Growing up in Fresno, my fondest memories often revolve around the time of the year when the Fresno Fair rolled into town. The sights, the sounds, and the smells—especially the smell of tacos. It was my grandparents who introduced me to the magic of Fresno Fair tacos when I was around 10 or 12 years old, and I’ve been hooked ever since. My grandmother and grandfather were obsessed with those tacos—the old-school kind that hit just right with every bite. My grandmother was so determined to not have to make daily trips to the fair to bring them back for my grandfather that she took matters into her own hands. She volunteered at some of the taco booths, not for the fun of it, but to learn the secrets behind those perfect tacos. She wasn’t just after one recipe though; she wanted to understand the variations. So, she offered her time at different fairs across the Central Valley, from the Fresno Fair to the Carruthers and Madera fairs. Each fair had its own twist, and my grandmother carefully pieced together what she learned, creating what became known in our family as “Road Tacos.” To this day, my family makes these tacos around the time of the Fresno Fair so we don’t have to make the daily trek, but also for special occasions like Super Bowl Sunday. It’s become a family tradition that always brings us back to those cherished memories of my grandmother’s dedication and her delicious taco legacy. Here’s my grandmother’s beloved recipe for Fresno Fair-style tacos. They add festivity and flavor to any occasion, keeping the spirit of the fair alive in your kitchen: Fresno Grandmother’s Famous Fair Tacos Recipe Ingredients: 1 pound ground beef 2-3 cloves garlic, minced Salt and pepper to taste 3-4 green onions, minced 3/4 cup chopped lettuce 1/2 cup mashed potatoes 12 (1 package) corn tortillas Oil for frying Taco sauce Instructions: In a skillet, slowly cook the ground beef over medium heat until lightly browned. Add the minced garlic, salt, and pepper to taste. Drain off any excess fat. Stir in the minced green onions, chopped lettuce, and mashed potatoes, and let the mixture simmer slowly for about 7 minutes. In a separate pan, heat oil over medium-high heat. Fry each tortilla briefly, just until softened, then blot dry with paper towels. Stack them and keep warm. Spoon about 1 tablespoon or more of the beef mixture onto each tortilla, roll it up, and add your favorite taco sauce. Enjoy immediately, or serve them as a fun and festive addition to family gatherings. These tacos bring back such vivid memories for me, and I hope they do the same for you. Whether it’s fair season or game day, there’s nothing quite like biting into one of these tacos, tasting the rich flavors, and remembering my grandmother’s tireless effort to bring the fair home to us. Try them out and see how they become a tradition in your family, too!