The State Fair’s well-known vendor Fletcher’s Corny Dogs has served hundreds of thousands of people each year and is now celebrating its 80th birthday.
Amber Fletcher, granddaughter of Neil Fletcher who originally opened Fletcher’s Corny Dogs with his brother in 1942 said, “It’s got that crunch, that bready goodness. It’s just a very unique, high-quality corny dog.”
In 1942, Carl and Neil Fletcher were selling the corny dogs for only 15 cents. Since their passing, the business has stayed in the family.
It was a slow start, according to their website that states, “The brothers had to cut them in half and give away samples before people were willing to try it. After trying out a series of names ranging from K-9 and Brown Bomber to French Fried Hot Dog and Meal on a Stick, the Fletcher brothers finally came up with a name and began to build a clientele.”
They originally got the idea for corndogs when they met a local baker who baked hot dogs in cornmeal, however, the process seemed time-consuming and tedious. The brothers found that it was much easier if the hotdogs were fried rather than baked and put on a stick so people could eat while walking.
Even after 80 years of business, Fletcher’s is still booming and is now a multi-million dollar business.
Fletcher believes that Fletcher’s Corny Dogs has become “synonymous with the State Fair.” “Back then it was something new and innovative that people hadn’t seen before, and I think it just became this nostalgic tradition that year after year families would bring their kids to.”
They sell over 500,000 corny dogs every year. To show their appreciation for Texans who have stood by them throughout the years, Fletcher’s Corny Dogs is giving away 80 free corny dogs every Friday of the fair.
