Opinions are like elbows, everyone has two. And sometimes reviews blur the line between opinions and facts. That was the inspiration for the “Face Offâ€. Here’s how it works: Two reviewers, one sauce, identical meals, and zero conversation. Ethan and Newman tried “Hillbillie Sweet Gormay Salsa: Hot†on Identical meals at the same time, and then without any discussion, separated and wrote two reviews.
Ingredients: Tomato Sauce, Ketchup (tomato concentrate, high fructose corn syrup, vinegar, salt, onion powder, spice, and natural flavors) diced tomatoes, jalapeno peppers, onions, green bell peppers, brown sugar, distilled white vinegar, tomato paste, habanero peppers, garlic.
Newman’s Take
On first look the packaging of Hillbillies Salsa looks pretty common. There’s nothing particularly bad, just nothing particularly special. But just like books and their covers, packaging can be deceiving. Prior to Ethan’s arrival I cheated, and tried some of the salsa on a plain ol’ tortilla chip. I didn’t hate it but, I didn’t love it. I read up on Hillbille’s with the provided materials, and the manufacturer suggests it be used as a ketchup substitute. So we went and picked up some burgers.
Bouquet: You open the jar and the dominant smells are sweet pickle relish, and tomatoes. Overall it’s pretty pleasant as salsa aromas go.
Texture: This salsa is by no means thick and chunky but it does “hold together†nicely, and you don’t need to look too closely to find a pepper or onion chunk.
Taste: On a chip it’s nothing to write home about. But on a burger it’s dope. Ethan and I started eating and about two minutes later the burgers were gone. The sweet relish taste is subtle, the tomatoes are perfect, and the heat is deceptive and delayed. I ate most of the burger before the heat crept in and bit a little. I plan on buying again, and use this as my “first choice†ketchup replacement.
Medal Round:
Package: A Bronze
Heat: A Bronze
Taste: A Gold
Overall: A Silver (taste can carry you a long way, baby! )
Ethan’s Take
I love salsa. It’s common for me to eat half a jar in one sitting without even realizing what I’ve done. Of course, the more salsa I eat the more demanding I become. I almost can’t eat mass-produced store bought salsa anymore. It all tastes the same: tomatoes and onions. When I opened Hillbillie salsa, that’s what I smelled. In fact, it smelled a lot like ketchup. So when Newman suggested we try the salsa on hamburgers (which the salsa’s promotional flyer suggests) I agreed.
But first things first. The packaging, including the overalls-wearing pepper-toting “hillbillie,” is cute, but certainly wouldn’t get me to pick up a jar off the store shelf. As I mentioned, when I opened the standard 16 ounce jar I smelled ketchup. The salsa’s consistency is a lot like most of the major brand salsas I can find at my local grocery chain. It’s well blended with a few chunks to improve the appearance. The liquid part of the salsa always seems mysteriously, unnaturally thick. Nothing out of the ordinary here; it looks a lot like any other salsa.
Now for the good part: it tastes much better than your ordinary salsa! My first bite was underwhelming. Hillbillie Sweet Gormay Salsa tastes quite a bit like ketchup, which I’ll admit disappointed me at first. It claims to be sweet, and it certainly is. In fact, the overall flavor was quite a bit like sweet relish mixed with ketchup. The heat was practically non-existent. But I kept eating, and the taste improved. The heat built up over time, never becoming anything unbearable but definitely making itself noticed. I’d still consider it a mild salsa, maybe a 4 on the HSB heat scale, but those less accustomed to the heat might call it a medium.
On a cheese burger, the flavor really took off. The relish/ketchup combo complemented the beef perfectly. As I warmed to the sweet flavor, I started dipping my fries in the salsa. I devoured the burger, trying to eat it quickly so the salsa didn’t drip out of the bun and onto the wrapper below. Try as I might, I couldn’t catch it all. Luckily I had enough fries to mop up the leftovers.
When all was said and done, I was left wanting more. A lot more. Hillbillie Sweet Gormay Salsa comes highly recommended from this reviewer.
A&I Sauces
624 West Church Street
Galion, OH 44833
419.468.5053
Chilehead Comments:
Posted by: Ethan - Categories: Uncategorized
Permalink: Review: Reviewer Face-Off - Hillbillie Sweet Gormay Salsa (Hot)
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Two years ago: Testimonial to reviews on HSB
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21 Comments »
Still think you should have a group of three…..Been there…lol
Multiple reviewers? I wonder where that came from? Hmmm. 
Nice review(s) guys.
Great review guys!
