31. Posted by on Tue, May 01, 2007, 2:01 pm PDT

ITS BEACUSE YOU HAVE NOT TASTED MY MOTHER SALSA IS AWSOME I KEEP TELLING HER SHE SHOULD SELL IT SHE DOES TO PEOPLE THAT KNOW HER!! ITS IS GOOD

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32. Posted by on Tue, May 01, 2007, 2:01 pm PDT

Herdez is my favorite. Pace is much too salty. Tostitos has too much tomato and not enough kick. Born in El Paso, I prefer the real deal from Mexico.

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33. Posted by sisterbliss on Tue, May 01, 2007, 2:03 pm PDT

My moms salsa beats all!!

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34. Posted by glwarn on Tue, May 01, 2007, 2:04 pm PDT

Try Pueblo Sala from Pueblo, Colorado!

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35. Posted by Pia P on Tue, May 01, 2007, 2:05 pm PDT

Fred Meyer's Brand of Salsa is really really good.

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36. Posted by ashotmaria1 on Tue, May 01, 2007, 2:05 pm PDT

Ed Levine, we love watching & reading, but here's something you should know. The best salsa available North of the border is Mrs. Renfro's, in a variety of flavours. I get it at Andronico's in the SF Bay Area, a gourmet's paradise -- and worth the trip out, just for their olive bar. I've never been able to make a fresh salsa that tastes completely autentica, but Mrs. Renfro's -- and also one other California brand, Santa Barbara -- really make a great starter, especially with gourmet chips (blue corn...).

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37. Posted by belle_la_donna on Tue, May 01, 2007, 2:05 pm PDT

Ya'll didn't pick up any On the Border, or Jose Garcia's, or our own Hell on the Red? Jose Garcia's and Hell on the Red are great.

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38. Posted by Rhonda on Tue, May 01, 2007, 2:06 pm PDT

Gotta agree with my fellow native Texan, Sarah J, on the different meanings of salsa and pico. However! Just make your own, either way. It's sooooooo much better.

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39. Posted by jdp12122000 on Tue, May 01, 2007, 2:08 pm PDT

I like the Newman's Own Mango and Peach flavors, as far as jarred salsa goes. But it needs a bit more heat. I used to like the Pace Chunky too.

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40. Posted by scott j on Tue, May 01, 2007, 2:09 pm PDT

How frickin confusing! You call the fifth salsa "Tostitos Chunky Salsa" but then immediately call it "Tostinos." Then you say it's the same name as the Frito-Lay chips "of the same name." But aren't the chips called "Tostitos"? For pete's sake, guys, is the salsa "Tostinos" or "Tostitos"??? Also, agree that pico de gallo is completely different - not saucy and very delicious, and so easy to make fresh. Forget the jars, amigos!

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41. Posted by Amy R on Tue, May 01, 2007, 2:10 pm PDT

Nice test...I plan on trying the Herdez...maybe the HOT pace. I'm in love with chunky salsa. Anyways, you can always get some of the house salsa at littel mexican meat/chip and tortilla markets. They usually have great salsa!

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42. Posted by moviegoer90755 on Tue, May 01, 2007, 2:10 pm PDT

My favorite salsa is El Torito (from the restaurant chain), which is sold in most markets here in southern California. I buy the Restaurant Mild and the Restaurant Medium and mix them together. It's simply the best I've had anywhere !

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43. Posted by Oh, really? on Tue, May 01, 2007, 2:10 pm PDT

Of course someone's mom's is going to be the best--but remember this was a JARRED Salsa Taste Test... Trader Joe's jarred and fresh salsas are the best, hands down! Your total eating experience will change for the better if you can move beyond name-brand products filled with preservatives, and shop at other markets besides Von's. Go TJ's!

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44. Posted by Katie on Tue, May 01, 2007, 2:10 pm PDT

Well, I've made my own and love it but I must say that the best chips and salsa I have ever had came from a border town called Del Rio, TX. It was a little place, family owned, that started out with it. It's called Julio's Chips and Salsa (you can also buy the seasoning). It is only available in the nearby towns such as Eagle Pass, TX & Uvalde, TX. The closest I can get it is in San Antonio, TX and H.E.B. is the only place I know of that has it. In case someone decides to try this out, you might have to ask where to find it in some places because the sauce may be in the cooler section and the chips of course with the chips. Anyway, just thought I would share. Now I'm cravin' some salsa!!!

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45. Posted by Ryan H on Tue, May 01, 2007, 2:10 pm PDT

ROJO's salsa is the best store salsa I've had. Check it out in the same aisle as the cheese and other refrigerated items.

