Do You Agree with WA’s #1 Cultural Food Rule?

Families in each state are raised to know and love certain food traditions. Okay, we’ll come out and say it.

There are some food rules that you and others in your state just know - because of your parents and grandparents. 

You were raised to love certain foods and prepare them a certain way.

It's a regional thing

Longtime residents of each state already know the rules. My family (and my in-laws) swears by the Washington food rule. If you’re worried you’ll break some of these deep-rooted regional rules. No worries - the people at Ranker shed light on food rules for each state in America. 

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Here are some food rule examples from regions around America.

If you’re asked to bring clam chowder to neighbors in Massachusetts (or any of the New England states) - It's gotta be the white New England-style clam chowder. 

Are you preparing some sweet corn for people from Iowa? It better have been purchased from a roadside stand. (just like our Washington Quincy Corn.)

I’ll never forget having hot dogs with my wife’s teacher friend from Chicago. She and other people from the Midwest will loudly protest if you put ketchup on your dog. Psst…just pass the mustard and enjoy.

Here are the #1 Food Rules from up and down America’s West Coast

If you live in California (or have any friends over from the Golden State) don’t include lettuce in your burrito. 

If you’re in Idaho - Don’t use a REAL potato in your ice cream potato. We know - the Idaho dessert classic looks like a baked potato - but it isn’t. 

In Montana? Make sure you get your Flathead Cherries from a street stand.

Don’t serve your Alaskan friend's pollack. They consider it "garbage fish." You’ll do great if you serve them some true cod.

Our Oregonian friends SWEAR by only using Tillamook Cheddar Cheese. Did you buy a different brand? Hide the wrapper. 

How about the Washington food rule?

NEVER purchase your salmon out of season. And make sure it's wild-caught.

When the Copper River Salmon hype hit Washington grocery stores in mid-May, we bought about a dozen full salmon filets, chopped them into serving sizes, vacuum packed, and stored them in the freezer.

There are other odd food rules - but those are the #1 big rules in every state. Go to Ranker’s page and look through all the rules for all 50 states.