Open any fridge door and you will find a lineup of sauces that say a lot about the people who live there. This One Gotta Go card asks you to clear out one of the big four: mustard, ketchup, mayonnaise or hot sauce.
Once it is gone, it is gone from your burgers, fries, sandwiches and eggs. Think about which bottle you reach for most and which one you mostly keep for guests, then make your pick and explain it to the group.
Mustard vs Ketchup vs Mayonnaise vs Hot Sauce
A. Mustard
Mustard is tangy and sharp, and it is essential on a hot dog or a deli sandwich. Outside of those, a lot of people barely use it. If your mustard bottle has been in the fridge door longer than you can remember, this might be the easy cut.
Keep it if: A hot dog, pretzel or ham sandwich does not taste right to you without a stripe of mustard.
B. Ketchup
Ketchup is the most familiar condiment around, and that is exactly why some people cut it. It is sweet, it can cover up the taste of food, and some adults say they have outgrown it. If you lean savory, ketchup could be the one to go.
Keep it if: Fries, burgers and scrambled eggs all need ketchup, and you are not ashamed to say it.
C. Mayonnaise
Mayonnaise is the condiment people either love or truly cannot stand. It makes sandwiches creamy and is the base of countless dips and dressings, but its texture puts some people off completely. If you are on the no-mayo side, the choice is made.
Keep it if: You think a sandwich without mayo is dry, and you use it in dips, salads and spreads all the time.
D. Hot Sauce
Hot sauce adds heat and flavor to almost anything, from eggs to wings. But it is not for everyone, and spice can overpower a dish fast. If you never reach for the bottle, cutting hot sauce will not change your life at all.
Keep it if: You keep a bottle at home, one at work and maybe one in your bag, because everything is better with heat.
Our take
We would cut mustard. It is great in a few places, but the other three show up across far more meals, from fries to sandwiches to breakfast. The most fun debate is almost always about mayonnaise, since people tend to love it or avoid it completely. Ask everyone to name the one dish they would never eat without their pick and watch the table light up. For a tiebreaker, ask which condiment belongs on fries, because that one question can split a room in seconds.
How to play this card with friends
- Read the four choices out loud.
- Everyone picks the one they'd eliminate at the same time.
- Explain your pick. This is where the fun starts.
- Use the follow-up questions below to keep it going.
Follow-up questions to keep the debate going
- Which condiment has the most loyal fan base?
- Is ketchup on eggs acceptable?
- Should ketchup be kept in the fridge or the pantry?
- What condiment would you add to this card?
Want more debates like this? Get the One Gotta Go card game for game night, family dinners and road trips. Shop the decks.
Condiments: quick answers
What is the most popular condiment in America?
Ketchup and mayonnaise are both among the most used condiments in American homes, with mustard and hot sauce close behind. Popularity shifts by region and by food, which is part of what makes this card such a fun debate.
Does ketchup need to be refrigerated?
Many ketchup makers recommend refrigerating after opening to keep the flavor and quality at its best. Ketchup is acidic, so some people keep it in the pantry, but the label on your bottle is the best guide. When in doubt, the fridge is the safe choice.
