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Hot Cheetos the 'In' Food at Big Fresno Fair

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Chicken Charlie’s Tony Boghosian had a simple explanation for his stand’s Hot Cheetos inspired dish: “You see it everywhere, and why not? It’s awesome. It’s delicious.”
The food purveyor, best known for deep-fried anything, now sells a Buffalo Chicken Chimichanga, which includes buffalo chicken, mac and cheese, bacon, wrapped in a green tortilla shell, and deep-fried and topped off with Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. The dish is offered with a side of buffalo ranch sauce.
A number of fair food vendors are in on the Hot Cheetos trend.

The Flamin’ Cheetos Trend

“The young kids are the ones who requested it,” said Monica Jackson, manager of the Colossal Dog and newcomer Luigi’s Pizza.
Other vendors are serving meals with the popular spicy snack.
At Colossal Dog, they offered at least two Flamin’ Hot Cheeto entrees: an all-beef corndog smothered in nacho cheese and Cheetos. The corndog batter is also made with crushed Cheeto dust.
The other offering is a giant brick of curly french fries, topped with cheese and Cheetos.
Corn Stars offers a Hot Cheetos baked potato; Good Ol’ Burger has “Crazy Fries” with the choice of Hot Cheeots or alternate Taki’s.

Mexican Pizza Selection

A new vendor this year, Luigi’s Pizza, offers the usual cheese and pepperoni slice selections. However, they are trying something new — chili verde pizza.
“We changed it up a little. We threw in Mexican style pizza,” Jackson said.
In place of red tomato sauce — refried beans. Jack cheese replaces mozeralla, topped of course, with pork chili verde and smothered with sour cream and cilantro.
Tricia Aguilar of Sanger sampled the slice.
“It is so good. We are definitely buying some more,” she said.

Don’t Forget Dessert

Back at Chicken Charlie’s, deep-fried anything includes dessert, namely Oreos. Boghosian said Chicken Charlie invented the dish nearly 20 years ago and has now become a nationwide fair staple.
“It’s still one of our best sellers,” he said.
Calorie counting? Don’t worry about it, Boghosian said. “You’re at the fair. It’s OK.”
“It’s really soft,” Alexus Murillo from Fresno noted, while dining on the chocolaty and gooey dish.

Food Roundup

Chicken Charlie’s (in the Sports Zone, next to the horse racing grandstand):
Buffalo Chicken Chimichanga, $13.99 (feeds two)
Deep fried Oreos, $7.99 for four
Luigi’s Pizza (by the Industry Commerce building on the opposite side of the carnival area):
Slice of Chili Verde pizza, $8
Colossal Dog (between Fine Arts & Photography and Commerce buildings):
Flamin’ Hot Cheetos corn dog, $9
Flamin’ Hot Cheetos french fries brick, $15 (feeds four)
Click here for a food map of the fair.

Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email