Golden Legacy: Jack’s French Frys To Celebrate 80 Years at the 2025 State Fair of Texas
Jack Pyland IV and his famous French Frys at the 2024 State Fair of Texas (Credit Thomas Garza)
Did you know the average American consumes nearly 34 pounds of French fries each year? That’s about 17 pounds per person per serving – a statistic that’s easy to believe if you’ve ever stood in line at Jack’s French Frys during the State Fair of Texas.
Texans can thank the Pyland family for popularizing this salty, golden snack at the Fairgrounds, where they’ve been serving up fresh-cut fries since 1945. What began as a single stand run by Jack Pyland III after World War II has grown into an enduring Fair staple , one with a side of family pride and a splash of Texas charm.
From Belgium to Big Tex
French fries weren’t born in America, but they’ve certainly been embraced. The story goes that American soldiers stationed in Belgium during World War I were introduced to the fried potato sticks by French-speaking locals – hence the name. When the war ended, troops returned home with a taste for fries, but with deep fryers not yet a common kitchen appliance, the snack remained somewhat elusive until the rise of fast food restaurants in the 1940s.
Enter Jack Pyland III, who saw opportunity in the post-war appetite for fried fare. In 1945, he opened his first French fry stand at the State Fair of Texas, using a family recipe that called for hand-cut potatoes, seasoned, and perfectly fried. His instincts were right: fries were a hit. At one point, Pyland operated nearly 30% of the Fair’s food stands, a feat few vendors can rival.
Why “Frys” Instead of “Fries”?
There’s a charming story behind the unique spelling.
“My mother was an English teacher,” recalls Jack Pyland IV, the second-generation owner. “When we came up with the name, she tried to correct my dad – told him it was spelled f-r-i-e-s. But he was annoyed with her that night, so he spelled it f-r-y-s just to get under her skin.”
The name – and the joke – stuck. For 80 years, Jack’s French Frys has been a fan-favorite, proudly flying the unconventional banner. During the Fair’s 24-day run, Jack’s team expects to go through 800 bags of 100-pound potatoes – that’s 80,000 pounds of fries.
The Man Behind the Fryer
Jack Pyland IV was born in 1948, and he’s attended every single State Fair of Texas since. “Even during my time in the Army, serving in Vietnam, my dad pulled strings with our local Congressman to get me leave so I could work the 1969 Fair,” he says with a laugh.
Pyland was just 12 years old when he operated his first stand, selling hot dogs and fries. After his father passed away in a plane crash in the early 1980s, Jack took the reins and has kept the legacy alive ever since. Today, he still uses the original family recipe – fresh potatoes, hand-cut, dipped in a custom spice blend, and fried to perfection.
Where to Find Jack at the Fair
Whether you're craving fries, funnel cakes, or a breakfast burrito, Jack’s food stands have you covered:
Cotton Bowl Plaza:
Jack’s French Frys & Hamburgers
Jack’s French Frys & Funnel Cakes
Jack’s Mexican Food (Tacos, Nachos, etc.)
Bull Alley:
Jack’s Breakfast (Burritos, Pancakes, Waffles, Chicken Tenders, Quesadillas, French Frys)
A Competitor in the Big Tex Choice Awards
Jack’s creations have caught the attention of State Fair foodies and judges alike:
2021: Deep Fried Toffee (Finalist)
2022: Deep Fried Honey (Semi-Finalist)
As Jack Pyland IV celebrates 80 years of his family’s deep-fried tradition, he’s not just serving food—he’s serving history, hospitality, and a generous helping of Texas pride. And if you’re lucky enough to grab a basket of his famous fries this Fair season, know that you’re biting into a legacy that’s as golden as the spuds themselves.
Beyond the Fryer: Jack’s Love of Flight
Outside the fairgrounds, Jack is just as passionate about aviation as he is about potatoes. A trained Army helicopter pilot from the Vietnam era, he still flies non-jet aircraft and enjoys skydiving at airshows. “I’d rather be flying than walking,” he says. In 2021, Jack extended his hospitality to the skies with the opening of Jack’s Airport Café at the Lancaster Regional Airport, a full-service diner catering to pilots and travelers alike.
Jack’s Airport Café
950 Ferris Rd, Lancaster, TX 75146
📞 (972) 209-7716
⏰ Open daily, 7 AM – 3 PM
Menu Highlights:
All-day breakfast: Pancakes, breakfast burritos, steak & eggs
Lunch favorites: Club sandwiches, BLTs, Chicken Fried Steak, burgers, and more
Follow the Fry Trail
Stay connected with Jack’s French Frys year-round:
📸 Instagram: @JacksFrenchFrys
📘 Facebook: /JacksFrenchFrys