It turns out you can teach an old dog new tricks — when the dog is a state fair corn dog.

Just about everyone cherishes memories of a carnival corn dog, with its salty frank nestled in a fried cornmeal jacket. Well, you can take those memories and dunk them in chocolate!

The Arkansas State Fair is back this month, and the foods that made the midway great are returning, along with a few twists. The most daring may well be the chocolate-dipped corn dog. Yes, it is your familiar corn dog dipped into molten chocolate sauce and then sprinkled with powdered sugar for good measure. It’s truly a unique “man bites dog” experience.

This year’s fair, scheduled Oct. 14-23 at the Little Rock Fairgrounds off West Roosevelt Road, will offer families plenty of options to tame their hunger. But a few of of the unexpected treats will be the maple bacon funnel cake, the Snicker bar salad and the sweet tea on a stick.

And don’t fret if you’re craving tradition. “It wouldn’t be the fair without the smells and tastes of delicious fair food,” spokesman Ralph Eubanks said. “And fairgoers will find all their favorites: corn dogs, funnel cakes, cotton candy, hamburgers, pizza and more.”

Among the returning delicacies are Randy’s Original corn dogs (no chocolate required), Paizi’s Greek pitas, Boss Hogg barbecue and the Burger Wagon’s “famous ground chuck hamburgers and pig lickers,” Eubanks said.

Creative new entries beyond the items listed above will include pretzel-crusted brownies on a stick, fried grilled cheese sandwiches, fried chicken and gravy in a bread cone, chicken pot pie in a cone, and the chicken enchilada parfait. That’s not to mention the bacon-wrapped Jo Jo potatoes and a Mexican pastry churro.

Fair organizers will offer patrons a chance to save at lunchtime, waiving gate admission and parking fees from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday so that folks can get a midday taste of the midway. Look for the fair food vendors map in the Fair Guide to find your favorite.

The Big Show Diner will overlook the midway against this year, featuring a covered deck for customers to watch the crowds, rides and activities. It will serve fresh prepared foods cafeteria style for faster service, including Mexican specialties and blue plate dinners. A dessert favorite is Letha’s Southern-style fried pies.

If all that weren’t enough to fill your plate, the Petit Jean Smokehouse will be serving Petit Jean meat products at the south end of the midway, and yes, there’s a fried element. Along with the popular smoked ham sandwiches, fried bologna is on the menu.

And in case you’re wondering, sweet tea on a stick is a frozen treat akin to a Popsicle.