MerrinDonahue.com

It’s that time of year…You know, where you can hear Big Tex calling out “Howdy, Folks!”, you can see the lights of the Tilt-A-Whirl twinkling, and you can smell the aroma of…..grease. Lots and lots and lots of grease. I have been spending more time than usual on the treadmill these days, but it was all for one purpose: Fair Food.
Some of you may not be aware of this, but each year, the Texas State Fair gives out awards for the best fried food. There are numerous categories, such as most creative, best tasting, etc., but it has to be fried. Thank God for the State Fair. This year, the roundup included Fried Peanut Butter, Jelly, and Banana sammies, Fried Mac and Cheese, Fried Roasted Corn, Fried Cheesecake, Fried Cheese on a Stick (not what you think it would be…oh, no), and Fried Coke.
Here’s the breakdown: The Fried PBJ&B was the tastiest thing I have ever put in my mouth. Melty, gooey, peanut buttery goodness. Battered and deep-fried. Oh, yeah. The Fried Mac and Cheese was really tasty, too, but it didn’t come close to the PBJ&B. The Fried Cheese on a Stick was not your typical fried cheese. Picture a corn dog, if you will. Now replace the dog part with cheesy goodness. That’s right: it’s a vegetarian corn dog. Yummy!
Since even I have my limits, I will have to make a return trip to sample the Fried Coke (although I did see it, and it looked pretty good), Corn, and Cheesecake, but I have to say: This year’s offerings were truly spectacular. They put the Fried Snickers and the Fried Oreos to shame. Not candy-ass funnel cakes for me, no sir. You can keep your turkey legs and your sausage on a stick (although I did actually have sausage, too). Give me the weirdest fried crap you can think of, and I’ll eat it. Now, back to the treadmill (and it should be mentioned that we’re having really bland Poached Chicken tonight).