Tantos Shark Tank is real: in November 2025, Chef Joe Sasto and Sean Knecht walked into the tank to pitch the first and only puffed pasta chip, and the Tantos story got a whole lot louder. We're talking fioregato-shaped pasta, puffed and seasoned in flavors like Marinara and Cacio e Pepe, in front of five sharks and a national audience. Here's what actually happened, and where you can find us now that the cameras are off.
Tantos Shark Tank: what happened
Chef Joe Sasto, the Top Chef finalist behind Tantos, brought the pitch straight from the pasta aisle he invented. The ask was simple: convince the sharks that puffed pasta deserves a permanent spot next to the chips.
We're not here to recap every beat, blow by blow. What matters is this: Tantos showed up as exactly what we are. Michelin-level pasta technique meeting snack-aisle convenience, highbrow meets lowbrow in one crunchy handful. A chip made from 100% semolina, cooked, dried, puffed, and seasoned with real Italian ingredients. No gimmicks. Just so much yes.
Who's behind the pitch
Tantos was created by Chef Joe Sasto and co-founded with Sean Knecht, and the chips are made by Sasto Snacks. Joe's resume includes a Top Chef finale and years of chasing flavor in professional kitchens. Sean brought the business brain to match Joe's palate. Together they launched Tantos in July 2024, and Shark Tank was the next chapter, not the first one.
Want the full origin story, noodle shape and all? We wrote about it in the story behind Tantos.
Where to find Tantos now
Shark Tank came and went, but the chips didn't stop showing up on shelves. Here's where we live today:
- Kroger, 400+ stores
- H-E-B
- The Fresh Market
- Fresh Thyme
- World Market
- Specialty and independent grocers
Not seeing us nearby yet? Head to our store locator, pop in your zip code, and we'll point you to the nearest bag.
Shop direct
We're also at eattantos.com and on Amazon, single flavors and the Variety Pack included, in case your local shelf hasn't caught up yet.
Curious what else was in the tank that night?
We rounded up other standout pitches in Shark Tank snacks you can actually buy in stores. Spoiler: we think ours is still the one worth hunting down.
FAQ
Was Tantos really on Shark Tank?
Yes. Tantos appeared on Shark Tank in November 2025, with Chef Joe Sasto pitching the brand to the panel.
Who created Tantos?
Tantos, the first and only puffed pasta chip, was created by Chef Joe Sasto, a Top Chef finalist, co-founded with Sean Knecht, and made by Sasto Snacks.
What flavors does Tantos make?
Four so far: Marinara, Pesto, Cacio e Pepe, and Classico. All 4oz bags, all seasoned with real Italian ingredients.
Can I still buy Tantos after Shark Tank?
Absolutely. Tantos is in Kroger (400+ stores), H-E-B, The Fresh Market, Fresh Thyme, World Market, and specialty grocers, plus eattantos.com and Amazon.
What are pasta chips, exactly?
If you're new here, we break it all down in what are pasta chips, our entity-level explainer on the snack we invented.
Ready to taste what made it past the sharks? Grab a bag of Cacio e Pepe or shop the whole lineup at eattantos.com, and use our store locator to find Tantos near you.
We're Tantos. Tanto si means so much yes in Italian, and that's who we are: believers in saying yes to the delicious things that make you happy, wherever and however you crave pasta.