Readers deliver when chips are down

I always knew my readers were wise -- they show me all the time -- but I didn't know so many were fans of Wise Potato Chips, being sought by Patt Almaraz, who said she used to find them at Albertsons.

Barb Lakkard, John Morath, Jamison Blitstein and Sharon Wilson reported that they can be found at Capriotti's, which has 20 locations in the valley; Lakkard and Wilson noted that large bags are available as well as small. Wilson, Jennifer Mann, Ray Moreton and Libby Hoover recommended Bob's Eastside Deli, 2900 E. Patrick Lane. Hoover and Bev Greer suggested Sunflower Farmer's Market, which has stores at 3365 E. Tropicana Ave. and 4020 S. Rainbow Blvd. Moreton also suggested the Straight from Philly Steakout shops, of which there are three in the valley. Joan Bailey e-mailed that she finds a variety of Wise chips at LaDuca's N.Y. Italian Deli, 72 W. Horizon Ridge Parkway in Henderson. John Bisci Jr. said they're available at Siena Italian Bakery & Deli, 2250 E. Tropicana Ave. Ari Sobel suggested Bagels-N-More, 2405 E. Tropicana Ave. Ron Lutz, owner of The Butcher Block, 7625 S. Rainbow Blvd., said he carries all varieties (as well as Tastykakes, another East Coast favorite). And Bisci and Ellen Dreyer said they still find them at Albertsons -- Dreyer at the store at 2910 Bicentennial Parkway in Henderson, Bisci at the store at 5881 E. Charleston Blvd. ...

For Kathy Chu, who's looking for chestnut paste, Sobel e-mailed that she can find it at Budapest Market, 6380 S. Eastern Ave., and Chris Jensen, owner of Village Meat & Wine, 5025 S. Eastern Ave., said he carries chestnut spread. ...

For Tony Feckler, who's looking for old-fashioned hard rolls that are crisp on the outside, soft on the inside, John Kobberoe recommended the French rolls sold at Vons (in 12-packs; he noted that they freeze well and "in minutes you can have the desired result in a toaster oven") and Arlene Mack recommended those at Roma Deli and Restaurant, 5755 Spring Mountain Road. ...

For Edie Abramson, who's looking for Hebrew National Bagel Dogs, Marv Unell e-mailed that they can be found at Costco at 791 Marks St. in Henderson or Sam's Club at 1910 E. Serene Ave. ...

And for Maria Aranas, who's looking for tubs of frozen cooked Italian beef, he suggested Portillo's in Chicago at www.portillos.com. ...

Reader requests: Blitstein and Hoover are looking for Kosciusko Beer Mustard. ...

Unell is looking for a restaurant that serves Shrimp De Jonghe. ...

Frank Needham is looking for Durkee Six Pepper Blend rub. ...

Catherine J. Giagni is looking for frozen Van's Belgian Waffles, which she used to get at Costco. ...

Cobie Howard Jr. is looking for a local source for Knott's Berry Farm Buttermilk Pancake Mix. ...

William Devine II is looking for a replacement for Snapple Mint Tea, which apparently has been discontinued. ...

And Patricia Blowers is looking for pasties -- "either a bakery that makes them, a restaurant that serves them or a store that sells them frozen."...

Readers?

Send information to Heidi Knapp Rinella, P.O. Box 70, Las Vegas, NV 89125-0070. You also can send faxes to 383-4676 or e-mail her at hrinella@reviewjournal.com. Include your first and last names and, if e-mailing, put "Taste of the Town" in the subject line. Because of the volume of mail received, we can't respond to each request.