My team consisted of me, Crystal Van Diver (a veteran taster) and Pete Olson (this year’s rookie). We started at the very end of Franklin Street in front of The Gerst Haus and had a great time! All the booths were so welcoming and were genuinely so happy to see their “WIKY tasters!”
Booth #137 (Hadi Oriental Band)-Deep Fried Oreos
These were hot and fresh out of the fryer. Delicious-according to Pete, the only thing better would be a Double Stuff. Best when dipped in the syrup!
Booth #136 (Evansville Rescue Mission)-The West Sider Mac & Cheese
Homemade Mac & Cheese with pulled pork, Grippos and BBQ sauce. A totally West Side version of a classic favorite. Pete is adding this to his menu rotation. LOL
Booth #135 (Youth Resources)-Meatwad Inferno
A big meatball with Jalapenos smothered in a Habenero Sauce. Pete ate the whole thing in one bite. If you like spicy, this meatball is for you!
Booth #134 (Tekoppel)-Fruit Salsa
This delicious fresh fruit salsa was the perfect palate cleanser after the Meatwad Inferno. The cinnamon sugar pita chips were warm and complemented it perfectly!
Booth #132 (Germania Mannerchor)-Kraut Balls
It doesn’t get much better than the Kraut Balls from Germania Mannerchor. These were creamy and the sausage perfect. They were hot and fresh from the fryer. Yummy! (A full order has 4 Kraut Balls)
Booth #131 (Hadi Arab Patrol)-Corn Dog
It is hand dipped with a really nice crispy batter. If you like corn dogs, give this one a try.
Booth #130 (The River Outreach Ministries)-Loaded Corn Dog* New Item
Take a big juicy hot dog with a great crispy batter and smother it with chili, cheese and Ranch Dressing. WOW! This was a favorite of the tasting team. Crystal even disregarded her own advice to Pete and ate more than her fair share.
Booth #129 (Evansville Junior Football League)-Cajun Catfish Sandwich
If you’re going to specialize in one thing, do it right and that is just what EJFL has with this sandwich. The perfect amount of spice and the catfish is fresh and delicious. It was served piping hot and we highly recommend it for the spicy lovers.
Booth #128 (Community of Christ)-Cheesy Pig Sticks
*2018 New Item Winner
It’s mozzarella cheese wrapped in bacon, dipped in batter and deep fried. What is more Fall Festival than this??
Booth #126 (Building Blocks)-Chislic *New Booth this year
This seasoned meat is a delicacy in South Dakota and we can see why. The meat is marinated and seasoned to perfection and is served with a pesto dipping sauce. Outstanding!
Booth #125 (East Side Optimist)-Giant Texas Tenderloin
This tenderloin is a Fall Festival institution as was proven by the line that went all the way down the block. If you want a tenderloin, this is the booth to visit!
Booth #124 (Howell General Baptist Church)-Pronto Pup
This is the original Pronto Pup and they have been serving it for over 70 years. The recipe was brought back from Mardi Gras. It was outstanding! Great hot dog, great batter and served piping hot. This one gives West Side Catholic some serious competition.
Booth #122 (Young & Established)-Graham Crackers & Cream Delight
Made by China Bistro. A light and fluffy dessert. For something different, definitely give this a try.
Booth #119 (Catalyst Church)-Raspberry Cheesecake Chimis
What’s not to love about raspberry cheesecake in a batter and then deep fried and served with powdered sugar?! This was spectacular and our team’s vote for Best Dessert in 2022!
Booth #117 (Faith Church)-Firecracker Sausage *New Item
A big sausage that has jalapenos inside……spicy and you can also have some hot sauce drizzled over it as well. Pretty tasty.
Booth #114 (Outboard Boating Club)-Pulled Pork Parfait
This debuted several years ago and is now the go-to for many Fall Festival goers. The line was really long! It’s Hawg ‘n Sauce BBQ pulled pork served atop fluffy mashed potatoes, topped with cheese, grippos and BBQ sauce. Delicious!
Booth #113 (McCutchanville Community Church)-Strawberry Shortcake w/Ice Cream
It is a refreshing and delicious shortcake covered with strawberries topped with vanilla ice cream. The entire tasting team polished off the whole thing! It’s wonderful.
Booth #112 (Central Band Boosters)-Loaded Potato Soup
It’s a previous Best of the Festival winner and with good reason! A delicious potato soup that has chunks of potatoes and then loaded with crumbled bacon, cheddar cheese and chives. A Franklin Street must! They also serve Red Velvet and Pumpkin Jumbo Cupcakes.
Booth #111 (Boy Scout Troop 350)-Rainbow Rush Cotton Candy in Sprite
It’s very refreshing and if you want a sugar rush, this will do the trick! It also is served with Sour Patch Kids straw to counteract all the sugar. All of their cotton candy is spun in the booth as well.
Booth #110 (Evansville Day School)-Nest Nachos *New Item
It’s BBQ pulled pork topped with Grippos, Cheese, Jalapenos, lettuce, tomato, onion and sour cream. Stir it all up and you have a real Fall Festival experience. Very tasty.
Booth #109 (St. Peters UCC)-Chicken ‘n Dumplings
Homemade by the church ladies and the line was long! Perfect Fall Festival food.
Booth #108 (It Takes A Village)-Boudin Balls
These Boudin Balls come from Plaquemine, Louisiana and as expected were spicy and very authentic. Pete recommends having the Cajun Sauce on top; it definitely makes it better. The order comes with 3, not just the one pictured.
Booth #107 (USI Varsity Club)-Ribeye Sandwich
THE standard on Franklin Street during Fall Festival. Like the brain booth, this line was insane because the sandwich is so good! Perfectly seasoned and grilled, the people we talked to this was their first stop on Franklin!
Booth #106 (The Cathedral Church)-Deep Fried Bacon
Says Pete Olson- “When you have bacon and then you deep fry it? And then top it with Buffalo Sauce? Awesome!” They also use this bacon on their BLT sandwich. It comes in Buffalo, BBQ and plain. Delicious!
That wraps it up for this year’s taste testing! Happy eating on Franklin Street!
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