You can feel the anticipation growing every summer in Orange County. The waiting is intense. The Ferris wheel goes up and mouths start to water. You hear the question everywhere: What crazy foods are coming to the OC Fair?
Last year, 50% of Fairgoers surveyed said their favorite part of the Fair is the food. Fried, sugary or savory – and sometimes all three at once – the delectable edibles are some of the big stars of the OC Fair. So here’s a spotlight on the new and daring bites coming your way when the Fair opens July 14.
NEW FOOD AT THE 2017 OC FAIR
Unicorn Nitro Pop, a cotton candy ring around a colorful cup of kettle corn and whipped cream, submerged in liquid nitrogen (also available: Nitro Whip) – RCS Cowboy Kettle Corn
5-pound barbecued pig leg; bacon-wrapped Brussels sprouts, grilled on a stick with olive oil and rolled in parmesan cheese; pineapple on a stick, wrapped in bacon, grilled and rolled in parmesan cheese – Bacon A Fair
Fried peanut butter meatballs, luau chimichanga, pupu chicken, Krispy Kreme ice cream chicken sandwich – Chicken Charlie’s
Fried octopus on a stick, deep-fried ravioli on a stick – Pignotti’s Pasta
Flamin’ Hot Cheetos on several items: pizza, Big Daddy corn dog, cheese fries, corn in a cup or on the cob –Enzo’s Pizza, Biggy’s and The Corn Shack
Chocolate chip cookies that come in a cone or a bucket – Cathy’s Cookies
Corn dog with spicy buffalo sauce, served with bleu cheese dressing – Don Crutchfield corn dog stands
Unicorn pineapple bomb and unicorn freeze – D&D Country Fair Cinnamon Buns
Cowboy sundae (with beans, beef and more) – Chuckwagon
Gelato donut sandwich – Fabe’s
Mini donut sundae – Mini Donuts
Maui Cowboy Ghost Pepper Cheeseburger – Tasti Burger
Non-dairy Dippin’ Dots – JK Dots
Sonoran hot dog and a CA burrito – Noel’s Mexican Foods
Kung pao chicken, chow mein and more – Eddie’s Asian-Inspired Cuisine
Australian Battered Potatoes, celebrating its 30th anniversary, will feature their specialty with a new spicy chipotle sauce
RETURNING FAVORITES
BBQ chicken, corn and more; burgers, hot dogs, fries and more at Juicy’s; Hawaiian chicken bowls; grilled corn and vegetables; several different ice cream stands, including ice cream cookie sandwiches; shaved ice and smoothies; waffles and crepes; and more.
Other vendors include: Pink’s Hot Dogs, Biggy’s Meat Market, Ten Pound Buns, Corn Star, Apollo’s Greek, Carmelot, Pepe’s Mariscos, Crutchee’s Ice Cream, Enzo’s Pizza, Fresh Frys, Fried Affair, Hussong’s Cantina, Hot Dog on a Stick, Planet Popcorn, Mucho Crazy Nachos, Mustards Café, Old West Cinnamon Rolls, Texas Donuts, Vinny’s Pizza and more.
$3 TASTE OF FAIR FOOD
Get a sampling of all this fun food for only $3 each every Thursday from noon to 4 p.m. Fun-sized samples include funnel cake, tri-tip, lemonade, cinnamon rolls, tacos, gelato, cotton candy and more.