The Newest and Best Food at OC Fair 2015

From Fried to Fresh and everything in between at OC Fair 2015

Alright my foodie friends, it is that time again for my run down of the newest food items you must try at the OC Fair. My selections range from fried to fresh and everything in-between.

 

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As a warning, food at the OC Fair comes in large portions and prices can be $10 plus per item, so come with a budget and be prepared to share with your family and friends.

Enough with the foreplay, lets look at the new food items

Deep-Fried Birthday Cake (New)

A newish creation from the folks at Apple Fries. This dish is deep fried  yellow cake dough, covered in a pink frosting, handmade whipped cream, and cute little star sprinkles. Your little kids will be attracted to this dish like a ship being swept to the rocks by the sirens. It also comes with a lit birthday candle. 

Hotter than the Outback

The Australian Battered Potatoes are back with a new creation. The Hotter than the Outback is similar to the Sweet Chili version, except it is also smothered in a  Sriracha aoili (mayonnaise based) with some secret spices.

How it did it taste? Although not as spicy as I was expecting, it still had a zing from the sweet chili and sriracha. The mayo tamed the sriracha, although it is perfect on the crispy fried potatoes. I recommend this dish. 

Chocolate-Covered Pork Rinds (New)

 

Just in case chocolate covered bacon wasn’t extreme enough for your piggy tastes, then the chocolate covered pork rinds are for you. Crispy pork rinds are generously covered in dark chocolate and frozen hard for ease of eating. 

How did it taste? It tasted good, although this is not everyone’s cup of tea. 

Deep-Fried Coffee (New)

Another creation from Bacon A-Fair. Ground espresso is stuffed in a dough-ball and deep-fried brown and crispy. It is topped with sugar and served on a skewer with whipped cream.

Was it good?  I liked it and I received a nice caffeine buzz after my third deep-fried coffee ball.  The flavor will not “Wow!” you, but it is worth a try. 

 

Wasabi Bacon Bombs (New)

The Wasabi Bombs from Bacon A-Fair, consists of spicy sausage chunks encased in wasabi laced dough and wrapped in bacon. Four of these balls are skewered and then deep fried crisp.

How did it taste? Although I did enjoy this dish, I wish it had more of a “kick to the nose” wasabi punch. The wasabi flavor was very subtle and lost against the bacon and spicy sausage.  

Bacon-Covered Pork Belly (New)

If you like your dish dirty with bacon on bacon action, then the bacon wrapped pork belly is for you. This dish is simply bacon wrapped around pork belly and then grilled crispy.

Was it good? This dish was hit or miss with me, either a slice of heaven or mediocre. When the pieces had a good meat to fat ratio, it was perfect. Although, I also ate a couple pieces which were mostly belly fat..more the exception. This dish would be best with lots of dippers; I recommend hot sauce and ranch.  

$125 Caviar Twinkie (OC Fair’s 125th Anniversary Special)

This dish is Whiskey Tango fancy and Chicken Charlie nails it. A deep fried Twinkie is topped with a generous portion of paddlefish caviar, sourced within the United states.

How does it taste? Sweet, salty and a little creamy. I didn’t think I would like this dish, but it actually came together nicely. For $125 this items should be ordered for the experience if you have the cash to spend. But rest assured, ALL proceeds from this dish go to Children’s Hospital Orange County. While looking pimp ordering the most bourgeoisie item at the fair, you will be helping a worthy cause. 

Krispy Kreme Cheese Burger (3×3)

In my opinion the Krispy Kreme 3×3 cheeseburger is the most excessive item at the 2015 OC Fair. Three burger patties and three slices of cheese are bookended by 2 Krispy Kreme donuts 

How did it taste? Would you believe me if I said it tasted balanced? Yes it is true, the sugar in the donuts make it easy to consume  the overly savory wad of meat and cheese. 

Totally Fried Peanut Butter Pickle (New)

This is Chicken Charlie’s craziest dish of the fair and you should put on your bucket list. Large pickle halves are stuffed with peanut butter. They are then dipped in corndog batter and fried on a stick. Elvis Presley would raise from the dead to try this dish.

