This is it. This comparison is one of those “legacy” debates that permeates the snack world at every turn. In my years of asking people which one they prefer, the discussion has been very contentious. Goldfish or Cheez-IT? Which one is THE best? No special flavors or stipulations (cough flavor blasted cough), just the originals. Tonight we are going to find out, because I’ve got bags of both snacks in front of me and they are begging to be consumed.

This post calls for a bit of history. These two have always been some of my favorite snacks, so it is typically quite difficult for me to come to a conclusion about which one is better. They both incorporate cheese, sure, but they have such unique flavor profiles. It’s not an easy one, but it must be done. This is what I must do to be counted among the food blog giants. Let’s get to it.

Overview

You know the drill. Let’s take a look at the packaging of both products. It may not seem pertinent to the taste test, but all things considered, the packaging is what you rely on to help drive your purchase decision; that especially comes into play with people who are trying these for the first time. Anyways, the packaging is what you’d expect. The Goldfish has a more fun-loving charm on the front, with the cute little goldfish swimming around in their own cheese Milky Way. On the other hand, the Cheez-IT packaging and label has a very eye-catching look. The deep red and bold branding make the Cheez-IT pretty hard to miss. I also appreciate the included close-up of the cracker itself. It is strong, but not enough to be ostentatious. Neither are bad, and both certainly have their place in my pantry. Edge? Probably the Cheez-IT. Take a look at the packaging yourself and see what you think.

Comparison 

On to the good part. First, I will be trying the Goldfish. The Goldfish have an almost toasted taste to them. They incorporate more of that “crisp” kind of taste that can’t really be described. You just taste it, and it has that distinct crackery flavor. This flavor comes to life as you keep chewing, but the first thing you are hit with is that dash of salt accompanied with every individual Goldfish. It is certainly not overpowering, but enough to make you want more. This is a dangerous advantage that Goldfish has, because people (like me) will get carried away and eat more than they should. The cheese flavoring itself is also more bland when compared to the Cheez-IT. Instead, the Goldfish follows a more natural progression from first bite to finish. Texture wise, these feel more like crackers. Lighter, a little more unassuming than a full on chip.

Things change when we move on to the Cheez-IT. As opposed to the initial dash of salt that you get with the Goldfish, you are instead hit with that artificial cheddar flavor. These crackers are cheesy, and they do not hide it. More of a punch compared to the dainty and mild Goldfish. The end of your chewing/the aftertaste is where the Cheez-IT develops the more crackery taste that the Goldfish bring to the table. These are more savory overall–the salt is less of a focal point in the flavor, and the flavor of the cheese is the clear priority. The original Cheez-ITs have an almost smoky flavor that cannot be mistaken. Texture wise, these feel a lot more like chips when you eat them. They don’t have that characteristic “lightness” that you think of when you think of crackers. These are hefty. Compared to Goldfish, I could see someone feeling sick if they ate too many of these. I would also add that the Cheez-IT has a more satisfying crunch because of their more “chip like” nature. Between the more intense flavoring and the crunch, the Cheez-ITs are probably what the cheese obsessed human vacuum in your family is looking for.

To put the flavors concisely, I would describe the Goldfish as being cheesy crackers, and the Cheez-IT as being cheese crackers. The Goldfish seem to be doing things in a more subtle fashion, whereas the Cheez-ITs make no mistake about what they are. Although I love both, I must say, doing this comparison has made me realize something; the Cheez-IT flavor became more fatiguing for me over time. You don’t ever realize this when eating them alone, but the Goldfish were easier to shovel into my mouth without thinking. The Cheez-ITs made me have to brace a little more than I would with the Goldfish. That’s not to say they aren’t enjoyable–they just packed more of a punch and were more dense.

With all of this being said, here are pictures of the two snacks in their own bowls:

The Verdict 

These are both magnificent. I can’t say it enough. You can do no wrong with having either one of these being on your shelf. They are mainstays in the snack world, and there’s no denying that for either choice. Despite this, there must be a winner.

All in all, I would give the Goldfish 5 stars, and the Cheez-ITs 4.5/5 stars. This one is as close as they come. I have always loved Goldfish, but I could never bring myself to say that I like them more than Cheez-ITs.

I preferred the more subtle, nuanced flavor of the Goldfish compared to the heavy-hitting “cheddar” flavor of the Cheez-ITs.

That’s all I can say, folks. Whichever side you are on, I tip my hat to you. This has been Chief Eats, with one of the hardest reviews to date. Thanks for tuning in.

-thechiefeats

 

P.S: Health conscious? Below is the nutritional info for Goldfish and Cheez-ITs: