The Most Popular Fried Foods in North Carolina & South Carolina
If it’s one thing I enjoy, it’s fried food! In my opinion, you can pretty much fry any and everything. From the typical things like chicken, seafood, and potatoes to…
CHICAGO – SEPTEMBER 30: French fries wait to be ordered at a fast-food restaurant September 30, 2002 in Chicago, Illinois. Scientists have made progress in understanding the chemical reaction that may cause fries, potato chips and other fried or starchy foods to build up high levels of acrylamide, a suspected carcinogen found in a host of everyday foods. The culprit is believed to be asparagines, a naturally occurring amino acid that can lead to the formation of the potential carcinogen when subjected to high temperatures. Swedish scientists in the spring announced that high levels of acrylamide can be found in many high-carbohydrate foods that are fried or baked at high temperature. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has made assessing acrylamide?s risk and determining how to lower its levels in food a priority.
(Photo by Tim Boyle/Getty Images)If it's one thing I enjoy, it's fried food! In my opinion, you can pretty much fry any and everything. From the typical things like chicken, seafood, and potatoes to outrageous things like cookies, burgers, and veggies. A nice crunch and crispiness make just about anything taste better, right? Well, North Carolina and South Carolina are no strangers to great quality fried foods. We have some fantastic restaurant options, but also the fried fair food favorites. When we head to the fair every year, fried food is one of our favorite go-to items to check out. Seriously, how many things can they fry?
Shane Co. went on to find the most popular fried foods in every state. They analyzed the search volume of 70 state fair-style fried foods over the last year to determine each state's favorite. Using their information, they were able to find that the search included both savory and sweet fried food treats. Some of the top foods include corndogs, french fries, fried pickles, fried chicken, fried catfish, and onion rings. But, none of these are what took home the prize for North Carolina. North Carolina's most popular fried food is hushpuppies. South Carolina's favorite is deep-fried pimento cheese balls. Boy oh boy does that sound good! But those are just the savory ones, how about sweet ones?
The Carolinas are certainly known for some fried food favorites. We fry just about everything and that includes desserts. So, what are our top sweet favorites? Now, for this side of things the Carolinas share a favorite. North and South Carolina's favorite sweet fried food is deep-fried Oreos. If you have never had a deep-fried Oreo then trust me when I say you are missing out for sure! Whether or not you want to wait until the fair or simply just try a recipe at home, deep fried Oreos are a MUST! Check out the full list to see what other treats made the top of other states.
North Carolina State Fair One Of The Top 10 In The Country
Fall means fair season, especially in the south. And with the NC State Fair just wrapping up I thought it was interesting that it was named one of the Top 10 fairs in the country. This is according to a list by Vacations Made Easy. There are several staples you know you're going to get at any and every fair. Free live music, some form of competitions, carnival rides, and deep-fried and other crazy food concoctions. The one food item that always stands out in my memory is the Krispy Kreme Burger.
I've been to the NC State Fair many times thanks to living in Raleigh for several years. And while I didn't make it there this time I did see the lights and rides from the air as a flight I was on landed at RDU. That was an awesome sight to see! I also have memories of every year during the fair hearing the fireworks show go off right at 1opm each night. All to say, we do have a good one on our hands in Raleigh! But when there are contenders on the stage such as Texas and NY it's even more impressive that we ranked so high!
Below you'll find Vacations Made Easy's rankings of the Top Fairs and learn a little about what makes them unique. Some highlights include a butter cow, football game, and celebrity milking competition!
1. Kentucky State Fair
Where: Lexington
When: The fair runs for 11 days in August yearly
What: Horses (of course!), A list musical acts, Parade of Champions, gourmet chef demonstrations.
2. The Great New York State Fair
Where: Syracuse
When: Late August/Early September
What: The oldest state fair averages over 1 million visitors yearly, a NY wine and cheese seminar, rides, music, and celebrity milking competition.
3. State Fair of Texas
Where: Dallas
When: October
What: Texas/Oklahoma football game, crazy foods, rides, music, livestock competitions
4. Iowa State Fair
Where: Des Moines
When: August
What: Life-sized butter cow, agricultural and industrial expositions, "Food on a stick", talent search
5. Minnesota State Fair
Where: St. Paul
When: Late August through Labor Day
What: Live theater arts, River Raft Ride, Butterfly House, laser lights shows, shopping
6. Alaska State Fair
Where: Palmer
When: Mid-August through Labor Day
What: record-setting giant vegetables, flower gardens, concerts, and Alaskan & Alaska Native culture
7. Washington State Fair
Where: Puyallup
When: September, Spring Fair in April
What: Dinosaur Expedition, hobby hall, photo competitions, floral exhibits
8. Ohio State Fair
Where: Columbus
When: July/August
What: More than 50 rides, hypnotists, magicians, educational displays, sporting competitions, fine arts show, exotic animals petting zoo, a farm animal delivery room, helicopter rides.
9. Oregon State Fair
Where: Salem
When: August through Labor Day
What: Garden and floral exhibits, farmers’ market, monster trucks, rides, games, music
10. North Carolina State Fair
Where: Raleigh
When: October
What: Nightly fireworks, Folk Festival, livestock, agriculture, homegrown music, field of dreams
11-20
11. The Big E (West Springfield, MA)
12. Indiana State Fair (Indianapolis, IN)
13. Missouri State Fair (Sedalia, MO)
14. California State Fair (Sacramento, CA)
15. Illinois State Fair (Springfield, IL)
16. Wisconsin State Fair (West Allis, WI)
17. Colorado State Fair (Pueblo, CO)
18. Georgia State Fair (Hampton, GA)
19. Arizona State Fair (Phoenix, AZ)
20. Oklahoma State Fair (Oklahoma City, OK)
