DEL MAR -- Some come to the San Diego County Fair for the rides, others the exhibits and shows. But for a special breed of fairgoer, it's the food that draws them to the Del Mar Fairgrounds -- food that seems to get stranger every year.

In an apparent effort to top off the wacky with the wackier, this year's new line-up features Krispy Kreme chicken sandwiches, chocolate-covered bacon, and, of course the ever-growing list of artery-hardening delights including deep-fried s'mores, bread pudding, green beans and Mexican ice cream.

More on the 2009 San Diego County Fair

"Are you kidding?" asked Suzie Law of Carmel Valley as her brother-in-law took his first tentative bite of the chocolate-covered bacon strips. "You're gonna eat that?"

"It's good -- a nice blend of sweet and salty," replied Sam Cho of Los Angeles. "I'm just scared I might like it too much."

Mike Peterson of Valley Center, the owner of the Mexican Funnel Cakes stand on the midway that sells the bacon, said he got the idea from a friend who happens to be a doctor and that he likes to say "it's doctor recommended."

Another item grabbing considerable attention at Peterson's stand is the new, "large" Mexican funnel cake -- a continuous strand of sweet churro piled 10 inches high, then smothered in strawberries and fresh whipped cream.

"Holy mackerel" and "is that the biggest frickin' thing you've ever seen" were some of the reactions by passersby at the concoction, estimated to weigh around five pounds, which costs nothing -- provided one person can consume the whole thing while standing in a designated, spot-lit area.

Peterson said they've had several attempts so far, but none have been successful -- not even the little girl who gave it a shot. Those who fail don't get their $18 back.

But the stand that is perhaps best known for the strange is Chicken Charlie's. Charles and Tony Boghosian of San Diego started in the fair business at ages 9 and 13, respectively. The two set aside careers that led to the FBI and medical field because "it was just a natural to follow the path" -- a path that is apparently very successful.

The two recently invested $640,000 in their new trailer rig that features a state-of-the-art LED screen.

The brothers introduced the deep-fried Twinkie, and over the last two fair seasons have sold 20,000 Krispy Kreme chicken sandwiches, 250,000 deep-fried Oreo cookies and 8,000 deep-fried frog legs. Since the fair opened, they've sold nearly 500 of their new "zucchini weenies,' a hollowed-out zucchini filled with a hot dog, then battered and -- you guessed it -- deep-fried.

But "diets be damned" was the motto for many this weekend, including Sharon Bagley and Denise Souflis of Carlsbad.

The two said they enjoyed donuts, baked potatoes, beef jerky, gelato, chocolate chip cookies, coffee, pretzels and dip -- and they'd been at the fair for only an hour. Cheese on a stick was next on their list.

With the dampened economy, some stand-owners are cutting prices.

Dominic Palmieri of Phoenix introduced two new items -- giant pork tenderloin sandwiches "big enough for two to three people to share" for $7.75 and an 18-inch-high paper cone of curly fries that can also be shared while walking around for $5.75 -- designed to give "fairgoers a great value."

For the less adventurous and more health conscience are also some new things to try, including grilled asparagus, Caribbean jerk chicken, grilled-stuffed chili peppers and potato wedges marinated in spices, grilled rather than fried, then topped with fresh blue cheese crumbles.

For those interested in sampling the fair fare, there are $2 Tuesdays.

For more information, visit www.sdfair.com

SIDEBAR LIST

- Dee's Concessions on the Avenue: Grilled Asparagus and Caribbean Jerk Chicken, marinated overnight with chiles and a blend of seasons including cinnamon, ginger, allspice, cloves and garlic. Roasted the next day and served with a barbecue sauce made from the marinade.

- Juicy's in the Sparkletts Water Infield: BBQ Spaghetti, BBQ sauce over spaghetti in a grilled bun

- Del Mar Diner: Deep-Fried Bread Pudding and Deep Fried Green Beans

- Charlie's Chicken near AgriFair: Zucchini Weeni (hot dog inside a zucchini, then deep-fried in a special batter), Deep Fried S'mores, Zucchini Fries and Oatmeal Cookie Chicken Sandwich

- Diego Enterprises/Finger Steaks on the Avenue outside of the Theme Exhibit: Deep Fried Cheese Curds

- Monterey Bay Calamari east of Clock Tower: Catfish and Crawfish

- Gingerbread House on the Avenue: Deep Fried Mexican Ice Cream

- Apple Fries in front of Mission Tower: Chocolate Covered Bacon Strips

- RCS Super Burger in the Plaza de Mexico: Big-T Texas Tenderloin

- Plaza de Mexico: Pasta Pocket

- Near AgriFair: The Farmer's Market, brought to you by Albertsons, with fresh produce