “All Dressed” variety, but it’s only available in Canada, so if you’re curious to try an “everything chip,” you’ll have to head to Maine, get a local to mail you some, or (of course) turn to the internet.
Even if Humpty Dumpty chips aren’t your favorite regional potato chip brand, when you rip open a bag (perhaps alongside a cold can of Moxieand a red snapper hot dogs), you can at least pat yourself on the back for continuing a nearly 70 year Maine tradition!
Are you a fan of Humpty Dumpty chips?
This post was first published in 2014 and has been updated.
I get the All Dressed at my local Shaw’s supermarket in Southern NH. They have most of the varieties year round but I stick to All Dressed. I can eat a bag of those in a sitting if I’m not careful. SOOOO GOOD! I think you can find the Sour Cream and Clam during the summer along the seacoast. I know I’ve seen them in convenience stores along the coast but I don’t have the guts to try them personally.
My sister and I grew up with Humpty Dumpty Potato Chips so I was just looking you guys up to see if you were still in business and where may she possibly buy some. Could you please let me know. Thanks.
Hi Amy. Humpty Dumpty chips are available in grocery stores, gas stations, and general stores throughout New England. If you’re not in New England, I’d suggest giving the Old Dutch/Humpty Dumpty customer service number a call to see if there’s a way to order online, or reach out to a friend in New England to mail you some! Good luck!
I remember humpty dumpty chips from years of vacationing in Maine when I was little. This summer(20 years later), I’m going to NH on vacation. Just wondering what your local Shaw’s store is? I’d love to pick up some Humpty Dumpty’s while I’m up that way. You can’t find them ANYWHERE in NJ.
Unfortunately, we don’t have any information about how to order Humpty Dumpty chips for those who aren’t local, but if you visit the Contact page for Old Dutch Foods (Humpty Dumpty’s parent company) you can follow their instructions on how to reach them for more information. Here is the page: http://www.olddutchfoods.com/about-us/contact-us
Thanks.
While I love Humpty Dumpty chips, and still keep whatever brand of chips on hand in a big 1950’s era Humpty Dumpty tin container, they haven’t been made in New England in years. Not really a New England brand anymore.
Every time I go to Vermont we pick up 10 plus bags of Humpty Dumpty bbque chips, i have friends hooked on them, the best chips ever. Only wish we can get them in nj
Hi Randy. The Humpty Dumpty Potato Chips Company, Inc. started in Maine in 1947, but changed hands a few times over the years, most notably in 2000 when it was sold to a Canadian snack company. Its current owner, Old Dutch Foods, took over in 2006. They’re headquartered in Roseville, MN. We’re not sure where they actually make the chips, but we’re glad they’re still sold in Maine!
Growing up all I ate was Humpty Dumpty barbecue chips with a coke. I have always wondered why such a great BBQ chip disappear. I would like to find away to order a case. The most exciting with these chips is some would be mellow and then some would rock. Yah ! rock. I miss them so much. Please respond. 🙂
Hi Amy,
I was a Maine potato grower that supplied spuds to the original South Portland plant for years until it was put into bankruptcy two years after NAFT. NAFT removed the tax on imported potato chip products and financially strapped the South Portland chip manufacturer.
Humpty Dumpty Company (HDC) of Kitchener, Ontario, Canada purchased the product line early 2000s.HDC closed the local plant, fired the employees and moved production to Canada. I was there when employees showed up for work to find a guard at the plant entrance. The Canadian company HDC continued to mislabel their chips as a Maine-made product for years until forced to stop. It’s a marketing strategy that unfortunately has been missed by many folks. As you wrote the new owners Old Dutch Foods is a misnomer. Old Dutch Foods is a Canadian company which coincidently operates out of the same Kitchener, Ontario as the Humpty Dumpty company.
when I was growing up, my parents had a Humpty Dumpty potato chip tin. Yellow in color. Can you tell me what that would be worth? Or direct me to someone that might know
Back in the day ( 60’s – 80’s ). I ate Humpty Dumpty BBQ chips. The best ever made. Then I got older and traveled all over the country. And their was only one best Dumpty. THEN Humpty was sold to a Canadian company. I assume they purchased the original recipe. BUT the powers that be said we can do this much cheaper and the folks that eat them will not know the difference. And if they do we’ll give them flavors like pickle and ketchup and pop corn. Well I would like to purchase the original recipe from the new owners, because there are a lot of people that you have let down. I spend a fare amount of time in Canada and your product is not very good. BUT if it’s the only thing the people have and you have captive audience well done sleep well.
When I was growing up in Northern Maine I had a cousin that worked for Humpty Dumpty. He would always visit our home in his delivery truck, open the back and we could choose a bag of chips. We loved them. We I moved away from Maine to Connecticut I missed those chips immensely. Every time I went home to Maine, I always came back with a dozen bags. Your company should consider selling in the state of Connecticut. Sales would soar for sure!!
