Lobster corn dogs. Fried avocados. The Krispy Kreme hamburger.
The annual Sonoma County Fair has become is something of a pilgrimage for culinary adventurers who can’t wait to challenge their palates (and gullets) with the good, the not-so-good and the calorically questionable concoctions that grace the midways each year.
Sure, there are the tried-and-true standbys: Planked salmon at Johnny Garlic’s, comforting polenta at the Pasta King’s Spaghetti Palace, posole at Old Mexico and of course, Pronto Pups, Willie Bird turkey legs and Pennsylvania Dutch funnel cakes.
But are you foodie enough to tackle a bacon cheeseburger nestled between a glazed Krispy Kreme donut?
Longtime fair concessionaire Phil Delahoyde says this heart-stopping marriage of beef and yeasty goodness has long been a favorite at East Coast fairs, where Krispy Kreme donuts are a familiar sight. Inspired, his family has introduced it to Sonoma County at Stuffie’s Char-Broiler (on Magnolia) to moans of delight. Or horror, depending on your nutritional perspective.
Pace yourself for Delahoyde’s other devilish creations including the Lobster Dog (lobster salad dipped in corn dog batter and slathered with lemon aioli), the Frilly Chip (a foot-high pile of curly fried potato chips) and the fried avocado (an acquired taste) at Sharky’s Fish Fry (Shade Park).
But wait, there’s more. Just a day into the fair, Delahoyde said he’s still working on a few ideas, including a chocolate dipped banana wrapped in bacon that may debut later in the fair. And the much-anticipated hot dog sundae advertised in fair flyers? It’s a no go this year, but you can find it at his dad, Don Delahoyde’s concession stand at the Sacramento Fair. “Maybe I’ll do it next year,” said Phil.
Here are a few more new bites to search out at this year’s fair…
– Bacon Macaroni and Cheese (Sliders Gastro Pub & Sports Bar): A hefty plate of penne pasta doused in white cheddar sauce, topped with real bacon, potato chips and green beans. My favorite dish of the year, by far.
– Lagunitas Imperial Stout Brownie (Sliders Gastro Pub & Sports Bar): One of three brewery-inspired desserts, this one has fudgy cream cheese icing, berries and whipped cream.
– Make a Stand Lemonade (Grace Pavillion): More than a tasty bottle of lemonade spiked with yerba mate and ginger, Make a Stand “Kick” lemonade helps raise awareness about child slavery. Read about nine-year-old North bay student Vivienne Harr’s journey to raise more than $100,000 to help enslaved children at makeastand.com.
– Tostilocos (Pepe’s Aguas Frescas near the Community Theater): Chips with cucumber, peanuts, pork skins, jicama and bacon. Need something without the guilt? The stand also sells heaping fresh fruit cups you can slather with lemon juice and chili salt.
– Garlic Corn Dogs (Garlicky’s, Shade Park): Corn dogs, but with way more garlic.
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Got some of your own favorites? Share ’em.
BION I’m impressed! Cool post!
Crispy Crème Bacon Cheeseburger was outstanding! Where is Stuffie’s? I want another one!
Will there be a food scramble 2013?
Not this year. I needed a break after the relaunch.
Krispy Kreme bacon cheeseburger was actually really good!
DO NOT MISS the Sonoran hot dogs!!! They won best food at the fair for 2012!! Unbelievable combination of goodies on the hot dog. Pinto beans, mayo, mustard, grilled onions and a jalapeño sauce, and of course the bacon wrapped hot dog. I have been there twice already!
I ordered a “Nacho Supreme” from the arena vendor for $7, received a tiny appetizer??? FOR $7???
Had hardly any chips, measured about HALF the size of one purchased from any local 7-11 for $2.49
The only thing “supreme” about it was the $7 price, and that was after spending $6 on parking plus $10 for general admission plus $10 for an event ticket…
The Fair is no Cheap and hasn’t been for years! Just try and take a family of 4 in and see what that sets you back. You cannot go free any more unless you walk in on a off day and do not not eat or bring your own food. I stop going years ago and I was raised here.
The prices are in line with any other festival/rock show/airport, etc. You’re a captive audience. When I go to the fair as a civilian with my kids, we pick one thing we really want to try and then eat when we get home. We also go on the days that the rides are cheap (tues/wed). There are a a lot of ways to go to the fair on the cheap if you look through the website or the magazine that most of us got at home.
The lobster corn dog was horrible. It was $10 and gross. I had two bites and couldn’t eat any more. The skin around the “dog” was tough. Should have went for the Krispy Creme Burger!! LOL
EXACTLY! The prices are set way up beyond any reasonable profit margin, while the quality and size shrink????
EAT BEFORE YOU GO TO THE FAIR!!! You’ll save 50% – 90% too!
Where is the butterfly exhibit? Going this evening and I am so excited about it!
There are so many taco stands in Mexican Village….can you identify where it’s at please !!
It’s a stand by the Tiny Houses. It took me a long time to find it, too.
Those wonderful folks with the fantastic little soft tacos are BACK!…after what seems like too many years’ absence. Gonna really hit them hard when I go back!!
BTW, the BUTTERFLY ADVENTURE is the coolest thing I’ve seen at the fair since the FLEA CIRCUS. Really fun and really sweet.
Is it the original folks with the soft taco’s ? we were going to skip the fair this year, but if what you say is true, we will be going just to get those taco’s.
If you are referring to the soft tacos that disappeared for a couple of years, they are back. They came back last year but were not in the same location as before. They aren’t on the main street anymore. They are on the same street as Willie Birds. I missed those tacos too and we were so happy that they came back! I go a couple of times just to get those tacos. 🙂
I am not sure they are on the same street as Willie Birds this year. I haven’t been yet, but my mom went yesterday and said they are back at the fair again and as awesome as always.
Thank goodness! They’re the best…
They are next to the old time photos on the main strip, awesome tacos!! They have been my favorite for years, so glad they are back!