A chip butty is always an option. Photo: D. Pimborough (Shutterstock)

The show 30 Rock has grabbed a lot of food jokes over the years, but “Put potato chips on a sandwich!Is not one; It’s just good sense. The thin, crispy slices of fried potatoes add textural contrast, lots of salt and sometimes more, depending on the flavor of your chip. (I’m a simple girl from Lay myself.)

But potato chips aren’t the only form of spud that goes between two slices of bread. Each potato configuration has something unique to offer, and while I believe there are no “wrong” answers when it comes to putting spuds in a sandwich, I have some preferences, thoughts, and suggestions.

For the breakfast sandwich: hash browns and waffles

An elongated hash brown patty to stick in a McMuffin is a real breakfast hackBut there’s no need to involve McDonald’s for a stronger breakfast. Large boxes of frozen breakfast potato pucks can be bought from your local restaurant specialty store, but pretty much every grocery store (even Trader Joe’s) has them in smaller quantities at pretty affordable prices.

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These crispy patties keep your breakfast sandwich from being plain-textured while also soaking up egg yolks, a double service that may seem contradictory at first but just works. If you don’t have patties, you can Waffle a couple of frozen tater tots together to create one that is exactly the size and shape of your bread.

For meaty, fatty matters: French fries or tater tots

I’ve never been to Primanti Brothers in Pittsburgh, but that’s just because I’ve never been to Pittsburgh. Someday I’ll go and I’ll do Beth Take me to get one of them French fries filled sandwiches. By that fine day, I’ll resign myself to putting french fries in every cheesy, grilled meat-based sandwich I make at home.

Aside from the sheer decadence of the whole, the fries act as a kind of binding material that unites the melted cheese and the fatty meat into a delicious mass. They also soak up sauces, vinegars and dressings, and make sure the flavor stays in the sandwich until it hits your mouth. Frankly, we owe so much fries.

Tater tots can do similar jobs, especially on sandwiches that already have spherical fillings, such as B. a meatball sub, falafel pita or saj. Tater tots may not be traditional in these settings, but you can’t claim they are bad.

For cold cuts and deli sandwiches: Lay’s and Doritos

I’m not a big turkey sandwich eater, but the combination of thinly sliced ​​roast turkey, mayo, shredded lettuce, some sort of vinegar dressing, and lay’s is transcendent. Some people prefer a heavier chip cooked with a kettle, but I like the way the thinner ones mash and crumble as you squeeze the bread while still retaining some of their texture. (Pringles can be a fun choice too.)

I like to keep it simple and salty, although there are moments when a flavored chip is the right call. I’m a huge fan of Doritos (both Nacho and Cooler Ranch) on a tuna salad sandwich – the MSG really makes this deli classic sing.

For sandwiches: mashed potatoes

Bread, hot shaved meat, mashed potatoes, and loads of gravy make a heavenly configuration, no matter what you call it. (There are many regional versions of this dish, and all of them are valuable in my eyes.)

In fact, I’d say that this is one of the best things you can do with any type of fried meat and mashed potatoes. Just make sure you use mushy white bread. It may not be structurally solid enough to take off the plate and eat as a sandwich, but this dish is best when it’s convenient and comforting.

What we can learn from the Chip Butty

The first time I had a Chip Butty (a British sandwich filled with thick British-style fries – also known as “chips”) I was a little disappointed. Even though it came with a couple of packets of HP sauce, the first bites were damn dry. (You need to add lots of seasoning.) The concept is pretty solid though: there’s no reason a potato can’t be the main filling for any type of sandwich, especially if you’re looking to cut down on the meat. (Update: I’ve since been informed by someone who lives in the UK that HP sauce is not the right sauce for the chip butty and that it should have plenty of butter and ketchup. Honestly, that sounds great.)

A Tater Tot Held with lots of melted cheese and grilled onions would be delicious, as would a hash brown club with avocado, bacon, and tomato. One of the nice things about potatoes is how well they get on with everything. If you were to put it on a sandwich, you can put it on a potato, and then you can put that potato in a sandwich.