I was born and raised in maine and love the HD Bbq chips. Wish we could get them here in Va. Once or twice a yr my parents send me a box with my favorite bbq chips!
I was wondering if the small store that carried the humpty dumpty chip in mass is still their and selling chips I used to buy them by the plastic cont.
Hi Sue. The company was founded in South Portland, but there does appear to have been a (now closed) Scarborough, Maine, Humpty Dumpty chips factory. Thanks for filling in that detail!
I don’t know, looks like a lot of love for Humpty Dumpty. I think they need to cut about 1/2 the salt out. They have such interesting flavors but about 4 or 5 chips in my tongue feels like I licked the salt shaker. Other brands just don’t do that.
I can remember back in 88 my boss ordering us italians and saying don’t forget the humpty bbq best chip on earth i send them to anticipating friends in england
A little history of Humpty Dumpty Potato Chip Company
I believe it was around 1943 when Macbeth Engineering gave up trying to produce dried mashed potatos for the war effort in Booth Bay, Maine. Norman Cole was convinced he could use some of that machinery to produce potato chips. However, he didn’t have the necessary funds. My folks took on a partner by the name of Jack Hayes and bought the machinery. At that time Jack was working for Winslow Chip Company in Salem, Mass.
They started manufacturing, King Cole Potato Chips, in an empty filling station at Thornton Heights in South Portland, Maine. I remember that well. I also remember when the cooking oil caught on fire and caused a great deal of damage. Because it was during the war, any type of cooking oil was used from tallow to lard and vegetable shortening.
In 1946, my parents and Jack Hayes agreed to part company. Norman was under contract not to go back into the chip business for five years. Dorothy was ignored! That was a big mistake! In 1947, she started Humpty Dumpty Potato Chip Company, along with George Robinson, in an empty shipyard building in South Portland. Norman, unable to openly participate in the new company started Humpty Dumpty Potato Chip Company in Lachine, Quebec (Montreal) in 1948. I remember the old building and an amusement park which was nearby which is no longer there.
Most chips in Canada then were made from russet potatos and were quite dark. Norman introduced the so called light chip with the new company. Both companies were growing rapidly. It was tough to keep up with the growth financially. The Canadian growth was phenomenal. In 1950, Humpty Dumpty Maine opened a new plant on US RT#1 in Scarborough, Maine with a brand new 1000 pound Macbeth fryer. I remember helping by giving out free samples at the open house. We made potato chips, pop corn, deep fried peanuts, and we had our own bag making operation. The first year, chips were still bagged by hand. Soon thereafter, we got our first three Woodman bagging machines. After ours were set up, I remember traveling to Quebec with my father and the Woodman representative to set up machines there.
Over the next few years, both companies grew rapidly. At the same time, Norman’s interest in the attractive Canadian women grew causing long ranging effects! In 1955, they divorced. Dorothy kept the Maine business and Norman the Canadian. He had his difficulties without her business savvy and cash! I believe it was in 1959, he sold out to Sunshine Biscuit Company. It wasn’t long before they built a big beautiful modern plant in the area. I remember driving up from Vermont to see the plant. They also built plants in the Toronto area and Quebec City. Dorothy remarried in 1957. I never had a good relationship with her new husband.
Sometime in the early eighties (my memory doesn’t serve me well here!), Sunshine sold the company to Borden Foods of Pennsylvania. Sunshine had a hands-off policy so long as Nick produced. Bordens on the other hand, changed the logo, packaging, seasonings and was actively involved. Very little was left in common. Both companies drifted apart. It is my opinion those changes hurt Humpty Canada and opened the door to Frito-Lay through their purchase of Maple Leaf Potato Chip Company.
In 1991, due to kidney disease, I placed Humpty Dumpty up for sale. The first interested party was Bordens! Negotiations went on for almost a year. The sticking points were they wanted me to stay for five years, which I was unwilling to do. They would close the plant and move production to Hartland! The last problem was, they were unwilling to protect twelve employees very near retirement. The company was sold to Keystone Foods in 1992. Skip ahead to 2000, both Humpty Dumpty in Maine and in Canada were sold. Along comes Old Dutch Foods of Canada who now owns what is left of the two companies. They are essentially back together again! I hope you find this interesting.
Former owner and CEO of Humpty Dumpty Potato Chips of Maine
Hi Phil. I am visiting from California. While researching lobster bisque potato chips from humptydumpty (I’m dying t try) I made a. Comment to my brother_in_law
I i’m from Canada and live close to the maine border and I have to tell you the best bbq chips where the humpty dumpty from the 80’s that we where buying in maine a lot better then the Canadian bbq from Canada. would you have a recipe for me I could try at home. thanks a lot they were the best !!!! If my memory is good the bags where green.
