The North Carolina State Fair is one big community. From ticket checkers to law enforcement to custodial staff, everyone works together to get the Fair up and running. What many don’t see about the Fair is the after-hour cleaning and care that goes into making the fairgrounds the best they can be.
Bobby Scott of Fat Boys BBQ does not let these important people go unnoticed. His personal mission is to help people who help him. This means making sure that everyone who does something small for him, even picking up trash from around his stand, gets something in return. A smile and a thank you can go a long way.
“The most important person at the fair to me is my trash lady, I’m not kidding,” Bobby said. “She takes good care of me, and I take good care of her. I do certain things to help people because without them we couldn’t do this.”
Preparation for the N.C. State Fair starts before you might think. Bobby says that the first day after the Fair, his team starts preparing for the next year. One of the things they have to start thinking about is what items will be on the menu the next year.
Fat Boys introduces a new food item at the Fair every year. In 2021, they even won The Peoples Choice “Best New Food at The Fair” with their Carolina Cowboy Roll. You can still find this at the Fair, but their new item this year is Brisket and Waffles on a Stick.
“We take pancake batter and brisket, shred it and then we scoop it in balls, fry it and put in on a stick,” Bobby said. “I try to inspire something new every year.”
A classic from Fat Boys is their Brisket Mac n Cheese. Bobby says that every year, things change but this product always stays the same. Out of everything, Bobby says that this product is his favorite to sell every year.
Along with him at the Fair is his wife and his son Zack. From helping out around the stand to cooking delicious brisket, these members of the Scott family go through the early mornings and late nights that Fair time brings together.
When asked what was put on their famous brisket, the Scotts simply replied “salt, pepper, smoke and time.” This product is good all on its own, only two ingredients are needed.
The N.C. State Fair is a big community. It is vendors like Fat Boys that make peoples day at the Fair their “Best.Day.Ever!” Through the highs and lows of fair time, Bobby Scott stays true to himself and helps others in any way that he can.
“I cook a product that goes a long way so if I can share it with people to help I will, because they’re helping me,” Bobby said.
Make sure to stop by Fat Boys BBQ on your trip to the 2023 N.C. State Fair! Their booth is located near Dorton Arena across from the Carousel.
