Posted by Bruce Bilmes and Sue Boyle
, September 30, 2008 19:27
Here it is, the legendary State Fair of Texas in Dallas, first held in 1886 and, perhaps more importantly to Roadfooders, where the corn dog was invented in 1942! Here are some of the fair foods offered at this year’s edition:
Chicken fried bacon (?!?!?) is thick sliced peppered bacon dipped in batter and breading and deep-fried, served with ranch or honey mustard sauce; the fried banana split combines bananas and honey peanut butter rolled into balls, which are then battered, deep-fried, and served with a selection of toppings; the fried grilled cheese is filled with both American and cheddar cheeses, then is dipped in batter and bread crumbs, and deep-fried (very much like the cheese frenchees of Nebraska). These are served with potato sticks, pickle spears, and tomato soup dipping sauce (now that’s inspiration!).
More Texas fair food: Texas Fried Jelly Belly Beans; deep-fried s’mores; Fire & Ice is a deep-fried battered pineapple ring topped with banana-flavored whipped cream that’s been frozen with liquid nitrogen and topped with strawberries and syrup; fried chocolate truffles; chocolate-covered strawberry waffle balls; the Fried Pop Rocks Fundae Blast; fried dinner roll; fried cake on a stick; green bean fries; Texas Bar-B-Que Eggrolls; jalapeno deep-fried gorditas; Fried Apple iPie (topped with an edible mp3 player); fried snowballs; fried honey buns; deep-fried apple bites; bread pudding with rum sauce; Mini Chopped BBQ Slider; Mini Chicken Fried Steak Slider; Dessert Shooters; Jalapeno Tamarittos; Ignited Moon Pie…
All the concerts are free with a paid fair admission; performers include Rodney Atkins, Jessica Simpson, and Michelle Branch. You can see the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders, watermelon carving demonstrations, a corn dog eating contest, milking demonstrations, African acrobats… the variety of activities is mind-boggling!
