'THAT'S AMAZING' ERNESTO'S

We loaded up the 'Racing Honda' and sped to the 'California State Fair". We were on a mission to sample deep fried and bacon treats. We also wanted to see the tribute to Huell Howser. The weather could not of been nicer. This was the perfect climate to indulge in battered and fried foods. Half the fun was the search for the ultimate treat. There was endless choices and we might possibly have been overwhelmed. Bacon wrapped cheese, kabobs, pineapple, chicken, 'pork-abella' hot dogs, cheesecake and chocolate covered were only several items offered. We did settle on a deep fried strawberry 'Pop-Tart" and a corn dog. "Pop-Tart's" was and is one of my favorite food groups. Be careful when eating this doughy treat because the strawberry filling is smokin' hot. .

Huell Howser was the host of a PBS show called 'California Gold'. Huell would visit attractions and scenic sights throughout California and share it with his viewers. He had a corn pone delivery that made the most mundane spots interesting. He recently passed and will be surely missed. There was a nice exhibit that paid tribute to our television friend.

Corn dogs and 'Pop-Tarts' whetted our appetite for some substantial food. Sacramento has a great Mexican restaurant called Ernesto's. They are famous for their carnitas. This wold be our next food stop. Ernesto's is an institution in the mid-town area. We were lucky to miss the crowds at our mid afternoon meal. I was tempted to try the chileverde but when in Rome. I was not disappointed.. The pork was flavorful. The outer crust of the meat was caramelized with rich meat candy flavor. House made tortillas were the icing on this cake.

This was a fun day at the fair and Ernesto's. We cannot wait for the next food adventure. We are heading to Montague, California for another BBQ competition this weekend. Oh Yeah!

Ernesto's
1901 16th St
Sacramento, CA 95814

FAIR FOOD

Alameda County Fair 2012

Deep Fried Bacon

SONOMA COUNTY FAIR

We have been having a lot of fun following the county fair circuit this summer. This weekend we visited the Sonoma county fair, located in Santa Rosa. This is one of our favorite fairs. They have a reputation for displaying the largest flower themed  show of the state and nation. Sonoma County is known for their agriculture and wine making endeavors. In our book this fair it is just good old fashion fun.

We knew that we had found the right place when chocolate covered bacon was spotted. Guy Fieri from the 'Food Network' show, "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives", had a food booth showcasing his two restaurants, "Tex Wasabi and Johnny Garlic's" It was a very popular destination. Barbeque pork sliders seemed to be the item the crowd lined up to sample.

 Willie Bird had a booth selling their turkey delights. These mammoth turkey legs seemed to have come from a Flinstone cartoon. Giant dill pickles would be a good accompaniment for these 'Dino' drumsticks.

Ms. Goofy bypassed the carnival rides to experience the infamous ‘Hot Sauce’. She survived and it was time for Chilebrown to take a ride more his speed, like a themed flower display.  A huge canaverous building houses the flower exhibit. Wine and grapes, called the 'Grape Escape', was the theme this year. This years blue ribbon exhibit was a feast for the eyes and senses. Beautiful arrangements of flowers and grape themed displays dazzled the beholder.

We left the flowertorium and happened on a canine spectacle.The "Splash Dogs' was a  very entertaining competition. These dogs would run full speed down a platform and leap into a pool of water. The distance jumped was measured to determine a winner.

This was another great day at the fair. We never did find chocolate covered onion rings, This only means we will have to continue our search at another fair. Go have some old fashion fun and visit the Sonoma County Fair. It runs till Sunday.

Sonoma County Fair

CHILE VERDE BOWL CALIFORNIA STATE FAIR

Sometimes you will find a food treat in the most unexpected of places. As you may know we have been searching for the ultimate plate of chile verde. We just so happened to find possibly the best chile verde ever made, at the California State Fair. We were actually looking for chocolate covered onion rings but "Rose's Mexican Food' booth caught my eye advertising for a 'Chile Verde Bowl'. I plucked down five dollars and fifty cents and received a bowl of verde gold. These pork chunks were tender and flavorfuly kissed with a broth of green chile love. Some rice and beans cooked with the 'All Mighty Lard' provided a perfect vehicle to soak up this green chile gravy. This bowl of green chiles and pork was so delicious a tear came to my eye. I was tempted to order another bowl but we had the rest of the fair to see.

We strolled through the livestock pavilion and spied this longhorn giant. He was impressive. The handlers would not let Ms. Goofy ride him so we found this ride from the Neverland Ranch.

With Ms. Goofy being happy we found another food find of jalapeno jerky. It was sold by two naughty ladies from 'Jerrys Cowboy Jerky". They were having a lot of fun. This jerky was a spicy meat stick of jalapeno joy. We hiked through the gardens and needed some more nourishment. Big Foot chased us all the way back to the food court.

Once we safely made it back to the food court, Ms. Goofy bought a corn dog and a fried cheese stick. This cheese stick will be classified under the "Don't ask, Don't tell" policy, it was that bad. We never found the chocolate covered onion rings but we do have the memories of the remarkable bowl of chile verde we had earlier. The State Fair runs to August 1, so you have a short window of opportunity to try this outstanding chile verde bowl. You will not be disappointed.

California State Fair

CHOCOLATE COVERED BACON ON A STICK

WaaaaHoooo! We found it at the Alameda County Fair. We found chocolate covered bacon on a stick. It was just as good as it sounds. It was chewy, salty and best of all a chocolate delight. The chocolate bacon was skewered on a stick for easy consumption.

The Alameda County fair is an old fashioned summer fun event. The amount of different and so unhealthy foods that were offered for sale was staggering. We were in fair food heaven. We never did find out what 'Smoke On -A -Stick' was. We also wondered if 'Big Bubba's BBQ' was really that bad?

We took some pictures and strolled through out the fair. We found a temporary tattoo artist that left a semi-lasting impression on Ms. Goofy's ankle.

We stopped by the 4-H pavilion and ran into a group from the 'Oakland Swine Project'. We took a gander at some livestock and decided it was time to watch the ponies run. It was time to hit the track a try our luck.

I just wanted to show you what a losing ticket looks like. My horse did not finish last but very close. We did not feel like losers because of our great day at the fair. The chocolate covered bacon on a stick was a winning ticket in our book!

ALAMEDA COUNTY FAIR

Yes, that is the Mad Meat Genius or should I say "Nacho Goofball Libre" at the county fair. Check out the Julia Child Rose farther down. It was a fun in the sun day. Tomorrow is our barbeque class. Oboy!

JULIA CHILD ROSE