Deep-Fried Coke debuted at the State Fair of Texas

In 2006 at the State Fair of Texas, vendor Abel Gonzales introduced a novelty called Deep-Fried Coke, which used Coca-Cola–flavored syrup battered and fried then served with Coca-Cola. The item drew national media attention and helped popularize a wave of unconventional deep-fried novelty foods showcased annually at the fair's Big Tex Choice Awards. Gonzales later created other viral fair foods, including deep-fried butter, both presented at the State Fair in Dallas.