Fried Hell

Americans have a curious relationship with food, as the French have often pointed out, but nowhere does this become more apparent than at your typical county fair.

Although people go to county fairs in America for a variety of reasons, such as entering a prize pig or riding the rides, one attraction seems to stand out more so than all the others: eating.

This Sunday is the final day of the Orange County Fair in Southern California and to motivate attendance, the LA Times has spotlighted the culinary delights one can find there. And for this, the Times should be held liable.

Despite the origin of county fairs based on healthy, farm raised vegetables and produce, the Orange County fair is an orgy of fried food and grease. Now, I love grease as much as the next guy, but items like the chicken-Krispy Kreme sandwich are just going too far. For $4.95, fairgoers can sink their teeth into a Swiss cheese covered chicken breast tucked in between two glazed doughnuts and topped with sweet honey.

Or, there's the deep fried avocado stuffed with carne asada and cheese. Fairgoers looking for something a bit more dessert oriented can decide between the deep fried Snickers, Twinkies or Oreos. Those who order all three, get a free defibrillator!

And you wonder why we're a nation of fatties?

Filed under: Food and Drink, United States