For some people, Riverbend is a once-a-year opportunity to see some of their favorite bands on stage. For others, it’s an excuse to chow down. Funnel cakes, turkey legs, hot dogs, pizza and anything you can put on a stick is fair game in this Candy Land of carnival food.
“It’s like fried-food Christmas. It’s the one time of year where you can eat all the things you’re not supposed to – but they’re so good,” laughs Karen Shostak, director of sales for Friends of the Festival.
A handful of the 40-plus festival food vendors are locals such as Good Dog, Kenny’s Smokehouse and Old Mill Kettle Corn. But most have spent their careers crisscrossing the country to different festivals and events – almost forefathers of the food truck movement.
They come in all shapes and sizes. Some feature state-of-the-art, stainless steel kitchens inside and blinking lights outside. Others use a portable grill under a tent. But all are delicious. Here is a highlight of some festival favorites.
CHICKEN ON A STICK
Location: Concessions Row (close to Bud Light stage)
Just when you thought fried chicken couldn’t get any better…enter Chicken on a Stick. A harpooned boneless breast is dredged in homemade batter then fried to perfection. Before serving, a dinner roll is jabbed with the top of the stick for a deliciously deconstructed chicken sandwich. Introduced to Riverbend 17 years ago by Mike and Clara Thibodeaux, it’s a must-try for festival newcomers.
FUNNEL CAKE
Location: Concessions Row
It’s simply not a festival without a funnel cake, and Nancy and David Harvell offer some of the best. As longtime Riverbend veterans, the couple make all their batter from scratch, offering funnel cakes, elephant ears and even a “Diabetic Delight” made with Splenda and cinnamon. To make things more festive, they set up a picket fence, flowers and chairs in front of their trailer.
POTATO KNISH
Location: Main Gate
Pronounced kuh-nish, this fried mashed potato pie is crispy on the outside, creamy inside and almost guaranteed to make you say “bada bing,” according to Fatty’s of Atlanta. Known for dressed-up dogs with chili, cheese, onions, kraut and secret sauce, this New York-style hot dog truck will also tempt your taste buds with Italian ice and authentic cannolis.
Riverbend’s classic fried treat: Chicken on a StickTURKEY LEG
Location: Concessions Row
“It’s all good” at the Hanner International turkey leg tent – it even says so on their shirts and hats. For more than 10 years the entire Hanner family has been pitching in for Riverbend, hauling their large smoker all the way from Kentucky. The secret to their medieval treat is simplicity, with crisp smoked legs the size of one’s head.
CORN DOG
Location: Various
How do you improve the corn dog? By doubling down. Harvell Concessions’ Super Dog offers two hot dogs stacked end to end on a stick, battered, fried and slapped with a generous amount of mustard. As the longest-running Riverbend vendor, you can get your Super Dogs and Pronto Pups (singles) at five locations throughout the festival. Just look for the brightest lights shining on the Pronto Pups sign.
TATER TWIRLS
Location: Concessions Row
A twist on the traditional, tater twirls put straight fries to shame. Created with a special peeler and dunked in the deep fryer, the delicious result is a cross between a french fry and homemade potato chip. Brought to the festival by Marvin and June Keener of Whitwell, these fancy fries are just the beginning. The Keeners are also known for their corn dodger cakes and strawberry shortcake.
SHRIMP PO BOY
Location: Meo Mio Cajun Spirits Stage
A new addition this year, entering the 40×80-foot Meo Mio tent will be like walking into a different world. As one of the few covered areas and the only place to get craft beers, margaritas and other liquor drinks, Meo Mio’s of Lookout Valley will be serving its famous shrimp po’ boys, shrimp on a stick and other Louisiana favorites as the sounds of Cajun music spill from its nearby sponsored stage.
KENTUCKY MOON PIE
Location: Main Gate (Chestnut Street)
A distant cousin of the deep-fried Twinkie, the Kentucky Whoopie Pie is a traditional New England treat tweaked for Southern sensibilities, meaning the chocolate and cream cookie has spent time in the deep fryer. Hailing from Ohio, Hill’s Concessions is a family affair, including husband, wife and her parents. They’re also known for funnel cakes and sweet tea.
WALKING TACO
Location: Concessions Row
This isn’t your run-of-the-mill taco. A walking taco is an open bag of Frito corn chips filled with chili, cheese, salsa, jalapenos, lettuce and a dollop of Daisy sour cream. Other fun creations from Funny Face Foods include the fried green tomato burger – a 1/3-pound ground beef patty topped with fried green tomatoes, chipotle ranch and salsa – and the barbecue pork sundae, which features layers of pulled pork, barbecue.