The Del Mar Fair in San Diego, also known as the San Diego County Fair, is a beloved Southern California tradition going back to 1936. For many fairgoers, biting into a giant turkey leg is one of the highlights of the event. These turkey legs have become synonymous with the Del Mar Fair experience.
In this article, we’ll take a close look at the famous Del Mar Fair turkey legs – where they come from, how they’re cooked, why they’re so popular, and tips on how to get your hands on one!
A Little History on Del Mar Fair Turkey Legs
Turkey legs actually have a long history as a fair and theme park food. They became popular at medieval times-themed fairs and events in the 1960s and 1970s. The Renaissance Pleasure Faire in California is credited with introducing turkey legs on a large scale.
Soon after, Disneyland and other theme parks started selling giant turkey legs. They were a perfect fit – a substantial, protein-packed snack you could eat while walking around. The trend spread to state and county fairs, which latched onto turkey legs as a unique, indulgent food.
The Del Mar Fair started serving turkey legs in the 1980s They quickly developed a cult following, with fairgoers flocking to gobble them up. Today, turkey legs are one of the most iconic foods at the Del Mar Fair and numerous other fairs nationwide
Why Are Del Mar Fair Turkey Legs So Popular?
There are several reasons the Del Mar Fair turkey legs have achieved such popularity:
-
They’re enormous – These turkey legs are like something out of the Flintstones. They’re roughly the size of a human forearm and packed with meat. One leg can easily feed 1-2 people.
-
They look prehistoric – The gigantic turkey legs definitely have a sort of caveman appeal to them. Holding one makes you feel like a ravaged dino hunter.
-
They taste amazing – With all that meat and skin, the turkey legs deliver incredible rich, savory juicy flavor once you sink your teeth in. The smoke and seasonings add even more depth
-
It’s finger food – The turkey legs are perfect fair food because they’re totally handheld. You can gnaw away while walking around taking in all the sights and sounds.
-
It’s good value – At around $10-$12, a turkey leg offers more food for your buck than most fair fare. One leg can function as a small meal.
-
Unconventional meat – Turkey legs offer a nice break from standard burgers and hot dogs. Fairgoers crave something a bit more exciting and indulgent.
-
Family friendly – Kids and adults alike flip out over the Fred Flinstone-sized turkey legs. They have universal appeal as a shareable snack
The bottom line is Del Mar Fair turkey legs offer a truly unique, memorable eating experience you can’t find anywhere else. They’ve become a can’t-miss yearly ritual for generations of attendees.
Where Do the Turkey Legs Come From?
The Del Mar Fair partners with local poultry suppliers to source all the legs. They only use high quality Grade A turkeys raised without antibiotics or hormones. The turkeys are humanely processed under strict USDA guidelines.
Using locally sourced birds ensures freshness and reduces environmental impact by minimizing transportation miles. The fair also sources some legs from free range and heritage breed turkeys to offer patrons more sustainably raised options.
How Are the Turkey Legs Cooked?
Preparing tens of thousands of giant turkey legs requires special commercial cooking equipment and processes.
The legs undergo a two-step cooking method:
1. Brining – The legs get submerged in a brine solution for several hours. The brine contains water, salt, spices, and preservatives. This step imparts flavor and keeps the meat moist and juicy.
2. BBQ smoking – After brining, the legs then get loaded onto extremely large smokers. These industrial-sized Ole Hickory Pit smokers can hold up to 60,000 lbs of meat. The legs smoke over a low flame for 5+ hours until fully cooked. Apple, cherry, maple, and other hardwoods impart a perfect smokey barbecue flavor.
Once smoked, the legs stay hot in holding cabinets until served. The process yields exceptionally juicy and tender turkey packed with smoky richness.
Tips for Getting Your Own Del Mar Fair Turkey Leg
If you want to get your hands on one of these iconic turkey legs, follow these tips:
-
Go early or on a weekday – Lines tend to be shorter in the morning and midday on weekdays when crowds are thinner. Avoid peak dinner hours.
-
Scope out multiple locations – Turkey legs can be found at several booths but some spots will have longer lines. Shop around for the shortest queue.
-
Get a turkey leg pass – Purchase a pass at the ticket booth allowing you to speed through the line at select turkey leg booths. Saves time once you’re ready to eat.
-
Embrace the line camaraderie – Chat up your fellow turkey leg lovers in line. You’re all there for the same glorious reason.
-
Follow your nose – Let the heavenly smoked turkey aroma wafting over the fairgrounds guide you to the nearest turkey leg stand.
-
Eat at offbeat times – Grab a leg for a decadent late morning snack or after the dinner rush has passed.
Part of the fun is taking in the sights and sounds as you wait in anticipation of sinking your teeth into smoky turkey perfection. With some strategic planning, you’ll be on your way to a quintessential Del Mar Fair experience.
Gobble It Down and Make Memories
Del Mar Fair turkey legs have achieved an almost cult-like following over the decades. They’ve become intertwined with the history of the fair itself. Families plan their visit around this finger-licking, caveman-sized snack.
The legs offer the perfect balance of juicy, boldly-flavored meat with memories made while strolling the midway under the warm Southern California sun. No trip to the Del Mar Fair is complete without chomping through the sweet smoke and grease running down your forearm. Don’t just take our word for it – head to Del Mar this summer and let one of those mammoth drumsticks take you back in time!
How much fair food was eaten at the San Diego County Fair? (a lot)
The indulgent food is one of the things that fairgoers look forward to the most. But which specific delectable delights did San Diegans eat the most of? Find out below!.
Many people love to eat bird legs at the fair—that’s right, turkey legs! In just 20 days, 38,569 turkey legs were sold.
Spam dishes were all the rage at the fair this year, meaning fairgoers emptied 4,265 cans of Spam.
A summer fair would serve 61,764 ice cream cones and pour 20,100 gallons of lemonade, so it’s not a surprise that people who couldn’t make it to the fair this year
Though it might not look like it, the fair does serve vegetables. In fact, 23,655 ears of corn were shucked and served. NBC 7’s Audra Stafford met with Chicken Charlie’s to talk about all the new items they’ve added to their menu.
How many people attended the San Diego County Fair 2024?
This year, 877,452 people went to the fair, even though it was only 20 days long—two days less than in 2023.
Fervent fairgoers will know that the fair usually ends alongside fireworks on July Fourth. But this year was the first since 2015 that the fair continued beyond July 4.
Wednesdays and Thursdays were the busiest days at the fair. One of those days was the Juneteenth holiday, which some San Diegans may remember as a day when northbound Interstate-5 was unusually busy. The Fair declared a sell-out on admission that day.
turkey leg at del Mar fair
FAQ
How much is a turkey leg at the San Diego fair?
What is a turkey leg made of at the fair?
Are turkey legs from the fair healthy?
How much does a fair turkey leg weigh?