How did it taste? I really liked this dish, it was good in a funky kind of way. The corndog batter really tied this dish together, holding the vinegary pickle and sticky peanut butter together. Yes this is one of the strangest combinations of the Fair. 

Deep-Fried Slim Fast (New)

A chewy chocolate crisp Slim Fast bar is battered in a sweet batter, deep fried and topped with chocolate sauce and powdered sugar. 

Was it good? Although this dish is funny and ironic, it was my least favorite of Chicken Charlie’s new dishes. I think the chocolate melted too far during the deep fry, leaving a melted blob of chocolate in batter.   

 

 

Cuban Fusion Burger (New)

 

Grant’s Burgers makes some of the best burgers and sandwiches at the fair, the Cuban Fusion did not disappoint.  It is constructed with a pork sausage burger patty with smoked ham, tomato, sliced pickles, spicy mayo, mustard and Swiss cheese on a ciabatta roll.

How did it taste? Although this is one of the few items that does not involve bacon, deep frying or copious amounts of sugar, it was amazing. This dish was Tom’s Foodie Blog favorite new dish at the 2015 OC Fair. Yes shocking I know. 

Caliente Curly Fries

Juicy’s makes this dish like a brick house. A giant block of curly French fries are covered with fried peppers, fresh jalapenos, Mexican cheese, and beans

Was it good? If you really like fries, then this dish is a must order. The jalapenos and Mexican cheese paired nicely. 

 

Funnel Cake Weenie (New)

Juicy’s takes their sausage and coats it with funnel cake batter and then deep fries it on a stick. It is served with warm maple syrup and powdered sugar. 

Was it good? I really liked it, but it is something you should share with friends. A few bites and I was getting overwhelmed with sugar and sausage. This dish is amazing in moderation. 

Coolickle (New) 

The coolickle, from Pickle O’ Pete’s,  is a refreshing item after you have been munching on fried food.   A large pickle is soaked in kool-aid, giving it a sweet and vinegar flavor with notes of Kool-Aid on the tip dancing around your palate. 

Was it good? It was good, but I recommend you share among several people. After a couple bites, you are ready to eat more fried food. 

Frosted Flake Chicken Fingers (New)

You will find fried chicken all over the OC Fair, although Pickle O’ Pete’s offers a unique spin. They use Frosted flakes to coat the chicken fingers before the deep dry. 

How did it taste? Delicious, it tastes like my Grandma’s recipe. The crust was sticky sweet and paired nicely with chicken. 

Sour Cream & Onion Tasti Shakers (New)

You take the hand cut and deep fried Tasti Chip, which are made to order, and shake them with powdered sour cream & onion seasoning. They are served in a convenient shaker/to-go bag

Was it good? Yes, although I am still a fan of the classic Tasti Chips the best. I did like the convenient to-bag for leftovers. 

Fireball Donut (New)

Texas Donuts is at it again with two new donut monstrosities.  The Fireball donut, uses real fireball cinanamon whiskey in the caramel sauce.  Sorry high school kids, the alcohol burns off during the cooking. The Texas donut is topped with the fireball caramel, banana slices and whipped cream. 

Was it good? Yes, I loved the flavor the Fireball provided. The bananas give it a Bananas Foster flavor. 

Samoa Donut (New)

The Samoa is a play on the popular Girl Scouts’ Samoa (Caramel deLites) Cookie with chocolate, caramel and coconut shavings. 

What it good? Hell Yes! I would order this again.

Deep-Fried Corn on the Cob (New)

Wild Hog (Chuckwagon) deep fries a half an ear of corn on a skewer that is covered in a seasoned batter.

Was it good? Overall an interesting dish, with a fun novelty value.  Although not my favorite new dish, it is worth a try especially if you cover the breading with lots of butter first  

My Final Thoughts

I wish my foodie fans good hunting at the OC Fair. There are a lot of food choices this year, with plenty of new items to try. What was your favorite? Let me know in the comment section below.