Deep fry it, cover it in Hot Cheetos, and call it fair food.

As a chef and someone who has dined in some of the finest Michelin-star restaurants in the world, I was skeptical of finding something truly Epicurious in the list of wacky foods featured at this year’s Pima County Fair. Luckily, the early 2000s teen in me jumped at the opportunity to try some of it for the excuse of meeting the Ying Yang Twins who were headlining the musical showcase.

My reluctance turned into something rather surprising as I ate my way through some of the most delicious and decadent comfort foods. Proprietary beer battered fries topped with grilled garlic lobster laced with spicy mayo, and a buttery creamy baked potato harmoniously melting with the most tender barbecue pulled pork tasted heavenly. I was humbled by these rich dishes that revealed a culture of fair vendors who dedicate themselves to producing the fondest and tastiest of memories.

Follow us as we jump into our new long-form video program as we eat our way through the Pima County Fair featuring the Ying Yang Twins.

Tucson Foodie is a locally owned and operated community. Thanks to our partners and members, we are able to offer paywall-free guides and articles. We value your support and invite you to become a Tucson Foodie Insider today.