Never been to an east coast pot-luck, but I just attended a pot luck in Texas. Only difference from a Kansas pot luck was: tamales instead of fried chicken, and instead of regular crappy mid-west iced tea, there was sweet tea, which is even more disgusting. Also a few cajun-type dishes, which I never experienced at a Kansas pot luck. I went strictly with items that appeared to be store-bought. I don't trust the hygiene of most of these people (applies to people attending ANY pot luck, regardless of location) so not a chance I am eating something that came from their kitchen.