In my never-ending search to lose weight, I have tried Power Bars,
Balance Bars, and a few others.  Most are bad---taste like cardboard. 
Some are better;  they taste like cardboard dipped in sugar.

Has Consumer Reports or another objective source rated these for
taste?
A great answer would list the Top 3 bars.

All anecdotal comments greatly appreciated!  ron

Hi nronronronro,

Good Housekeeping magazine did a taste test of the energy bars last
summer.

Good Housekeeping's top three picks for best-tasting bars were: 
Oasis Oatmeal Raisin
Luna Chocolate Peppermint Stick and Lemon Zest
Pria Double Chocolate Cookie

Source: Good Housekeeping, as reported in the Salt Lake Tribune:
"Good Housekeeping Institute's nutrition experts asked women to sample
12 varieties from Balance Oasis ($1.39), Clif Luna ($1.59) and
PowerBar Pria (99 cents). The consensus: Tasters favored Oasis's
Oatmeal Raisin; Luna's Chocolate Peppermint Stick and Lemon Zest; and
Pria's Double Chocolate Cookie."
Source: Salt Lake Tribune
http://www.sltrib.com/2002/jul/07012002/monday/749789.htm

Other taste reviews:
"Grab-'n'-Go Fuel" from Backpacker.com
http://www.backpacker.com/article/0,2646,2358,00.html

"Energy Bar Taste-Off" from westernwheelers.org:
http://www.westernwheelers.org/main/stories/tasteoff.htm

Mountain Bike Review: Nutrition
http://www.mtbreview.com/reviews/Nutrition/

Some articles that might interest you:

Better Nutrition: BEHIND BARS.
Author/s: Lisa Turner
August, 2000
Hosted by findarticles.com:
http://www.findarticles.com/cf_0/m0FKA/8_62/65091576/p1/article.jhtml?term=%2Bpowerbar+%2Btaste

Better Nutrition: BAR NONE energy bars for every body.
Author/s: Lisa Turner
August, 2001
Hosted by findarticles.com:
http://www.findarticles.com/cf_0/m0FKA/8_63/78477018/p1/article.jhtml?term=%2Bpowerbar+%2Btaste

Drug Store News Bar offerings get better looking, tasting.
June 7, 1999
Hosted by findarticles.com:
http://www.findarticles.com/cf_0/m3374/9_21/54944239/p1/article.jhtml?term=%2Bpowerbar+%2Btaste

Nutrition Action Healthletter: Bar Exam.(energy bars)
Dec, 2000
Hosted by findarticles.com:
http://www.findarticles.com/cf_0/m0813/10_27/67530389/p1/article.jhtml?term=%2Bpowerbar+%2Btaste

search strategy:
"taste test", taste, powerbar, "clif bar", "balance bar", etc.

I hope this helps.

Terrific info, juggler!  I feel thinner already...
Thank you!  ron

Hi ron,

When my husband was still employed as a manager for a national party
supply chain, he supplemented his diet with various "energy bars"
throughout Halloween season (September 1st - November 1st).  It was
common for him to work 20 hour days through the season, and he needed
every extra calorie he could get.

We saw quite a parade of them - Balance, Power Bars, store brand bars,
Energybar, Luna, ClifBar, Tiger's Milk Bar.  You name it, we tried it.

They were *all* awful.  He dubbed them all "Poo Bars".  Guess why? ;)

(Personally, I kinda like the Tiger's Milk Bars.  They're a trifle
expensive, though.)

--Missy

There are many reviews at epinions:

http://www.epinions.com/well-Nutrition-Sport_Foods-All-Bar

Most of these things taste to me like something that fell out of a
Kitty Litter pan, but I like Tiger's Milk Lemon Meringue Bars enough
that I would eat 'em even if I were a skinny mini.

Thanks, Missy and PinkFreud!  I really appreciate it.  ron