As quickly as I pulled into the parking area, I used to be greeted by the scent of boiled corn coming by the open window. As I approached the entrance door portal, I used to be drawn in by a mixture of engaging meals aromas. The portal proclaims the theme of the San Diego County Truthful, which, this yr, is “Heroes Assemble!” I considered the various meals distributors who survived the darkish years of the pandemic and at the moment are coming collectively!
Nobody can say that there usually are not sufficient meals choices on the honest. The driveway is lined with meals stalls on the fitting and meals stalls on the left. Plumes of smoke rise from monstrous barbecue grates lined with rows and rows of hen breasts and turkey thighs.
Truthful Meals: It is great, extravagant, and at all times scrumptious! The place else are you able to discover a “Texas Dimension” Smoked Turkey Leg, a Foot Lengthy Corn Canine or “World Well-known Ten Pound Sourdough Rolls” multi function place!
Truthful meals engages all of the senses. The engaging aromas mix into a pleasing and unforgettable aroma. Then there are the weird textures, like crispy Australian Potato Chips, that are sliced potatoes which can be battered and fried. Expertise the distinctive taste of Hen Charlie’s Kool-Support Smeared Hen Breast, which mixes the sweetness of Kool-Support with a little bit of spicy cayenne. Bask in a swirled funnel cake topped with a mountain of whipped cream, or benefit from the crunchy crunch as you munch on a chew of corn.
I recognize the truth that most distributors occupy the identical areas yr after yr. I do know the place they’re, so it saves me time after I’m hungry. One among my favorites is the Chuck Wagon Hickory Smoked BBQ. You will not discover any fancy meals right here, although, simply hearty barbecue, together with ribs and brisket. Heat cornbread is crumbly and scrumptious.
Hen Charlie’s is owned by Charlie Boghosian, a San Diego man identified for his quirky however great culinary improvements. He’s in all probability the one meals vendor on the honest providing fried frog legs! This yr, Charlie featured his Kool-Support Soaked Hen, and if that wasn’t loopy sufficient, he topped it off with a large pickle!
Grilled “Texas Dimension” Turkey Legs.
One other one in every of Charlie’s honest specialties is the scrumptious Bare Shrimp dish. It’s the closest factor to wholesome consuming that I’ve loved on the honest. Bare Shrimp is available in a half pineapple filled with candy, tender pineapple chunks that tasted nearly as good as something I’ve ever loved in Hawaii! The pineapple chunks had been topped with a beneficiant dollop of white rice and several other giant shrimp. The shrimp had been tasty and never too spicy. A light candy and bitter sauce (served on the aspect) added a contact of taste, particularly to the rice.
Fried Oreos are Charlie’s invention and have been a staple proper since they had been launched years in the past. If you’re an Oreo lover, you have to do this modern concoction. Charlie upgrades the Oreo cookie, which he did not know was potential. “Deep fried” Oreo cookies are wrapped in batter, deep fried, after which dusted with powdered sugar and a sprinkle of confetti powdered sugar. A few bites of this deal with is a festive method to finish the day on the honest!