Updated 1/25/21 at 5:35 PM EST for information on how to properly dress a Chip Butty. I apologize for any crime. Please do not send me mean emails about the Chip Butty.

Photo: COLOMBO NICOLA (Shutterstock)

As runners, we are often tough on ourselves. I’m so slow you might think if you look at the clock. Or: my feet hurt, do I get a blister? Or the all-time favorite: Oh God, I’m only halfway there. But a new set of mindful running routes is out HeadspaceWith comedian Kevin Hart, I thought a little differently about my inner monologue – so I spoke to him on the phone about what he thinks about when he runs.

Check in with your body

Mindfulness often means noticing our feelings and our surroundings, but while running we may be reluctant to communicate with our physical selves. For example, we may be afraid that we will be distracted from our pain.

Hart notes, however, that sometimes checking into our bodies can give a more accurate estimate of what is actually going on. On the one hand, your body can warn you that you may need to slow down or take a break. But on the other hand, “Your body can walk, oh, that’s not that bad,” he says. And over time, you can teach your body what running should feel like in return for learning how capable you are.

Think, but don’t think about it

It’s okay to let your mind wander. I almost expected to hear advice on how to direct your mind back to your body and surroundings when you notice them wandering, but Hart has a different attitude: “Sometimes it’s good to be alone and yourself think, ”he says. “To find clarity.”

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It is also worth noting what kind of thoughts you are having, either while you are running or while you are at home thinking about running. We can rethink small things, says Hart, “and when we rethink them, they become big things.” He told me about the time when he was training for a marathon and imagining how everything could go wrong: for example, getting tight on the racetrack. In the end, none of his pessimistic what-if scenarios happened, but he says, “I almost started these things” by worrying about them.

It’s okay if running doesn’t feel natural

On the mindful running trails, Hart talks about how to learn to love running and how to practice the ability to be kind to ourselves. We already talked about the physical side of getting used to running at Lifehacker – things like slow down your pace and teach your body that You don’t have to give it your all all the time. But there is also a mental learning curve.

“The best advice I would give anyone is take your time,” says Hart. If you want to have fun running, you may need to work on it. Challenge yourself with something small and feel accomplished when you achieve it. “It can be worth it because you are against yourself. And you can only do better. “

Image: Netgear

Top Product: TP-Link Archer AX21 Wi-Fi 6 Router | $100 | Amazon

Most of us aren’t going back to our offices anytime soon, so if you’re still dealing with spotty or sub-standard Wi-Fi connectivity at home, it’s time to make an upgrade. A older router might be limiting the range within your space or keeping you from making the most of your internet connection. It’s 2021. You deserve to have strong Wi-Fi throughout your home.

Routers these days aren’t all the same, either. Some are still singular units that plug into your modem, while others are mesh systems that use multiple smaller nodes to blanket your place with connectivity. Meanwhile, newer Wi-Fi 6 routers are better primed to juggle connections from all of the myriad devices found in our increasingly smarter homes. But you don’t have to splash out on something fancy to get a solid router.

Here’s a look at the best routers you can plug into your modem today.

Best Wi-Fi 6 Router for Most People: TP-Link Archer AX21

Image: Andrew Hayward

If you can spare the cash, then it’s worth buying a Wi-Fi 6 router. The new wireless standard significantly boosts the speed ceiling, but even more importantly, it can handle numerous connections from things like phones, laptops, game consoles, tablets, smart TVs, connected home devices, and whatever else requires a connection in your home.

Some Wi-Fi 6 routers are pricey, but the TP-Link Archer AX21 is a great entry-level Wi-Fi 6 option that hits a sweet spot in terms of features and price. It’s a dual-band router that supports Wi-Fi speeds up to 1.8Gbps in total, and uses four high-gain antennas and beamforming tech to to deliver more targeted connections to your devices.

