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California’s Great America is a fantastic place for thrill rides, such as the cool Gold Striker and RailBlazer roller coasters. It has also become a pretty great place to eat.
The Santa Clara theme park has upped its dining/snacking game over the last few years, thanks in large part to executive chef Erick Ponce and more than a touch of whimsy. Unicorn funnel cake, anyone?
Here are five delicious items to try the next time you’re there.
Funnel cakes
This beach boardwalk classic has been a popular treat at Great America ever since the park opened in 1976. Now there’s a whole new world for funnel cake fans to explore at the park’s new French Quarter Funnel Cakes and Churros eatery. Create your own twist on the funnel cake via a huge array of toppings, including cookie dough bites, caramel sauce, Fruity Pebbles and gummy bears. And don’t forget the ice cream. You can even order a frosting-festooned unicorn funnel cake. (And really, why would you order anything else?)
Bacon-wrapped hot dogs
Who doesn’t love a good bacon-wrapped hot dog? The ones sold at Great America’s cool new Sierra Creek Lodge — which opened last summer — go beyond just good with yummy pretzel buns and a sweet tri-color pepper relish.
Smoked tri-tip
Maggie Brown’s restaurant has been known for its fried chicken since the place opened in 1976. But a major renovation and menu expansion in 2017 transformed the eatery into Maggie Brown’s Smokehouse and Fried Chicken. The smokehouse offerings are well worth exploring. Don’t miss the brisket, pulled pork, ribs and memorable smoked tri-tip.
Rotisserie chicken
Yes, you can still get fried chicken at Maggie Brown’s, but we might actually prefer the new rotisserie chicken. The rotisserie was added to the restaurant at the same time as the new smoker, and the results are delicious — moist, tender and full of flavor.
California’s Great America Executive Chef Erick Ponce. (Jim Harrington/Bay Area News Group)
Pretzel-caramel apples
There’s something about covering an apple with caramel and toppings that just seems so right at a theme park. Our favorite combo is the caramel-and-pretzel apple, which delivers gooey sweetness, contrasting pretzel-y saltiness and satisfying crunch. You’ll find the pretzel-caramel apple and other sweets at the Orleans Candy Kitchen.
