The Guy From California Asks, “WHAT THE %&*$ IS FRY SAUCE”?!?

As the new guy in town, I am getting acquainted with the correct pronunciations on street names (Cowiche anyone?). Honestly, I am having a great time discovering my new home town.

Just the other day, we were at The Lariat in Yakima and ordered some sandwiches with French fries. The nice guy behind the counter asked if I would like some “Fry sauce”.

I looked at the guy as if he just asked if I were the president of Paraguay (for the record, I am not). I asked with a hint of curiosity, "Fry Sauce?" The guy laughs, "Yeah, it sauce for your fries - fry sauce."

Fry sauce?

Look I am just a simple guy from Cali. You had my curiosity. Now, you have my attention.

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"What's in fry sauce?” I asked.

He steps back, takes a stance of pride and beams "Oh, I can tell you. But it's best if you experience it yourself."

I rubbed my hands together, and said, "Ok, I am game. Fry Sauce it is!"

As we waited for our food, I pondered what fry sauce could be. Lisa was with me. She was already Googling it. She found something. I did not want to know.

“Don’t even tell me.” I said as a big smile came across her beautiful face. “Ok, let Fry Sauce this meal!” She’s onboard.

Our food arrived. Hey, there's that dark orange stuff with the consistency of mayo on our tray. Hmmm.

Cindy Ord

We took it to our table and sat down. I took a sip of water to cleanse my palette. I grabbed my “tribute” fry. It’s going down! I dipped it in the fry sauce.

Yep. It’s Thousand Island Dressing with a slight kick. Sans the relish. Fry sauce.

Don’t get me wrong - I love Thousand Island. I love ranch. I am a sauce guy. But why not call it Thousand Island rather than fry sauce?

Well, cause that's oversimplifying it a bit.

Fry sauce is a mixture of equal parts ketchup and mayonnaise originally published in a New Orleans cookbook published in 1900, and varies with additions of relish, garlic, BBQ, chipotle a variants of Fry sauce.

The condiment is very popular in the Northwest of Washington, Idaho and Utah for its sweet and tangy taste.

It was tasty and great to dip. Fry sauce huh? Ok, I am game!

I have only been here two months. Notable progress, I now know how to properly say “Cowiche” and know what Fry Sauce is. Soon I will speak Northwestern-ese fluently!