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$100

Best Premium Wi-Fi 6 Router: Asus RT-AX86U

Image: Wes Davis/Gizmodo

Want an even more powerful Wi-Fi 6 router? Our friends at Gizmodo recommend the Asus RT-AX86U, which has plenty of customization options in the mix, although the interface isn’t the best of the best. It packs in four outgoing gigabit Ethernet ports, including one that’ll prioritize gaming traffic automatically, plus it has gigabit LAN, 2.5-gigabit LAN/WAN, and two USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports for network attached storage (NAS) via hard drive.

It’s not as simple and straightforward as the TP-Link option above, but power users will dig the added versatility and options. Reviewer Wes Davis wrote:

“Whether you just want lag-free gaming or you need something that can handle a heavy overall load, this router does it with aplomb. We are rapidly approaching the day when recommendations like this one aren’t just about future-proofing, but you will find in the RT-AX86U a router more than capable of meeting the unexpected demands put upon all of us this year. If you’ve got a smaller home that needs a lot of power and would prefer to check out mesh networking at a later date, this is absolutely the router for you.”

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$250

Best Mesh Router: Google Nest Wi-Fi

Image: Google

I use Google’s Nest Wi-Fi in my own two-story house, and it’s such an effortless, easy-to-use mesh system that ensures that every corner of my home—and even the basement and backyard—have speedy wireless internet available. Nest Wi-Fi is powered by a main router unit that plugs into your modem and can cover roughly 2,200 square feet with Wi-Fi, and then you can expand further with smaller nodes that plug into wall outlets around your home.

To borrow a phrase from Google’s chief rival Apple, it just works. The nodes sync up easily and I haven’t encountered odd drops or hitches in my months of using it, plus the smartphone app provides network controls, diagnostics, and other details. On top of that, each node doubles as a Google Assistant smart speaker … in case that’s a thing you want. Nest Wi-Fi does not support Wi-Fi 6 and it’s pricey, but it’s such a vast upgrade over my past single-router setup. It could be the same for you.

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Best Budget Router: Linksys EA6350

Image: Andrew Hayward

Not looking to invest a bunch of cash in a new router right now? No worries: the Linksys EA6350 delivers strong speeds in a small footprint and is typically less than $75. If you’re using hardware that’s a few years old, it will almost certainly provide an upgrade, even if it doesn’t have Wi-Fi 6 capabilities and isn’t built for larger spaces.

The Linksys EA6350 is a dual-band, dual-antenna Wi-Fi router that can deliver speeds up to 867Mbps via 5GHz and 300Mbps via 2.4GHz, both of which are much higher than the average internet connection coming into American homes. Intended for spaces up to 1,000 square feet, this one’s a good pick for an apartment or smaller home and can still deliver 4K video streaming and speedy downloads.

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$64

From amazon

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Best Premium Wi-Fi 6 Mesh Router: Ubiquiti AmpliFi Alien Router

Image: Ubiquiti

Gizmodo reviewer Wes Davis summed it up best right out of the gate: “The Ubiquiti AmpliFi Alien is an expensive black Wi-Fi 6 Internet tube that promises super-fast wifi and a unique, pleasant user experience that is as intuitive as these things can probably be.”

The distinctive cylindrical shape and on-device status display makes the Ubiquiti AmpliFi Alien a very unique router to bring into your home, and it’s packed with the latest and greatest tech. It has Wi-Fi 6 support and broad coverage with up to 8×8 MU-MIMO.

On the other hand, it’s very pricey at $380 for the base unit and $320 each for add-on mesh units. Still, if you want a cutting-edge mesh system that stands out, this is definitely it.

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Best Wi-Fi 6 Mesh Router: Amazon Eero 6

Image: Florence Ion/Gizmodo

If you’re set on buying future-ready Wi-Fi 6-compatible hardware and want a modest mesh system, Amazon’s new Eero 6 is right up your alley. It can’t handle gigabit speeds, but this dual-band system is reasonably priced, with Amazon claiming top speeds of about 500Mbps with the three-unit system (or 900Mbps with a single unit).

