Evil Corn Dog

Corn Dog, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

I have never had a real corn dog before (just the vegan variety). Since they are usually made with pork, I avoid them. However, brilliant me asked Punky Potato at the Fringe if their corn dogs were beef. I was told they were chicken. Fine - I went for it. The corn coating was not as thick or greasy as I had imagined. The filling was pure pink nitrite - didn't exactly taste like chicken, but didn't not either. I put some mustard in my tray and devoured the entire thing, a move I regretted that night as I expunged the contents of my stomach, most likely due to this lapse in my culinary judgement. Never again.

On the Street: Fat Franks

Fat Frank, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

Oh, Fat Franks, how I love thee. You are the epitome of street food in Edmonton. Getting a jumbo hot dog from your main stand on Whyte Avenue is especially a treat, for there is corn relish and black olives to be had. How you satisfy my hunger with your beef and chicken goodness. I have seen other hot dog vendors pop up lately in the city, but I doubt from you I will ever stray.

On the Street: Turkey Sausage

Turkey Sausage, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

Welcome to "On the Street," my series of food blogs on Edmonton's growing street food scene.

When I think of street food in Edmonton, I think of Fat Franks. For me, spring arrives when I start seeing the company's carts on the street. Munching on a hot dog outside is one of my favourite spring and summer pleasures.

I went for a bike ride this afternoon to the cart on 124 Street and 102 Avenue outside Mountain Equipment Co-op. I was tempted by a new special: turkey sausage. I know I had this once before, last summer, I think at the Folk Fest, but could never find it on anyone's carts since.

The sausage was $5, and slightly larger than the Jumbo Dog, which is what I typically get. Within the crispy casing was ground turkey meat that was light in both texture and taste, with a hint of seasonings. I tried the cranberry mustard as per the cart attendant's suggestion, but was glad I did not put much on - it tasted like cranberry sauce in a squeezable bottle moreso than mustard - a bit too sweet.

Overall, I would say I find the Jumbo Dog more satisfying and also with a stronger taste.

Folk Fest 2011 #4: Turkey Sausage

Food - EFMF 2011, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

Fat Franks was the one vendor I visited twice during the weekend. First, I had a veggie hot dog, which is nothing new to me. While I was paying, I noticed a new addition on their menu - turkey sausage. Fat Franks has had other kinds of sausages for a while, but being a non-pork eater for religious reasons, I have never tried them. This one, I could.

The next day, I ventured up to the Fat Franks stand and ordered a turkey sausage. I was told it had been a hot seller, despite being a new product. After my first bite, I could tell (or taste, as the case may be) why. The skin was perfectly crispy, with juicy turkey within. It was not spicy in the least bit, and much thicker and a bit longer than their Jumbo Dog. It was a lot of meat. It was also not cheap, at $6, but sometimes festival prices are inflated. I am going to definitely order another one of these on the street and see if it lives up to this first one.