Fair Food

[Dee Ann McCloskey]

Okay, so it's not actually a hole in the wall, but I LOVE fair food! Elephant ears, corndogs, caramel corn, fried twinkies, lemon shake-ups-- any kind of food that you can get at a fair or festival. And, the best fair foods are the ones that are the worst for you. Anybody else a Fair Food Junkie?

[Andrew Ball]

They must be close to the Mayberry Cafe. They have great 12 bean soup.

[Dee Ann McCloskey]

This is Fair Season! Most of the Indiana 4-H County Fairs are happening now or in the near future. Go to: http://www.four-h.purdue.edu/#, and click the link for 2008 County Fair dates. Hopefully, all the Fair Food Junkies can find a county fair to attend to get your fix for deep fried, high-sugar-content goodies.

Please be a gem report on the calorie-rich, diet-busting treats you sampled (or od'd).

[Jennifer Wiedenhaupt]

Fair food is the best!! Just FYI - Hancock Co. 4-H fair is going on now! I'll be there Thursday night if anyone wants to join me! It is a small fair but the food is great!

[Jill Woods]

you can get elephant ears year round at Casler's Kitchen in Geist, around Olio Road near 116th street. Not exactly Hole in the wall, but has a great menu and fried cheese you need a knife and fork for...

[Brian Huff]

I've not heard of Casler's. It's really close to my house, so I'll definitely have to check it out! Thanks!

[Andrew Ball]

Anyone want to meet at the fair on Thursday around 1:00 pm to walk and eat our way through the fair? I have a free afternoon off from work and am trying to find people to join me out there. The Star has free admission coupons in today's paper.

[Dee Ann McCloskey]

I was at the Fair on Saturday. I loved walking near the food vendors' trailers, although the aromas alone added 10 lbs.! I could smell the calories and cholesterol. I "sampled" several foods and thoroughly enjoyed the giant corndog. Had pretty good tenderloin, too. My all-time fave, though, is the caramel corn. I finished the last of it today. What a bittersweet moment when I tipped the bag to dump the last few kernels in my mouth. A few landed in my lap, a couple of them got stuck in my hair. It was worth the mess; I relished that last mouthful of heaven-on-earth. I'm looking forward to the fall festivals and carnivals. YUM!

[Brian Huff]

I was in northern California last week and my wife and I got to attend the California State Fair. What a difference from our fair! They had 3-4 times the food vendors and the diversity was astounding. Asian grill, steamed artichokes, fresh salads, and tamales. Of course, they had their offerings of fried food as well. Fried White Castle burgers, fried spam, there was even a booth that advertised "anything fried'. And nobody we talked to heard of Elephant ears!
Oh, and their unique food were giant dill pickles. Almost every vendor sold giant dill pickles. Very unique!

[Dee Ann McCloskey]

Wow, Brian--that is unique. It seems their fair food fare is a lot healthier. Part of the fun is ignoring the nutritional and caloric content. Glad you enjoyed it. Have a great weekend!

[Rae Kridel]

I think food in California is healthier in general, more granola crunchy. One of my favorite omelets is cream cheese and avocado slices, and almost everywhere, people look at me weird when I ask if they can make one. When I was in northern California in the Sierra Madre mountains, it was actually on the menu. And I thought I'd invented that combination!

[Dee Ann McCloskey]

Cream cheese and avocado omelet--sounds delicious. I'll have to try it.

[Rae Kridel]

I've since figured out it's even better, if you want a little zip, with sun dried tomatoes in there too.