I wish we could post pictures- I have a picture of myself, probably 4 years old, with a Humpty Dumpty shirt on that says “What you see is what you get!”, which was their slogan for a while.
Well I miss the old spice and heat from the BBQ flavor chips today they taste way to much like mystique I miss the back in the day flavor I still can not get use to it as many times as I try, I love to eat my Snickers candy bar with them, so much love Lost, help!
Thanks for this! I was wondering if they were still in business. I grew up in Maine but now I am in California. I wonder about local business and how they are doing. How about Cains Mayonnaise? And Howards?
Cain’s mayonnaise is still available in MA (our family is NEVER Cain’s mayonnaise but Hellman’s only; yet it must be Cain’s tartar sauce). Howard’s relishes are available in MA.
It absolutely bugs me when people claim to be from “Upstate, NY.” It’s meaningless, and can mean anything from Westchester County to Messina to Buffalo. Go figure…
It was good of Phil my half-brother to fill in the gaps in my memory as well. Norman Cole was a good idea person but not much on the day to day stuff. It’s been decades since I’ve spoken to any of the Cole’s (including my father who passed in 2002) from new England but I guess bitterness doesn’t fade with time for those folks.
I love Humpty Dumpty potato chips as much as any girl growing up in a small town in northern new Hampshire in almost any flavor but they reallly don’t give you as much as you should get for your money and I know a lot of company’s do that but I just love there products that it doesn’t seem very fair there so so good love you Humpty Dumpty potato chips but still Kate
My grandfather and his brothers worked in Burlington Vt st sunshine biscuit! I am a devoted ketchup chip fan and Humpty Dumpty chips are hands down The BEST!!!!! Thanks for the history.. a true Yankee lover of your chips
What phenomenal histories to read. It reminds me of Milton Hershey’s life story. God bless. I remember them from when I was little. I mostly remember the can. I’ve always lived on L I’s north fork. My dad always worked in the city. Perhaps that was where he bought them from. No matter. New York would afford them an excellent market as well!
Agree with you about Cape Cod chips ! If one can label potato chips “healthy”, then Cape Cod chips would be at the top ….however, I rue the day long ago as a young girl getting hooked on the 5cent bags we could buy at our local corner store ….I still indulge, but not too often !
You can get the BBQ and the All Dressed Humpty Dumpty’s from Amazon. I’ve bought them for several years from them ’cause I fell in love with them on a trip to Maine when a teenager. Good stuff y’all.
I’m from Canada and the only BBQ chip that I like is Humpty Dumpty’s. When Old Dutch took over, I decided to try them. The Old Dutch BBQ chips are the same as the Humpty Dumpty ones were, which is awesome! They are the only good BBQ chips to be found!
I have worked in a local general store in Kittery for the past 5 years and for the last 6 months or so we have not been able to get Humpty Dumpty Chips anymore. An older couple took over the route and they visited the store once and never came back. Many, many of our customers complained that they cannot find Humpty Dumpty Chips anywhere in the Kitty/York/Portsmouth area. My manager tried talking to the parent company but calls were not returned…This is a poor reflection on Old Dutch….
Begone with all the different potato chip flavors. Just color me “plain” as in I like my potato chips plain. Though this piece is about Humpty Dumpty Potato Chips, these other regional brands also feature great plain potato chips: Herr’s and Charles in Pennsylvania, Vincent’s and Boyd’s in Massachusetts. I’m sure there are others nationwide. And, although they are no longer regional, my plain preference extends to Cape Cod Potato Chips, the company that so successfully pioneered the kettle-fried process.
Way too much MSG, added to make them taste good. Find a way to get rid of the MSG because there is a lot of people sensitive to MSG and would love to eat them, I for one. They have as much if not more than Chinese food
We live right on the U S side of the border, my cousin actually works in the Old Dutch plant where HD comes out of, and for the most part HD is the favorite around our house, my grandsons love the salt & vinegar and my husband the BBQ, even tho the recipe changed a little on the BBQ when they moved to Canada, its still pretty darn good, I have a large bag on my bookshelf at work to go with lunches and a sometimes afternoon snack…I used to love the cheese and onion, but I don’t like them in the ripple form. All Dressed Up is also a tasty change. Now if you want a tasty dark russet, Utz brand is the go to chip for that and they also make a great sour cream and onion small ripple chip that is really good, And UTZ also has two flavors that coincide with Helluva Good chip dip, Helluva Good onion dip and Helluva Good Buttermilk….yummmmm
Been eating these since early 60’s Canadians buying them was the worst thing that could happen , changed the spice mix , added a lot more salt. Also moved all the jobs to Canada , same thing is happening in blueberries and lobster market.
could you please tell me what is going on with the barbecue chips in the past month i have thrown away 4 3.00 bags because there has been no barbecue flavor what so ever the chips are plain and have a hint of vinegar flavor to them i have been eating them my hole life but am very disappointed and afraid to buy any more just to throw them out ,thank you for any info you could give me Bill
Very dissatisfied with bbq chips lately. They have no bbq on them at all. My hands smell like vinegar after I eat them. I want my bbq chips that where so yummy!!
