SUMMER OF BETTER MADE

Michigan based Emagine Entertainment has teamed up with the iconic Detroit snack brand Better Made to launch "The Summer of Better Made," a limited-time concession collaboration bringing bold hometown flavors to moviegoers across the Midwest. The new menu features craveable concession items inspired by Better Made's classic Barbeque and Sour Cream & Onion flavors which first launched in 1973:

• Better Made Tossed Fries & Tots – seasoned with either Sour Cream & Onion or BBQ flavoring; 
• Better Made Tossed Chicken Tenders – available with Sour Cream & Onion or BBQ seasoning; 
• Better Made BBQ Pizza – Specialty pizza featuring a ranch base, six-cheese blend, seasoned fajita chicken, and Better Made BBQ seasoning.

While these Better Made Snacks flavors have been around since the year I was born, these specialty concession stand treats will only be available for a limited time during the Summer of Better Made. These craveable concession snacks will be available while supplies last at all Emagine Theatre locations in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin. To find an Emagine Theatre location click here. 

BETTER MADE SNACK FOODS

Thanks to Better Made Snack Foods for sending a sample box my way filled with potato chips as well as a bunch of other stuff to try out from this Detroit-based business lineup of products.

Generations of Detroit area families have enjoyed snacks from Better Made. They have been making snack foods in Michigan since 1930. I grew up eating Better Made potato chips and over the years they've expended their snack food offerings to include popcorn, pretzels, and tortilla chips too. So, while many people associate their vintage Miss Better Made logo with potato chips, the brand has a whole lot more to offer. My kids love Better Made Snack Foods popcorn for example ... Better Made Old Fashioned Movie Theater Gourmet Popcorn is my family's go to snack for our family movie nights!

Better Made Snack Foods popcorn styles include Detroit Mix (Caramel & Cheese), Red Hot Cheese, White Cheddar, and Movie Theater Gourmet. Better Made is most known for their potato chips which are available in a wide variety of textures and flavors including krinkle cut, wavy, honey bbq and salt & vinegar to name a few. They even have pork rinds and cracklins for those looking for a zero-carb snack!

Don't live in Metro Detroit where Better Made Snack Foods are easily available at local grocery stores? You're not out of luck! You can order Better Made Snack Foods on Amazon.com! 

Better Made has a variety pack that includes both its potato chip and popcorn flavors available through Amazon. They also have a 50 count potato chip cases you can buy in a variety format or choose your own flavors. You can even buy Better Make pork rinds products from Amazon!

Better Made Snack Foods has earned a Geek Daddy nod of approval because generations of Detroiters have been delighted by the brand and my family wants to support local brands like Better Made, Faygo and Sanders that have remained connected to the local community through good and bad times. Plus, their snacks are tasty! If you haven't had Better Made snacks, give them a bite and you'll be hooked.

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HAPPY 93RD BIRTHDAY TO BETTER MADE SNACK FOODS

This August marks the 93rd anniversary of Better Made Snack Foods! Known for their delicious potato chips and other tasty snacks, this family-owned business still manufactures their products from facilities located within the City of Detroit utilizing locally sourced ingredients including potatoes harvested from Michigan farms. Founded in 1930 as Cross and Peters Company, the brand now known as Better Made, has been number one in the hearts -- and tummies -- of Michiganders for generations.

To celebrate Better Made Snack Foods anniversary this year from August 1 through National Potato Day (Saturday, August 19) will be hosting giveaways on their Facebook and Instagram accounts. Winners will receive a deluxe gift box filled with freshly made Better Made Snacks. Join in their birthday celebration fun by participating in these giveaways. And if you are following them on Instagram please give me a follow at @Geekdad248 too. 

For more information about the company, visit bettermade.com. Happy birthday Better Made! 

BETTER MADE SNACK FOODS FACTORY STORE

One of my favorite snacks are potato chips locally sold and made in southeastern Michigan by Better Made Snack Foods. For years I've heard of an incredible treat they've produced around the holidays -- chocolate covered potato chips -- yet never saw them on grocery store shelves.  The holy grail of potato chips so to speak.

This year I decided to go straight to the source and drove over to the Better Made Snack Foods production facility located on Gratiot Avenue in the City of Detroit. Located a few miles north of where I-94 and I-75 intersect near downtown, the Better Made Snack Foods factory is located just a few blocks west of the Gratiot on and off ramps for I-94. You can get there without having to drive around any side streets which is a good thing because the revitalization of the city hasn't reach this area of Detroit yet and it is still a really rough part of town. If you stick to the freeways and Gratiot Avenue you should still feel safe visiting this place though.

Pulling into their parking lot you can see the potato chips being made through windows in the factory walls. Oh yeah! How yummy is that?! A big arrow sign in the parking lot directs you over to a retail shop tucked within the Better Made Snack Foods factory.

I had imagined strolling through aisles of Better Made snacks and merchandise when planning my visit so the layout of the store wasn't exactly what  had been expected. It is essentially a lobby with two cashier stations behind a counter fronted with a giant bullet proof glass panel. Behind them are shelves displaying all the products. Go up and tell them what you and than they push your order through air lock looking portals built into the glass panel. It is a high security layout but based upon the neighborhood guess you can't blame them for taking extra precautions for their staff and merchandise.

Walking into the Better Made Snack Foods factory retail store, what I was looking for immediately caught my eye. There was a display of tins for chocolate covered potato chips situated next to one of the registers. One of the cashiers obviously noticed my delight as she picked up one of the tins and asked me if this is what I was looking for. Oh yes it is! I replied.

I picked up a few tins of chocolate covered potato chips for Christmas presents, plus one for myself to indulge in during my visit to the Better Made Snack Foods factory store. Mission Accomplished!

Plus I picked up a bag of Old Fashioned Movie Theater Gourmet Popcorn whole I was there. Haven't seen this at my local grocery store either. Should be a great snack for one of A Geek Daddy's family movie nights.

After seeing the factory first hand, I have to give Better Made Snack Foods credit for the commitment and investment they've made in Detroit. They've stuck with the City in good times and bad for more than 80 years! Their snacks taste awesome and the company has demonstrated its civic commitment with manufacturing in Detroit and prioritizing using ingredients Made in Michigan. This company really lives up to its name Better Made!

After chatting with the pleasant ladies behind the sales counter for awhile, I packed up my goodies and was on my way home. All together round trip my Better Made adventure took less than an hour. I'm pretty sure they'll be seeing me back again sooner or later.