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Last year, photographer Evans Caglage and I took restaurant critic Bill Addison to his first State Fair of Texas. We ate our way through Fair Park, sampling the State Fair staples (Fletcher's Corn Dog, Hans Mueller turkey leg) and the latest fads in fried food (Deep Fried Latte, Zesty Fried Guacamole Bites). See and hear our adventures here.
We're headed back this year with our sights set on Chicken-Fried Bacon and Deep Fried S'mores. We also want to know what you tried, and if it worth its price in tickets. Tell us about the faves and the disappointments and whether the old standards live up to the hype.
Here are some resources to get you ready for the fair:
• State Fair of Texas guide
• Get a taste of eight new fried foods
• Video: State Fair of Texas reveals food contest winners
Photo by Evans Caglage from last year's State Fair food review
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A few musts: Fletcher's Corny Dog (the absolute best) with mustard, Fried Turkey leg, funnel cake, cotton candy, curly fries and so much more.
I look forward to seeing a cardiologist after the State fair. I'll need it after eating the most unhealthy food ever.
I love the State Fair!
Are they still going to have the fried coke? Like abby said Fletcher's corn dog is a must. I usually get the waffle piled up high with strawberries and whip cream and sprinkled of powder sugar!
Don't forget the cheese curds. I get those first and eat them while I'm in the long line at the Fletcher's stand. There's some "strategery" for ya. ;) Not sure yet what else I will try.
We did our Opening Day Trip and ate as much fried stuff as we could stand...! That Chicken Fried BACON is "Slap You Pig GOOD!"
I took some pics as well:
http://www.thebradsblog.com/food/2008/09/fried-paradise.html
The Chicken-Fried Bacon I found to be rather odd. Mainly because I expected crispy bacon underneath the breading, but instead it appeared to have been boiled first - it was good, but not at the level of Fried Guacamole. And then they have the gall to NOT offer cream gravy with it - just some honey ranch dressing, which isn't the same. Hass' Texas Nachos in the Electric Building are still the bomb.
The Chicken Fried Bacon needs gravy, which is not on offer. It's canadian bacon, not crisp, but it works. A little too high on the sodium for my taste (gravy would have helped LOL)
I truly still enjoy the Corny Dog and Roasted Corn.
Chicken Fried Bacon was good, but the Fried Grilled Cheese at The Dock was even better. For 8 tickets, you get a full grilled cheese sandwich, a little tomato soup to dip in, shoestring potatoes and a pickle! I defy you to show me a better deal at the fair.
Like Bohan, I found the chicken fried bacon odd and dry and not at all bacon-like. The dog-biscuit texture of my chicken fried bacon seemed like a waste of perfectly good pork belly.
Fried banana split tasted like fried peanut butter balls, not bad, just not banana split.
I'm with Donna. I wasn't blown away by the bacon and I really wanted to be. I didn't get there until after work on Friday. So, I really didn't taste a lot of new things that day. Hopefully I'll get some hints here on what to try next time I go.
Fried jelly beans were disappointing. They shove 4-5 beans (and all were curiously blue) into a big dough ball. One ball was undercooked and gross.
Two thumbs up on the fried grilled cheese, frito pie (Chili Parlor), and corny dogs.
The fried bacon was not tasty. I too expected crispy bacon underneath the batter and was disappointed.
I did find three things worth checking out this year:
1. Fried green beans (so much better than any I've tasted at Friday's) - located at BW’s Fried Ribs stand TB-1 in the Tower Building.
2. Texas Bar-B-Que Eggrolls - also located at BW's in the food court
3. Ignited Moon Pie (fried and covered in chocolate syrup and powdered sugar...YUMMY!) - Stand N-9 located near the Embarcardero Building entrance.
And of course, you can't beat a delicious Fletcher's corn dog covered in mustard!!
Now I'm off to get my stomach pumped...
Sounds like the Bacon is batch-specific! We all had fun with it. Gravy would rule, I agree.
More Moon Pies!
For a great cheeseburger at the fair, go to Katie's Hamburgers. They are terrific!