Ep 8. From Golden State to Gizzards

In the season 2 episode of Carnival Eats titled "From Golden State to Gizzards," host Noah Cappe travels to California to check out the delicious carnival food on offer at the Orange County Fair.

Noah starts his culinary journey by sinking his teeth into the best of California's exotic eats like the award-winning Menudo Bowl and the deep-fried avocado. The Menudo Bowl is a hearty bowl of beef tripe, hominy, and cilantro in a savory broth that is perfect for a warm evening. The deep-fried avocado is a delicious twist on a classic fruit, battered and fried until it is crispy and served up with a spicy dipping sauce.

Next, Noah moves on to the fair's signature dishes like the monstrous Chicken Charlie's Krispy Kreme Cheeseburger and the Spicy Buffalo Chicken Chimichanga from Tasti Chips. The Krispy Kreme Cheeseburger is a sweet-and-savory sandwich topped with cheddar cheese, bacon, and caramelized onions and sandwiched between two glazed donuts. The Spicy Buffalo Chicken Chimichanga is a fiery combination of spicy chicken, rice, and beans wrapped in a crispy tortilla.

Noah then heads over to the fair's famous Gizzard Fest, where he samples various gizzard dishes like the deep-fried chicken gizzards and the Gizzards N' Gravy served over mashed potatoes. Deep-fried chicken gizzards are a popular Southern staple, and the Orange County Fair puts their own spin on the dish by frying them up until crispy and golden brown. The Gizzards N' Gravy dish is a comfort food classic, with tender gizzards smothered in savory gravy and served atop creamy mashed potatoes.

Finally, Noah satisfies his sweet tooth with some of the fair's most decadent desserts like the Cinnamon Roll Sundae and the Deep-Fried Butter on a Stick. The Cinnamon Roll Sundae combines a warm, gooey cinnamon roll with creamy ice cream and is topped with whipped cream and caramel sauce. The Deep-Fried Butter on a Stick is a heart-stopping carnival classic – a thick slice of butter, battered and deep-fried until it is crispy on the outside and melted on the inside.

Noah's journey to the Orange County Fair in this episode of Carnival Eats is a delicious representation of the wild and wacky foods commonly found at carnivals and fairs across the United States. Viewers can live vicariously through Noah as he samples everything from savory gizzards to sweet cinnamon rolls – and surely leave with a few cravings of their own.