Local Flavor: Dick’s Drive-In
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.
Local Flavor
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.
Local Flavor: Aplets & Cotlets
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.
Local Flavor: Seattle Dogs
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.
Local Flavor: Local Product Roundup
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.
Local Flavor: Nanaimo Bars
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?
Local Flavor: Ivar’s Clam Chowder
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.
Local Flavor: Seattle Style Teriyaki
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.
Local Flavor: Walla Walla Sweet Onions
Developed and grown in Eastern Washington, the Walla Walla Sweet onion is exceptionally sweet, very large, and the Washington state vegetable.
Local Flavor: Fisher Fair Scones
Ah, the lure of freshly-baked refined white flour, slathered with butter and raspberry jam. If it’s fall in the Northwest, it’s time for the Washington State Fair, and buying Fisher Fair Scones by the dozen.
Local Flavor: Coffee
Coffee culture is ubiquitous in Seattle, and it’s not an exaggeration to say that you can find a coffee shop on almost every corner. Home to Starbucks, Tully’s, Seattle’s Best Coffee, and a wide range of smaller local roasters and coffee shops, locals are passionate and opinionated about their coffee.