GREAT FALLS — News of the Montana State Fair cancellation hits hard for a lot of reasons. Among them is the absence of traditional fair cuisine on Food Alley at the Montana Expo Park.
Staples like the Viking, the Cowpie, the Bacon Beef Sundae, and all sorts of fried food will be off the menu this year for many traditional fairgoers. But thankfully a few businesses in town can help you get your fix.
Randy Deck is the owner of Yogurt City along 10th Avenue South, and like most places, the health guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic have affected business.
“It’s been pretty, pretty severe,” Deck said. “We've had a real big turn down due to the fact people aren't out. But we've been here, we've been open.”
But luckily, the Deck family owns something else that helps draws people in. Three words: Mini. Donut. Stand.
"We’ve had the thing going since 2001,” Deck said. “We bring it to the Farmer's Market, all the events downtown, the fair, just everywhere I can be.”
Right now, the stand is open for business outside of the yogurt shop, and it’s been essential for Deck and Yogurt City during this economic downturn.
“It really helps us with the yogurt area because it allows me to keep my employees with a job and we haven't let anybody go,” Deck said. “And the donuts are just a wonderful addition for this hard time. People have just been so overjoyed and happy that I have it out here.”
So, if you need your fair fix – stop by. Donuts are just the start.
“I've got the mini donuts, the fresh squeezed old-fashioned lemonade and I think if the community wants it, I'm going to do the Texas twisted lemonades,” Deck said. “So, come on down and get your fair food anytime you want.”
Yogurt City and the donut stand are open every day from 1-9 p.m., and they’re not the only business providing a fair food fix. Brian’s Top Notch Café is offering “Fair Food Fridays” with some of their fried specials.
