What Are The New Foods at the San Diego County Fair This Year?
Chicken Charlie's has some unique recipes
By Danielle Radin ••
NBC 7’s Danielle Radin talks to the owner of the famous Chicken Charlie’s booths.
What to Know
San Diego County Fair runs from May 31 to July 4 (except on Mondays and Tuesdays)
The fair is located at the Del Mar Fairgrounds along Interstate 5
More than a million people are estimated to visit the fair throughout its run
If you've gone to the San Diego County Fair, you've probably seen the giant booths for Chicken Charlie's, offering crazy recipes that capture the consumer's attention right away.
This year you can look out for his newest dessert at the Del Mar Fairgrounds: deep-fried crème brûlée.
"I was eating it one day and wondered if I could deep-fry it," said Charlie Boghosian, owner of Chicken Charlie's. "I'm always going through the grocery store looking to see if I can deep-fry foods."
Another new dish this year at Chicken Charlie's is the buffalo chicken chimichanga. It's topped with Flamin' Hot Cheetos dust.
Monica Garske
The fried, flavorful fare returns to the San Diego County Fair. There's plenty to eat -- especially for those with adventurous palates -- at this year's fair, which runs from May 31 to July 4 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. This year's theme is "Oz-some," inspired by "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz," so be on the look out for dishes that keep in line with the theme.
Monica Garske
It's not the fair without a massive, loaded hot dog from Pink's.
Monica Garske
Old Faithful Chicken Charlie's knows how to turn heads at the fair. This here is a multi-patty burger stacked between two doughnuts.
Monica Garske
Another Chicken Charlie's creation: the Buffalo Chicken Chimichanga. That red stuff on the top is Flamin' Hot Cheeto's dust.
Monica Garske
Mike Hess Brewing has created this beer, especially for the 2019 San Diego County Fair. It's the Wizard of Haze, a hazy IPA for those hot summer days at the fairgrounds.
Monica Garske
Some tasty sliders and chips.
Monica Garske
Emerald Farms Eatery, located in the Paul Ecke Jr. Garden Show, is whipping up this tasty dish inspired by the fair's "Wonderful Wizard of Oz" theme: the "Over the Rainbow" Summer Salad featuring local greens, summer corn, avocado, blue cheese, bell pepper, shredded carrots, and blackberry shallot vinaigrette.
Monica Garske
Chicken Charlie's beloved Naked Shrimp Bowl returns to the San Diego County Fair.
Monica Garske
A tiny ball of gloriousness. This is Chicken Charlie's Deep-Fried Creme Brulee.
Monica Garske
Emerald Farms Eatery, located in the Paul Ecke Jr. Garden Show, is whipping up this tasty dish inspired by the fair's "Wonderful Wizard of Oz" theme: Dorothy's Grilled Cheese, featuring mozzarella and goat cheese, avocado, spinach, and pesto on sourdough.
Monica Garske
An ambitious undertaking: pizza on a waffle.
Monica Garske
A mountain of outrageous eats from Chicken Charlie's, a favorite at the San Diego County Fair.
Monica Garske
Talk about loaded nachos.
Monica Garske
Yes, that would be a piece of fried chicken sandwiched between doughnuts, topped with cereal.
Monica Garske
A mountain of outrageous eats from Chicken Charlie's, a favorite at the San Diego County Fair.
Monica Garske
This is a fried-food lover's dream. Another dish from Chicken Charlie's.
Ava Kelly
A magical-looking treat from Chicken Charlie's.
Monica Garske
It's not the fair without a massive, loaded hot dog from Pink's.
Monica Garske
A vegan-friendly option: Mediterranean-inspired, stuffed grape leaves.
Monica Garske
Baklava with bacon because, why the heck not?
Monica Garske
This is a piece of the Emerald City Fire Burger from Tasti Burgers. It's a 100% all-natural beef burger topped with ghost pepper cheese, sliced avocados, pickled jalapenos, chopped green onions, lettuce and jalapeno aioli. It's got a little kick!
Monica Garske
Papusas, warm and toasty on the grill at the San Diego County Fair.
Monica Garske
Chicken Charlie's is a fair staple.
Monica Garske
More tasty eats from Emerald Farms Eatery, located in the Paul Ecke Jr. Garden Show at the fairgrounds.
Monica Garske
The Red Velvet Bundt Cake with Summer Berries ($8) from Emerald Farms Eatery, located in the Paul Ecke Jr. Garden Show at the fairgrounds.
Monica Garske
The fried, flavorful fare returns to the San Diego County Fair. There's plenty to eat -- especially for those with adventurous palates -- at this year's fair, which runs from May 31 to July 4 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. This year's theme is "Oz-some," inspired by "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz," so be on the look out for dishes that keep in line with the theme.
Monica Garske
A closer look at Chicken Charlie's Deep-Fried Creme Brulee.
Monica Garske
The fried, flavorful fare returns to the San Diego County Fair. There's plenty to eat -- especially for those with adventurous palates -- at this year's fair, which runs from May 31 to July 4 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. This year's theme is "Oz-some," inspired by "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz," so be on the look out for dishes that keep in line with the theme.
Monica Garske
More tasty eats from Emerald Farms Eatery, located in the Paul Ecke Jr. Garden Show at the fairgrounds.
Monica Garske
A magical-looking treat from Chicken Charlie's.
Audra Stafford/NBC 7
Audra Stafford/NBC 7
You can also get popular items from past years, like a burrito filled with ramen noodles and Funyuns as well as deep-fried shrimp.
"About 25 years ago I invented the deep-fried oreo," said Boghosian. The concoction is now offered in the frozen food section at Walmart.
Boghosian is a Poway resident with two restaurants in San Diego. He plans to build a third at Seaport Village.
Other new foods at the fair this year are burgers and sandwiches inspired by 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,' a cotton candy ice cream sandwhich, and baklava with bacon.
From a Buffalo Chicken Chimichanga topped with Flamin' Hot Cheetos dust to a salad, burger and sandwich inspired by "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz," the food at the 2019 San Diego County Fair is as unique as ever. Here's a glimpse at a few of the new things cookin' at the fairgrounds from May 31 to July 4.
