State fairs are synonymous with one thing for food enthusiasts: a thrilling adventure for your taste buds! This year’s fair is bursting with an array of exciting and innovative State Fair Foods, offering something for everyone from the adventurous eater to the classic comfort food lover. While there might not be one single dish that screams “HOLY COW YOU HAVE TO EAT THIS” immediately, the sheer variety and quality of options make it a food lover’s paradise. Let’s dive into the standout state fair foods, the honorable mentions, and perhaps a few that are worth considering as you navigate the culinary landscape of the fairgrounds.
Blue Ribbon State Fair Foods: The Best of the Best
These are the state fair foods that truly impressed, dishes that you’ll want to seek out and savor. They represent the pinnacle of state fair culinary creativity and execution.
Chicken Chorizo Paella at Paella Depot ($14): Prepare to be transported to Spain right in the middle of the fairgrounds. The Chicken Chorizo Paella at Paella Depot is an absolute must-try. The paella is perfectly cooked, boasting flavorful chorizo and tender chicken. The rice is beautifully caramelized, offering a delightful crunch, complemented by fresh snap peas and carrots for a touch of freshness. It’s no surprise that this paella is a winner, considering the owner’s extensive experience in Spanish cuisine. You even have the option to enhance your paella with seafood or a fried egg, and for those who like a kick, a mild hot sauce is available. As the truck playfully states, “Paella is the hotdish of Spain,” and after tasting this, you might just agree. Find it near the Miracle of Birth Building.
Turkey Kristo at Minnesota Farmers Union Coffee Shop ($16): For a unique twist on a classic sandwich, the Turkey Kristo at the Minnesota Farmers Union Coffee Shop is a standout state fair food. While you might expect fresh, vibrant flavors from the Farmers Union, this dish offers a comforting warmth, reminiscent of a Monte Cristo with a delightful sweetness. Featuring Ferndale Market turkey on Texas toast, topped with creamy white cheddar from CannonBelles in Cannon Falls, local apple butter, and a spicy brown mustard mayo, it’s a symphony of flavors. Though perhaps not ideal for a scorching hot day, this sandwich is surprisingly satisfying and definitely worth sharing. Located on the north side of Dan Patch Avenue near the Snelling entrance.
Koshari at Kosharina Egyptian Cuisine ($15 for chicken): Embark on a culinary journey to Egypt with the Koshari at Kosharina Egyptian Cuisine. This state fair food is a delightful discovery, a hearty and flavorful rice and lentil bowl loaded with chickpeas. Opting for the chicken addition is highly recommended, and be sure to generously drizzle the garlicky vinegar “dakkah” sauce over it. It’s a wonderfully new and shareable experience, perfect for those seeking global flavors at the fair. Find this gem south of the grandstand under the ramp.
Quesabirria Taquitos at El Burrito Mercado ($13): For perfectly executed, easy-to-eat state fair foods, look no further than the Quesabirria Taquitos at El Burrito Mercado. These deep-fried taquitos are generously stuffed with flavorful quesabirria beef and topped with their signature awesome salsa verde. They are designed for fairgoers on the move – easy to bite into and walk with. Don’t hesitate to ask if they are spicy; the team will enthusiastically (and loudly!) assure you they are “NOT SPICY!” Enjoy them with a refreshing Agua de Sandia Loca watermelon drink with a hint of chamoy for the perfect fair food pairing. Located in the International Bazaar.
Wrangler Waffle Burger at Nordic Waffles ($12): Nordic Waffles has truly hit it out of the park with the Wrangler Waffle Burger. After some past experiments that might have missed the mark, this state fair food is a triumph. The caramelized onion infused into the waffle batter provides just the right amount of savory note, perfectly complementing the well-seasoned burger patties. The spicy Whataburger sauce ties everything together in harmonious deliciousness. Think of it as a patty melt, elevated with two patties nestled in a savory waffle – a must-try for burger aficionados and waffle lovers alike. Find it in the West End.
Ba’bacon Sour Cream + Onion at Baba’s ($14): Baba’s consistently delivers delicious hummus, and the Ba’bacon Sour Cream + Onion is no exception. While another hummus bowl might seem predictable, this flavor profile is surprisingly innovative for state fair foods. This hummus tastes exactly like the classic sour cream and onion potato dip, elevated with beef bacon, sumac tater tots, caramelized onions, and chive oil. It’s a fabulous and flavorful bowl that redefines hummus at the fair. Located south of Little Farm Hands on Underwood.
PB Bacon Cakes at The Blue Barn ($12.75): For a delightful breakfast-for-dinner (or anytime!) state fair food, the PB Bacon Cakes at The Blue Barn are a winner. These six sharable bites offer a wonderful combination of textures and flavors. The bacon boasts a satisfying crunch, balanced by the light peanut butter in the homemade whip. It’s a perfect example of delicious real food, without any unnecessary gimmicks, and certainly a dish you’ll want to enjoy again. Located in the West End Market, south of the History and Heritage Center.
