Jo Ann Holt
Fair Fare on the Square is coming in September to make up for the void left when the State Fair of Texas canceled this year’s exposition. If you’re like me, you’re going to miss hearing that hearty “Howdy Folks” greeting from Big Tex, but you’re also going to miss that decadent, delicious fried food featured only at the Fair.
Thankfully, a Baker’s Dozen of Garland restaurants are coming to our rescue! These restaurants and boutique shops are serving up fair fare in the North Texas community all through September. Thirteen Garland eateries located near Garland’s historic Square are offering a tantalizing menu of all things fit to be fried or served on a stick.
“Fair Fare on the Square” kicks off on September 1st, and will run through the end of the month. The extensive menu offerings include bacon funnel cake, fried chocolate-dipped strawberries, and even a Texas-sized Frito pie. Bring the family and order several dishes to share for a progressive dinner stroll around the square.
13 Fair Fare Restaurants
Photo: Fried Thanksgiving Dinner courtesy Intrinsic Smokehouse & Brewery
There’s no admission fee, plus all the food items are reasonably priced and can be enjoyed outdoors. Just request your free Square Meal kit that includes everything you need for a fun picnic under one of the Square’s socially distanced, umbrella-shade café tables. Square Meal kits include plates, utensils and napkins, and a festive red-checkered table cloth.
Intrinsic Smokehouse & Brewery: Foot-long corn dogs served throughout the month. Bacon funnel cake, “Fried Thanksgiving” (turkey, stuffing, potatoes), and chicken fried burnt ends are served on Mondays only for their pop-up menu. Location: 509 West State Street, hours Tuesday-Thursday 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Sunday 11 a.m. 9 p.m. Closed Monday except for Pop-Up Menu offerings. Call 972-272-2400 for information.
Dos Banderas Tex-Mex Restaurant: Fried Oreos; chocolate and caramel churros. Located at 614 Main Street, hours 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 8 a.m. 9 p.m. Friday-Saturday, closed Sunday. Call 972-494-1319 for information.
Historic Downtown Square
Photo: Garland CVB
The Millhouse Pizzeria & Stage: Deep-fried garlic bread cheese curds. Located at 532 Main Street, hours 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Tues.-Thursday; 11 a.m. 11 p.m. Friday-Saturday; and 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday; closed Monday. Phone 469-910-8008 for information.
G-Town Nutrition: Smoothie and Juice Bar offers pecan pie shake, Big Tex tea, fried ice cream shake, and more. Location 606 Main Street. Hours 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Friday; 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday; closed Sunday. Call 713) 304-6727 for information.
Blue Rat Thai Kitchen: Fried fish on a stick, and fried chicken wontons with sweet and sour sauce. Location: 608 Main Street, Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Tues.-Saturday; closed Monday. Call 214- 299-9699 for information.
Fish ‘n Tails Oyster Bar: Turkey legs. Location: 620 Main Street. Hours are11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday-Saturday. Call 214-440-2182 for information.
Rosalind Coffee TX: Caramel apple lattes, S’mortado (s’more cortado), baked elephant ears, waffle on a stick, and more. Location: 107 N. 6th Street. Hours: Monday-Saturday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.; closed Sunday. Call 972-494-9449 for information.
More Garland Eateries
Photo: Intrinsic Smokehouse & Brewery
Hubbard’s Cupboard: Chicken and waffles on a stick. Location: 901 Main Street. Hours are Monday-Saturday from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Sunday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call 972-276-4179 for information.
Main Street Café: Fried chocolate covered strawberries. Location: 627 Main Street. Hours are Monday-Thursday 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; closed Sunday. Call 214-703-0210 for information.
Main Street Deli: Gyros, Philly cheesesteaks, and fried mushrooms. Location: 520 Main Street. Hours are Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call 972-276-5959 for information.
Paw Paw’s Sweet Shop & Café: The Horny Toad, fried pimiento cheese; Texas size Frito pie, fried pickles and more. Location: 823 Main Street. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday, and 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Call 972-494-4200 for information.
Mrs. J’s Heavenly Delights: Caramel apples. Location: 612 W. State Street. Hours are Thursday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call 214-235-4214 for information.
Tavern on the Square: PB and bacon jam pickle dogs, and chicken cordon blue chicken balls with Parmesan sauce. Location: 601 West State Street. Hours are from 4 p.m. to 12 a.m. Monday; 11 a.m. to 12 a.m. Tuesday-Friday; and 10 a.m. to 12 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Call 972-272-3276 for information.
