The Rob’s Fall Fest Essentials (For the Less-Adventurous)

Nobody is more confused and befuddled by the insane popularity of the Fall Festival than I am.  Admittedly, I'm not from Evansville originally, but I've lived here for nine years and likewise have attended nine of these city-stopping parades of gluttony, and STILL cannot wrap my head around everything that I witness and observe.

People around here take a strange pride in bragging about the odd things that they consume...  Fried brains, chocolate covered insects, deep-fried mayonnaise or whatever the newest deep-friend craze is, the list goes on and on.  I don't care how much you tell me I HAVE to eat your bar-b-qued pig lard, I'm NOT eating it.

However, I have ventured out and found some crazy and delicious foods you can try even if the less-than-adventurous type like me!  Here are some pointers for the out-of-towners:

LOADED NACHOS: I know this idea sounds a bit preposterous, but it turns out putting melted cheese, ground beef, jalepenos, salsa, AND sour cream on nacho chips actually creates a WHIRLWIND of delicious flavors in your face!  You need to try it to believe it!

PIZZA: Here's an idea that I know sounds completely off the wall, but there are a handful of booths that will actually but melted mozzarella cheese and marinara sauce on top of a baked bread-like crust.  For the more-daring, you can top the creation with things like pepperoni or sausage for an Italian-rooted delicacy you will not soon forget!

POTATO SOUP: Don't let the name fool you, this tricky and misleading menu item is far more "potato" than it is "soup"!  Think of it like mashed potatoes (which you may have with your family around Thanksgiving time) loaded up with ALL the trimmings!  Green onions? Check! Bacon bits? Check!  Cheese?  Double check!!  Sadly, I haven't found a booth that offers this with sour cream, which I feel it is missing, but put on your big boy pants and try a cup of potato soup today and thank me tomorrow!

ROOT BEER FLOAT: You likely would never have thought this, but some booths at the Fall Festival are putting scoops of vanilla ice cream into ROOT BEER!!!  I know, I would never have thought it would taste good either...  But I'll be damned if it isn't Heaven in your mouth!  This is a great way to wrap up your Fall Fest experience, as this creation is very dessert-like...  You're welcome!