I use to live in Maine ( Skowheagan) but moved to Mississippi been here for 20 yrs. I luv Humpty Dumpty Potatoe chips but unfortunately the stores down here don’t sell them and I was wondering if there is any way possible that Ya’ll can try selling some to the stores down here so the ppl here can experience the good taste of Humpty Dumpty Potatoe chips. Heck They all ready sell Moxie (which is My favorite soda) down here in Cracker Barrell.
I really like your plain potato chips ( non ridges )but rarely find them in any store in my area and then only in the $2 bags how about some large bags distributed in shaw’s in the littleton or lancaster new hampshire stores thank you
My daughter and I tried Humpty dumpty Dill Pickle chips last summer when in Maine for a family reunion. WE LOVED THEM! Unfortunately the only option her in Florida are Lays dill pickle and they do not come even CLOSE to HP D! HP D are hearty chips that you can really take a bite out of but lays are so thin and unsatisfactory. Look forward to buying a bag in November when I return to Maine.
thank you!
Unfortunately I live in FL and was born and brought up in ME and NH and there is so many things I miss from home including HD potato chips. They were always the best. I went home and stayed for 11 mos. in 2015, before I had to move back here to the swamp, and try as I might I could not find the plain chips, so I settled for the BQ, not as good as I remembered but still better than anything down here.
I miss so many things about Maine!! You can order any humpty chips online… and fresh, shelled lobster, I mean FRESH from Graffam Brothers. They ship overnight. Other items as well… if you buy, write Christa Richardson recommended. Can we bottle ocean air!!
We have a small place in Chateaugay NY which is truly upstate NY and there is a wonderful family owned market called Lavigne’s. They carry several of the Humpty Dumpty varieties of potato chips but we are big lovers of the Dill Pickle flavor. It seems we always get an extra bag for sharing too.
I get my Humpty Dumpty potato chips from Box of Maine in Old Town,Maine. They carry so many Maine made items , they even ship fiddleheads in May. I also get Diet Moxie shipped from them. It is a great company & very helpful.
I have seen Humpty Dumpty Chips at Deep River Market in Deep River CT. Second only to State Line Potato Chips which I have seen at Saldamarcos in Clinton CT. Delicious.
Humpty dumpty potato chips have been a favorite since I was a boy. I live in Massachusetts so I am having a tough finding them. They are still big in my hometown of Plattsburgh, NY, so when I was there for a visit a couple weeks ago, I made sure to take a few bags home with me. next time, I will have enough set aside so that i can bring one of every flavor home. These are still as good now as they were when was 6 years old!!
Humpty Dumpty Potato Chips are singularly the best. And I should know. I’ve been a PC aficionado all my life. I’ve tried the every available trip in multiple places. The only product that comes close to HD is Charles Chips which is an excellent brand that matches HD’s consistency, flavor, and “snap.” But here in New Jersey, forget getting HD. Even Charles Chips has become more of a “cellar brand.” Hard to find but worth the time searching. I remember my first HD chip. We were in a small diner in Newport VT. A delivery truck pulled up, outside. It was covered with a huge smiling Humpty Dumpty. I snagged what I could from the driver and still have the empty bag in my “memory trunk.” God loves those who love Humpty Dumpty. Stay well, brothers and sisters.
I get the All Dressed at my local Shaw’s supermarket in Southern NH. They have most of the varieties year round but I stick to All Dressed. I can eat a bag of those in a sitting if I’m not careful. SOOOO GOOD! I think you can find the Sour Cream and Clam during the summer along the seacoast. I know I’ve seen them in convenience stores along the coast but I don’t have the guts to try them personally.
I drove tractor trailer for Humpty Dumpty potato chips for years when I younger definitely one of my favorite jobs .
My sister and I grew up with Humpty Dumpty Potato Chips so I was just looking you guys up to see if you were still in business and where may she possibly buy some. Could you please let me know. Thanks.
Hi Amy. Humpty Dumpty chips are available in grocery stores, gas stations, and general stores throughout New England. If you’re not in New England, I’d suggest giving the Old Dutch/Humpty Dumpty customer service number a call to see if there’s a way to order online, or reach out to a friend in New England to mail you some! Good luck!
I remember humpty dumpty chips from years of vacationing in Maine when I was little. This summer(20 years later), I’m going to NH on vacation. Just wondering what your local Shaw’s store is? I’d love to pick up some Humpty Dumpty’s while I’m up that way. You can’t find them ANYWHERE in NJ.
