History

Neil Fletcher introduced the corn dog at the 1942 State Fair of Texas, calling it the Corny Dog, and the Fletcher family has sold them from the same booth at Fair Park every autumn since. The recipe and booth location are unchanged since 1942. The corny dog became so associated with the Fair that the terms are interchangeable in Dallas.

Common allergens: Gluten, Eggs

Make it at home

Yield Makes 8 corn dogsHands-on 20 minTotal 30 minDifficulty Beginner

Ingredients

  • 8 quality beef frankfurters
  • 150g fine yellow cornmeal
  • 100g plain flour
  • 1.5 tsp baking powder
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 240ml whole milk
  • Vegetable oil for deep frying
  • 8 wooden craft sticks
  • Yellow mustard to serve

Method

  1. Pat frankfurters dry with paper towels and insert a stick three-quarters of the way up each one.
  2. Mix cornmeal, flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar in a tall container. Add egg and milk; stir until smooth. The batter should be thick enough to coat a spoon.
  3. Heat oil to 185 C (365 F) in a deep pot.
  4. Dip each frankfurter into the batter, letting excess drip off for 2 seconds, then lower slowly into the oil.
  5. Fry 2-3 minutes, turning once, until the batter is deep golden brown.
  6. Drain upright in a cup or holder. Serve hot with yellow mustard.

Tip from the editors. The tall container trick is key: pour the thick batter into a tall narrow cup so you can dip the frank in one smooth motion and coat it evenly.

This is the TableJourney editorial recipe, modelled on the canonical bistro / counter version. The first place to try the dish in its city of origin is below.

Where to eat fletcher's corny dog

Fletcher's corny dog in Dallas

State Fair of Texas (Fair Park) ★ 4.5

$$deep-ellumSept 26 - Oct 19, 2025: daily 10am-9pm (Fri-Sat until 10pm)

The largest state fair in the country with 200+ food vendors serving deep-fried experiments, Big Tex Choice Award winners, and Texas BBQ. The 24-day run each September makes it the most concentrated food event in Texas.

Order: Big Tex Choice Award winner (savory and sweet categories); Fletcher's Corny Dogs; fried butter (if available); funnel cake

Tip: Purchase discount tickets in advance. Come on a weekday for shorter queues. The Big Tex Choice Award competition finalists are announced in late August; plan your visit around trying the winning entries.

3809 Grand Ave, Dallas, TX 75210 Book →

More cities are in research. Want fletcher's corny dog covered somewhere specific? Tell us where you want to eat.

Browse all dishes →