Crab Boil Wings at Soul Bowl ($20): Flavor explosion alert! The Crab Boil Wings at Soul Bowl are an absolute flavor revelation among state fair foods. Imagine a shrimp or crab boil, but with chicken wings – that’s what you get here. The chicken apple sausage is spectacular, the chicken wings are perfectly cooked, and the corn and potatoes are all seasoned with Old Bay seasoning. This is a substantial dish, feeling like it weighs a hefty 20 pounds, making the $20 price tag seem more reasonable. This is definitely a dish to share with a group at a table. Find it in the Food Building.
Sweet Heat Bacon Crunch at RC’s BBQ ($13): Bacon lovers, rejoice! The Sweet Heat Bacon Crunch at RC’s BBQ is a bacon-centric state fair food that delivers on flavor and texture. The bacon is incredibly tender, intentionally cooked to a non-crispy perfection. If you get an order with a generous amount of the chili crunch, you’re in for a treat! It’s not overly spicy, and the inclusion of rice helps to absorb the delicious sauce and balance the dish. Grab a couple of forks and share this flavorful bacon creation. Located by the Grandstand / West End Entrance.
Red Ribbon State Fair Foods: Honorable Mentions
These state fair foods are well-executed and enjoyable, dishes that are worth trying and you might find yourself craving.
Deep-Fried Korean Corndog at Chan’s Eatery ($15): For a fun and unique state fair food experience, the Deep-Fried Korean Corndog at Chan’s Eatery is a must-try. When else can you indulge in a giant corn dog-style creation filled with hot dog and mozzarella cheese? The panko batter is wonderfully crunchy, though be aware that there’s a generous amount of batter compared to the filling. The addition of hot Cheetos dust adds a delightful crunch and a burst of flavor. Located on the east side of Underwood Street between Murphy and Lee avenues.
Dill Pickle Tots at Tot Boss ($8): The dill trend continues, and Tot Boss embraces it with their Dill Pickle Tots. Tot Boss excels at tater tots, and these are assertively seasoned with a dill seasoning – more fresh dill and salty than overtly pickle-y. They are a great shareable snack with a satisfying flavor, reminiscent of dill pickle potato chips. Located near Kidway/Midway Men’s Club.
Chile Mango Whip at Tasti Whip ($12): If you’re a fan of Dole Whip, the Chile Mango Whip at Tasti Whip is a refreshing state fair food treat. Mango Dole Whip provides a cooling sweetness, while the salty and sweet Tajin and chamoy flavorings awaken your taste buds. The chamoy-rimmed cup and tamarind candy straw, while adding to the presentation, can be a bit messy. Located by Sky Glider/ Grandstand.
Swedish ‘Sota Sliders at Hamline Church Dining Hall: These sliders offer outstanding flavor and are a solid choice for state fair foods. While not entirely new to the menu, the Swedish ‘Sota Sliders are a delightful repurposing of a previous favorite. The cranberry-wild rice meatball, smashed into a patty, is flavorful and unique. The red relish made with beets, red onions, red peppers, lingonberries, and cranberries elevates the sliders to another level. Two sliders make for a perfect shareable portion. Located on the north side of Dan Patch Avenue between Underwood and Cooper streets.
Lobster Eclairs at Scenic 61 ($25 for the lobster + banh mi duo): The Lobster Eclairs at Scenic 61 are an intriguing and surprisingly successful state fair food. Imagine the flavors of a lobster roll, but served in an eclair shell. The eclair shell actually works quite well as a vessel, making it easier to manage and enjoy the lobster filling. While the banh mi in the duo was a bit dry, the lobster eclair is the clear standout. Located south of Little Farm Hands.
Sweet Corn Cola Float at Blue Moon Dine-In Theater ($11): Don’t expect intense sweetness with the Sweet Corn Cola Float at Blue Moon Dine-In Theater; it’s more subtly flavored. The Earl Giles cola flavor is soft and enjoyable, combined with frozen cola and sweet corn ice cream. The pop rocks-style candy topping adds a fun textural element. It’s a unique and interesting float for adventurous palates. Located at the northeast corner of Carnes Avenue and Chambers Street.
Buffalo Cheese Curd & Chicken Tacos at Richie’s Cheese Curd Tacos ($14): If you love buffalo flavor and cheese curds, these tacos are worth a try. Two fried taco shells are filled with a solid buffalo sauce, shredded chicken, and cheese curds. While the buffalo flavor and the combination of crunch and soft curds are appealing, some might find themselves wishing for just a plate of cheese curds instead. A bit more blue cheese slaw could elevate these tacos. Located outside the sheep and poultry barn.