What IS the contact number for ORDERING Humpty Dumpty chips?
Unfortunately, we don’t have any information about how to order Humpty Dumpty chips for those who aren’t local, but if you visit the Contact page for Old Dutch Foods (Humpty Dumpty’s parent company) you can follow their instructions on how to reach them for more information. Here is the page: http://www.olddutchfoods.com/about-us/contact-us
Thanks.
This sound really great, would love to be able to find out, where to purchase these online. Will have to look into this.
While I love Humpty Dumpty chips, and still keep whatever brand of chips on hand in a big 1950’s era Humpty Dumpty tin container, they haven’t been made in New England in years. Not really a New England brand anymore.
Every time I go to Vermont we pick up 10 plus bags of Humpty Dumpty bbque chips, i have friends hooked on them, the best chips ever. Only wish we can get them in nj
Those haven’t been Maine potato chips in over 15 years now. A Canadian company bought them out in 2000, and they’re been made up the since.
Hi Randy. The Humpty Dumpty Potato Chips Company, Inc. started in Maine in 1947, but changed hands a few times over the years, most notably in 2000 when it was sold to a Canadian snack company. Its current owner, Old Dutch Foods, took over in 2006. They’re headquartered in Roseville, MN. We’re not sure where they actually make the chips, but we’re glad they’re still sold in Maine!
Growing up all I ate was Humpty Dumpty barbecue chips with a coke. I have always wondered why such a great BBQ chip disappear. I would like to find away to order a case. The most exciting with these chips is some would be mellow and then some would rock. Yah ! rock. I miss them so much. Please respond. 🙂
Hi Amy,
I was a Maine potato grower that supplied spuds to the original South Portland plant for years until it was put into bankruptcy two years after NAFT. NAFT removed the tax on imported potato chip products and financially strapped the South Portland chip manufacturer.
Humpty Dumpty Company (HDC) of Kitchener, Ontario, Canada purchased the product line early 2000s.HDC closed the local plant, fired the employees and moved production to Canada. I was there when employees showed up for work to find a guard at the plant entrance. The Canadian company HDC continued to mislabel their chips as a Maine-made product for years until forced to stop. It’s a marketing strategy that unfortunately has been missed by many folks. As you wrote the new owners Old Dutch Foods is a misnomer. Old Dutch Foods is a Canadian company which coincidently operates out of the same Kitchener, Ontario as the Humpty Dumpty company.
when I was growing up, my parents had a Humpty Dumpty potato chip tin. Yellow in color. Can you tell me what that would be worth? Or direct me to someone that might know
Thank you
Cheri
Back in the day ( 60’s – 80’s ). I ate Humpty Dumpty BBQ chips. The best ever made. Then I got older and traveled all over the country. And their was only one best Dumpty. THEN Humpty was sold to a Canadian company. I assume they purchased the original recipe. BUT the powers that be said we can do this much cheaper and the folks that eat them will not know the difference. And if they do we’ll give them flavors like pickle and ketchup and pop corn. Well I would like to purchase the original recipe from the new owners, because there are a lot of people that you have let down. I spend a fare amount of time in Canada and your product is not very good. BUT if it’s the only thing the people have and you have captive audience well done sleep well.
I found Humpty Dumpty chips in a Shaws in Gloucester, Mass.
The Ridged All Dressed flavor are interesting.
what happen to the ketchup Humpty Dumpty chips
When I was growing up in Northern Maine I had a cousin that worked for Humpty Dumpty. He would always visit our home in his delivery truck, open the back and we could choose a bag of chips. We loved them. We I moved away from Maine to Connecticut I missed those chips immensely. Every time I went home to Maine, I always came back with a dozen bags. Your company should consider selling in the state of Connecticut. Sales would soar for sure!!
What happened to the ketchup chips
Are the potato chips gluten free?
I was born and raised in maine and love the HD Bbq chips. Wish we could get them here in Va. Once or twice a yr my parents send me a box with my favorite bbq chips!
I was wondering if the small store that carried the humpty dumpty chip in mass is still their and selling chips I used to buy them by the plastic cont.
I have lived in Scarborough, ME since 1950 and to the best of my knowledge Humpty Dumpty was located in Scarborough.
Hi Sue. The company was founded in South Portland, but there does appear to have been a (now closed) Scarborough, Maine, Humpty Dumpty chips factory. Thanks for filling in that detail!
I have a relentless love for the BBQ chips. Many morning two bags and a coke were my breakfast.
I don’t know, looks like a lot of love for Humpty Dumpty. I think they need to cut about 1/2 the salt out. They have such interesting flavors but about 4 or 5 chips in my tongue feels like I licked the salt shaker. Other brands just don’t do that.
