Fair Fare Fix of the Year: The Quest for the Golden Fry Basket

Downtown Garland businesses participating in the upcoming Fair Fare on the Square gathered for friendly competition this past Monday. This function aimed to determine whose fried food fare would be named the Fair Fare Fix of the Year.

Only two entries would earn the coveted Golden Fry Basket and Champion Blue Ribbon that were up for grabs. With two categories, Savory Fix and Sweet Fix, the panelists took their task to determine the winners as serious as apple pie. The judges' panel included Mayor Scott LeMay, Council Member Deborah Morris, and Jason Collard of the Garland Foodies.

"It's a hard job, but somebody's got to do it," said Morris as she tried Intrinsic's Funnel Cake Fries. Yes, we do need someone of authority to let us know how deliciously scrumptious these items are! We thank you for your sacrifice!

The taste testing also revealed some surprises. An entry that caused quite a bit of chatter were the Horny Toads (fried pimento cheese balls) in the Savory Category, entered by Paw Paw's Sweet Shop and Café. Mayor Lemay shared with the businesses that he was not looking forward to the pimento cheese entry, as he had never been a fan of pimento cheese. "I was pleasantly surprised that I really enjoyed the flavor of fried pimento cheese so much that I would eagerly try to eat an entire bucket full of them," claimed Lemay. Maybe it was the drizzled jalapeno jelly on top that sold the Mayor?

The taste testing also revealed some surprises. An entry that caused quite a bit of chatter were the Horny Toads (fried pimento cheese balls) in the Savory Category, entered by Paw Paw's Sweet Shop and Café. Mayor Lemay shared with the businesses that he was not looking forward to the pimento cheese entry, as he had never been a fan of pimento cheese. "I was pleasantly surprised that I really enjoyed the flavor of fried pimento cheese so much that I would eagerly try to eat an entire bucket full of them," claimed Lemay. Maybe it was the drizzled jalapeno jelly on top that sold the Mayor?

Results were tallied while the judges rubbed their bellies. The two dishes named Fair Fare Fix of the Year were Scoop n' Buns for their Horchata Scoop N' Bites with Cinnamon Buns in the Sweet category and Main Street Deli's Gyro in the Savory category. All remaining samples were eagerly and quickly devoured, no questions asked.

Are you planning to taste test yourself? Head over to our Fair Fare on the Square web page, where you can see a listing of all of the fried (and a few non-fried) items available. Before heading out, check each location's hours of operation, dress comfortably (maybe stretchy pants?) and wear comfortable walking shoes. Follow along or join the conversations on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Don't forget to use #GarlandFairFare and tag the restaurants and us in your social images!