Food, glorious food! The very phrase, inspired by the beloved song from Oliver!, perfectly encapsulates the sheer joy and excitement of experiencing the culinary delights at the Kickoff to Summer at the Minnesota State Fair. Just like the orphans in the musical dreaming of a proper meal, my recent visit with family and friends felt like a glorious feast for the senses. The air buzzed with anticipation, and the aroma of countless treats filled the midway, promising a day of delicious discoveries.
This wasn’t just any food outing; it was a celebration of summer’s arrival, marked by the iconic flavors of the State Fair. From savory to sweet, classic to quirky, the options were as boundless as the lyrics of “Food, Glorious Food” suggest. And just like the song builds in its enthusiastic praise of edibles, my appetite grew with each new vendor we encountered.
A Symphony of State Fair Flavors: Our Food Adventure
The Kickoff to Summer at the Minnesota State Fair is a food lover’s paradise. Navigating the tempting stalls felt like embarking on a culinary treasure hunt, each stop promising a new and exciting taste. Here’s a glimpse into the gastronomic journey we undertook, sampling some of the most talked-about and irresistible offerings.
Rick’s Pickle Pizza: A Zesty First Act
Our first act in this food symphony was at Rick’s Pickle Pizza, a vendor whose name alone sparked curiosity and a touch of daring. Pickles on pizza? It sounded unconventional, yet intriguingly delicious. And just as “Food, Glorious Food” promises unexpected delights, this pizza delivered a flavor combination that was surprisingly harmonious.
The menu described it as a “homemade hand-tossed pizza with dill ranch sauce, mozzarella cheese, sliced dill pickles, and topped with dill weed seasoning.” Each bite was a tangy, cheesy, and slightly crunchy experience. The dill ranch provided a creamy base, the mozzarella a comforting melt, and the dill pickles a refreshing zest. It was a playful and satisfying twist on a classic, earning enthusiastic thumbs-up from our group.
Big Fat Bacon: Maple-Glazed Indulgence on a Stick
Moving from the zesty to the sweet and savory, our next stop was Big Fat Bacon. If “Food, Glorious Food” is about abundance, then Big Fat Bacon embodies that sentiment perfectly. Their claim? “1/4 pound of maple-glazed bacon on a stick.” And they certainly delivered on that promise.
This wasn’t just bacon; it was a thick, juicy slab of bacon, generously glazed with sweet maple syrup and served conveniently on a stick. The smoky bacon paired perfectly with the sugary glaze, creating a melt-in-your-mouth treat that was both decadent and utterly satisfying. It evoked memories of homemade “Million Dollar Bacon,” but with the added fun of fair food portability.
The Mouth Trap Cheese Curds: A Bucket of Golden Goodness
As the “Food, Glorious Food” lyrics suggest a feast for everyone, we opted for shareable delights next. The Mouth Trap cheese curds, served in a bucket overflowing with golden, fried nuggets of cheese, were the perfect communal snack.
These weren’t just any cheese curds; they were the real deal – fresh, squeaky cheese curds battered and fried to crispy perfection. Each bite was a burst of cheesy, salty goodness, the ideal comfort food to enjoy while strolling through the fairgrounds. Sharing a bucket of these curds felt like partaking in the communal joy that “Food, Glorious Food” celebrates.
Peachy’s Baking Company & Tiny Tim’s Donuts: A Sweet Duet
No state fair experience is complete without donuts, and we indulged in a delightful donut duet. First, we visited Peachy’s Baking Company (formerly known as Amish Donuts), known for their glazed donuts made from an authentic Amish recipe. These were melt-in-your-mouth soft, with a delicate sweetness that was simply irresistible.
Then, we sampled Tiny Tim’s Donuts, another fair favorite. While Peachy’s offered a classic glazed experience, Tiny Tim’s provided a different, equally enjoyable take on the beloved treat. Together, they represented the sweet harmony of flavors that make fair food so appealing.
Blue Moon Dine-in Theatre’s Sweet Corn Ice Cream: An Unexpected Encore
Just when we thought we’d tasted it all, the Kickoff to Summer had one more unexpected encore in store: Sweet Corn Ice Cream from Blue Moon Dine-in Theatre. Inspired by my Iowa roots and a love for corn, I had to try this unique flavor. It was as surprising and delightful as discovering a new verse in “Food, Glorious Food.”
The ice cream was surprisingly creamy and subtly sweet, with a distinct corn flavor that was both refreshing and intriguing. It was a testament to the fair’s ability to innovate and offer unexpected culinary adventures, much like the adventurous spirit of the “Food, Glorious Food” song itself.
Sweet Martha’s Cookie Jar: A Mountain of Chocolate Chip Bliss
A trip to the Minnesota State Fair wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Sweet Martha’s Cookie Jar, a true institution. As iconic as the “Food, Glorious Food” song in the world of musicals, Sweet Martha’s is a fair staple, renowned for its mountains of warm, gooey chocolate chip cookies.
A tub of Martha’s Chocolate Chip Cookies is not just a dessert; it’s an experience. Overflowing with freshly baked, warm cookies, it’s a shareable feast of chocolate chip bliss. My out-of-state son, experiencing Sweet Martha’s for the first time, was instantly converted. These cookies are the sweet, comforting finale to any State Fair food adventure.
The Perfect Pickle: A Refreshing Overture
Our final stop, The Perfect Pickle, offered a refreshing overture to our food adventure. While I was too full to partake, those who saved room enjoyed a “naked” pickle on a stick. It was a simple, yet satisfying, palate cleanser, a reminder that sometimes the simplest foods can be just as glorious.
Food, Glorious Food: A State Fair Anthem
Just like the song “Food, Glorious Food” celebrates the joy and abundance of food, the Kickoff to Summer at the Minnesota State Fair is a real-life embodiment of that sentiment. It’s a place where culinary dreams come to life, where every bite is a celebration, and where the sheer variety and deliciousness of the offerings can truly make you sing. Even a giant rubber duck seemed to agree, basking in the glorious food-filled atmosphere!
If you’re looking for a “hot sausage and mustard” level of food excitement, the Kickoff to Summer at the Minnesota State Fair is your stage. Come hungry, come curious, and prepare to experience your own chorus of “Food, Glorious Food!”
Explore More State Fair Adventures:
- Family Fun at the Fair, and other Minnesota Stuff (September 2019)
- Happily Eating My Way Through the Minnesota State Fair (September 2017)
