Geddes (WSYR-TV) - Among other things, the State Fair is known for the variety of delicious foods being sold. A fairgoer can find just about anything they want deep-fried or barbecued, but some less common foods are stealing the show this year.
After being featured on the Food Network and named to the top 100 tastiest places to chow down on the Travel Channel, Nick Tahous' stand is very popular this year. Tahous' biggest seller is called the "
Garbage Plate." The unconventional meal has a lot of followers, including fairgoer David Crawley who calls it "heaven on a plate."
The Garbage Plate starts with a base of macaroni salad, beans and home fries. Then, the customer can pick what meats to put on top. "We're going to make a combination plate, with a hamburger and a hot dog," Tahous said as he prepared a plate Thursday night.
The Garbage Plate can be topped off with onions and a special hot sauce that is a Tahous family recipe. It is served alongside two slices of Italian bread.
The concoction began as just hot dogs and potatoes when Nick's opened in Rochester nearly 100 years ago. It wasn't until the 1980's, with the help of hungry college students, that the meal got the name it goes by today. "When they came in and saw someone order it. They didn't know what it was. And then they would point to it and say, give me one of those plates with all that garbage on it," Tahous said.
Eventually, the name stuck. Now, the Cheeseburger Garbage Plate is the joint's best seller.
Nick Tahous is selling his Garbage Plates in the midway, next to the Oddities Side Show.
What is your favorite Fair food? Share in our comments section.
