Ann J. Kelley
Bold? Not really. According to members of the Times-Union Consumer Panel, "zesty" is a better word to describe Hunt's Manwich Bold Sloppy Joe Sauce, which most of them said tastes like barbecue sauce. The majority used ground beef in the sauce - a concoction of tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, garlic and spices - and made it into sandwiches.
Food scientist Bill Skinner occasionally buys Hunt's Manwich Sloppy Joe Sauce and described the bold version as being a little sweeter with more tomato flavor. "It's zesty like a smoky barbecue sauce, but has no kick, and the consistency is thick and holds together on the bun."
He said there's enough of the meaty sauce to make about five good-size sandwiches. "I'll buy it again. It's a good product overall and I like a smoky taste on just about everything."
Homemaker June Koch found the Sloppy Joe mix a little on the soupy side. "There's a lot of sauce. I thought it would have a zing but it really didn't. The flavor is more barbecue than tomato."
She said she thought the sauce was OK, but opinions in her household were divided. "One son liked it but one didn't. I wouldn't buy it again."
Cash analyst Dottie Halligan has never bought Manwich Sloppy Joe Sauce and doesn't plan on buying it in the future. "It's thick but not very tomato-ey and really sweet," she said of the mixture, which she ate on a sandwich and also used to make nachos. "Barbecue and sugar is all I could taste. Neither my husband or I liked it. It's too much like sweet barbecue sauce."
"This has a better flavor than the original Sloppy Joe sauce," said operations manager Steve Jones. "We all loved the taste, but it's just a little too liquid and a little too strong. It would be perfect with a little more beef. Next time I buy it, I'll use more meat."
He was able to make eight hamburger bun-size sandwiches with the mixture. "I'd like to try it with chopped onions and maybe some cheese on top."
"Manwich is the only brand I've ever bought for Sloppy Joes," said sales representative Angie Tekin, who added ground turkey to the mixture, which she ate on toasted Kaiser rolls.
"It makes an easy, quick and filling dinner and is a great staple to have in your cabinet. My daughter Allison is a Sloppy Joe connoisseur. She thought this was great but likes the regular Sloppy Joe sauce better."
One serving, about 1/4 cup, contains 70 calories, 800 milligrams of sodium, 10 grams of sugars and no cholesterol or trans fat.
