Since the first stores opened, cheap, more accessible versions of popular products have existed. Although easier on the wallet these alternate variants are world-famous for being much lower quality than the original. I decided to test whether or not it is worth eating lower-quality food even if the alternative is higher in price.

Cheez-It’s vs. Great Value Chedder Cheese Crackers

   For round one of Off-Brand Vs. On-Brand I tested Cheez-It’s and the Walmart-brand Great Value Cheddar Cheese Crackers. To start, Cheez-It’s have a more prominent taste. Although they do leave a slight chemical taste hiding behind that amazing cheese flavor they are known for. On the contrary, Great Value’s crackers have more of a toasty taste rather than the cheddar taste they are branded to have, and although the flavor is enjoyable it does subtract points in the taste factor of this round, to be fair these are cheese crackers and not toast. In addition to the chudder, each brand lightly salts its crackers. The Cheez-It’s cheesy flavor compliments the flavor of the salt, however, the salt doesn’t pair very well with the toasty taste of Great Value’s crackers. As for texture Cheez-It’s are tougher and have a better crunch than the Great Value crackers, while Great Value’s crackers are more flakey and easily lose their salt dusting. All in all, this round’s champion title goes to Cheez-It’s. 

(Mini) Dr. Pepper vs. (Mini) Dr Thunder

   For round two, I will be pitting Dr. Thunder and Dr. Pepper. Starting with taste, Dr. Thunder is slightly sweeter than Dr. Pepper, but Dr. Pepper is superior in the traditional cola taste. Ironic for the ‘Dr.’ title, each soda is very sugary, and in tandem with the sweeter taste Dr Thunder has a higher sugar content than Dr Pepper; Sustaining exactly 50% of the daily sugar intake even as a mini can! Dr. Pepper is not far behind, at 48%, as a mini can, but the difference is noticeable. Although those who prefer cola would pick Dr. Pepper,  personally, I prefer the sweeter taste of Dr. Thunder. For that reason, at least in my heart, Dr. Thunder won this round.

Oreos vs Twist and Shout

   For round three, the competitors are Great Value’s Twist and Shouts, and Oreos. When it comes to taste, specifically of the cookie, if I were to eat them separately I would notice a slight difference, but I wouldn’t have a way to say “Oh yeah, this cookie is this brand.” The taste isn’t necessarily artificial, but there’s something there that’s hard to describe and the only word I have for it is: cheap. As for the cream, each brand tasted the same. Consequently, each brand leaves the gums feeling strangely slick and smooth, but the Twist and Shouts have a stronger effect than the Oreos. For texture, the only notable difference would be the cookies for the Twist and Shouts are firmer. Overall, Oreos won this battle, making On-brand the winner of these three rounds.

   In conclusion, even though in most situations the original is better, Dr. Thunder and many more forgotten off-brand foods prove that sometimes there are gems in the ruff that make the digging worth it, even if the work is cheap. In general, the higher price is worth it, and the chances of a better yet cheaper alternative is low but never impossible.