1. Everyone In Rochester Eats Garbage And Loves It
Source: Flickr user Eugene Peretz
The finest of Rochester delicacies is, without a doubt, the Garbage
Plate. Take a moment and think of every cheat food you can think of. Now
pile them on a platter and add Rochester hot sauce. That’s the height
of comfort food that is the garbage plate.2. In Rochester Abbott’s Custard = Summertime
Source: Abbott’s Frozen Custard via Facebook
Just started juicing? Going full vegan? Paleo diet? Here comes
Abbott’s to ruin all of that for you right now. Rochester loves Abbott’s
not simply because of their delicious custard, but because when that
open sign turns on, it means winter is finally over (probably)!3. To Folks In Rochester Wegman’s Isn’t Simply A Grocery Store, It’s A Way Of Life
Source: buzzfeed.com
What can be said about Wegman’s that hasn’t already been shouted from
the mountaintops? It’s unlikely that there’s a grocery store anywhere
with as strong a following. If you moved away from Rochester, it’s the
first thing you miss most about the city.4. In Rochester “The Boss” Isn’t Springsteen, It’s A Tasty Sauce That Goes On Everything
Alan: Numbers 4, 16, 17 and 23 contain video clips which are hyperlinked at http://www.movoto.com/rochester-ny/things-people-from-rochester-have-to-explain/
Source: Youtube user BOSSSAUCE
The commercial says it all—Boss Sauce goes on everything. You know
it’s popular if it comes in a giant glass jug like the one at 0:25. Country Sweet is an alternative, just not an acceptable one.
5. Top Three Words That Prove You’re From Out Of Town: “Soda,” “Freeway,” and “Hamburger”
Source: Imgflip
Here’s the quick rundown, to try and fit in with the rest of the crowd in Rochester:A: “Soda” is what you cook with. “Pop” is what you drink.
B: “Freeway” is some kind of West Coast atrocity. You drive on the “Expressway”
C: You might think you’re eating “Hamburger” but everyone knows its just “Ground Steak.”
6. Your Best Friend's Name Is Now Genny And She's A Beer
Source: Genesee Brewery via Facebook
If you walk into any bar in Rochester and order a Bud, Keystone or
Miller, you’re making a mistake. Genesee, founded and brewed right there
in Ra Cha Cha makes a light beer called Genny that is every bit as
good, if not way, way better than the industry big dogs.7. Two Feet Of Snow? 45 Degrees? Hooray, It’s Rochester Shorts Weather!
Source: Flickr user Nazareth College
The fact that Rochestarians actually take to the icy streets wearing
essentially beach gear actually makes sense when you consider people in
Milwaukee and Chicago were doing the same thing right after the Polar
Vortex passed. But that was just one year. Rochester pulls this stunt
every winter—now that’s hardy.8. Let’s Be Real, You Were Probably Wearing The Shorts Underneath Your Winter Coat
Source: Quickmeme
Rochestarians also know to be ready for anything, weather-wise. Sure,
it looks like it’s going to be a balmy 70 degrees today, but when
you’ve lived here long enough you know that you’ll want to pack a some
snow pants and a parka, just in case.9. What’s The Best Pie Filling? Cherries, No. Peaches, No. Grapes—Can We Have Seconds?
Source: Flickr user K. B. R.
Fall means pumpkin spice to the rest of the country, but here in
upstate New York, just a stone’s throw from Naples where the Greatest
Grape Pie in the World is judged annually, the sweet smell of sugary
Concord grapes is what really gets folks Instagrammin’.10. The Phrase “White Hot” Makes Folks In Rochester Drool
Source: Wikimedia Commons
The white hot is the premier sausage of Upstate New York, and it got
its start in Rochester. Made from quality cut meats, it’s rare for a
Rochesterian to have a white hot with just a bun—they prefer them on
their garbage plates.11. If Your Buddy Just Drove Through The Can Of Worms, Get ‘Em A Stiff Drink
Source: Wikimedia Commons
If you’ve ever seen an aerial view alone of the Can of Worms (i.e.
