Fletcher’s Original Corny Dogs

MEET THE FLETCHERS

For more than 80 years, the Fletcher family has been serving up one of the most iconic bites at the State Fair of Texas. What started with brothers Neil and Carl Fletcher experimenting with a hot dog and cornmeal batter in 1942 became a Dallas tradition that generations of Fair-goers know by heart.

Today, Fletcher’s Original Corny Dogs remains a family affair, with generations of Fletchers working behind the stands and carrying on the legacy that began at Fair Park. While the menu has grown, the original recipe and the family’s commitment to the Fair remain at the heart of it all.

Meet the family behind the stick, the batter and one of the most beloved traditions at the State Fair of Texas.

VISIT DALLAS: How did you first get involved with the State Fair of Texas, and how many years have you been part of it now?

Timothy Fletcher: Well I was brought in as an infant and immediately put to work from my crib in the back office. That makes it 41 years now.

VISIT DALLAS: Tell us about a specific moment with a guest, visitor, or fairgoer that has stuck with you. What happened, and why does it still stand out?

Timothy Fletcher: There’s been so many, I think a funny one for me was a woman who was all decked out in Fletcher’s merch stopping me to take a picture of her under the midway sign. She asked if I worked for Fletcher’s and I told her I was an owner. She got so excited and had me take a picture with her then hunted me down every year for another photo.

VISIT DALLAS: If someone is visiting the State Fair for the very first time, what's the one piece of advice you'd give them?

Timothy Fletcher: Wear comfortable shoes!

VISIT DALLAS: What's one sight, sound, taste, or moment at the Fair that people really have to experience in person, something no photo or video does justice to?

Timothy Fletcher: I think all of it really, but maybe Texas/OU weekend. It’s sensory overload from about 7am till the Fair closes.

VISIT DALLAS: What's the most underrated part of the Fair, something first-time visitors are likely to miss but really shouldn't?

Timothy Fletcher: Most people come for the Food but the Fair does a really good job of exhibits in the Hall of State.

This year is our 84th and it’s just amazing to all of us that the people keep coming every year and we get to keep serving being a part of generations of Fair goers.

Timothy Fletcher

VISIT DALLAS: What does it mean to your family to carry on a tradition that's become as iconic as the Fair itself?

Timothy Fletcher: It means a lot. This year is our 84th and it’s just amazing to all of us that the people keep coming every year and we get to keep serving being a part of generations of Fair goers.

VISIT DALLAS: Has the recipe or the process changed at all over the years, or has the goal always been to keep it exactly the same?

Timothy Fletcher: We do are best to keep it the same, the process is the exact same as it was in 1942

VISIT DALLAS: What's it actually like working the stand together as a family during Fair season?

Timothy Fletcher: It’s a unique experience, I think it can make emotions run a little higher because you have that family bond. The wins and losses can be a little more intense, but it’s great to have people you love with by your side through it all. Also they can’t fire you. (Just joking)

VISIT DALLAS: What do people not realize about what it takes to make corny dogs for millions of visitors every season?

Timothy Fletcher: Sometimes I read the social comments and don’t think they realize any of it! Haha, no I think just the sheer magnitude of the operation gets lost on a lot of people. We have seven stands, 100+ employees, ordering logistics, product delivery, product quality, the weather, etc and only 24 days to get it right. It’s definitely a balancing act.

VISIT DALLAS: What do you hope someone feels the moment they take that first bite of a Fletcher's corny dog?

Timothy Fletcher: Happy