Monday, October 20, 2008

My State Fair is gone baby gone

The State Fair is my thing. No doubt. I love it. But this year I couldn’t muster up enough enthusiasm to make it down there the usual multiple times. Perhaps it was the economy. Perhaps it was laziness. But I did make it in this past Friday in the nick of time to get me some delicious treats. Only thing is, I didn’t venture too far out of the norm.

The absolute best deal at the Fair is the Dollar Dog over by the Old Mill Inn. It ain’t nothing fancy but it’s a buck! And it’s fairly fresh save for the not yet stale buns that never seem to be freshly soft. Plus, they take cash which saves on coupon usage for later. Next year, remember to start your day off with that to get something in your tummy that’s yummy, cheap and sets the tone.

My only venture outside of Fletcher’s corny dogs and roasted corn was the chicken fried bacon and the whole time I ate it, I kept thinking, “I think I like this.” My hopes were a little high on this because I figured it would have been a thicker slab of bacon. Instead, they were literal bacon strips from the store fried up in batter. The batter overpowered the bacon but at times I could taste that crispiness I love in overdone strips. However, the flavoring of the batter AND the strip, I see now, was way too salty and I’ve mentioned before that is was pretty much a fried saltlick. If the meat was thicker, then it would have made sense. Also, if they had provided a sauce, it would have enhanced the treat in a positive fashion. Simple ranch would have made it more delectable but dried out strips of fried meat ended up on the unattractive and boring side of Fair dining. Plus, the rudeness of the lady serving them up didn’t help. That carnie bitch should have been happy to get my money to pay her way home in these economic hard times!

Despite the chicken fried bacon being on the new set of treats, my old standby did not fail to impress. The cinnamon roll in the food court is divine sugar heaven. The mere presence of its aroma is like a romance novel between it and my nostrils. There could perhaps be nothing better on this earth at that time that could provoke my nose to run off with one of the cinnamon rolls to have a torrid affair in nighttime Paris while leaving me tortured to only look at the other rolls dripping with sweet cream and adorned with perfect pecan bits. Yes, the smell is that good and it can only be topped by the deliciousness of the taste. Mine was just out of the oven so when topped by cream, it melted immediately. The bread was perfectly moist and gooey but soft and fresh. While so big it needed to be eaten with a fork, I longed to just be in private where I could hold it with my hands to eat. Oh trust me, it is THAT good. Cinnabon? No way but close! This is a more homemade (even if it’s not) slice of heaven on earth.

As for the rest of the Fair, my pizza disappointed. The little stand between the Midway and the market area by the Cotton Bowl had declined in their tasty goodness. Their yeasty crust was no more nor was their taste. Plus, once again, a carnie bitch could have cared less that I was forking over some four bucks for a barely slice of pizza that need to be reheated.

Tornado taters weren’t that good but I did not go to my usual stand. The Nutty Bar lived up as always. However, I did take a bottle of water that I nursed on for hours and refilled where I could. At the end of the day I had so many tickets left over and then I realized it was because I wasn’t spending any on drinks! It’s probably no secret but I had always figured I needed my sodas for the whole Fair experience. I didn’t save for one at the end of the day. Saved me about twenty bucks! Or coupons rather.

Until next year…

Posted by JRichLo at 18:12:42
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