AllOTSEGO EXCLUSIVE • THE FAIR FOODIE
Deep-Fried Pop Tarts Savory,
But Not For The Faint Of Heart
By LIBBY CUDMORE • allotsego.com
MORRIS – For some, the Otsego County Fair is all about the rides. For others, the games, the chance to win a giant plush tiger or a ribbon for the best cow.
For me, this week, it’s all about the food. I’ve always been fascinated by fair food, the seemingly endless variety of deep-fried deliciousness, the kind of foods we would never think about eating but for one week a year.
And this week, I will try all of them.
My friend Chris joined me on my inaugural adventure in midway dining. We took a stroll down the food section of the midway, past the games and rides, breathing in the scent of sautéed onions and pulled pork and French fries.
But when we saw J&L Concessions had Deep Fried Pop Tarts, we knew our decision had been made.
J&L Concessions, located this year right next to the grandstand, has been part of the fair midway for over 20 years and three generations. Owner Bryan Coker bought it from his father-in-law, Jim Grant of Smithville Flats in Chenango County. “I married their daughter, so I got lucky,” said Coker.
Every summer, his family drives up the east coast, selling funnel cakes, elephant ears, deep fried Oreos and, for the last five years, deep fried Pop Tarts. “We arrive in New York in June and stay through Labor Day,” he said. “We also own the Texas Cheeseburger and Rib-eye Stand, that’s new this year.”
$5 got us two batter-dipped, deep-fried apple-cinnamon Pop Tarts, served piping hot and sprinkled with powdered sugar. “This was my wife’s idea,” said Coker. “She also came up with the deep-fried peanut butter and jelly sandwich.”
The first bite was warm and sweet, more delicious and savory than it had any right to be, sinful as it was. “I think I might really like it,” said Chris. “And I think that might be a problem.”
I couldn’t finish mine, delectable as it was. I snagged one last bite before disposing of it. But I may have to try one of those deep-fried PB&J’s next.
