Why Are American Chips So Boring?

Normalization of deviance.

American chips are boring because they are what you are used to. Flavors not available in America are by definition exotic and unfamiliar.

Is BBQ flavor (primary notes tomato product, vinegar, sugar, and wood smoke) really more "boring" than lamb and mint, or is it just more familiar?

"Dedicated potato chip eater." Would probably go good on a resume. Doritos spicy sweet chili are S tier. I would put the international kimchi and shrimp chips in F tier. I have a hard time believing this article is written in good faith given that the former is crafted by food scientists. It's not even close.

You can get some pretty interesting flavors if you look around and travel between states. Zapps out of New Orleans has Evil Eye and Voodoo. You can get crab chips or Old Bay chips from Utz and Herrs. And there are also other flavors like Carolina BBQ, Ketchup, Jalapeño, Buffalo Wing, Dill Pickle, Pizza from a number of other companies. Lays are the most ubixotous company and pretty boring, but even they have weird flavors every once in awhile.