Zoli's Channels the State Fair With Fried Brisket-Stuffed Garlic Knots

Food vendors at the State Fair of Texas really like rolling things into balls and chucking them into the deep-fryer. Case in point: This year new spherical food items at the fair include fried corn and cream cheese balls (aka Cowboy Corn Crunch), a Deep-Fried Alligator's Egg Nest, Fried Beer Battered Buffalo balls, and the mysterious sounding Pretzel-Crusted Pollo Queso (sriracha chicken balls breaded in pretzel crumbs). Think of them as... nouveau croquettes?

Zoli's NY Pizza master Lee Hunzinger decided to create his own State Fair-inspired circular treats: Behold, the Deep-Fried Brisket-Stuffed Garlic Knots. Zoli's garlic knots are stuffed with Lockhart Smokehouse brisket, mozzarella, and jalapenos, then dipped in a corn and habanero beer batter and deep-fried. They come two to an order for $10 and are served with a side of housemade jalapeno ranch dressing, because of course they are. Get 'em at Zoli's starting today for lunch, if you dare.