Courtesy Pringles
Courtesy Pringles
Published on Feb. 03, 2025
Should the “top” of the chip be facing up or down? It depends on your mustache.
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If you think Nick Offerman’s mustache is impressive enough to have its own superpowers, you’re not alone. In a wacky Pringles Super Bowl commercial, his crumb catcher, along with those of NBA’s James Harden and NFL coach Andy Reid, flies off his face to get Pringles to a party.
It’s clear why Offerman and his ‘stache are in the commercial: His bushy, bristly whiskers are almost as famous as those on Julius Pringles—aka Mr. P— himself. But also, the man just likes a good snack.
I recently chatted with Offerman, who sounds just like some of his famous characters, including Parks and Recreation’s droll and direct but affable Ron Swanson, about snacking and more. He riffed on smoking pork shoulder (a good rub and spritzing apple juice make all the difference) to the best game-day food (charcuterie and cheeses on one of his well-crafted walnut boards is a must, along with a pie or crostata baked by his wife, Megan Mullally). And he masterfully shared a few tall tales, like preparing for the Pringles ad at a “boot camp outside of Fresno for mustaches,” where the men played cards while their “mustaches did all sorts of incredible heroic things.”
Offerman also happily shared his opinions on how to eat one of the most mustache-friendly snacks, including his preferred Pringle flavors and what goes with them.
What’s the right way to eat Pringles?
Courtesy Pringles
Cup up or cup down? That is the question. Some people think the best way to eat a Pringle is with the “top” of the chip (the side pointing up in the can) facing down. That side is typically more seasoned, so you get all the flavor. Some people like to put the two cup-sides facing each other and quack into them like a duck bill (guilty).
For Offerman, the best way to eat a Pringle depends on the size of your ‘stache.
“The thing is, you can turn it right side up or upside down, depending on the trim of your mustache,” Offerman says. “If you’re a mustachioed person, you know there are problematic foods like pudding, ice cream and soups. You learn to use the contours of a spoon; sometimes, you need to flip that spoon upside down and glean the contents in a downward motion. A Pringle acts like a spoon. You can match the contours of your mustache by going saddle-up or saddle-down.”
What does Nick Offerman eat with Pringles?
Pringles aren’t just a snack to Offerman. He often uses the crisps as a vehicle for even more deliciousness. “My thing is I like to take a cheddar cheese Pringle and put a little bacon on it,” he says. “Barbecue is another good flavor for this.”
When Offerman watches football with his family in Illinois, things can get a little, um, creative. “My brother is a purveyor of craft beer. We love nothing more than to take a sleeve of original Pringles and pour a fine stout right into the can. And you get one of those dessert spoons and use your imagination,” he says. “It’s like an earthy stew.”
The key, he adds, is to enjoy it quickly so you get the crunch.