From Corn Dogs to Frito Pie: Texas Food Creations You Love

(Mix 93-1) Fair and festival season is well underway in East Texas. So far this season, we've experienced the Gregg County Fair, the East Texas State Fair, the Titus County Fair, and the Texas State Forest Festival, and there are many more to come.

That means more cotton candy, turkey legs, fresh-squeezed lemonade, funnel cakes, corn dogs, and anything fried are waiting to be enjoyed and devoured! Walking around these events, we’re always hunting for foods outside our everyday menu—like the classic corn dog, a fair food staple and must-have.

The Corn Dog: A Texas Fairground Original

The corn dog was created by the Fletcher brothers, Neil and Carl. The corn dog made its debut at the 1942 State Fair of Texas. They created it from an existing recipe by taking a hot dog, putting it on a wooden stick, and dipping it in a batter of cornmeal and deep-frying it. Arguably one of the greatest food inventions ever.

The Birth of Frito Pie

Texans have a knack for food and drink creativity. When something new comes along, like the corn dog, it spreads like wildfire. Another favorite and easy-to-make Texas staple is the Frito Pie. It's an easy thing to whip together; it's chili, cheese, and Fritos corn chips - that's it, nothing else. According to Google AI, it was first created in 1949 by Daisy Doolin, the mom of the Frito Company founder Charles Doolin, and we've been enjoying it ever since.

READ MORE --> You Can Try These 25 Foods At The State Fair of Texas

Texas Continues to Inspire New Foods

Texas has contributed so many great food and drink recipes to the culinary world and continues to create new flavors, tastes, and combinations every day. That new food you try today could be tomorrow’s nationwide sensation.

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It's time to be amazed and take a look at 11 food inventions that were created right here in Texas that are now known across the U.S. and in some cases, throughout the world.