Charlie Boghosian—better known as Chicken Charlie, the undisputed King of Deep-Fried Food—was born in Syria to Armenian parents. His family immigrated to the United States when he was just 11 years old and eventually made their home in San Diego, California. At age 14, Charlie landed his first summer job at the local county fair, selling charbroiled corn for a food vendor. That experience sparked his love for cooking, sales, and connecting with people—igniting a lifelong passion for fair food.

Throughout his high school and college years, Charlie returned to the fair season after season, mastering the art of deep-frying and fair vending. Eventually, he partnered with the same vendor he had worked with for years, and together they bought a trailer that specialized in pressure-fried (broasted) chicken. They named their venture “Chicken Charlie’s”—and from there, a legendary fair food brand was born.

Today, Chicken Charlie’s is still very much a family-run business. Charlie operates it alongside his wife, two brothers, and other relatives. His creativity in the kitchen continues to shine as he constantly experiments with new batters and frying techniques, pushing the limits of what can be deep-fried.

Over the years, Charlie’s menu has become iconic, featuring adventurous creations like fried Oreo cookies, avocados, cheesecake, cheese balls, Twinkies, frog legs, hot dogs, Kool-Aid, and even breakfast cereal. While it may not be health food, it’s pure indulgent fun—the kind of culinary curiosity you expect (and secretly crave) at a county fair. For those seeking something lighter, his menu also includes grilled chicken and beef kebabs, chicken sandwiches, tabbouleh, and hummus.

One of Charlie’s most imaginative inventions is the “zucchini-weenie.” The idea struck him while watching his mother hollow out zucchini for dolma. He wondered, what if a hot dog could be stuffed inside the zucchini, dipped in batter, and deep-fried? The result was a quirky yet crowd-pleasing treat that perfectly embodies Charlie’s inventive spirit.

Every summer, Charlie and his crew hit the road in their signature food truck, traveling across California to bring their famous deep-fried delights to county and state fairs. So if you ever spot Chicken Charlie’s at a fair near you, don’t miss the chance to taste a little piece of crispy, golden fairground history.