Bright ideas can result in the most unusual of concoctions.

For Kathy Heise, it was the combination of her beloved “Pronto Pup” and Hormel Foods’ famed luncheon meat that produced her fair treat, known as the “Austin Pup,” which has gained her notoriety across the southeast Minnesota region.

“I’ve found that people either love Spam or hate it — there’s really no in between,” Heise, of Faribault, Minn., said.

And, thankfully, these flavors have proven complimentary.

“The batter, the spam — it gives it a different flavor,” she said.

The concept came to Heise one day in her kitchen. A knowledgeable fan, vendor and franchisee of Pronto Pups thanks to her late husband, Ray, Kathy developed an instinct for “Pup” varieties as instilled by Ray.

“Anything you can put on a skewer and a stick, we have,” she said.

In this case, Heise opened a can of Spam, and thought, “I wonder what it would taste like in a Pronto Pup.”

She appreciated the results.

After contacting Hormel Foods about use of the meat, Heise began selling “Spam Pups” at fairs and events regionwide last summer.

The response was, for the most part, spectacular, and, in some cases, included multiple trips by individuals to her food stand daily.

Heise was later approved a trademark from the state of Minnesota certifying her creation, though her efforts were slightly dampened after receiving a letter from Hormel prohibiting use of the Spam name unless she agreed to several conditions, including forfeiture of a portion of Spam Pup revenues and audits.

“So I just gave the name up,” she said, adding that she also canceled the trademark.

She created a very suitable namesake, however.

In the fashion of the “Chicago dog,” Heise dubbed the former Spam Pup the “Austin Pup,” a name that gave homage to its roots, while promoting local pride.

“These are Austin people, and I think it’s a little more personal,” she said.

Now in her Mower County Fair stand, made more than 50 years ago by Ray, Heise and friend Jeff Eaton selling the $3 pups, along with footlongs, conventional and cheese pups.

It’s truly a tribute to her husband, she said, adding that their 13-year marriage also fostered a devotion to the fair lifestyle and product Ray held dear.

“I just love doing it,” she said. “We come to their fair and sell the Pronto Pups. Each fair is like your family.”

Heise said she’s currently working to bring her product to the Minnesota State Fair — the ultimate achievement to any fair vendor.

“They contacted me, but they haven’t told me I’m in,” she said, adding the criteria includes “a new product” for sale and display.

“Everybody needs a little something new,” she said.