Washington food that people "must try" (Seattle, Spokane: house, buy)

[CourtneyCooper]

Originally Posted by Fallingwaters

Razor clams -- where? I hear they're a big deal.

I need to broaden this list -- not looking for specific restaurants (but welcome) but type of food.

Ocean Shores, WA!!!! There are regular digs and it is so much fun, too!

[bmsea]

For those of you who have been dying to try... I thought I'd post a quick note that the WDFW (Fish and Wildlife) has announced that the beaches will be open for fazor clam digs this weekend, actually from the 6th through the 9th. They are evening digs, so bring your warm clothes and lanterns!

Twin Harbors (Westport to Willapa) will be open 4 days (6 - 9)
Long Beach (the peninsula) will be open for 2 days (the 8th and 9th).
Ocean Shores/Moclips will be closed to make sure there are enough clams for popular Spring Digs.

See the WDFW news release:
WDFW - Washington Razor Clam Season Updates

This site also has good information on how to dig, how to clean, and what license you need. I think its $7 for a 3-day shellfish license (which allows you to drop a crab pot in the marina if you come to Westport), but check because I could be wrong. If you plan on doing this often, annual passes are a better deal.

[noinwi]

Puyallup Fair Scones
Wild Blackberries
Ivar's Clam Chowder
Cloverleaf Pizza(does it still exist?)

[seahawksweetie]

ok, new to the area, all of these foods are making me hungry! But can someone tell me what Geoduck is?

Thanks!

[MichaelinWA]

Google this clam, and you'll find some decidedly unappetizing pictures (IMO).

Originally Posted by seahawksweetie

ok, new to the area, all of these foods are making me hungry! But can someone tell me what Geoduck is?

Thanks!

[scirocco22]

Geoduck sashimi is excellent …a bit of wasabi and shoyu is all that’s needed.

Also, several local restaurants serve an excellent geoduck chowder.

Some friends who were visiting the northwest from Massachusetts just had to have it and they weren’t disappointed. They were amazed by its delicate flavor and texture.

I realize that many find it repulsive because of its shape and what it resembles but for a seafood delicacy uniquely northwest, you can’t beat the flavor of this huge clam.

[seahawksweetie]

ok, yea, I am not sure I could eat that. I guess if it's fixed right and I'd maybe had a few glasses of wine

[bmsea]

For those of you who have been dying to try... I thought I'd post a quick note that the WDFW (Fish and Wildlife) has announced that the beaches will be open for digging for 6 days in March 6th through the 12th.

Twin Harbors (Westport to Willapa) will be open 6 days (7 - 12)
Long Beach (the peninsula) will be open for 2 days (the 8th and 9th).
Ocean Shores/Moclips will be closed to make sure there are enough clams for popular Spring Digs.

See the WDFW news release:
WDFW - Washington Razor Clam Season Updates

This site also has good information on how to dig, how to clean, and what license you need.

[diggitydot]

Originally Posted by seahawksweetie

ok, yea, I am not sure I could eat that. I guess if it's fixed right and I'd maybe had a few glasses of wine

BTW, for the non-locals, geoduck is pronounced like "gooeyduck". It's another one of those weird pronunciations usually throws people for a loop. And while they may look like something you'd expect to see Captain Kirk fighting for control of a weird underwater galaxy, they're surprisingly pretty tasty.

[NCWmark]

Hit any small town Eastern Washington farmer's market from about July on and you'll get tons of treats. Apples, Peaches, Nectarines, Pears, Asian Pears, Carrots, Tomatoes, Green Beans, Berries of all sorts, and much more.

A Washington must - take a road trip, say the North Cascades loop and stop at a roadside fruitstand and purchase a pound or two or Rainier cherries, then just drive and enjoy the scenery as you eat cherries and spit the pits out your window.

Another Washington treat - some people won't do it because it has some sort of stigma attached to it, but be brave and stop at a "taco wagon" for a midday meal. You'll be surprised at the authentic Mexican food that comes out of these mobile Mexican restaurants.

Specifics:

Buy some locally made candy at The Alps on highway 2 just west of Leavenworth.
Get a Miner's Burger in Yakima
Get a burger at Rusty's in Cashmere
Get a milkshake at the 59'er Diner east of Stevens Pass
Clam chowder on the Seattle waterfront
A fresh Cyrus O'Leary pie at the actual Cyrus O'Leary's in Spokane
Biscuits & Gravy at the Crossroads diner in Umatilla (it's actually Oregon, but it is just across the border)

Mmmm, gotta go eat now