Mexico's chip story starts with Sabritas. Pedro Marcos Noriega started the business in Mexico City in 1943, making snacks at home and delivering them by bicycle; the name blends sabrosas (tasty) and fritas (fried). In 1966 the newly formed PepsiCo brought Sabritas into its portfolio on condition that it kept its Mexican name, and its first plant opened in Vallejo, in northern Mexico City, in 1968. Today the potato chip range runs from Original to Adobadas, Limón and Habanero, and the bags are a fixture of every tiendita (corner shop). The main rival is Barcel, Grupo Bimbo's snack arm, which began in 1977 with a factory in Querétaro and makes Chip's potato chips, but its biggest hit is Takis. Invented in 1999 and first sold as "Taquis", the rolled tortilla chips were renamed in 2004, and the purple-bagged Fuego (chilli and lime) arrived in 2006. Mexican snacking is built on lime, salt, chamoy, tamarind and chile, and chips are often prepared rather than eaten plain. In Mexico City, white aluminium-and-glass carts on plazas and street corners sell papas fritas drenched in hot sauce, Maggi seasoning and lime, while Tostilocos and Dorilocos turn a slit-open bag of Tostitos or Doritos into a meal with cucumber, jícama, cueritos (pickled pork rind), peanuts, chamoy and hot sauce.
Top Potato Chip Brands in Mexico
The Mexico chip market is led by Sabritas (Lay's), followed by Barcel and Takis, Totis. These brands compete for shelf space across supermarkets, convenience stores, and increasingly through online retail channels.
Most Popular Chip Flavors
These are the bestselling, most widely available potato chip flavors you'll find on shelves across Mexico.
Unique & Exotic Flavors
These distinctive flavors are what make Mexico's chip culture truly unique — flavors you're unlikely to find anywhere else in the world.
Snacking Culture & Occasions
In Mexico, potato chips are most commonly enjoyed during street food accompaniment. Other popular snacking occasions include antojitos & casual meals, fiestas & family gatherings, chamoy-covered as a botana. The average bag of chips costs $1.20/bag, making them an accessible everyday snack across all demographics.
- Street food accompaniment
- Antojitos & casual meals
- Fiestas & family gatherings
- Chamoy-covered as a botana
Did You Know?
Grupo Bimbo was once offered Sabritas and turned it down, co-founder Roberto Servitje has said. Its own snack arm, Barcel, later invented Takis.
Try Mexico Chips at Home
Want to taste authentic Mexico flavors? Check out our top picks on Amazon:
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