Tour the Sriracha Hot Sauce Factory
Irwindale, California
Sriacha is a popular Southeast Asian-style hot chili sauce, manufactured in the US since 1980 (and named after a city in Thailand). Some Irwindale locals wanted to shut down the Huy Fong Foods plant because of the noxious smell (there were rumors it was manufacturing tear gas). The factory re-ventilated, and the city dropped its lawsuit in 2014, so the sauce making continues. The formerly top secret spicy condiments factory now welcomes public tours.
Visitors board 14-seat golf cart mini-buses for part of the half hour tour, and samples are provided. There's a souvenir shop called The Rooster Room. The best (and smelliest) time to visit is chili-grinding season, mid-Sep. to late Oct. Tours must be scheduled in advance by calling.