Another New Temptation at the Florida Strawberry Festival: The Strawberry Cheesecake Elephant Ear

Author Geno

February 24th, 2020 8:59 PM

Last week I told you about the apple fries coming to the Florida Strawberry Festival this year. But we’re not done. Fried dough with strawberries and cream cheese icing? The Strawberry Cheesecake Elephant Ear sounds like a winner. This is another one you’ll find at “Mama Jane” Harris’ truck in Plant City this year. Mama is the creator of my favorite fair food ever: Funnel Bacon on a Stick. I’m just going to have to add this to the rest of my list!

Geno’s 10 “Gotta Have” Foods at the Florida Strawberry Festival

• #10: Strawberry Cookies

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  I'm going to warn you. These are addictive. Buy these on your way OUT of the Florida Strawberry Festival. Do NOT buy them first or you'll eat the whole bag and not have any room for the next 9 gotta have foods.

• #9: Island Noodles

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  An underrated offering. I've only spotted these once and tried them after a listener recommendation. You're going to have enough sugar today... this is a good way to start.

• #8: Fiske Fries

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  We eat french fries all the time with our daily drive thru lives, but Fiske french fries are legendary for a reason. They are never frozen. Homemade makes a big difference.
• #7: Strawberry Pizza

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  After years of visits to Plant City, last year I finally tried the strawberry pizza. I always thought it was a typical pizza with strawberries on top... which honestly sounds terrible to me. But this dessert pizza is excellent.

• #6: Amish Doughnuts

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  Amish doughnuts were the first food I fell in love with at the Florida Strawberry Festival. Simple but oh so good.

• #6: Amish Doughnuts

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  Just watching the glaze drip off the doughnuts is hypnotizing.
• #6: Amish Doughnuts

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  The first of what would become many bites over the years. Notice how much thinner I was before I discovered these.

• #5: Chocolate Dipped Bacon

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  It's not the most inventive bacon creation. That's coming up later on my #1 pick. But still worth a dip.

• #4: Fried Cheese Curds

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  Seek these out. I LOVE cheese curds. If you've ever been to Canada, they're so fresh they sell them at room temperature where they have the nickname "squeaky cheese" because they squeak when you bite in to them. So so good.
• #4: Fried Cheese Curds

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  The next best thing? Fried cheese curds. Be sure to get the dipping sauce too. We're not going for healthy here.

• #3: Strawberry Shortcake

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  I know for many, strawberry shortcake is a must. To me, it's too easy to get great strawberry shortcake this time of year anywhere in Tampa Bay.

• #3: Strawberry Shortcake

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  But nonetheless, it can be argued that a trip to Plant City without having strawberry shortcake is just plain wrong.
• #3: Strawberry Shortcake

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  If you're going to go the strawberry shortcake route, it's best to make your own. Head to the Saint Clement's tent!

• #3: Strawberry Shortcake

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  If you like more strawberries, pile 'em on!

• #3: Strawberry Shortcake

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  But if you're like me and want to overdo it with whipped cream, have at it!
• #2: Doughnut Burger

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  The sweetness of a freshly glazed doughnut enveloping a juicy salty off the grill burger? I'm so in.

• #2: Doughnut Burger

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  There are a few spots that sell these, but I like the booth that's on the northeastern most part of the Festival.

• #2: Doughnut Burger

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  And yes, you can have them put a strawberry on top.
• #2: Doughnut Burger

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  But honestly, I'd rather have it accompanied by bacon!

• #2: Doughnut Burger

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  Beautiful isn't it? My #2 pick is actually the last food on this list you can get at the Florida Strawberry Festival this year.

• HONORABLE MENTION: Funnel Bacon on a Stick

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  Before we get to #1, the #1 item that WOULD be #1 on my list has been sadly retired. "Mama Jane" Harris created this several years ago for the Florida Strawberry Festival. She normally creates something new every year, but this was so good, my listeners and I forced her to bring it back for 5 straight years.
• HONORABLE MENTION: Funnel Bacon On A Stick

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  I am far from Mama Jane's biggest funnel bacon on a stick celebrity fan. Country music stars have raved about it. It's even been featured on Carnival Eats.

• HONORABLE MENTION: Funnel Bacon on a Stick

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  Look at all that glorious bacon! Mama Jane takes a piece of bacon and slides it on to a skewer stick. She then dips it in her secret funnel cake recipe batter and fries it to a beautiful golden brown. She then tops it with powdered sugar and your choice of either chocolate, caramel or maple butter glaze. She didn't give the choice the first time I tried it... she put the maple butter glaze on. And that's when I learned to trust the expert. It's probably my favorite food anywhere. It's breakfast on a stick.

• HONORABLE MENTION: Funnel Bacon on a Stick

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  I am sad to say it won't be back this year. HOWEVER... Mama's NEW creation sounds like a fair foods masterpiece... are you ready for #1?
• #1: Funnel Bacon on a Stick

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  Mama Jane takes a piece of bacon and slides it on to a skewer stick. She then dips it in her secret funnel cake recipe batter and fries it to a beautiful golden brown. She then tops it with powdered sugar and your choice of either chocolate, caramel or maple butter glaze. She didn't give the choice the first time I tried it... she put the maple butter glaze on. And that's when I learned to trust the expert. It's probably my favorite food anywhere. It's breakfast on a stick.

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Author Geno

Category:

• Geno

Tags:

#GenoAteTampa... a collection of Geno's favorite places to eat in Tampa Bay!,Fair Foods,Florida Strawberry Festival,Plant City