Building Yesterday’s Future–For Everyone
The Local Flavor column will introduce you to food traditions known to natives of the Pacific Northwest, with a dose of nostalgia and the occasional recipe thrown in.
Invented in Seattle in the early 1900s at Manca’s Cafe, a Dutch baby is similar to a popover or Yorkshire pudding. While simple enough for a middle school student to prepare as an afternoon snack (ask how we know!), the Dutch baby is endlessly versatile.
Located in the Pike Place Market since 1911, MarketSpice lends a lovely smell to the air outside its shop, which is great for everyone in the Market, as MarketSpice’s next-door neighbor is the Pike Place Fish Market.
The Rainier Brewing Company was established in 1884 in Seattle. Though the brand has been sold, it still has several important ties to the region.
In Seattle, “Eat a bag of Dick’s” isn’t an insult—it’s a helpful suggestion for how to end a fun night of bar hopping, or make it to your next appointment when you don’t really have time to stop for lunch.
Bane of children but a delight to adults, Aplets & Cotlets are a Washington state original and often feature in corporate holiday gift baskets in the area. Originally sold at roadside stands, the treats gained slightly wider popularity as a result of the 1962 World’s Fair in Seattle.
Popular among the sports fan and late-night bar crowds, the Seattle Dog became commonplace during the grunge scene of the ’90s, sold mostly by street vendors and bars.
The Pacific Northwest is home to a lot of great food products, some of which you may have seen elsewhere. In addition to the vibrant wine, cider, beer, and spirit makers in the region, we’re home base for some fun foods—Jones Soda, Brown & Haley candy, Oh Boy! Oberto, Almond Roca, a bunch of chocolatiers, and Tim’s Cascade Chips, to name just a tiny fraction. Find many of these in local shops, including the Bartell Drugs store at 5th and Olive, while you’re at the convention.
First documented in the early 1950s, the Nanaimo Bar (named after Nanaimo, British Columbia, on Vancouver island) is a three-layer, no-bake dessert. Best dessert—or best dessert EVER?
Ivar’s Acres of Clams has been a local waterfront institution in downtown Seattle since 1938. The regionally famous clam chowder is also available in local grocery stores. As they say at Ivar’s—Keep Clam.
Teriyaki is everywhere in Seattle, but it’s not quite like the teriyaki you get elsewhere. Invented and popularized by Toshi Kasahara at Toshi’s Teriyaki, Seattle teriyaki has been a favorite locally since the 1970s. Plenty of recipes are available online, but for a special Seattle twist, add a little pineapple juice to the marinade.