I. Love. Fairs.
This affinity stems from joy I feel about people excitedly and proudly exhibiting the fruits of their labors, whether that is raising livestock, farming vegetables, canning produce, or baking pies. Love, dedication, and passion show in the results, and that is an incredibly beautiful thing.
I would also be fibbing if I did not admit that I love fair food - the more decadent the better! So last weekend I donned my best pair of comfy pants and rode out to the Puyallup Fairgrounds with one mission: to enjoy as many fair food experiences as I could handle!
Round One: The Earthquake Burger
I heard that the iconic Earthquakes Biggest Burgers is a Washington State Fair Original, but I really didn’t understand its claim to fame until I got one; this is a massive, two-hander burger. I ordered the “Cheesequake” which comes as a half-pound burger on a 10-inch sesame bun dressed with American Cheddar and grilled onions, to which I added a generous portion of yellow mustard.
Earthquakes launched in 1985 by Larry Ball in a small trailer. With roots in Puyallup near the Fairgrounds, Ball saw a golden opportunity. In1990, he told the Seattle Times:
``I saw an opportunity to try to do something bigger and better, and said I might as well do it. I started out on a shoestring in a plywood booth.''
For a three-week stint at the Fair, Ball, his family, and his staff spend months in preparation to sell more burgers than the year before. What was once a small stand is now a permanent fixture boasting ten fryers and four six-foot grills. For Earthquakes 25th anniversary in 2017, they expected to sell more than 50,000 pounds of potatoes and 25,000 pounds of hamburgers.
I did my best to conquer the Cheesequake but it got the best of me halfway through.
Round Two: Elotes (aka “Mexican Street Corn”)
Summer is just not complete without delicious summer corn, and elotes are just such a delicious way to enjoy corn on the cob at the Fair.
Elotes - the dish widely called “Mexican Street Corn” - is deeply rooted in ancient Mesoamerican food traditions involving maize. The word elote stems from the Nahuatl elotituti or “tender cob.”
I opted for a fairly common version involving a boiled corn cob smeared with butter and topped with grated cojita cheese. While my treat was delicious, I did find myself wishing for some charcoal char, fresh lime juice, and chile.
This delicacy has gained a devoted following by mobile food aficionados and I saw quite a few elotes walking around on sticks or in their corn husks as “elotes locos” with Doritos or Cheetos flavoring.
Round Three: Elephant Ear with Raspberry Jam
Ever since we recorded our episode on Dough, I have been craving a treat of fried dough, and what better place to source an “elephant ear” than a state fair?
The elephant ear is remarkably simple - roll a portion of risen yeast dough into a long oval shape, fry in hot oil until golden brown and crisp, slather generously with butter and top with either raspberry jam or cinnamon sugar.
We traded dough for dough at Original Northwest Elephant Ears, which has been serving up the tasty mess at the Puyallup Fairgrounds for over 35 years.
But what about Krusty Pups and Fisher Fair Scones?
I’m sorry, family, but my poor stomach could only hold so much and that Earthquake burger was MASSIVE. I promise to try all new treats next summer! If you can’t wait that long, listen to our Fair Foods episode where we dig into cotton candy, corn dogs, and more.
Do you have a favorite fair food? Please tell me all about it!
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I've never heard of an "elephant ear", fun name! We have funnel cakes at the fairs around central cal. I'm going to do better this year at my Fair eating, the "Big" Fresno Fair is comin up in 2 weeks. Yay!