A reality show called Deep Fried Dynasty is set to premiere on the Arts & Entertainment (A&E) television network on Tuesday, March 8 at 9 p.m. C.S.T.
The delectable premise?
Viewers will not only see the various exotic (if not downright strange) food options offered at the famous State Fair of Texas, they will witness the sweat and tears that accompany their creation. The show will follow the vendors as they persevere through the creation process from captivating concept to sweet sales success.
Or, as A&E advertised this gluttonous slice of Americana:
“It’s the American Dream, deep-fried, chocolate-covered, and wrapped in bacon.”
The network further smothered on the ritz:
“Deep Fried Dynasty is all about the big personalities behind the mouth-watering food at the State Fair of Texas. These grease-soaked geniuses have just 24 demanding days to turn deep-fried delicacies into major profits. They create the dishes that define the event: wild and creative bites like Deep Fried Butter, Crispy Crazy Corn, Toffee Coffee Crunch Cake, and Fried S’Mores. The series is an inside look at how these imaginative foods come to life and the millions of dollars on the line for these family-run small businesses. Each team is on a mission to stand out and rake in profits from tens of thousands of fair attendees.”
Although A&E has not officially identified the focal vendors featured in the series, it only takes the trailers to confirm that the personalities are guaranteed to be Texas-sized.
“My nickname is Fried Jesus,” Abel Gonzales Jr. proclaims in a commercial.
Gonzales Jr. is a repeat Big Tex Choice Awards Winner known for his fried butter, fried pineapple rings, fried cookie dough, and even fried Coca-Cola.
Other apparent stars include Cassy Jones and her fried collard greens, Tammy Stiffler of Stiffler’s Mom’s Cookie Factory, Nevins Concessions, Smokey John’s Bar-B-Que, and Winter Family Funnel Cakes.
Fletcher’s Corny Dogs (perhaps the most popular and most profitable of perennial State Fair of Texas food vendors), reportedly declined to be featured in the series.