Moving to the Midwest was an eye-opening experience in many ways. Hail the size of bowling balls, overly friendly people who sometimes talk funny, chislic — all were new to me. But one of the biggest differences can be found in the most mundane of places, the grocery store.
I’m talking mayonnaise. Specifically, Hellmann’s.
Living on the west coast my entire adult life, the blue-and-yellow label on my mayo of choice was always Best Foods. I’m pretty passionate about this. Soon after Tara moved in, she made the grievous mistake of picking up Kraft mayonnaise once on a solo shopping trip. Believe me, I never would have let Kraft end up in our grocery cart had I been there, because Best Foods is far superior. That’s not opinion, guys: it’s fact.
When we moved to Rapid City, lo and behold, that familiar label came with an unfamiliar name: Hellmann’s.
They’re basically identical. Hellmann’s is sold east of the Rocky Mountains and Best Foods is sold west of the Rockies. Interestingly, because we’re smack dab in the middle of the country, our grocery stores often carry both brands side by side. I always reach for the Hellmann’s now because it’s a novelty.
Mayo-be you don’t know the reason why there is a geographical division (I didn’t), but the history is fascinating. Richard Hellmann opened a deli in New York City in the early 1900s and began selling ready-made mayonnaise. This became a big hit with customers, and in 1919 he began distributing his mayo to markets outside of NYC. Sales on the east coast reached $15 million by 1927.
Meanwhile, on the west coast, a company called Postum Foods began selling their own mayonnaise, which became equally popular. In 1927 Postum bought the Hellmann’s brand, allowing Richard to retire, and eventually renamed the company Best Foods. Because both brands of mayo had loyal followings and dominated their respective marketplaces, the names and recipes were preserved for each region. Today,
- Best Foods is sold in and west of Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico.
- Hellmann’s is sold in and east of North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, parts of Colorado and Texas.
With that obvious overlap I mentioned previously. By the way, the recipes are virtually identical. Some people claim Best Foods is slightly tangier. If that’s so, I can’t say I’ve noticed a difference.
That’s probably way more info than you ever needed about mayonnaise, but hey — I found it interesting!
I’m really digging the Midwest, by the way. I’ve never once looked back on this move with even an ounce of regret. Feels like I’m in my element here in a way that I never was before. This place has been good to us. We’ve built a nice life here.
A Facebook friend shared a video by Charlie Berens, an Emmy-winning comedian from Wisconsin. Dude is funny as hell. Like all great comedy, it’s funny because it’s true. He lovingly pokes fun at Midwesterners in videos like this (the one that got me hooked).
We were talking the other day about how Tara’s work involves agricultural bank loans and mine revolves around rural South Dakota communities and how Midwest is that?
Saturday, we caught a movie at the cineplex (Land, starring Robin Wright), then met up with Jennifer and Robert, Tara’s boss and her fiancee, at Paddy O’Neill’s for drinks. He’s the trucker whom I grilled last time we got together. My curiosity wasn’t completely satisfied after our last chat, so I quizzed him again and this time asked how often random women flashed him while he was driving. The answer, sadly, was never. I kinda assumed truckers were always getting an eyeful of bare breasts. He did, however, educate me about “lot lizards” — truck stop prostitutes. He had a hilarious inadvertent near-encounter with one once that had us all in stitches. Gives new meaning to the phrase 10-4, good buddy.
The day felt very normal. Hopefully as COVID numbers continue to drop and more people get vaccinated, we’ll all be able to enjoy lots more days like that.
It started snowing at Paddy’s and was coming down fast and furious on the way home. Even with 4WD engaged, Tara’s pickup slipped in a couple of spots. I was glad we got home when we did. We spent the rest of the evening in the basement playing cards and listening to records.
And then, something very weird happened.
We were wrapping things up, getting ready to head upstairs, when the bathroom light in the basement turned on by itself right before my eyes.
I sort of freaked out a little.
Not in a frightened way…it was more a case of pure amazement. I could not believe what I had just seen. One second it was dark, the next there was a loud click and the light switched itself on. I have no explanation for this. We weren’t anywhere near the bathroom. Hadn’t had the light on in there recently, either. Even Tara, ever the skeptic, admitted the whole thing was odd. I’m not saying it was Doris popping in to say hello, but the internet thinks it could be her. Super weird side note that I just remembered: two days ago, in the basement, I asked Doris to give me a sign if she was still around. Nothing happened at the time, so I forgot all about it. This makes what happened even creepier…!
I’m just glad I saw it with my own eyes. How many times have you walked into a room to find a light on you swore you turned off? This happens frequently in our house, and not just in the basement. I’ve always just figured one of us forgot to turn it off, but seeing it happen myself gives me a sense of validation.
Or, at the very least, a fun story to share.
Mark My Words 
There is no other mayonnaise than Hellman’s and thou shall put no other mayonnaise above it. All praise it’s name! Kraft? Or heaven forfend…. Miracle Whip? Blasphemy. 😳
As for lot lizards, I could have told you about them. When my husband drove big rig he had “no lot lizards” stickers on both doors and still they knocked.
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Oh, do not get me started on Miracle Whip. Seriously. I have blogged about that travesty of a condiment in the past. {Shudder}
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It’s an abomination!
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Mayonnaise (regardless of brand) is the most revolting substance on the planet. That sacred knowledge is my gift to you after you gave me some knowledge: I didn’t know what a lot lizard was, or even that they existed. As they say, you learn something new every day!
