By Garland Pollard
He was the hot tomato of the 1970s brunch, Snap E Tom. But when did this tomato juice mascot disappear from grocery shelves?
Snap E was a product of the Pioneer Ortega Chili Company, and later Heublein, from what I can find. Made with chile peppers, onions and tomatoes, it was a Bloody Mary mix that advertised itself as Bloody Thomas.
According to Kathy Strong’s Southern California Off the Beaten Path, Ortega of Ventura, California was founded by Emilio Ortega. Ortega was headquartered in the historic Ortega Adobe, a structure at 215 East Main Street. Ortega invented a fire roasting process for chili peppers and developed chili, salsa and Snap-E-Tom.
10 responses so far ↓
1 Tom McMahon // Jan 28, 2010 at 8:36 pm
You can order from here: http://www.foodservicedirect.com/product.cfm/p/2298/Snap-E-Tom-Chili-Cocktail-13024.htm
2 Eddie Morton // Jul 30, 2010 at 10:53 am
We used to drink it in Texas and California in the 50′s and 60′s. It was great to mix with beer in a frozen mug.
3 Jim Hawkins // Dec 3, 2010 at 4:19 pm
I just saw this on the shelf at the Woodman’s grocery store. It’s a DelMonte product now.
4 steve // Dec 16, 2010 at 9:54 pm
is there a place to get snappy tom drink around ky
5 Judy skipper // Aug 14, 2011 at 8:15 am
Where in Alabama can you purchase it?
6 Judy skipper // Aug 14, 2011 at 8:27 am
Can you find Snappy Tom in Alabama?
7 Tea // Aug 17, 2011 at 11:38 am
OMGosh WE ALL miss Snappy Tom. Have you ever had an ice cold Red Beer made with Snappy Tom?? Hang a few chilled Tiger Prawns on the side of glass AND my Mexican Seafood Cerviche has NEVER been the same without the flavor of Snappy Tom. Sooooooo SAD!!!!!
8 JT // Sep 9, 2011 at 7:28 am
Just ordered two 24 can cases of the 6 oz cans from Amazon for $32.60 including free shipping. Looking forward to enjoying it as I found some in a liquor store in Denver this summer and loved it.
9 Peter // Oct 7, 2011 at 10:53 am
Just bought 2 cans at a Stater Brothers supermarket in Chino Hills, CA 91709. I assume other Stater Brothers’ stores also carry it ($1.49/12 oz can).
10 Joe // Dec 23, 2011 at 6:03 pm
Is snappy tom still available anywhere in the U.S.
Leave a Comment