Grilled Purple Sticky Rice at Union Hmong Kitchen ($10): The Grilled Purple Sticky Rice at Union Hmong Kitchen had some initial challenges but has been improved. Early on, the sticky rice mounds tended to fall apart and were sometimes aggressively charred. However, the cooking method has been re-engineered, switching from an open grill to pans. This change keeps the inside sticky and the outside crispy, resulting in a vastly improved dish. The shredded beef jerky, Krunchy Chili Aioli, and the concept itself are clever and flavorful. It’s worth giving it a try after the improvements. Located in the International Bazaar, south wall, west corner.
Deep-Fried Ranch Dressing at LuLu’s Public House ($12): The Deep-Fried Ranch Dressing at LuLu’s Public House is a state fair food that defies easy categorization, and it’s undeniably genius as fair food. It’s fun, efficiently prepared, and perfectly executed – crispy and hot. Initially, it might have been overly “ranchy,” but the recipe has been refined to achieve a better balance between cream cheese and ranch. The cream cheese forward version with a hint of ranch is more enjoyable. For an extra flavor kick, try dipping it in Cry Baby Craig’s hot honey. Located in the West End Market, south of Schilling Amphitheater.
Deep-Fried Halloumi Cheese at Holy Land Deli ($10 for 4): For cheese lovers, the Deep-Fried Halloumi Cheese at Holy Land Deli is a solid and affordable state fair food option. Halloumi, being a firmer cheese, holds up well when fried. These are served in fried triangles of pastry dough with a side of sweet chili sauce. It’s a good value and a satisfying cheese-centric snack. Located in the International Bazaar.
Patata Frita Focacciawich at West End Creamery ($12): The Patata Frita Focacciawich at West End Creamery is an interesting combination of savory and sweet state fair foods. The combination of olive oil, bread, and ice cream is intriguing. Wrecktangle Pizza’s focaccia and Minnesota Dairy Lab’s kettle-chip flavored ice cream are both well-executed. However, a bread ice cream sandwich of this size can be quite messy to eat and not very shareable. It’s a creative idea that might need a bit of refinement in its execution. Located in the West End Market.
Blazing Greek Bites at Dino’s ($8): Texture might be a point of contention with the Blazing Greek Bites at Dino’s. These deep-fried chickpea balls resemble tater tots in appearance but have a softer, almost baby food-like texture inside, which might not appeal to everyone. The spiced roasted pepper flavor is somewhat divisive, with some appreciating the lingering heat. The roasted red pepper hummus served on the side is a highlight. Located on the north side of Carnes Avenue between Nelson and Underwood streets.
Walking Shepherd’s Pie at O’Gara’s at the Fair ($10): For a hearty and portable state fair food, the Walking Shepherd’s Pie at O’Gara’s at the Fair fits the bill. The pastry is indeed flaky and well-made. It is, as expected, Shepherd’s Pie. However, it might be considered a bit undersalted for some palates. It’s a generous serving, and if you prefer milder flavors, this might be for you. Located at the southwest corner of Dan Patch Avenue and Cosgrove Street.
Participation Ribbon State Fair Foods: Keep Trying!
These state fair foods, while perhaps not hitting the mark this year, still represent the spirit of experimentation and fun at the fair.
PB&J Biscuit at LuLu’s Public House ($8): The PB&J Biscuit at LuLu’s Public House, while conceptually interesting, might not be a standout state fair food. The biscuit in this instance was a little over-browned. While the strawberry jam on top is pleasant, a PB&J biscuit might not be the most exciting choice with so many other options available. Infusing peanut butter and jelly into the biscuit was a clever attempt to add moisture, but it could still be somewhat dry.
Shroomy “Calamari” at French Meadow Bakery ($14): The Shroomy “Calamari” at French Meadow Bakery, unfortunately, falls into the “keep trying” category for state fair foods. The mushrooms were undersalted and under-fried. Despite a long wait in line, the “calamari” wasn’t shaved as expected. The side of chipotle sauce was the most redeeming element of this dish. Located on Carnes Avenue between Nelson and Underwood streets.
Afro Poppers at Afro Deli ($6): The Afro Poppers at Afro Deli might need some adjustments. They tasted primarily like fried mini donuts, lacking discernible African herbs. In this instance, they also tasted slightly burnt. Located in the Food Building.
3 Piggy Pals On-A-Stick at Sausage Sister & Me ($12): While Sausage Sister & Me is known for great sausage, the 3 Piggy Pals On-A-Stick might not be the best showcase of their talents as state fair foods. Three small bites on a stick for $12, topped with a somewhat unusual cream cheese mix and barbecue sauce drizzle, didn’t quite come together effectively. Located in the Food Building.
State fairs are the perfect place to explore culinary creativity and indulge in unique and sometimes unexpected food combinations. Whether you’re seeking the blue ribbon winners or are curious to try everything, the state fair food scene is an exciting and delicious adventure.
