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On Wednesday morning, Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson tweeted an idea he had for the State Fair of Texas. An idea he said was “sure as popular as old Big Tex himself.” * Ready? Drum Roll … The Mayor suggested to the good folks at the fair that they make a list of the keto foods available at the event this year and (and!) A map of where to find them.
We are dipped, rolled and fried in this nonsense. Listen, Mr. Mayor, most of the food is either deep-fried, dipped in batter, rolled in sugar, or most likely all three. Paying attention to your diet at the fair is like bringing hand sanitizer to an orgy. It won’t help, and everyone already knows what they are there for may not be healthy. Just have fun.
The most visual representation of what the fair means to the people was likely demonstrated at the fair’s drive-through pandemic event in 2020. Anthony Macias wrote about waiting in line for an hour and a half, rather than looking for a cheesy dog. Rather, he and his family wanted the experience. People find a nostalgic consolation, perhaps a decade-long tradition, in going to the fair every year and eating what they want.
. @ StateFairOfTX, I have an idea for you that is sure to be as popular as old Big Tex itself: If you could make a list of all the keto foods available at this year’s show and a map of where to find them …? ???????????????????????????
– Mayor Eric Johnson (@ Johnson4Dallas) July 21, 2021
Last year we looked at the economic impact of canceling the show and it was impressive. The State Fair of Texas estimates it pumps $ 400 million into the North Texas economy each year. That’s their number, and we suspect it’s questionable, but it’s not: as a nonprofit, it raised nearly $ 500,000 in grants to 67 different organizations in the southern part of Dallas in 2019. In addition, $ 1.24 million in college scholarships was awarded to senior seniors, mostly to students from the six Dallas ISD high schools closest to Fair Park. In addition, there were 120 young animal husbandry grants that rewarded children for caring for and raising animals.
We reached out to the people who look after lists and cards at the fair to see if they got wind of the mayor’s request.
“Yes, I saw it,” replied Karissa Condoianis, spokeswoman for the fair and senior vice president of public relations. “I’m sure we have keto options, so my team plans to go a little deeper when the menus are ready for this year.”
Condoianis says she isn’t all that familiar with the low-carb, high-fat keto diet: “So please correct me if I’m wrong, but the first thing that came to mind when I read the tweet was.” [that] I think a turkey leg is keto friendly. Which would lead me to believe that sausage on a stick and the many BBQ options (no sauce, of course) served at the fair might just as well be.
“We pride ourselves on having something for everyone at the State Fair of Texas, and that includes working with our incredible concessionaires to create grocery lists for all diets, including vegetarian and gluten-free, so that we can do this of answering questions when asked. It looks like we’re adding keto-friendly to this list. “
The 2021 State Fair of Texas takes place at Fair Park from September 24th to October 17th. Visit BigTex.com for more information ..
* The Mayor seems to be keeping Big Tex’s popularity low.
Keep the Dallas Observer Free … Ever since we started the Dallas Observer, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Dallas, and we want it to stay that way. We offer our readers free access to concise coverage of local news, food and culture. We produce stories about everything from political scandals to the hottest new bands, with bold reporting, stylish writing, and staff who have won everything from the Society of Professional Journalists’ Sigma Delta Chi Feature Writing Award to the Casey- Medal for Meritorious Journalism. But with the existence of local journalism under siege and the setbacks in advertising revenues having a bigger impact, it is now more important than ever for us to raise funds to fund our local journalism. You can help by joining our “I Support” membership program, which allows us to continue to cover Dallas without paywalls.
Lauren Drewes Daniels is the Dallas Observer’s Food Editor. She started writing about local restaurants, chefs, beer, and Kouign-Amanns in 2011. She drove through two filthy devils and is sure that both were some kind of cosmic force.
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