An Interview with Top Snack Blogger, Junk Banter – Nomtastic Foods

Hey Nomsters!  We’re extra excited for today’s post because we have the wonderfully hilarious Junk Banter here with us.  And in case you didn’t know, they’re kind of a big deal so you should be as excited as we are.  With over 233k+ followers on instagram alone, this dynamic duo’s been killin’ the game for the last 5 years.

When, why and how did you start Junk Banter?

I started Junk Banter in 2015. My friend and I followed all things snackable and we were always texting our latest finds to each other. We applied to write for one of our favorite snack blogs and we both got rejected, so we said: “Screw it –  we’re way funnier than those guys, so let’s just start our own.” The rest is history.

Is this your full time gig?

Absolutely not. If this were my only source of income I wouldn’t have enough money to put snacks on the table (plus I’d be living in the street.) I have a full-time desk job. I’m an auditor by day and I review snacks into my computer at night. I think that’s the life everybody wants to live.

Where are you based?

I live in Baltimore! I grew up in a small town in Hazlet, NJ and moved to Baltimore in 2013 when my job relocated.

Where do you like to eat in Baltimore?

Everywhere. Some of my favorites are Ekiben for bao buns, Thames Street Oysterhouse for lobster rolls, Verde for Neapolitan pizza, Himalayan Spice for Indian, and DiPasquale’s for all things Italian. Baltimore has a very diverse food scene that I think is one of the most underrated in the country. It’s very easy to gain weight here.

What are your top 5 junk food must haves.

1) Extra Toasty Cheez-Its

2) Golden Oreo Thins

3) Trader Joe’s Elote Corn Chips

4) Ben & Jerry’s Milk & Cookies

5) Peanut M&M’s

…and your top 5 worst junk food experiences.

1) Swedish Fish Oreos

2) Swedish Fish Oreos

3) Swedish Fish Oreos

4) Swedish Fish Oreos

5) Swedish Fish Oreos

They were that bad they deserve all five spots. You can read my review here.

Does anything surprise you in the junk food world anymore?

Not really. Once people embraced things like Jelly Beans that taste like boogers, I think anything is on the table.

What are some treats you loved as a kid that you still enjoy now?

Dunkaroos! They just made a triumphant return to shelves and they still rule as hard as ever. There are still some 90’s snacks I’d like to see come back like 3D Doritos and Planters P.B. Crisps. You can never say never in this arena.

What junk food’s grown on you over time?

Payday bars. When I was a kid I thought they were stupid because they didn’t have chocolate, but as I’ve gotten older, wiser, and fatter, I can appreciate a candy where peanuts are the star.

How do you stay on top of junk food news yourself?

Luckily I have a pretty big following and people are always DMing me their latest finds. Some companies will send me their new product news or samples themselves which is really helpful. And then there’s great sites like TheImpulsiveBuy.com who have been covering this longer than anybody (they’re also the site that rejected me, but I’ve got nothing but love for them.)

What’s your favorite Pringles flavor and why?

My favorite ever were the Top Ramen Chicken Pringles because they were basically college in a can, but they don’t make them anymore. Right now it’s the new Parmesan and Roasted Garlic Pringles because those flavors just go so great together.

Are there any special junk food releases you’re especially excited about?

Don’t quote me on this when I’m wrong, but there are some pretty heavy rumors of a Dunkaroos Cereal coming later this year. It’ll be awesome when we have more excuses to eat Dunkaroos at all times of the day. (Feel free to quote me on these rumors if I’m right.)

Who are some food bloggers you enjoy following?

TheImpulsivebuy.com, OnSecondScoop.com, @thejunkfoodaisle, Family Food Dude and Tami Dunn. Basically anybody but me is a good follow.

Feel free to not follow me at JunkBanter.com and @junkbanter on Instagram.

A huge thanks to Junk Banter for taking the time to answer our questions.  Definitely make sure to give them a follow and head to their blog for everything junk-related.  Until next time, Nomsters!