Delicious Delights: Potato Chip Factory

MT. JACKSON, VA. - From the moment the first batch of chips was dropped into the fryer in 1992, the process of creating a good-tasting, quality product was the main goal.

“All we really wanted to do was make a great potato chip,” explains Founder Sarah Cohen on the “about us” page of their website. “We started with a tiny little cooker, a garden rake, a great recipe, a lot of energy, some good ole fashioned grit, a little bit of dauntlessness, with some twenty-something delusion thrown in for good measure.”

Her belief was that if they made a quality product, there would be people who would want it. She was right. The company has been frying chips for more than 25 years and can create around 1,200 pounds of their chips per hour during production. They source their potatos locally and even send the peelings fo feed nearby cattle.

In sticking with their brand name, Rotue 11 provides 11 different flavors. The dill pickle flavor was a favorite in our group. Another favorite was the Yukon Gold, which is only available by the growing season of August to October.

The factory is open to the public Mondays — Saturdays, 9 a.m. — 5 p.m. They are closed on major holidays.

There are no actual walk-through tours in the locations, but there are large windows where you can view the entire process of making the chips. It is best to call ahead to verify their frying schedule. If you have a large group (15 people or more), do call ahead so the staff can prepare for your visit. Individuals, families and small groups are welcome at any time. Staff members will be happy to talk to you about the potatoes, the process, and the daily realities of chipland.

There are plenty of chips to sample and purchase, and there is no charge for the fry viewing. However, they do ask that no photos be taken of any of the production areas.