Bagger Dave's Burger Tavern - Cascade

The smell hits first. Sour cream forward, with a tang behind it. Not bad, just not where I expected this ranch to land.

It’s thick. The kind of thick where it doesn’t really move when you tilt the cup. Tiny red dots throughout, plus some orange moments I couldn’t identify. The color sits a shade darker than your average ranch cream.

The taste is intriguing, which is the most diplomatic word I’ve got. Tangy, but not in a familiar way. Not the standard ranch flavor profile. I’d be hesitant to put it on a salad and find out the hard way.

Could it work as a dip? Technically, yes. Realistically, only in a pinch. Specifically, the pinch where I’m starving at a party and the only spread is a sad plate of raw celery and carrots.

The more I ate, the less I liked it. That’s the tell for me. Good ranch keeps me reaching. This one tapped out before I did.