Iconic flavors return to Food Truck Friday with a developing future
By Guy Chapman – Navarro County Gazette
Yes, the rumors are true. The flavors of Corn Dog 7, once a central staple of the College Park Mall experience, is coming to June 3’s Food Truck Friday. While the original recipes will be represented this week, its packaging will be an all-new experience.
With any good story, there comes a question of “How did this happen?” That answer is found with Tymeka Hay, a former resident of Corsicana who has brought her nostalgic love of 1980s childhood back to share with foodies familiar with the signature corn dogs and fresh-squeezed lemonade.
“Words can’t express just how excited I feel to be back home,” Hay said.
Locally born and raised, Hay went to school in Corsicana, graduating with an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Navarro College. Hay originally wanted to open up a string of daycare centers, but felt her calling was elsewhere.
She later got her Batchelor’s Degree in social work from UT Arlington, working at a foster care agency before starting Parties 2U, a venture she opened eight years ago.
The business offers a variety of children’s entertainment and festival planning services, including a SnoBiz of Dallas food truck she and her husband purchased last year after the pandemic shut down her party services. What makes her food different is she has licensed the use of the official recipes used for Corn Dog 7 and SnoBiz food. While the name won’t be quite as familiar for Friday’s diners, Hay assures the food she serves is the real deal.
“I just wanted to put all of these fond memories that I had and put them in one place in one time,” Hay said. “In my mind I always go back to those times where I was so relaxed and super happy eating a corn dog and a snow cone, and that’s where that whole concept came from.”
Hay searched for and found the owner of SnoBiz, obtaining the usage rights and ingredients to their frozen treats. After that, Hay called Corn Dog 7, and after an extensive search, found the owner.
“I told him the story,” Hay said. “I remember going to the mall, to the College Park Mall, walking through to Wal-Mart to get to it.”
“And he said, “I will allow you to use my product, but you can’t have my name.”
Hay went to spend time with the owner, and learned how to make the signature corn dogs. For her, the name wasn’t important. It was finding the authentic taste.
“At first, my corn dogs were coming out ‘Oh no,'” Hay laughed, recalling she went through about 95 pounds of corn dogs to perfect the recipe.
With time and the franchise owner as her mentor, Hay has recreated the familiar flavor.
Hay also has Corn Dog 7’s freshly-squeezed lemonade, french fries, and funnel cakes. For fans of cheese on a stick, however, Hay is asking her diners to wait just a little longer so she can perfect its consistency.
“We will be adding that in the future,” Hay said. “This is a developing concept, and we’re doing the best that we can.”
Hay has seen the response to the Corn Dog 7 announcement on the Navarro County Gazette’s Facebook page. As of this writing, the announcement post has reached nearly 32,000 readers, with 292 likes, 181 comments, and 331 shares, becoming one of the most read and well-received posts in the Gazette‘s history. She was surprised and touched by the outpouring of enthusiasm.
“I guess I didn’t think that the things that were really important and thought out to me really transcended,” Hay said. “It’s super exciting.”
Next month’s Food Truck Friday visit is only a start for Hay. She has plans to open a restaurant in Corsicana within the next year to sell the signature food items.
“I’ve already been scouting,” Hay said. “I’ve already come to Corsicana 20 times this month just to drive and look at properties, so I am in the midst of attempting to move forward. I’d love to be able to do this in my hometown.”
“I’m super excited about it. There are no words to describe the amount of surprise and joy that I feel having a response from my hometown.”
The next Food Truck Friday takes place 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday June 3 in the parking lot behind Brick Streets Brewery.
On the Web
SnoBiz of Dallas Website
SnoBiz of Dallas Facebook page
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