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46. Posted by hot mama on Tue, May 01, 2007, 2:11 pm PDT

I completely agree with this article. Of course homemade salsa is the best, but Herdez by far is the best jarred salsa. That is a wonderful idea about the cilantro because I love it!!!

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47. Posted by SAM on Tue, May 01, 2007, 2:12 pm PDT

JAR SALSA.....COME ON MEXICANO'S.....MAKE YOUR OWN SALSA......

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48. Posted by Tammi Moore on Tue, May 01, 2007, 2:12 pm PDT

Imus' is the best, hands down.

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49. Posted by Hallie T on Tue, May 01, 2007, 2:13 pm PDT

Sadies is def. the best in a jar!!!

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50. Posted by vixx on Tue, May 01, 2007, 2:14 pm PDT

I wouldn't have picked ANY of the 5...Paul Newman's is the best I've tasted from a jar.

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51. Posted by Salemcat111 on Tue, May 01, 2007, 2:16 pm PDT

I like ARRIBA Fire Roasted Salsa. Best of jar salsa out of the bunch. But like so many others have said, nothing beats homemade!!

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52. Posted by bernbran78 on Tue, May 01, 2007, 2:18 pm PDT

Try Sadies Salsa out of Albuquerque, NM. Hard to find but well worth it.

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53. Posted by Gaughan on Tue, May 01, 2007, 2:18 pm PDT

MRS. REFRO'S period

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54. Posted by joeyp2718 on Tue, May 01, 2007, 2:18 pm PDT

Do you get paid for dishing out such dreck? If so, please tell me how to get a job! If you're going to do a taste test then you'll need to at least pick 10 to 15 jars of what's generally available everwhere. Forget the NM, AZ and TX whinners and their "specialty" salsas; of course you're good at them-----what else can you do in the desert? This was supposed to be a taste test of what's the best of the "off the shelf when you're in a hurry" variety" it seems more like " what kind of crap can we pass of as work today? " absolutely useless information............BTW

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55. Posted by margo a on Tue, May 01, 2007, 2:19 pm PDT

Your choices bite! I cant do ANY salsa in a jar..its all too obscene for description. About the closest thing to edible is Salsa Fresca in your grocer's refrig. case. But beware of those containing sulfiting agents as preservatives ....you can have a nasty reaction if you are sensative. I've just been forced to make my own, but as time passes, I discover I like Salsa Fresca and Pico diGallo only with chips, guac., and meat. fish and chicken. Try it.

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56. Posted by Howard275 on Tue, May 01, 2007, 2:19 pm PDT

There used to be a terrific salsa called Territorial House available in the west. Apparently Pace bought it and then decided to discontinue it - unless anyone knows if it is still available. It had a wonderful fresh taste for a jarred salsa and was not thickened with cornstarch.

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57. Posted by Pam H on Tue, May 01, 2007, 2:20 pm PDT

I've been a "Herdez" fan for 20 years - the Casera is a nice, mild salsa. If you want a deeper flavor (more roasted peppers, etc) try the Ranchero - a deep, rich chipolte based salsa. I often will mix the two (1 can/bottle of Casera with 1/2 can/bottle of Ranchero) as the Ranchero gives the Casera a real "Kick" in the tortilla chips. Next question - Which Tortillas and/or Tortilla chips are best? I know my answer (cheapie Santitas Yellow Corn ) . . . light, flavorful and less in price than many national brands.

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58. Posted by lwstruyk on Tue, May 01, 2007, 2:20 pm PDT

Sahra J, I bet you know what your talking about. I can imagine Texan's get the real deal on good Pico and Salsa. I make my own fresh when I have fresh tomatoes from the garden, but being from Iowa, that is only for a short time. I wonder if I could use canned tomatoes, then add fresh onion, peppers, garlic, and cilantro. I know .... I'm mental, but I thik I am going to try it.

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59. Posted by margo a on Tue, May 01, 2007, 2:21 pm PDT

Robert P. Pico is fresh and not cooked. Most salsas are cooked. Try pico and salsa fresca. Herdez may make salsa fresca in a can, but home made is best.

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60. Posted by Luilop on Tue, May 01, 2007, 2:22 pm PDT

I tend to make my own salsa but when there is not enough time, I head to the local Ranch Market. The Ranch Market of choice in my area is called Cardenas. They have a nice variety of fresh salsas and guacamole that are fresh. tasty and reasonably priced. They also make their own tortillas and tortilla chips so I can kill two birds with one stone.

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