calsfoundation@cals.org
September 28, 1999
Bernell “Fatman” Austin, creator of the first fried dill pickle, died at St. Vincent Infirmary Medical Center in Little Rock (Pulaski County). The Austin family still sells Fatman’s Original Fried Dill Pickles, using his secret recipe, during the annual two-day Picklefest held every May in downtown Atkins (Pope County).