WEB-EXCLUSIVE: Embrace this year's OC Fair in all its fried, greasy, high calorie glory with our quick food guide.
BY Sarah Mosqueda
July 15, 2010 - 1:38 PM
Belly Buster
The Tour de France may be a trek to get to, but the Tour de Fried is right around the corner. The 2010 OC Fair, with a theme this year of The Beat Goes On, has introduced countless confections to our palates over the years, making the deep fried Twinkie as much of a fair food tradition as the funnel cake or corn dog. But even the most experienced foodies can feel overwhelmed by the nearly 85 food vendors you’ll find at the fair this year. Here, we help you wade through with some highlights.
Belly Buster Burger Reminiscent of the OMG Burger available at The Catch in Anaheim, the Belly Buster weighs in at a hefty four pounds. The hand-formed grade A ground chuck patty is sandwiched between a custom made 18 oz bun so large it has to be baked in a cake pan. Dressed with 10 slices of cheese, eight slices of tomato, half a head of lettuce, and more than 30 pickle slices, this burger definitely earns its name. Price:$18. If you’ve really got an appetite, make it a Belly Buster Combo with a colossal curly fry cone and a large drink for $25. Find it at:The Burger Joint
Deep fried butter
Deep Fried Butter You kind of have to admire this brazen snack's insistence on getting right to the heart (attack) of the matter. Taking the best tasting part of any deep-fried treat and making it the main event is pretty bold. The result almost looks like a greasy churro, served with chips, whipped cream and sprinkled with cinnamon sugar. If you really want to abuse your arteries, go for the Coronary Combo, a combination of deep fried butter and bacon. Just be sure and keep the Lipitor handy. Price:Deep fried butter, $5.75; Coronary Combo, $10 Find it at: The Heart Attack Café
Chocolate Covered Bacon Pretty self-explanatory, this perfect combination of salty and sweet returns to the fair after a successful run last year. Price: $5.75 Find it at: The Heart Attack Café
Cheesy zucchini
Cheesy Zucchini This vegetable take on nachos substitutes curly fried zucchini for chips. But your daily serving of vegetables will be canceled out by the nacho cheese this baby is smothered in. That is to say nothing of the generous portion of bacon bits sprinkled on top for added savory crunch and the sliced jalapeños for heat. Price: $9.50 Find it at: Chicken Charlie
Deep Fried Klondike Bar This cool treat is like a fried ice cream, only better because of that layer of chocolate between the smooth vanilla ice cream and the crispy fried goodness. It’s served with a sprinkle of powdered sugar and a drizzle of chocolate syrup like the deep fried Oreo and Twinkie, which will return this year as well. Those two tend to resemble a doughnut since after a dip in the fryer, they essentially become fried cake. Price: Deep fried Klondike bar, $6.75; deep fried Oreo, $5.75; deep fried Twinkie, $4.50 Find it at: Chicken Charlie
Deep Fried Frog Legs I live by the motto that anything deep fried is delicious, and while there are some exceptions (anyone remember the deep fried Pop-Tart of OC Fairs past?), deep fried frog legs do not make that short list. Light and crispy, the other other white meat really does taste like chicken. Although there isn’t much of it, as frog legs tend to be pretty skinny, which I guess is why this entrée is served over French fries. Price: $10.75 Find it at: Chicken Charlie
If none of these creations tickle your tastebuds, go to ocfair.com to download a 10-page OC Fair Food Guide and find out where you can find kettle corn, grilled turkey legs, roasted corn-on-the-cob, and even fresh sushi options. If you still can’t decide what to sample this year, then drop in on a Friday from noon until 4 p.m. for $1 Food Tastings, when you can get any of the tasty snacks the fair has to offer for a $1 each. The 2010 OC Fair runs from July 16-August 15 and is open Wednesday through Thursday noon to midnight and Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to midnight. General admission is $10, $7 for seniors and $5 for children ages six through 12. Parking is $7 per car; $12 for Preferred Parking.
