Sunday, August 31, 2008

Fry Sauce

For people in Utah, fry sauce is a normal part of life. If you go to any restaurant you can have fry sauce with your fries rather than just the regular old ketchup. I think fry sauce was one of Karen's favorite things about Utah.

Most of you know that Karen and I moved to the Seattle area about a week and a half ago. More posts will come to tell you all about the move but I want to relate just this one story which happened the second day we were in Washington.

Thursday was a long (partially succesful) day of furniture shopping. Since we rented a furnished apartment in Provo we did not have any furniture for our dining room or living room. We needed to find a couch and a dining room table so we could have a place to sit in our front room and a place to eat. (We did find a couch this day but I will leave it to Karen to write about the furniture). It was about nine at night when we finally decided to get some dinner (it was a long day of furniture shopping). My parents decided to take us out to dinner to celbrate my passing of another section of the CPA exam. There was a Red Robin close by so we went there. Red Robin is one of Karen's favorite places to eat. (There fry sauce is her favorite - it is a little different than everyone else's).

After completing our orders the waitress kindly asked if we would like anything else. Karen's face lit up as she asked for some fry sauce. The waitress got a somewhat confused look and I immediatley knew what I had done. Not only had I brought Karen all the way to Washington 900 miles from her family but also from her beloved fry sauce. The waitress informed us that she was not sure what fry sauce was and my heart sank. I knew that Karen was crying although there was no evidence of this on her cheeks.

One week later...

We are in Spokane with my family for the blessing of Hadley (my little brother's daughter). For a celebratory dinner Tyler's inlaws took us all out to eat at Red Robin. As the waiter was taking our orders he asked each of us if we would like any sauces (included in the list of sauces was fry sauce). We were skeptical at first but hopeful. Karen ordered some fry sauce. Our food was brought out along with the fry sauce. It looked exactly like the fry sauce at Red Robin from Utah (which is Karen's favorite). Karen anxiously dipped a fry and took a bite. It was a little piece of Utah right here in Washington.

I have no longer separated my wife from two of her loves (her family and her fry sauce). She is now just separated from her family but close enough that we can visit everyonce in a while. I am grateful for the sacrifices which Karen has made in moving with me to Seattle. It has not been easy for her but she is adapting very well. We are enjoying the area and Karen will make a post soon about the entire move.

For all the Utahns out there removed from their home state - you can find fry sauce at any Red Robin restaurant. (It is disguised as onion ring sauce.)

8 comments:

Ali said...

That's a cute story. It's funny the things we miss when we move out of State...I didn't know Karen was such a HUGE fan of Fry sauce...you wouldn't be able to tell by how absolutely TINY she is. I hope you guys are having fun setting up your new home and settling some. I'm exited for the furniture post Karen! :)

Unknown said...

hahaha! I'm glad you found your fry sauce, Karen. I didn't grow up with fry sauce so I'm afraid I don't have quite the attachment you do. :) I miss you! I'm leaving for Arizona on wednesday! I'm scared to find a new job! Ahhh! How's job hunting coming along for you?

Camille said...

Karen! You've moved to Seattle! That is so exciting. I can't wait to hear all about your adventures there. I'm so glad you have found your fry sauce. :) And thanks for sharing that info, Brandon! I've been missing mine as well. I will have to go to Red Robin soon.

Lindsey said...

I can totally relate! After we moved to Texas, we went to Fuddruckers one night. The only Fuddruckers I had been to before was in Utah. Of course, I was really looking forward to having some yummy fry sauce with my fries. I didn't find any at the condiments counter, so I asked one of the workers about it, and they just gave me a funny look, and said, "I have no idea what you are talking about." I was so disappointed. I had no idea Red Robin had fry sauce. I will definitely have to try ordering some onion ring sauce the next time we go to San Antonio.

megan said...

My goodness, you're here! I didn't think you were moving quite yet. My bad. Red Robin is one of our top picks! When you guys are up to it, let's meet for dinner (or lunch) and bask in the fry sauce goodness.

Angel said...

OH cute! I'm so glad You were able to get your fry sauce Karen! I'd have to agree with you in saying that Red Robin has THE best fry sauce I've ever experienced! Also my favorite!!! I hope things are going well and you're adjusting to the new life. Can't wait for future posts!

Nate said...

Brandon - so glad you posted something! What a great story, sorry for your loss Karen, hopefully Brandon is worth it :) And thanks for the heads up on onion ring sauce!

Rick and Janae said...

Brandon, here is another solution-catsup (or is it ketsup), mayo, mix. You could pack this around with you in little ziplocs everywhere you go, or even better hide them in Karen's purse or something, then when she eventually finds them she will know you are really looking out for her.

p.s. Does this count? Can I be your friend now?