I can remember back in 88 my boss ordering us italians and saying don’t forget the humpty bbq best chip on earth i send them to anticipating friends in england
A little history of Humpty Dumpty Potato Chip Company
I believe it was around 1943 when Macbeth Engineering gave up trying to produce dried mashed potatos for the war effort in Booth Bay, Maine. Norman Cole was convinced he could use some of that machinery to produce potato chips. However, he didn’t have the necessary funds. My folks took on a partner by the name of Jack Hayes and bought the machinery. At that time Jack was working for Winslow Chip Company in Salem, Mass.
They started manufacturing, King Cole Potato Chips, in an empty filling station at Thornton Heights in South Portland, Maine. I remember that well. I also remember when the cooking oil caught on fire and caused a great deal of damage. Because it was during the war, any type of cooking oil was used from tallow to lard and vegetable shortening.
In 1946, my parents and Jack Hayes agreed to part company. Norman was under contract not to go back into the chip business for five years. Dorothy was ignored! That was a big mistake! In 1947, she started Humpty Dumpty Potato Chip Company, along with George Robinson, in an empty shipyard building in South Portland. Norman, unable to openly participate in the new company started Humpty Dumpty Potato Chip Company in Lachine, Quebec (Montreal) in 1948. I remember the old building and an amusement park which was nearby which is no longer there.
Most chips in Canada then were made from russet potatos and were quite dark. Norman introduced the so called light chip with the new company. Both companies were growing rapidly. It was tough to keep up with the growth financially. The Canadian growth was phenomenal. In 1950, Humpty Dumpty Maine opened a new plant on US RT#1 in Scarborough, Maine with a brand new 1000 pound Macbeth fryer. I remember helping by giving out free samples at the open house. We made potato chips, pop corn, deep fried peanuts, and we had our own bag making operation. The first year, chips were still bagged by hand. Soon thereafter, we got our first three Woodman bagging machines. After ours were set up, I remember traveling to Quebec with my father and the Woodman representative to set up machines there.
Over the next few years, both companies grew rapidly. At the same time, Norman’s interest in the attractive Canadian women grew causing long ranging effects! In 1955, they divorced. Dorothy kept the Maine business and Norman the Canadian. He had his difficulties without her business savvy and cash! I believe it was in 1959, he sold out to Sunshine Biscuit Company. It wasn’t long before they built a big beautiful modern plant in the area. I remember driving up from Vermont to see the plant. They also built plants in the Toronto area and Quebec City. Dorothy remarried in 1957. I never had a good relationship with her new husband.
Sometime in the early eighties (my memory doesn’t serve me well here!), Sunshine sold the company to Borden Foods of Pennsylvania. Sunshine had a hands-off policy so long as Nick produced. Bordens on the other hand, changed the logo, packaging, seasonings and was actively involved. Very little was left in common. Both companies drifted apart. It is my opinion those changes hurt Humpty Canada and opened the door to Frito-Lay through their purchase of Maple Leaf Potato Chip Company.
In 1991, due to kidney disease, I placed Humpty Dumpty up for sale. The first interested party was Bordens! Negotiations went on for almost a year. The sticking points were they wanted me to stay for five years, which I was unwilling to do. They would close the plant and move production to Hartland! The last problem was, they were unwilling to protect twelve employees very near retirement. The company was sold to Keystone Foods in 1992. Skip ahead to 2000, both Humpty Dumpty in Maine and in Canada were sold. Along comes Old Dutch Foods of Canada who now owns what is left of the two companies. They are essentially back together again! I hope you find this interesting.
Former owner and CEO of Humpty Dumpty Potato Chips of Maine
Very interesting!! I’m from Nova Scotia and now live in NH. I never knew it started in Maine.Thanks for the info & wishing you well
Hi Phil. I am visiting from California. While researching lobster bisque potato chips from humptydumpty (I’m dying t try) I made a. Comment to my brother_in_law
Bill Northgraves. He remembers being an altar boy with you at st Albans. Funny connection!!!
I i’m from Canada and live close to the maine border and I have to tell you the best bbq chips where the humpty dumpty from the 80’s that we where buying in maine a lot better then the Canadian bbq from Canada. would you have a recipe for me I could try at home. thanks a lot they were the best !!!! If my memory is good the bags where green.
Humpty Dumpty all dressed up are my favorite chip ever especially when paired with a Bennett’s Italian sub sandwich. These chips remind me of Maine.
I wish we could post pictures- I have a picture of myself, probably 4 years old, with a Humpty Dumpty shirt on that says “What you see is what you get!”, which was their slogan for a while.
Well I miss the old spice and heat from the BBQ flavor chips today they taste way to much like mystique I miss the back in the day flavor I still can not get use to it as many times as I try, I love to eat my Snickers candy bar with them, so much love Lost, help!
