5 corn dogs, 340g, $15.99
bought at WholeFoods Market
for more information visit sbetterfarms.com

Here’s something you don’t see every day: downmarket food at upscale prices (the inverse is even more remarkable). Shelf Life was surprised to find these allegedly healthy carny eats in the freezer aisle at Whole Foods, and their sheer novelty value propelled us to the cash register. For the record, we’re not especially fond of piping hot wieners, corn dough, memories of childhood outings, grease, salt, mustard and ketchup all conveniently perched on a stick   – tell a lie, maybe we will have a bite – but curiosity made us go way over our budget. Question: is a minimally processed, what and gluten-free, kosher and halal corn dog containing zero trans fats and un-excessive sodium worth eating? Hoping for a little guilt-free fun, Shelf Life slid all 5 pups in the oven, invited the kids and set out the condiments. And what do you know – these dogs do hunt. Besides tasting like a salty-juicy summer stroll in a fairground (in a good way) they’re crispy and golden and don’t fall off the stick. The wieners are unusually dark in colour (due to no nitrates?), but what the hell – the beer has arrived. Beer is good. Corn dogs are good. The sun is good. Just don’t mention money.

FOUR STARS****