The kind of food usually associated with a day at the fair could soon become an everyday option in Gainesville. Juicy’s Famous Fair Food is preparing to bring its burgers, oversized corn dogs, shakes and funnel cakes to the city, with a new location scheduled to open in April 2027.
The company describes the Gainesville restaurant as a new home for its fair food concept. While the exact address, operating hours and location-specific menu have yet to be announced, the opening month has been confirmed on its website.
Juicy’s has a history that goes back several decades. Founder Brett Enright got his start selling corn dogs and lemonade at county fairs when he was just 15 years old. In September 1985, the young entrepreneur was featured in the publication GRIT for operating his own fair-food business, Brett’s Blue Ribbon Food.
His early operation served corn dogs, fresh lemonade, burritos and foot-long hot dogs from a trailer that traveled to county fairs throughout the Midwest. That experience eventually helped shape the concept behind Juicy’s, which aims to bring the familiar food and atmosphere of the fairground to permanent restaurant locations.
Today, the brand’s menu features a mix of classic fairground staples and more substantial comfort food. Its offerings include smash burgers, cheeseburgers, regular and jumbo corn dogs, giant turkey legs, steak sandwiches, chicken tenders and fries.
The sweeter side of the menu includes funnel cakes, deep-fried Oreos, fried Twinkies, fried Snickers and cheesecake. Guests can also find hand-spun shakes in flavors such as chocolate, strawberry, Oreo, Nutella and cotton candy, alongside lemonade and other drinks.
Other fair-inspired options include candy apples, roasted corn, popcorn, cotton candy and caramel apples.
Juicy’s currently operates in Florida, including locations in Bradenton and at Armature Works in Tampa, while continuing to expand into additional markets. The Gainesville opening is part of that wider growth, with the company also announcing upcoming restaurants in Dallas and Houston.
For now, Gainesville diners will have to wait a little longer for the local details. Juicy’s says the restaurant’s exact address, opening date, hours and menu will be shared closer to launch.
The Gainesville location is currently targeting an April 2027 opening. More information and future updates are available through Juicy’s Famous Fair Food website.
