DALLAS - This year's State Fair has been canceled, but Texans - including those in Texarkana - can still enjoy the most iconic of fair foods, genuine Fletcher's corny dogs.
Fletcher's Original Corny Dogs is partnering with the Golden Chick restaurant chain to offer the State Fair favorite at 187 Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana locations through Oct. 25.
When the State Fair of Texas was canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic, "we knew that something had to be done to reach the hundreds of thousands of fans that would be disappointed they couldn't get their hands on this time-honored favorite," Aaron Fletcher said on behalf of Fletcher's in a news release.
Because both companies have a presence at the fair and more than 50 years of service in Texas, "the partnership makes perfect sense," Golden Chick President Jim Stevens said.
"Like many others, we were disappointed to hear that the State Fair was canceled, and after the year we've had we could all use a little comfort food," Stevens said.
Golden Chick will offer the original variety Fletcher's corny dog - a hot dog on a stick dipped in a secret-recipe cornmeal batter and then deep fried - for $5 each. A corny dog combo meal with fries and a drink will cost $7.99.
Corny dogs will be available at Texarkana's Golden Chick location, 1702 Richmond Road, beginning Friday, an employee said Wednesday. The restaurant is open for drive-through and delivery service only. Golden Chick also has restaurants in Nash, Pittsburg and Marshall.
Golden Chick promises that the corny dogs it serves will not disappoint those who normally get their Fletcher's fix at the fair.
"Our team has been working alongside Fletcher's to ensure we are providing the same hand-battered, made to order product that would have been offered at the State Fair of Texas," said J. Sullivan, Golden Chick's executive chef.
Each year, Fletcher's sells more than half a million corny dogs at the fair, where their inventors, brothers Neil and Carl Fletcher, began offering them in 1942.
Last year, Fletcher's began operating two mobile catering trailers to offer corny dogs at events such as festivals and company picnics. It turned out to be perfect timing to help the company through the 2020 fair's unexpected cancellation. Fletcher's is using the trailers as "pop-up" restaurants - including at Dallas' Fair Park, its usual stomping ground - and they are booked solid through the end of the year.
Founded in Texas in 1967, Golden Chick offers fried and roast chicken, chicken sandwiches, chicken tenders, and other dishes at more than 190 locations in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, South Carolina and Florida.