We decided to go on a "Taste of the Fair" Tuesday where samples from a majority of the food booths are $2.00. I thought that it would be good way to have multiple tastes without getting full fast from the large portions at regular price. Browsing through the all the food vendors, some of the samples were not exciting, nor worth it -- french fries, a 2 oz. portion of chopped BBQ pork (in a teeny tiny cup! Think Rubio's salsa cups), 1/2 churro, 1/2 hot dog, etc. I think that the fair would generate more interest in these food booths if they offered a new flavor sample for $2.00 as opposed to the generic 1/2 corn dog. Not exciting!
However, there were a few $2.00 tastes that were worth it... kettle corn, 1/2 cinnamon roll, and others.
OK, so reading the new menu items on the Fair website, I noticed one that looked mighty interesting to me: Hash Brown Fry Dog (hot dog dipped in batter, then in hash browns or sweet potato and then deep fried) ...wha???
[waiting patiently to try a hash dog]
The Del Mar Diner is located in the "middle" of the park near the entrance to the amusement rides. It is near that little ice cream vendor that is shaped like a soft serve cone. The Del Mar Diner is the official home of the Hash Dog. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the $2.00 taste was a small portion of the hash dog. I really only wanted a taste and it was a perfect portion. The full sized dog is about 3 times bigger than the sample and is priced at $5.75 + tax.
Mom's Chocolate Chip Cookie Factory is all lit up with lights and easy to locate. It is located inside one of the exhibit halls where there are endless rows of craft faire-type vendors and are housed generally in the same corner. *hint: Exhibit hall near the Chuckwagon* Their chocolate chips cookies are so chewy, warm, and sweet. These cookies have a slight crunch on the outside and a yummy chewy inside.
The smallest portion of their heavenly cookies comes with eight cookies ($4.75 + tax). I ate six of them. And I got full. *sad face* I wanted MORE fair flavors, but couldn't let them go to waste.
We browsed through the shopping area, visited the winning flowers, and checked out some livestock. I was glad that I was walking off my full stomach.
After resting in the smaller stadium to watch the young equestrians ride, I was ready for one last taste. Remember I mentioned that I wanted to try something fried from Charlie's Chicken??
As I looked at the two ginormous booths that Charlie's Chicken both own, I thought, "Man, those chicken & waffles sound good. Should have gotten that for my main lunch. Oh, well... next year!"
Then, I look over to my left at the large pictures of the fried offerings. I thought, "Well, I'm going to go with the O.G. deep fried treat that was introduced a long time ago. The Deep Fried Twinkie."
I order it with chocolate sauce (as opposed to strawberry) for $3.95 + tax. I moved over to the side and expected to wait a while since, you know, they still have to hand dip it and fry it to a good crispy texture.
NOPE. Served to me in a matter of 30 seconds after I paid. They were "pre-fried"!!! Sitting out? Under a heat lamp?
Clouds were coming in, traffic on the 5 South was piling up, and we were drained from the sun and walking around. We did have a great time at the San Diego County Fair, with only a couple of disappointments... the deep fried Twinkie ... and me eating too many cookies.
See you next year, Fair!
7 comments:
Good heads up on the deep fried twinkie! Hey, I'm sure it's better than the deep fried frog legs! lol! Glad you had fun!!
LOL, I know... when you guys had those last year, they looked gross!
I've always wanted to try the brisket sandwich..I wonder if I'll have room for my next trip to SD Fair. Hash dog looks good..and the fry bread with sugar (I got the one with buffalo chicken and didn't like it as much)
I totally agree about the Tasty Chips. They are BEYOND delicious!
@Kirbie... I was pretty impressed with the brisket. Don't bother getting the "combo". The slaw and the beans looked pretty sorry. Hash dog was yum!
@Kristin.. thanks for stopping by! :) I can eat Tasty Chips ALL day... only if they had french onion dip, but I'll settle for the nacho cheese!
I don't think I've ever had the Tasty Chips - they will be on my list to try next year, though! I was just happy we got through the fair (and the evening) without any puking. Last year for Ryan was a bit brutal. Fried foods and rides will do it to ya!
Glad that Ryan didn't get sick this year! Yeah, potato chips are my fave snack (with onion dip) so having them nice & freshly made at the fair is so darn yummy! Will you be blogging about your fair experience?
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