It's not just the south: Ranch is slowly taking over the rest of the world, too. If you ask for ranch around here (Wisconsin) they'll bring you a huge clear ketchup style bottle of it, but any other dressings will come in a tiny paper cup. In fact, the local mexican restaurant serves it with their nachos in addition to salsa...weird.

I admit I love to dip onion rings into ranch, but prefer french for my salads...well, I actually prefer honey mustard, but good luck finding that at most restaurants