Chicky’s Chicken owner Scott Dennis describes the taste of the deep-fried chicken feet he’ll be selling at the Fair at the PNE this year as “somewhat enjoyable.”
“But some people love them and eat the entire thing, cartilage and all,” Dennis told the Courier during a phone interview from Edmonton-based K-Days. “One day we sold 600 feet.”
Dennis said when it comes to fair food the general rule is the weirder the better.
“People like to try out different food. Last year it was the scorpion pizza,” says Dennis, who lives in Mission, B.C. “So we thought why not chicken feet? They really have a wow factor.”
Dennis says they initially tossed around the idea of serving several feet at a time, but then decided most fairgoers would likely try one sold at a reasonable price. So, now the feet are sold one per serving for $4 each. He notes the feet are deep fried, dipped in batter and then deep fried again. Dennis says most people eat them plain, but some do go for a little ketchup or mustard.
“The skin is nice and crunchy and the batter is really tasty,” says Dennis, who sources the chicken feet locally wherever he might be with his wife and staff. Dennis and team recently sold the feet at the Calgary Stampede before heading to Edmonton. Also on the menu for Chicky’s Chicken are deep-fried Canadian Bacon Pickle Balls and a hotdog and pickle wrapped in bacon and then dipped in batter before being deep fried.
And, Dennis confirms, there are no toe nails on the chicken feet.
“I have a guy with a pair of clippers and his job is to clip the nails off before we cook them.”
The Fair at the PNE is famous for its annual offerings of all things deep fried, including butter or chocolate bars, but this year, organizers have stepped it up by adding not only the deep-fried chicken feet on a stick to the menu, as well as crispy cricket- topped burgers and fries. The fries are topped with barbecue-flavoured crickets and gravy — think high-protein poutine.
Describing the Roasted BBQ Cricket Burger as high in fiber and protein, the meal also promises to provide a “gratifying and tasty crunch.” The good news is you can use one of the nails left over from your deep-fried chicken feet to pick the tiny legs out of your teeth at no extra charge.
For less adventurous deep-fried goodness, fairgoers can enjoy a veggie dog wrapped in their favourite batter or the Chicky's Chicken version, which wraps bacon around a hotdog and pickle before dropping it into boiling grease. Also making the deep-fried top 10 list this year are pizza bites, hand battered and fried into delicious mouthfuls of stringy mozzarella, pizza sauce and pepperoni; risotto balls and pork belly.
Of course it wouldn’t be the Fair at the PNE without mini donuts. This year fairgoers have a choice between tradition mini donuts or the Canadian version served with bacon and maple syrup.
Globally inspired dishes this year include Chili Lime Popcorn Shrimp Perogies, which sees traditional perogies topped with crispy panko shrimp, drizzled with a sweet chili glaze and Sriracha mayo, and served with lime and mint cucumbers; Masala Lamb Burgers with Masala Fries, and Jamaican Jerk Chicken Pesto Dumplings.
To celebrate their 60th year at the fair, Super Footlong Hotdogs has created the DBL Bacon Mac N’ Cheese version, which showcases their award-winning bacon wrapped footlong topped with homemade macaroni and cheese.
My Desktop The Super Footlong Hotdog wrapped in bacon and topped with homemade macaroni and cheese.
Also expected to be a big hit this year is the Cherry Coca Cola soft-serve ice creamand the Asian-inspired Oreo Rice Pudding. Other sweet treats this year will include the rolled ice cream waffle taco.
Not only is the icecream rolled and mixed with a choice of favorite toppings such asOreo, Skor and strawberries, but it's served in a waffle cone shaped as a taco. Another take on a fair favourite is the churroreo. Featured on the Food Network’s Carnival Eats, and in celebration of Canada 150, this sweet treat is a hot cinnamon churro covered in sweet maple batter, powdered sugar and warm maple icing.
And if that’s not enough, you’ll want to enjoy a Gimme Some S'more Milkshakes before heading on the Zipper. These shakes are made from locally made hard ice creamtopped withpremium milk chocolate, graham crackers and roasted marshmallows toasted to perfection.
Of course for those looking for vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy free and all-around healthy options, there will be several options scattered across the fairgrounds.
The PNE begins Aug. 19 and runs until Sept. 4.
@sthomas10
