There’s a story behind every fried creation and every food stand at the Big Fresno Fair.

Why does Chicken Charlie’s create crazy food? Has he had any failures?

How can a fried hamburger be even more fried?

What special event drives taco sales?

Why are cinnamon rolls and the fair synonymous?

“I think (food is) probably one of the top-two reasons (people enjoy the fair), after the the fun at the carnival,” Big Fresno Fair spokesperson German Amezcua said.

The Big Fresno Fair opened today and runs through Oct. 14.

Pickles and Dr Pepper? Another Chicken Charlie’s Offering

Chicken Charlie’s has long been known for its crazy fried offerings. From the obvious chicken to deep fried Oreos, there is always something new.

This year, Chicken Charlie’s is offering a hot honey funnel cake chicken sandwich ($16.95), and Dr Pepper served with pickles ($6.95).

“We made buns out of little mini funnel cakes with our fried chicken patty, topped it off with hot honey and powdered sugar. It’s sweet and spicy. It’s savory and it’s a great combo of flavors. And it’s delicious,” said Tony Boghosian, Charlie’s brother.

There will be no fair-weather fair weather. It will be hot and in the triple digits for much of the first week.

Perhaps a Dr Pepper with pickles might provide refreshment. Boghosian said the drink comes from a social media craze and has been a hit on the summer fair circuit.

“I know that sounds crazy, but it actually works really well together that there’s some pickle juice in there and flavor is just out of this world,” Boghosian said.

Tony credits his brother Charlie for coming up with the fried creations.

“He’s got a very unique and creative mind. And he just comes up with these weird and wacky items,” Boghosian said. “We do it for fun. Honestly, we do it because we love it. We love to see the reaction on people’s faces. It’s a great challenge and we enjoy it.”

Not all ideas are winners. Fried marshmallows on their own never worked out. But, when Charlie dipped them in fudge and served them with graham crackers, Fried S’mores were born.

A Fried Fried Hamburger

Hamburgers are supposed to be fried. But Fry Burger found a way to make them fry-ier.

Trevyn Mullins operates Fry Burger, based out of Eureka. This is their second year in Fresno.

“We love it here,” Mullins said.

What is a fry burger?

“Our patty is cooked in a deep fryer and our cheese gets placed on top of that patty and dipped in the deep fryer. So everything’s basically deep fried and then built around that deep fried patty,” Mullins said.

A single patty with fries goes for $17.99; a double goes for $19.99.

Mullins said he has no formal restaurant experience. He sold his first burger at a festival in Eureka and has hit the fair circuit since.

“I just have a love of cooking, and I’ve got to give glory to God on this one. That really wasn’t even my idea. I had an awesome burger and I decided to sell it. And it’s worked out so far and I hope it continues to,” Mullins said.

Four Generations of Taco Sellers

Wife and husband Nina and Benny Martinez from Stockton operate the Original Soft Tacos stand next to the horse racing entrance. They are continuing a tradition started in 1947 and are four generations deep.

Nina said people come to the fair for three foods — cinnamon rolls, corn dogs, and the original soft taco.

There is only one item on the menu, a rolled taco for $4.50. What’s new this year is a “naked” taco — which is the same as the regular taco, just without wax paper. Martinez said it’s easier to eat without the wrap.

“This is what is really neat about the soft taco because it’s ground beef and everything is delivered fresh every day. It’s mixed in with lettuce, some vegetables, the spices, and they roll it with this corn tortilla that is deep fried, but it’s soft. Very unique,” she said.

The stand goes through 500 pounds of ground beef a day. And, Senior Day (this year on Monday) is the busiest.

“It’s a tradition. It’s like my mom used to eat these. And so this is what I remember, for which I love hearing all these stories. It’s amazing,” she said.

Benny demonstrated the proper way to eat a rolled taco — using a straw to bore a hole in the center (lengthwise), and using that gap to pour hot sauce. He said it works for a burrito as well.

Of Course, the Cinnamon Rolls

No fair food story would be complete without cinnamon rolls.

Country Fair Cinnamon Rolls is back at the fair — a tradition since 1986. The Oakhurst-based company considers the Big Fresno Fair its hometown operation.

Owner Dane Baldwin said he ordered 16,000 pounds of flour, which he hopes will last the entire fair.

“We’ve been here for over four decades, and the product speaks for itself,” Baldwin said.

Cinnamon rolls range from $8 to $11 (slightly more with a credit card).

Sample Size Bargain on Thursday

Also at the fair is a new promotion, $3 Fair Bites. For four hours only today, 2 p.m. until 4 p.m., 44 vendors will be selling a smaller and affordable way to sample the food.

“That way you can figure out what is your favorite fair food at a very small price,” Amezcua said.

If successful, Amezcua said the promotion could return next year, or maybe another time this year.

Fair Facts

The fair runs now through Monday, Oct. 14. Regular price tickets are $15 for adults; and $8 for children (6-12), seniors (62 and over), and veterans. Children five and younger are free.

Hours are 10 a.m. through 11 p.m. on weeknights; open until midnight Friday and Saturday.

Horse racing runs Oct. 4-6 and 11-14, with a 1:45 p.m. post time.