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Fair food: Fast, filling and fabulous
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CAN'T WAIT: Ed and Jane Meloni, of Johnston, stand in line for an Italian sausage sandwich at DiRusso's at the Trumbull County Fair. Dominic Fisher, 13, of Canton, served the sausages - made from a family recipe - on the fairgrounds Friday afternoon. Vendors have a variety of foods available for fairgoers to munch on.
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By SHELBY SCHROEDER
Food makes up a large part of the fair experience.
BAZETTA — Before the shrill screams of those on amusement rides or the intensity of a midsummer sun, guests at the Trumbull County fairgrounds are met with a wave of concession scents.
This year, the 162nd Trumbull County Fair is host to nearly 220 concession stands. The meal and snack choices are a wide array of sweet, salty and sometimes strange dishes.
It’s no wonder then, that many fair-goers put food high on the list of fair favorites.
“We come because the food is outstanding,” said Youngstown resident Sheila Reid. Her husband, son and daughter have their own fairground tastes, but Reid stood at Mr. Hobo’s concession in anticipation of a hearty steak sandwich and bowl of ribbon fries.
Like other concession owners, Mr. Hobo’s owners, Pat and Bob Taylor of Cortland, have run their stands for decades.
At 73 and 75, respectively, the two are planning to soon sell the stand they’ve operated since 1975. They said operating it has been fulfilling, but is becoming too much work.
Others, such as Liz and Bob Wise of Beloit, said they see no end in sight for their concession business.
They make elephant ears at their stand, called Chuck’s. Liz said she’s worked in concessions since she was 10, when the business belonged to her aunt and uncle.
“It keeps me out of trouble,” said Liz, who wouldn’t reveal her age, but hinted at decades working in the business.
“We like the friends we’ve made over the years, the fair, the attractions, the rain and the wind,” she said.
She was one of many who said they thought their stand might blow away during Tuesday’s fierce storm.
She said that after many years in the business, she’s grown all too accustomed to the smells of all the food.
When asked by fair-goers, “Doesn’t that smell good?”, she laughs to herself and thinks, “No!”
Still, she admits she loves her job.
And although elephant ears are one in a long list of adapted American treats, other delicacies stick out with surprising prominence, such as Chinese cuisine.
Mitch Green stood at the Saigon Pearl with his two daughters, Sarah, 8, and Kaitlynn, 3, as cooks prepared his sweet and sour chicken.
The fair gave him the opportunity to enjoy the food he rarely gets.
“My wife and kids won’t let me order it at home,” he explained.
All of the traditional fairground food is here — cotton candy, hot dogs, french fries, snow cones and such. Fair-goers must look past the elaborate stand designs to find the unusual treats, such as the deep-fried Oreos at Molnar’s Concessions.
Still, the classics often suit hungry attraction-seekers just fine.
And for those concerned about how healthful the fair’s food is, Reid offered, “You can walk it off and eat some more.”
Satisfied with her purchase, Reid retreated to a shaded picnic table for a family feast.
“You can’t beat the price for rides, entertainment and food,” she said. “For the price, it’s the best place to eat.”