Good grub at the Benton Franklin Fair? We sent a reporter to see what’s back & what’s new
Whether it’s sizzling french fries, freshly-squeezed lemonade, or stacked gyros — there’s always a little something for everyone at the Benton Franklin Fair & Rodeo.
Lines were short Tuesday afternoon as families and kids took to the fair for its first official day open. Dozens of food vendors lined the fairground’s central lot.
Being a Benton Franklin Fair novice, there was no better day to eat my way through the fair.
Between the wide selection of classics, oddities, refreshments and new items, there were plenty of choices to make. Here’s what I sunk my teeth — and wallet — into this year.
Also of note: Over 30 vendors will offer $2 special promotion food items from 2-6 p.m. Thursday for the annual “A Taste of the Fair” event.
DOLE Whip combo cup
Price: $10
Parental advice be damned: I was going to start my meal with a little sweetness.
DOLE Whip is the new kid at the fair, but he’s got some experience. This delectable dairy-free dessert has been a staple at Disney Parks since 1984.
I found it in a small booth outside the AgriNorthwest Ag Building.
Looking for a quick relief from the pestering sunlight, I ordered a combo cup with both strawberry and pineapple and found refuge in nearby shade. With a plastic spoon in hand, I dug in.
This treat is perfect for young children, ice cream lovers and people craving that smooth, citrusy taste.
Make sure to eat it fast, though — its towering swirls will melt on your hand.
Bacon-Wrapped hotdog
Price: $10
After dessert, I sought out something with some sustenance to satisfy my lunchtime cravings. The towering Piggly’s BBQ stand drew me close with its dulcet smells of smoky meats.
But, instead, I went for an underdog close by — The Bacon-Wrapped Hotdog tent. Rule No. 1 of fair foods: If a classic is wrapped — or fried — in something, it’s bound to clog the arteries. My sense of curiosity was abuzz.
At the tent, my bacon-wrapped hotdog was prepared and topped with peppers and onions on a supple bun — smoky, savory, mildly spicy and delicious. I topped it off with a personal favorite and ballpark classic: French’s yellow mustard.
Rotary Club elephant ear
Price: $8
A fair classic is back.
After their booth was closed the last two years due to COVID-19 and staffing shortages, the Rotary Club of Pasco-Kennewick is back and selling elephant ears: flattened and fried pieces of dough coated in butter, cinnamon and sugar.
The booth is the club’s largest fundraiser. In 2019, fairgoers spent around $50,000 there. And that money goes right back into the community, booth members said, so families are supporting community programs just by purchasing this sweet treat.
Mixed, thin dough is stretched and put into a deep fryer for about 1 to 2 minutes. After they’ve flipped and taken it out, a generous sprinkling of cinnamon-sugar is coated on the ear.
Elephant ears will easily satisfy a family of four to five.
Matcha green tea milk
Price: $13
On our way out of the fair, I had to stop and try the “boba tea” — a staple for your average Gen Z “Zoomer.”
I ordered the matcha green tea with milk — add tapioca pearls for $3.
It’s a delicious and refreshing iced beverage with subtly sweet hints of tea and milk. The cup’s top comes sealed in plastic so that you can shake it and evenly distribute the tiny pearls more evenly throughout the drink. It’s also convenient as a no-spill, take-home drink.
What’s the damage?
In total, I spent about $41 on my extended lunch at the Benton Franklin Fair & Rodeo.
Not bad for just one person. Every place I visited takes cards, so cash is not needed.
As we departed for the car, I also inquired about the price of giant corndogs between a couple stands: $8-9. You can also grab a new food item, fried oysters-on-a-stick, for $26 — something I wish I had more time and stomach space to binge out on.
The fun of it is that you can be as frugal or flashy with your fair food offerings as you want. A bacon-wrapped hotdog and green tea for a simple lunch would only run you $23, for example.
The world is your “deep-fried” oyster at the Benton Franklin Fair.
This story was originally published August 24, 2022 at 12:31 PM.
