Corn dogs are considered a necessary staple of every carnival menu nowadays although no one can accurately put a date on the invention of this greasy, corn meal coated delight. Corn dogs emerged in the US in the 1920s and were later popularized in the 1940s. A Krusty Korn Dog baker machine appeared in the 1929 Albert Pick Barths wholesale catalog of hotel and restaurant supplies. The first Korn Dogs were baked in a corn batter and resembled ears of corn when cooked. A number of current corn dog vendors claim credit for the invention and/or popularization of the deep fried corn dog. Carl and Neil Fletcher lay such a claim, having introduced their Corny Dogs at the Texas State Fair sometime between 1938 and 1942. Pronto Pup vendors at the Minnesota State Fair claim to have invented the corn dog in 1941. Cozy Dog Drive-in, in Springfield, Illinois, claim to have been the first to serve corn dogs on sticks, on June 16, 1946. Also in 1946, Dave Barham opened the first location of Hot Dog on a Stick at Muscle Beach, Santa Monica, California, however none of these folks can back up their claims with any reasonable legitimacy. What is certain is that like most things associated with the traveling carnival, the corn dog is credited with being an American invention, but nowadays it is certainly not limited by geography. In Canada, corn dogs may be referred to as Pogo Sticks, or Pogos, after a popular brand name. In Argentina they are called Panchukers and are sold mostly around train stations, and are more popular in the inner country cities. They are often consumed on the street, and may contain cheese. They are served with a number of sauces. In Australia, a hot dog or sausage on a stick, deep fried in batter, is known as a Dagwood Dog,Pluto Pup, or Dippy Dog, depending on the region. Even in Japan, something like a corn dog can be found at many supermarkets and convenience stores as American Dogs. These American Dogs, however, use a wheat-flour-based batter with no cornmeal at all. There are many brands of, and names for, hot dog on a stick available. Of course the best use a quality, 8 count hot dog, hand dipped in homemade batter and served fresh, straight out of the 375 degree oil, and of course, on the midway. Todays fair goer can expect to find Jalapeno flavored, sweetened, double bacon wrapped and jumbo foot long versions ( for the heartiest appetites,) to list just a few out of many imaginative ideas for the venerable corn dog. In fact, the imagination is the limit for what unique items the enterprising food operator can devise to batter up, put on a stick and fry. All types of cheese, meats, candy, seafood, veggies, sponge cake Twinkies and even Ice Cream on a stick compete on todays fairgrounds to stagger the imagination and tempt the taste buds.
Posted on: Wed, 22 Jan 2014 20:04:20 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015