Fair vendor finds it tough to keep up gluten free hot dogs in big demand

8:26 PM, Aug 27, 2012   |    comments
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FALCON HEIGHTS, Minn. - There is a group of foods growing in popularity out at the fair, but it's not because they are greasy or sugary.

These foods are gluten free.

They're becoming so sought after that one fair vendor found it initially couldn't keep up with demand.

Fairgoers who stop by the Northland Celiac Support Group booth in the Health Fair 11 building are able to pick up a sheet of gluten free fair foods.

On that list are the hot dogs at Chicago Dogs.

And a hot dog is what many people want to get when the go to the fair.  But until now, those with gluten intolerance couldn't eat the hot dog bun. 

Chicago Dogs, in the Food Building, started offering gluten-free buns for its hot dogs this year. They ran out in the first day.

Annie Chesin of Chicago Dogs said, "We've just been blown out of the water. We had enough buns. We thought we had enough buns to last us through Monday from Thursday, and we were out by Thursday afternoon."

Chesin said they had been selling a few in their Stillwater shop this summer, but they say they completely underestimated what demand at the fair would be. It ends up they are getting 200 to 300 requests a day for a gluten-free dog.

Colleen Dalrymple with the Northland Celiac Support Group said she's not surprised at the demand.  More people are being diagnosed with gluten intolerance.

Dalrymple said, "You want to eat when you're at the fair.  That's what the fair is all about.  So I'm not surprised.  I'm going to go over there when I'm done with my shift and have one. I'm excited."

Chicago Dogs got a new shipment of gluten-free buns Monday morning and they weren't sure they'd last through the dinner rush.

They will get another shipment again Tuesday morning.

They say customers have been very understanding.

(Copyright 2012 by KARE. All Rights Reserved.)