BlogHumpty Dumpty Chips No Longer The Maine Chip?

The Humpty Story

Growing up in Maine you are very familiar with the household name of Humpty Dumpty Chips, and no not the nursery rhyme, although it’s been said that the Maine-born company originally got it’s name from the nursery rhyme.

When living in Maine you could find Humpty Dumpty, a budget brand, thin potato chip in nearly every convenience and grocery store in the state (and I mean even the small stores on the way upta camp).

You could also expect to see big bags, boxes or tin cans of Humpty Dumpty Potato Chips at family barbecues, reunions and birthday parties.

Part of the History

In the early 1940s, George Robinson and Norman Cole started a company in South Portland, Humpty Dumpty Potato Chips.

When the Robinsons were in their 50s, they decided to start their own company. They co-founded Circus Time Potato Chips on Anderson Street in Portland.

For years, Circus Time produced potato chips, ruffle chips, barbecue chips and popcorn.

“They took everything they had and invested it in this new company,” said Anderson. “They made these really good potato chips.”

As their business grew, the Robinsons decided to build a new potato chip factory on Foden Road in South Portland and the more common known location on U.S. Route 1
Scarborough, ME 04074.

They sold Circus Time in the late 1970s and retired. (*)

You may have heard of King Cole Potato Chips which originally came in a plastic bag or tin can and also based out of South Portland, ME.

I’m still trying to figure out of their was a connection between the two companies. If you know the history please comment down below.

Source – South Portland Historical Society

Unique Flavors

Humpty Dumpty originally sold a variety of potato chip flavors.

For the original brand of chips, they included Regular, BBQ, Ketchup, Dill Pickle, Salt and Vinegar, Roast Chicken, Sour Cream and Onion, Smokin’ Bacon, and a rotisserie chicken flavor.

Every year they introduce a new flavor, with a couple returning each year like their popular Sour Cream and Clam Chip or Lobster Bisque. What’s your favorite flavor?

Who Created the Potato Chip?

The most popular potato chip legend goes like this: One day in 1853, the shipping and railroad baron Cornelius Vanderbilt was dining at Moon’s Lake House.

Disappointed by the fried potatoes he’d been served, he sent them back to the kitchen, asking for more thinly sliced ones.

George Crum, a famed chef of Native American and Black heritage, took umbrage at the request and, in an “I’ll show him!” mood.

He sliced some potatoes as thin as he could, fried them to a crisp and served them to Vanderbilt. To Crum’s surprise, Vanderbilt loved them, and the potato chip was born.(*)

Regular VS. Ripple/Ruffle

Humpty started out with this same concept, a thinly sliced potato chip, but had some difficulty transporting them until bags became more durable and filled with air to help protect the chip in transportation.

Eventually they came out with a Ripple or Ruffle chip following after some bigger national brands in which you can still find their famous All Dressed Ripple Potato Chips in stores and online.

A Sad Ending

Unfortunately, with most good things they eventually come to an end or a divorce in this case.

The owner and his wife had some differences on the future of the business and things came to split leaving a door open for Old Dutch Foods to come in and take complete ownership.

The manufacturing plant in Scarborough ended up shutting down however most the distribution routes and territories remain the same.

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A New Maine Potato Chip Company Emerges

Decades after Humpty Dumpty built its reputation as one of Maine’s most recognizable potato chip brands, a new company is bringing potato chip production back to the heart of Maine potato country.

Taste of Maine Potato Chip Company, located in Limestone, Maine, officially began producing kettle-cooked potato chips in the summer of 2026. The company operates from a new facility at the former Loring Air Force Base in Aroostook County, representing an investment of approximately $75 million.

The company is owned by Bruce Sargent, a Presque Isle native who grew up on a potato farm in Aroostook County. His goal is simple: take one of northern Maine’s most famous crops and turn it into a finished product right here in Maine.

Unlike potatoes that are grown in Maine and shipped elsewhere for processing, Taste of Maine Chips are made using locally grown Maine potatoes, with farms supplying the new factory located within about 10 miles of the Limestone facility.

The first bags of Taste of Maine Chips reached store shelves in late July 2026 with five kettle-cooked flavors: Classic Sea Salt, Salt & Vinegar, Salt & Pepper, Sour Cream & Onion and Aroostook BBQ. The company is beginning with distribution throughout Maine with plans to expand farther across New England.

For generations, Humpty Dumpty was closely tied to Maine’s potato chip identity. Although that company’s Maine manufacturing operation eventually disappeared, the arrival of Taste of Maine feels a little like the story coming full circle.

Once again, Maine potatoes are being turned into bags of potato chips right here in the Pine Tree State — and this time, they’re being made in Aroostook County, the heart of Maine potato country.

 

Taste of Maine launched with five kettle-cooked flavors, including Classic Sea Salt, Aroostook BBQ, Salt & Vinegar, Salt & Pepper, and Sour Cream & Onion.

And we’re excited to announce that Box of Maine is now offering Taste of Maine Potato Chips on our website.

That means you don’t have to be in Limestone, Presque Isle or even Maine to try one of the state’s newest products. Box of Maine ships throughout the United States, with free shipping to all 50 states.