The aftermath photo is making me hungry
weszeb on 7/31/2007 at 7:52 am said:
Still think you should have a group of three…..Been there…lol
pictures? 
Ok, what happened to my comment I posted this morning?
I know it was in moderation because of the link, but there was nothing inappropriate about the comment. So why was it removed?
All I said was “Wonder where this idea came from” and had a link to the review of my jerky that also featured multiple reviewers. A review that was posted on July 17th. Way before this review came to light.
I also stated “Good Review guys!” , as I think the reviews are good. I like the format. I like the reviews. So why was my post removed?
Again, Good Job on the reviews Newman and Ethan. Keep up the good work.
DK on 7/31/2007 at 1:49 pm said:
I know it was in moderation because of the link, but there was nothing inappropriate about the comment. So why was it removed?
All I said was “Wonder where this idea came from” and had a link to the review of my jerky that also featured multiple reviewers. A review that was posted on July 17th. Way before this review came to light.
I also stated “Good Review guys!” , as I think the reviews are good. I like the format. I like the reviews. So why was my post removed?
Again, Good Job on the reviews Newman and Ethan. Keep up the good work.
Thanks DK! We didn’t invent the multiple reviewer posts, we just perfected it. (Kidding) 
Newman on 7/31/2007 at 2:36 pm said:
Thanks DK! We didn’t invent the multiple reviewer posts, we just perfected it. (Kidding)
LOL!!
Not perfect yet. If there was a pic of you guys taking a bite from the same burger at the same time, THEN you’re close! Ala Lady and the Tramp? LOL!!
Looked like you guys had fun with it, that’s a big part of it. Keep up the good work. And quit stealing my ideas! (Just Kidding!)
DK on 7/31/2007 at 3:14 pm said:
LOL!!
Not perfect yet. If there was a pic of you guys taking a bite from the same burger at the same time, THEN you’re close! Ala Lady and the Tramp?
Looked like you guys had fun with it, that’s a big part of it. Keep up the good work. And quit stealing my ideas!
Yikes! Sorry Newman, you’re on your own on that one!
DK on 7/31/2007 at 3:14 pm said:
LOL!!
Not perfect yet. If there was a pic of you guys taking a bite from the same burger at the same time, THEN you’re close! Ala Lady and the Tramp?
Looked like you guys had fun with it, that’s a big part of it. Keep up the good work. And quit stealing my ideas!
ethan! I’ve got this great Idea! Croc-Dude Jerky….call me.
Newman on 7/31/2007 at 7:04 pm said:
ethan! I’ve got this great Idea! Croc-Dude Jerky….call me.
Newman, you’re even funnier than you think you are! LOL!!
You “croc” me up man! LOL!!
I liked the review, two different perspectives of the same product. Good job. If you wrap your napkin tightly around the burger you won’t have the problem of losing sauce, condiment, etc.
Sam on 7/31/2007 at 8:50 pm said:
I liked the review, two different perspectives of the same product. Good job. If you wrap your napkin tightly around the burger you won’t have the problem of losing sauce, condiment, etc.
I didn’t get where I am by wrapping stuff in napkins.
Newman on 7/31/2007 at 11:05 pm said:
I didn’t get where I am by wrapping stuff in napkins.
Right on, it just looked like a lot of what was on your burger hit the table. Like I said earlier, the aftermath photo made me hungry.
Sam on 7/31/2007 at 11:19 pm said:
Right on, it just looked like a lot of what was on your burger hit the table. Like I said earlier, the aftermath photo made me hungry.
that was for the fries! :0
That works. I’m going up to fire up the BBQ and the deep fryer right now. West coast, plus I usually eat late. Have a good one, I would like to see more of the head to head reviews.
word. glad you liked it.
As one of the owners of Hillbillie Salsa I have to say thanks for you comments. We take all criticism and compliments alike. We are proud of our salsa and it is good in meatloaf as well. Thanks again for your review and we feel it was fair and done thoroughly.
Buddah on 7/31/2007 at 5:52 am said:
This is the type of reviews I like. Two or more people giving their opinions on the same item. Good job guys. I like how both of you grew to like it, eventhough you seemed underwhelmed by it at first. Maybe they put nicotine in the salsa, so it creates an indiction overtime.
We make it addicting but no nicotine.
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This is the type of reviews I like. Two or more people giving their opinions on the same item. Good job guys. I like how both of you grew to like it, eventhough you seemed underwhelmed by it at first. Maybe they put nicotine in the salsa, so it creates an indiction overtime.