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Mayo is definitely a to-each-their-own type of thing! I didn’t know what a lot lizard was either, but oddly enough, Tara was full of knowledge on the subject. Hmm…
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Hmmm indeed…
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glad you’re enjoying the midwest, it certainly has its wonderful quirks. mayo not miracle whip is all that matters to me, so i’d be good with either name. so cool about the basement light experience and the new ‘lot lizard’ lesson.
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I find those quirks truly endearing!
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Good to hear –
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Where do you live?
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Thanks for the story behind the Mayo. The only time I actually use it is on a BLT or recipes that call for it, so I don’t have a preference, but Southern bloggers apparently prefer Duke’s! Charlie is often in Holderness Family videos, which are often quite funny.
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A Facebook friend inspired this post because she was wondering whether Duke’s was better than some other brand. I’d never even heard of Duke’s before. Now I’m curious!
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Sounds like Doris wasn’t ready for the night to end. Next time maybe she’ll put on her favorite LP for you. Have you ever made your own mayo? I have, and actually prefer BF, but maybe that’s because I grew up with it. Wonder Bread and a light slather of BF— great after school snack.
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I’ve made an aioli before, which is close. It’s just easier to buy a bottle at the store.
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I grew up on the east coast with Hellman’s. I grew up on the west coast with Best Foods. You’d think, growing up twice, that I’d be more mature than I am. Go figure.
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Ha. I guess you have to grow up a third time before you truly mature!
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This is hardly scientific! We need a blind tasting of Hellmans/Best vs Kraft…dare we even introduce miracle whip?
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1. You are absolutely correct. Blind taste tests are a “thing” of mine, too. But…
2. Miracle Whip? Never in a million years.
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In Britain we are lucky enough to have Salad Cream too!
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Thank heavens, now if ever I venture west long enough to need to acquire Mayo, I’ll know how to find Hellman’s-but-not out there!
Creepy about the lights. Practically though: An electrician might be a smart call, actually.
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I just can’t figure how the switch turned itself on. It’s a basic toggle switch, but I was trying to play with it…kind of leave it in the middle, as if somebody hadn’t quite pushed it down all the way…but couldn’t get it to stay in place no matter how hard I tried.
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I only use mayo for 3 things: BLTs, curried egg salad sandwiches, and blue cheese dressing. But after reading your post, I ran to the fridge and read the actual label.
“Best Foods.” Which is hilarious, because I would have said I bought Hellman’s. Because I grew up on the East Coast. I have clearly not read the actual writing on the label since moving to SoCal.
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Haha! Well, you know, the labels are basically identical. I don’t blame you for not noticing the brands were different.
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Is there going to be a quiz on the Mayo thing? lol
I like Hellmans too. As long as it’s the real deal (not fat free or reduced or whipped or whatever…) I’m good. But Hellmans is yum.
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Oh, I agree. If you’re going to have mayo, splurge on the real deal. My one concession is their olive oil-based mayonnaise. Its slightly healthier but still delicious.
Quiz, as in taste test or survey? Both are good ideas.
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In North Carolina its Duke’s Country. Even we Yankee transplants go for it. Love mayo on my fries and hamburgers.
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Never heard of Duke’s until a few days ago, but it does appear to be all the rage in that part of the country. Guess I need to take a trip down south to find out what all the fuss is about.
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Has a “just made” freshness about it.
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Hellman’s all the way!
I love the Midwestern Siri! I love her. I feel like she wouldn’t change all my voice to text into a nightmare. Makes me wonder how on earth any of us understand one another in conversation. She dunno Italian or Spanish food beyond spaghetti and taco — Mostaccioli? Most of Charlie. Churros? Choose those. I’d settle for a well-traveled American Siri, Okay?!
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Cracking up over “Churros? Choose those.”
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Right there with ya. It’s Best Foods for me at home in L.A. and Hellman’s here in Arkansas. No other mayo will do.
I want so badly to experience a ghost/spirit, whatever. But only a nice, friendly one, thanks.
I would check the wiring in the basement or wherever it was you said that light popped on. (I ain’t scare of no ghost…)
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I think at some point this year, we are planning on having a contractor come out just because the wiring is pretty, let’s say, interesting throughout the house.
But wiring doesn’t explain a light switch being flipped up. I dunno…
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NO WAY! We only JUST watched that very same Midwest Siri vid last night. My hubs being from MN really enjoyed it. It was funny until it sort of broke down there at the end.
Interesting about the mayo! Thanks for the fun trivia!
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Dude cracks me up. He posted another new video yesterday and I was laughing so hard, my boss was probably wondering why there was cackling coming from around the corner.
Trust me: I rarely cackle.
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Yikes. I hope you you were on your lunch break. If not, you’d best not watch something that will give you away so easily. 😉
Have you discovered Ryan George on YouTube yet? Definitely worthwhile.
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Interesting about the mayo discussion, Mark. Around here it is Miracle Whip or Mayo. Miracle Whip is definitely not mayo, yet some people disagree. I will check in the grocery stores. I think we carry both Kraft and Hellmann’s.
The light thing is interesting. I have heard about the concept of light transmitting energy and a form of communication. Possibly Doris?
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I have a hate/hate relationship with Miracle Whip so intense, I blogged about it once (https://markpetruska.com/2010/04/22/world-enough-and-thyme/) and dissed it in another post (“I’m feeling sorry for East Coast people this week. First an earthquake, and now a hurricane. What’s next – a plague of locusts? Fire and brimstone? Sandwiches smeared with Miracle Whip instead of mayonnaise? HAVEN’T THEY SUFFERED ENOUGH??”).
As you can see, I have very strong feelings about Miracle Whip, ha.
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