If only every day could be fair day at work, school, with the fam or otherwise. That would, however, cost an arm and a leg, even with discounts on eats, drinks, parking and tickets. Luckily there are places in North Texas adding their own spin on State Fair fried foods, so locals can get their fix whenever a craving hits.
Check out these five places for festive treats while they last.
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Holy Grail Pub
This Plano institution is indulging in a week's worth of fried goodies in honor of the State Fair. Oct. 12-18 find items such as coffee and doughnuts, and deep fried cheesecake on the menu. The real eye-catcher: a Texas Monte Cristo sandwich made with brisket and a blend of smoked cheeses that's then deep fried and served with a peach-bourbon preserve. The bar, known widely as a craft beer staple, will also be tapping Community Beer Co.'s Funnel Cake Ale during the week -- powdered sugar rim included. (Stay tuned have more details about where else it will be available.) Fair-inspired treats cost between $7-$13 and are available all day long.
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Spice in the City
The State Fair is invading this takeout Indian spot in downtown Dallas for an entire month, with a different fried food featured each week. From Oct. 5-9, Spice in City is serving fried masala chicken tenders. The following week, Oct. 12-16, features two varieties of fried dosa balls: one sweet, covered in cinnamon and sugar like a funnel cake, and one savory, similar to traditional dosa served with house tikka masala sauce. Closing out the month is fried mini margarita cheesecake (Oct. 19-23).
CBD Provisions
Even classy establishments like this one inside the Joule hotel in downtown Dallas are adding fried fare to the menu. CBD's executive pastry chef Ruben Torano created fried hand pies, described as dessert empanadas. The dish starts with a pie-like crust that's deep fried and stuffed with a range of fun fillings such as sweet potato, marshmallow, pecan pudding and blackberry. Chefs then top them off with some cinnamon, powdered sugar or glaze, and serve them family-style. Fillings will rotate throughout fair season. Pies cost $8 for two.
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Capitol Pub
If you're looking for State Fair staples, don't miss the specials at Captiol Pub on Henderson Avenue in Dallas. Corn dogs come in regular ($2 each) and mini ($5 for a basket of eight) sizes, and funnel cakes ($5) are dressed with powdered sugar and patrons' choice of raspberry or chocolate sauce. There's also fried pickles ($5) and fried Shepard's Pie ($8) for more adventurous palates. The eats are available all day, every day until the close of the fair. Pro tip: The bar is also serving up drink specials for Texas/OU weekend.
Globe Life Park
You'll have to buy a ticket to a Texas Rangers play-off game to indulge in this festive fried food, but it might worth it (especially if the Rangers kick butt!). The Elvis Jabberdog, as its known, is a brownie rolled in Rice Krispie treats, dipped in funnel cake batter, fried and then topped with whipped cream and chocolate sauce (should you choose to accept it). It comes in two sizes: the big "dog" is 24 inches long and the junior is a mere 12 inches. Whoa.
The ballpark in Arlington is also serving a State Fair-inspired cotton candy hot dog, which gives us all sorts of weird feels. Take a look at it for yourself before you decide to take the plunge.