the highway connection between 490 and 590), you have massive pity for
anyone unlucky enough to regularly commute through it. It was definitely
not anything you’d send a student driver down.12. You’d Have To Be Looney Not To Have A Few Canadian Bucks On Hand
Source: Flickr user Jamie McCaffrey
Rochester’s proximity to the Great White North means that it’s easy
to take a trip to Toronto if you like (it’s almost equidistant to NYC,
and in some people’s opinion, better). And if you ever want to go to
Niagara Falls, you’ll want to have a little Canadian change rattling
around in your jeans.13. People In Rochester Wish That Halloween Happened In July So It Wouldn’t Get Snowed Out
Source: Flickr user Tobin
Sure they can have their primary “sexy” costume set to go, but folks
in Rochester know they always need a winter-friendly “Plan B” costume
ready, too. May we suggest a space heater or a polar bear, should Mother
Nature have her way.14. Calling In For Work Or Skipping Because Of 18 Inches Of Snow Will Get You Laughed Out Of Rochester
Source: Flickr user Onno Kluyt
After a snowstorm, anywhere else, kids would be rallying around the
radio to see if school will be cancelled, but in Rochester they grit
their teeth and bring out the heavy-duty shovel. It’s a familiar scene
you’ll see all the way down the block.15. Red Wings Hockey? You Must Not Be From Around Here
Source: Flickr user Thomas Belknap
As far as fans of the local minor league team are concerned, the
Detroit Red Wings are the inferior sports team (more about hockey
later). Y’all remember Cal Ripken, Jr.? He totally played for them
before going up to the Orioles.16. No, Rochester Doesn’t Have An Accent—Pennsylvania Has An Accent
Source: Youtube user JennaMarbles
If you think that the vowel shift on words like “aunt,” “pajamas,”
and, fittingly, “accent” sound word when a true Rochester native says it
sounds weird, you’ve never heard someone from PA say “yinz.”17. If Your Neighbors Mention Vinnie And Angelo, They’re Talking About These Clowns
Source: Youtube user logoman57
Back in the ’90s, anytime you plopped yourself in front of the tube,
you were sure to catch Vinnie and Angelo harassing some old woman in a
bid to get you to buy a new Dodge. Their car dealership was almost as
famous as their commercials—a sampling of their whimsical hijinks is
included here for reference and nostalgia purposes.Trust me, if your immediate friends don’t know about them, they’re probably transplants like you.
18. Ra-Cha-Cha Is A Perfectly Acceptable Thing To Call Your City
Source: Flickr user Ryan Hyde
Lilac City, Kodak City, even the occasional Rochiggity come out, but
Ra Cha Cha is definitely the most fun you can have while referencing the
Lost Borough.19. If You Visit NYC, People Won’t Have Any Idea Where Your Accent Is From
Source: Giphy.com
NYC may as well be its own universe as far as Rochestarians are
concerned. If you ever make a trip downstate, get ready for 20 questions
about where you’re from—you’d think the folks on Manhattan had never
made the trip upstate. Oh wait, that’s probably true.20. If You’re Waking Up With The Wease, You Aren’t Heading To Weggies For Cough Drops
Source: The Wease Show on 95.1 The Brew via Facebook
Brother Wease has been a local staple for the past 20 years of
Rochester’s 95.1 The Brew. It’s not morning in Rochester without him.21. Wait, You’re Telling Us Your Version Of Hot Sauce Doesn’t Have Meat In It?
Source: Imgflip
Keep your Frank’s and Tabasco—Rochester knows how to step it up in
the tastiest way possible. It doesn’t get much more Rochester than being
the go-to topping for garbage plates, burgers from Bill Gray’s, and
that get bottled and sold at Wegman’s.22. If You’re Heading Downhill On Lake Road—You’re Accelerating
Source: Giphy.com
This will probably take a few tries before it makes sense, but if
you’re heading downhill on Lake Road, it doesn’t make sense to brake—let
gravity save you a little gas. You’ll be cresting the next hill if you
build up enough momentum. Consider this a tip from the locals.23. Getting A Whole Christmas Tree Isn’t Necessary In Rochester—Just Put The Lights On A Pole
Source: Youtube user RocPic.Com
Maybe it all started as an environmental effort—there were just too
few evergreens to go around—but the Liberty Pole at the center of town
gets strung up with a web of pretty lights, just as if they were hung
from the branches of some giant tree elsewhere. In many ways it’s
better—it’s just part of what makes Rochester the city it is.24. You’ll Agree—Rochester Has The Best Cheeseburger
Source: Bill Gray’s via Facebook
Bill Gray’s can put a garbage plate on a bun, but it still doesn’t
compare to their cheeseburger. Started out of a little suburb of the
city, Bill Gray’s now has spots to pick up your favorite ground steak
burger all over western New York.25. Folks In Rochester Aren't American, They’re Amerks
Source: Flickr user Lets Go Amerks!
The people of Rochester pledge allegiance to the local hockey team the Americans… aka The Amerks.26. The Very Best Thing About Being A Kid In Rochester Is Going To The Strong Museum
Source: Strong National Museum of Play via Facebook
The Strong Museum is widely held to be one of the best children’s
museums in the whole darn world. What makes it so great? The nation’s
best self-described museum of play has a Lego exhibit, a butterfly
sanctuary the world’s largest collection of electronic games. We really
want to go.27. Folks In Rochester Can’t Imagine Living Anywhere Else
Source: Flickr user Patrick Ashley
If you grew up in this beautiful city, eating garbage plates and Bill
Ray’s, going to The Strong Museum and rooting for some of the finest
minor league sports in the land, you’d want to come back, too. And
everyone knows that if you grow up in Rochester, even if you want to
leave sometimes, you always know you’ll be coming back.What have you had to explain to out-of-towners about Rochester? Tell us in the comments below!
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Who is Movoto Real Estate, you might ask? Movoto is an online real estate brokerage based in San Mateo, CA. Our blog has been recognized for its unique approach to city-based research by major news organizations around the world such as Forbes and CBS News.
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