Long before there was 7-Eleven, Casey’s, or Circle K, there was Lawson’s—a very popular Midwestern convenience store chain.
Lawson’s began as a dairy in Ohio back in 1938. And over the next 80+ years, Lawson’s was selling milk by the gallon in jugs, along with ice cream, deli items and other convenience store items seven days a week.
Lawson’s seemed to be expanding everywhere outside of Ohio. By the 1960s through to the 1980s, the convenience store pioneers had hundreds of stores operating throughout Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan. They even opened a store in Japan in 1974. Lawson’s (or Lawson, without the ‘s as it’s known there) continues to operate over 10,000 stores throughout Asia.
In 1985, Lawson’s ownership began changing every few years before ultimately being bought by the owners of Circle K. Sadly, by the early 2000s, all of the standalone Lawson’s stores in the US, with its blue and white milk bottle logo, became only a memory.
Ask anyone familiar with the original Lawson’s, and they’ll tell you about how the store had a neighborly feel to it. They’ll tell you how Lawson’s ice cream and deli were second to none. As for Lawson’s French Onion Chip Dip…it was “the best.”
And I promise you, they’ll start singing the Lawson’s jingle—Roll on Big O—which was created to market their Florida-fresh orange juice back in the 1970s. It’s one of those jingles that, now that I’ve heard it, I can’t get out of my head.
Not just for Chips
Yes, this dip is perfect for chips, but it’s also delcious served with vegetables for a healthier spin. Definitely give that a try.
Luckily for some folks, there are some Circle K stores in the Midwest still selling the famous Lawson’s French Onion Chip Dip. But for those of us who can’t find it, try this copycat version of Lawson’s French Onion Chip Dip and…Roll on, Big-O ♪♪.
How to make Lawson’s French Onion Chip Dip
This recipe for Lawson’s French Onion Chip Dip is embarrassingly simple as it only has three easy-to-find ingredients—sour cream, Philadelphia Chive and Onion Cream Cheese Spread, and Original Ranch Dry Seasoning Mix.
- Let the container of Philadelphia Chive and Onion Cream Cheese Spread rest on your counter for about 1 hour to soften.
- Combine the sour cream, cream cheese spread and powdered ranch seasoning in a medium size bowl.
- Using a spoon (or a hand mixer to make it quicker), mix the ingredients until well combined.
- Refrigerate for at least 1 hour for flavors to come together.
Other Favorite Dip Recipes
Lawson's French Onion Chip Dip
Ingredients
- 8 ounces sour cream
- 8 ounces Philadelphia Chive and Onion Cream Cheese Spread
- 3 teaspoons Original Ranch dry seasoning mix
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, MIX the ingredients together.
- COVER and REFRIGERATE overnight.
- SERVE with chips or vegetables.
Good recipe…but not authentic. They didn’t have ranch dry seasoning back in the day.
Nothing beats the original, which is probably hidden in a Lawson’s secret recipe vault somewhere. This is a close copycat.
This recipe is going to make a lot of folks here in Cleveland very happy. Thank you as it is very good.
I’m glad you enjoyed it, David. It makes lots of folks here in Central Illinois pretty happy when I serve it. I love that it’s so simple to make.
Um. No onion, not even dried onion, in this onion dip?
Onion flavor comes from the Philadelphia Chive and Onion Cream Cheese Spread.
I can’t wait to make it and yes in the 1950’s dry ranch dressing was invented. I was born in 1962. I miss the good French onion dip.