Thanks for this! I was wondering if they were still in business. I grew up in Maine but now I am in California. I wonder about local business and how they are doing. How about Cains Mayonnaise? And Howards?
Cain’s mayonnaise is still available in MA (our family is NEVER Cain’s mayonnaise but Hellman’s only; yet it must be Cain’s tartar sauce). Howard’s relishes are available in MA.
I live in Virginia. How can I get some Sour Cream and Clam chips? I’ve tried contacting the company, but have gotten no response.
I live in Upstate NY, and Humpty Dumpty chips ARE available here.
where in upstate n.y.
It absolutely bugs me when people claim to be from “Upstate, NY.” It’s meaningless, and can mean anything from Westchester County to Messina to Buffalo. Go figure…
It was good of Phil my half-brother to fill in the gaps in my memory as well. Norman Cole was a good idea person but not much on the day to day stuff. It’s been decades since I’ve spoken to any of the Cole’s (including my father who passed in 2002) from new England but I guess bitterness doesn’t fade with time for those folks.
I love Humpty Dumpty potato chips as much as any girl growing up in a small town in northern new Hampshire in almost any flavor but they reallly don’t give you as much as you should get for your money and I know a lot of company’s do that but I just love there products that it doesn’t seem very fair there so so good love you Humpty Dumpty potato chips but still Kate
Berlin?
My grandfather and his brothers worked in Burlington Vt st sunshine biscuit! I am a devoted ketchup chip fan and Humpty Dumpty chips are hands down The BEST!!!!! Thanks for the history.. a true Yankee lover of your chips
What phenomenal histories to read. It reminds me of Milton Hershey’s life story. God bless. I remember them from when I was little. I mostly remember the can. I’ve always lived on L I’s north fork. My dad always worked in the city. Perhaps that was where he bought them from. No matter. New York would afford them an excellent market as well!
I used to like the plain Humpty Dumpty chips with an Italian sandwich when I went to college in Maine.
Nothing beats the Cape Cod brand of chips.
Agree with you about Cape Cod chips ! If one can label potato chips “healthy”, then Cape Cod chips would be at the top ….however, I rue the day long ago as a young girl getting hooked on the 5cent bags we could buy at our local corner store ….I still indulge, but not too often !
You can get the BBQ and the All Dressed Humpty Dumpty’s from Amazon. I’ve bought them for several years from them ’cause I fell in love with them on a trip to Maine when a teenager. Good stuff y’all.
You can get Humpty Dumpty Chips here in Rhode Island. Shaw’s has them. Plain, Dill Pickle, Everything, Barbeque…
I would love to know what Shaws in RI has them. I miss them. They are the bests chips ever.
Humpty Dumpty chips are no longer made in Maine…They are made in Canada…They should not be part of New England Today Food !!!!
Growing up, coming up to Maine, it was a trymendos treat to get a can of regular chips. I wish I could still get those chips
They were the best chips ever
Way to much MSG
I’m from Canada and the only BBQ chip that I like is Humpty Dumpty’s. When Old Dutch took over, I decided to try them. The Old Dutch BBQ chips are the same as the Humpty Dumpty ones were, which is awesome! They are the only good BBQ chips to be found!
I live in Salem, MA and these are the best chips ever. They only sell them in Shaws right now, I haven’t seen them anywhere else.
Loved eating HD potato chips with an Italian sandwich. I remember when my Mom would buy the large tin tub of HD regular chips!
I have worked in a local general store in Kittery for the past 5 years and for the last 6 months or so we have not been able to get Humpty Dumpty Chips anymore. An older couple took over the route and they visited the store once and never came back. Many, many of our customers complained that they cannot find Humpty Dumpty Chips anywhere in the Kitty/York/Portsmouth area. My manager tried talking to the parent company but calls were not returned…This is a poor reflection on Old Dutch….
Begone with all the different potato chip flavors. Just color me “plain” as in I like my potato chips plain. Though this piece is about Humpty Dumpty Potato Chips, these other regional brands also feature great plain potato chips: Herr’s and Charles in Pennsylvania, Vincent’s and Boyd’s in Massachusetts. I’m sure there are others nationwide. And, although they are no longer regional, my plain preference extends to Cape Cod Potato Chips, the company that so successfully pioneered the kettle-fried process.
Way too much MSG, added to make them taste good. Find a way to get rid of the MSG because there is a lot of people sensitive to MSG and would love to eat them, I for one. They have as much if not more than Chinese food
We live right on the U S side of the border, my cousin actually works in the Old Dutch plant where HD comes out of, and for the most part HD is the favorite around our house, my grandsons love the salt & vinegar and my husband the BBQ, even tho the recipe changed a little on the BBQ when they moved to Canada, its still pretty darn good, I have a large bag on my bookshelf at work to go with lunches and a sometimes afternoon snack…I used to love the cheese and onion, but I don’t like them in the ripple form. All Dressed Up is also a tasty change. Now if you want a tasty dark russet, Utz brand is the go to chip for that and they also make a great sour cream and onion small ripple chip that is really good, And UTZ also has two flavors that coincide with Helluva Good chip dip, Helluva Good onion dip and Helluva Good Buttermilk….yummmmm
Been eating these since early 60’s Canadians buying them was the worst thing that could happen , changed the spice mix , added a lot more salt. Also moved all the jobs to Canada , same thing is happening in blueberries and lobster market.
