While I shed a tear for the beach bod I never really got this summer, I take solace in the fact that it's fair season and I can just try again in the fall.

Yes, that means we're ready to be buried in fried foods, sweets, and snacks, not unlike that kid from Kazaam.

On Friday, June 13, the Orange County Fair opened its gates to the public and we eagerly high-tailed it into the fairgrounds.

Returning are some all-star vendors like Chicken Charlie's and Biggy's — the Deep Fry King and Sultan of Turkey Legs, respectively, and they've added a handful of new items that had us wiping drool from our chins.

Check out all the new foods and returning favorites served that this year's OC Fair. Just be sure to leave some time between snacking, for rides and games.

Deep Fried Filet Mignon (Chicken Charlie's)

Photo: Peter Pham

This year's star dish from Chicken Charlie's booth is the deep fried filet mignon. Hulked out medallions are skewered together, breaded, and deep fried. Imagine eating chicken fried steak on a stick, because that's essentially what this is. Just wish we had some sausage gravy to dunk those steaks in. Next year, Charlie.

Caramel Crack Fries (Biggy's)

Photo: Peter Pham

I've always been a fan of the marriage between sweet and salty. Give me some kettle corn or a maple bacon donut and I'm a happy dude. Biggy's new Caramel Crack Fries is a stunning example of sweet and salty that combines salty cinnamon sugar fries, a generous drizzle of caramel, whipped cream, and Fruity Pebbles cereal.

Deep Fried Pineapple (Chicken Charlie's)

Many feel pineapple doesn't belong on a pizza, but no one said you can't deep fry it. Chicken Charlie's is offering freshly sliced pineapples that are plunged into Charlie's special pancake batter and dunked in a vat of hot oil — the origins of a delicious fruit-themed superhero.

Lasagna Nachos (Pignotti's)

Photo: OC Fair

Looks like lasagna nachos are slowly making it into the mainstream and I'm totally on board with it. Pignotti's version takes deep-fried pieces of lasagna noodles and douses them in a bed of rich marinara sauce before being introduced to a second friend...Mister Cheese Blanket.

Spicy Turkey Leg (Biggy's)

Photo: Peter Pham

Hardcore carnivores will likely go straight for the massive turkey legs found at Biggy's. This year, they're trying something a little spicier with a Cholula hot sauce variation of the classic turkey leg. Don't worry, you'll still get the same smokiness and girth as a regular leg, just with a extra helping of heat.

Mermaid Floats (Candy Factory)

Photo: Peter Pham

Between all the salty meats and the scorching summer heat, you'll probably want to track down something sweet and refreshing to cool off with. Candy Factory has a smorgasbord of floats named after mythical creatures, such as the Unicorn and Mermaid Floats. These multi-colored refreshers feature a sweet soda sprinkled stacked with rainbow toppings and a heap of cotton candy.

Ramen Burritos (Chicken Charlie's)

Photo: Peter Pham

Another new addition to Chicken Charlie's lineup are these chicken and shrimp ramen burritos. Ramen noodles and Funyuns are joined with Charlie's savory grilled chicken or shrimp in a warm tortilla, offering a trio of textures. Charlie tosses the noodles in his famous House Maui sauce and some Sriracha for a gentle hit of flavor.

Spaghetti Donuts (Pignotti's)

Photo: OC Fair

I never knew spaghetti could be enjoyed without utensils until I saw Pignotti's spaghetti donuts. The noodles are formed using a donut mold and tossed into the deep fryer with the love of an Italian grandparent. Instead of glaze, they're topped with traditional pasta sauces — pesto, Alfredo, carbonara, or marinara.

Bacon Wrapped Pork Belly (Biggy's)

Photo: Oscar Gonzalez

It's not really a trip to the fair without some bacon. Biggy's bacon-wrapped pork belly serves guests a skewer full of bacon inception. The crispy cured strips are wrapped around hunks of tender Duroc pork belly and slow roasted. Bacon lovers will definitely want to zero in on this item.

If that's not enough to whet your whistle, here's everything else you need to keep an eye out for at this year's OC Fair:

• Ice Cream Tacos (Bacon A Fair)
• Truffle Tots (Tater Twister)
• Mac and Cheese Tots (Tater Twister)
• Cheeseburger Tacos (Juicy's)
• Gouda Wontons (Pignotti's)
• Gouda Nachos (Pignotti's)
• Dipped Ice Cream Sandwiches (Totally Baked Cookie Joint)
• Big Skillet Cookie (Totally Baked Cookie Joint)
• Bubble Waffle Cone Sundae (Fried Affair 2)
• PBJ Sriracha Funnel Cake (Dutchman's Funeral Cake)
• Deep Fried Cheese Curds (Tasti Burger)
• Chili Chamoy Candy Capple (Brander Candyland)
• M&M Donut (Texas Donuts)
• Unicorn Cotton Candy Donut (Texas Donuts)
• Holy Coa's Boba Tea (Pignotti's)
• Poke Bowls (Eddie's)