Elevated Fair Food in Los Angeles

In August 2014, Chef Barb Batiste built on her catering and mobile success by opening this brick and mortar dessert bar in what’s now officially called Japantown. To create B Sweet’s Halo, she presses ice cream between a hole-free glazed donut that’s made at their Culver City commissary. B Sweet sources ube (purple yam) and green tea ice cream from Magnolia, and the remaining ice cream flavors from Thrifty, a beloved L.A. classic.

Barton G. Weiss clearly doesn’t view the world like everybody else. The Miami-based chef launched a West Hollywood restaurant in 2014, featuring a grey color scheme with splashes of pink and purple. Presentation is a big focus at Barton G., particularly at dessert. Pastry Chef Michael Luna helped create Marie Antoinette’s Head, a mannequin head wrapped with bubble gum cotton candy. At the base you’ll find a slice of vanilla cake with cream cheese frosting, topped with a strawberry dipped in cream cheese that’s dressed with pearls of more strawberry and cream cheese. Fresh raspberries and strawberries are along for the ride, as is whipped cream with cream cheese curls. Why a head? Marie Antoinette met her fate at a guillotine’s blade.

When in doubt, deep-fry. That seems to be an unspoken mantra from fair vendors everywhere, whether they’re armed with candied bars, fruits and vegetables, or sticks of butter. Why not a waffle? Lee and Kong Tao founded this 24/7 spot in 1981 after moving from Cambodia. Daughter Mayly and brother Sean now run this shop, which sports a pink candy-stripe sign, tiny yellow tables and orange stools. Their Wow-Nut involves deep-fry red velvet waffles served with cream cheese frosting and ube (or red velvet) crumble. Wow-Nut is also available with white chocolate and crushed Oreos.

This gastropub from Richard Mandeville, wife Susann and Chef John Gladish now has locations in West Hollywood and North Hollywood. Both spots honor the Mandevilles’ pet dog, which is depicted in paintings. Fried pickles feature house-made spears that are salt-cured and bathed in vinegar, bay leaf, coriander and chile flakes before they’re egg-washed, dredged in seasoned flour and breadcrumbs and deep-fried. A half-dozen come with tangy ranch yogurt dipping sauce that’s folded with crème fraiche. Better yet, the pickles are served in a paper bag branded with the Chilly Dilly cartoon character.

The corn dog clearly belongs on the Mt. Rushmore of fair food, and The Lobster undoubtedly has L.A.’s most deluxe version. Chef Collin Crannell crafts sausage with Maine lobster meat, lobster roe, Mexican white shrimp and pork fat. Seafood logs are poached, dipped in cornmeal batter and deep-fried. Lashings of sweet honey mustard and spicy chile oil grace this prized bar bite, which comes with complimentary ocean views.