Gizmodo reviewer Florence Ion praised the helpful companion app, but lamented the lack of Ethernet ports on the extenders for plugging in gaming hardware and other devices:

“The Eero 6 is very much an entry-level product for those who haven’t yet adopted mesh networking. It’s also a good choice if you want something that supports new technologies rather than require an upgrade down the line. For full gigabit support, Amazon offers the Eero 6 Pro, which costs $100 more—more than $300 extra for the three-pack—and has the requisite tri-band that takes full advantage of the spec. Unfortunately, it doesn’t offer extra Ethernet jacks, so this isn’t a system for sophisticated setups either.”

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$129

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$279

Best for Long Range: Netgear Orbi

Image: Andrew Hayward

Got a very large property that you want to fill with seamless Wi-Fi coverage? Netgear’s Orbi mesh system is a fine alternative to Google’s Nest Wi-Fi, and Gizmodo recommends it as one of the very best smart home gadgets around. As Andrew Liszewski writes:

If you can get over the fact the nodes look like a collection of glowing automatic air fresheners, Netgear’s Orbi RBK50 provides one of the best whole home wifi solutions, covering even larger homes with an expansive, reliable network that minimizes the number of times your devices need to hop between access points.

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$282

From amazon

600 purchased by readers

Best Budget Mesh Router: TP-Link Deco S4

Image: Andrew Hayward

TP-Link’s Deco S4 delivers the same kind of specs as the above Linksys router, with up to 867Mbps via 5GHz and 300Mbps through 2.4GHz, but does so with a multi-unit mesh design that spreads a signal across a much larger footprint. The two-pack can cover up to 3,800 square feet, while the three-pack is rated for up to 5,500 square feet.

The Deco S4 system can’t hit quite as high of theoretical speed peaks as Nest Wi-Fi and these units won’t blend into your space as easily either, but it’s hard to argue with the price: typically $110 for the two-pack and $135 for the three-pack. Amazon customers seem to agree on that point, too, giving the TP-Link Deco S4 a 4.6-star rating. TP-Link offers more powerful versions of the Deco system with varying designs, too, in case you’re looking for something more robust.

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$110

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$135

From amazon

5 purchased by readers

Best Gaming Router: Netgear Nighthawk Pro Gaming XR1000

Image: Netgear

For the truly serious gaming fan who demands the best of the best, the brand new Netgear Nighthawk Pro Gaming XR1000 is one perk-packed Wi-Fi 6 option. This beastly router is powered by a triple-core 1.5 GHz processor and Netgear’s DumaOS 3.0, which provides power user features such as optimizing and allocating bandwidth for certain uses (such as live streaming) and geo-fencing to help you pick the best gaming servers to connect to.

Netgear sent me a sample that I’ve been using for the last few weeks in place of my usual Nest Wi-Fi setup, and even with a single access point, it has delivered speedy wireless access throughout my home. More pressingly, of course, gaming performance has been excellent whether notching headshots in Fortnite or nabbing glorious aerial goals in Rocket League. At $350, however, only the super-hardcore with money to burn need bother.

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Best Gaming Router (Runner-Up): TP-Link Archer C5400X

Image: Jordan McMahon

Looking for another option for gaming? TP-Link’s Archer C5400X is an older router that doesn’t have the benefit of Wi-Fi 6 support, but Gizmodo staff reporter Joanna Nelius recommends it for gamers who want to maximize their speeds and maybe juggle Twitch streaming alongside their online gaming.

You’ll get an absolutely absurd number of gigabit LAN ports here with 8 to tap into, plus one 2.4Ghz (1000Mbps) and two 5Ghz (2167Mbps each) Wi-Fi networks to use. That’s more than enough capability for any home connection these days, and it’s cheaper than the Netgear router at $246 as of this writing.

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$246

From amazon

15 purchased by readers