How can I get the phone number for Humpty Dumpty
could you please tell me what is going on with the barbecue chips in the past month i have thrown away 4 3.00 bags because there has been no barbecue flavor what so ever the chips are plain and have a hint of vinegar flavor to them i have been eating them my hole life but am very disappointed and afraid to buy any more just to throw them out ,thank you for any info you could give me Bill
BBQ chips are weak flavored, smarten up.
Very dissatisfied with bbq chips lately. They have no bbq on them at all. My hands smell like vinegar after I eat them. I want my bbq chips that where so yummy!!
I use to live in Maine ( Skowheagan) but moved to Mississippi been here for 20 yrs. I luv Humpty Dumpty Potatoe chips but unfortunately the stores down here don’t sell them and I was wondering if there is any way possible that Ya’ll can try selling some to the stores down here so the ppl here can experience the good taste of Humpty Dumpty Potatoe chips. Heck They all ready sell Moxie (which is My favorite soda) down here in Cracker Barrell.
I really like your plain potato chips ( non ridges )but rarely find them in any store in my area and then only in the $2 bags how about some large bags distributed in shaw’s in the littleton or lancaster new hampshire stores thank you
Can I buy some of the BBQ spice that they put on the chips?
My daughter and I tried Humpty dumpty Dill Pickle chips last summer when in Maine for a family reunion. WE LOVED THEM! Unfortunately the only option her in Florida are Lays dill pickle and they do not come even CLOSE to HP D! HP D are hearty chips that you can really take a bite out of but lays are so thin and unsatisfactory. Look forward to buying a bag in November when I return to Maine.
thank you!
Their Humpty Dumpty Cheeses sticks are the best. I have to have them in the house whenever my Adult kids from out of state visit.
Unfortunately I live in FL and was born and brought up in ME and NH and there is so many things I miss from home including HD potato chips. They were always the best. I went home and stayed for 11 mos. in 2015, before I had to move back here to the swamp, and try as I might I could not find the plain chips, so I settled for the BQ, not as good as I remembered but still better than anything down here.
I miss so many things about Maine!! You can order any humpty chips online… and fresh, shelled lobster, I mean FRESH from Graffam Brothers. They ship overnight. Other items as well… if you buy, write Christa Richardson recommended. Can we bottle ocean air!!
We have a small place in Chateaugay NY which is truly upstate NY and there is a wonderful family owned market called Lavigne’s. They carry several of the Humpty Dumpty varieties of potato chips but we are big lovers of the Dill Pickle flavor. It seems we always get an extra bag for sharing too.
My fave was clam flavor. Haven’t seen that for years.
I want clam chips where can i fine them
I get my Humpty Dumpty potato chips from Box of Maine in Old Town,Maine. They carry so many Maine made items , they even ship fiddleheads in May. I also get Diet Moxie shipped from them. It is a great company & very helpful.
“All-dressed” is a Canadian thing, this was not a flavor back when Humpty Dumpty was Maine-based.
We have Ruffles all dressed here in Texas. It’s not just Canada.
I have seen Humpty Dumpty Chips at Deep River Market in Deep River CT. Second only to State Line Potato Chips which I have seen at Saldamarcos in Clinton CT. Delicious.
Pastime, not “past-time”.
Humpty dumpty potato chips have been a favorite since I was a boy. I live in Massachusetts so I am having a tough finding them. They are still big in my hometown of Plattsburgh, NY, so when I was there for a visit a couple weeks ago, I made sure to take a few bags home with me. next time, I will have enough set aside so that i can bring one of every flavor home. These are still as good now as they were when was 6 years old!!
Humpty Dumpty Potato Chips are singularly the best. And I should know. I’ve been a PC aficionado all my life. I’ve tried the every available trip in multiple places. The only product that comes close to HD is Charles Chips which is an excellent brand that matches HD’s consistency, flavor, and “snap.” But here in New Jersey, forget getting HD. Even Charles Chips has become more of a “cellar brand.” Hard to find but worth the time searching. I remember my first HD chip. We were in a small diner in Newport VT. A delivery truck pulled up, outside. It was covered with a huge smiling Humpty Dumpty. I snagged what I could from the driver and still have the empty bag in my “memory trunk.” God loves those who love Humpty Dumpty. Stay well, brothers and sisters.