State Fair Food 2015

[6souls]

Every year State Fair's introduce new, outrageous (and sometimes delicious) food. How does yours compare?

Minnesota's New Additions

Spoiler: show

• Buffalo’d Bones– Slow-smoked center cut St. Louis-style spare ribs, fried, tossed in buffalo sauce and served with blue cheese dressing and celery. Location: At Famous Dave’s, located on the north side of West Dan Patch Avenue between Liggett and Chambers streets west of the Grandstand.
• Burger Dog– A ground blend of hamburger, hot dog, bacon, cheese and a splash of jalapeño on a hot dog bun. Location: Gass Station Grill, located on the southeast outside corner of the Food Building off Cooper Street.
• Butter Chicken Samosas– Pastries filled with chicken in a tomato curry sauce and served with a side of green chutney. Sweet Summer Vegetable Samosas with corn, peas and onions are also available. Location: Hot Indian Foods, located at Taste of Midtown Global Market at the International Bazaar, east wall.
• Cannoli– This pastry filled with a sweetened ricotta cheese cream returns to the fair in full or mini sizes. Location: Mancini’s Al Fresco, located on the north side of Carnes Avenue between Nelson and Underwood streets.
• Chilled Bread Pudding– Custardy bread pudding baked and served chilled – sundae-style – with a warm glaze/dunking sauce and a choice of crunchy “Moon Gravel” condiments. Bread pudding flavors: Old Fashioned Challah, Fudge Brownie Batter, Corn Bread and Gluten-Free. Glaze options: Classic Vanilla, Warm Berries, Salted Caramel Graham Cracker and Hot Chocolate. “Moon Gravel” topping choices: Granola Crunch, Cinnamon Churro Cookie, Candy Roasted Pecans and Rum Soaked Raisins. At Blue Moon Dine-In Theater, located on the northeast corner of Carnes Avenue and Chambers Street.
• Cowboy Bites– Sweet corn kernels, bacon, jalapeños and cream cheese blended into bite-size balls, breaded and fried, and served with ranch dipping sauce. At Frontier Bar, located on the south side of Carnes Avenue at the intersection of Chambers Street.
• Cowboy Dave’s Cluck & Moo– Smashed potatoes, roasted beef and grilled chicken covered with beef gravy, crispy onions and mustard BBQ sauce. At The Blue Barn, located at West End Market, east side, south of the History & Heritage Center.
• Deep Fried Ribs– Smoked baby back ribs, breaded, fried and served with BBQ sauce. At Ball Park Cafe, located on the east side of Underwood Street between Dan Patch and Carnes avenues outside The Garden.
• Grandma Deb’s Snicker Bar Salad– Chopped Snickers® bars and Granny Smith apples tossed in vanilla pudding with whipped cream and drizzled with caramel sauce. At The Blue Barn, located at West End Market, east side, south of the History & Heritage Center.
• Grilled Venetian-Style Pizza– Grilled over an open flame for a crispy crust and offered in three varieties: Margherita (oven-roasted tomatoes, cheese and basil); Farm Fresh (olives, sweet red peppers, arugula greens and fresh goat cheese); and Spicy Salami (thin-sliced salami, cheese, oregano and red pepper flakes). At Mancini’s Al Fresco, located on the north side of Carnes Avenue between Nelson and Underwood Streets.
• Hot Tail– Roasted pig tail coated in a scallion ginger sauce. At The Rabbit Hole, located at Taste of Midtown Global Market at the International Bazaar, east wall.
• Indi Frites– Indian-seasoned russet and sweet potato fries in a crispy batter. At Hot Indian Foods, located at Taste of Midtown Global Market at the International Bazaar, east wall.
• Island Slaw– Gluten-free island-style coleslaw with pineapple, mandarin oranges, sugar snap peas and spinach, all topped with teriyaki chicken, a light Sriracha glaze and macadamia nuts. At Island Noodles, located at the International Bazaar, south wall.
• Italian Dessert Nachos– Cinnamon sugar cannoli chips smothered with sweet ricotta cheese filling, fruit, chocolate, nuts and candy toppings. At Pizza Shoppe, located in the Food Building, south side.
• Kimchi ‘n’ Curry Poutine– Braised pork and potatoes smothered with curry gravy and cheddar cheese, then topped with kimchi and a poached egg. At The Rabbit Hole, located at Taste of Midtown Global Market at the International Bazaar, east wall.
• Limerick Stix– A blend of pimento cheese and cayenne pepper coated in a corn meal mix, deep-fried and served with custom dipping sauce. At O’Gara’s at the Fair, located on the southwest corner of Dan Patch Avenue and Cosgrove Street.
• Mac & Cheese Cupcake– Mac & cheese nestled in a breadcrumb crust, then sprinkled with breadcrumbs and frosted with a dollop of Cheez Whiz. At LuLu’s Public House, located at West End Market, west side, south of Schilling Amphitheater.
• Maple Bacon Funnel Cake– A funnel cake infused with bacon pieces, then topped with sweet maple glaze and sprinkled with more bacon. At Funnel Cakes, Located in the Food Building, east wall.
• Meatloaf Hash– Blue Barn meatloaf, sautéed potatoes, peppers and onions topped with scrambled eggs and béarnaise sauce. At The Blue Barn, located at West End Market, east side, south of the History & Heritage Center.
• Minnesota BEE-NICE Gluten-Free Muffin– Minnesota-grown, pollinator-friendly blueberries, sweet corn and honey with a hint of chipotle in a gluten-free cornbread muffin. At Minnesota Farmers Union, located on the north side of Dan Patch Avenue between Cooper and Cosgrove streets.
• Minnesota Wild Rice Benedict Muffin– A wild rice English muffin cup with sliced ham and a soft-cooked egg, covered with hollandaise sauce. At LuLu’s Public House, located at West End Market, west side, south of Schilling Amphitheater.
• Pretzel Croissant Sandwich– Gluten-free and nitrate-free grilled chicken breast and ham, Swiss cheese and fresh spinach smothered in honey mustard and chive aioli, grilled and served hot on a pretzel dough croissant or gluten-free toast. At French Meadow Bakery, located on the north side of Carnes Avenue between Nelson and Underwood Streets.
• Prime Rib to Go– Thinly sliced choice prime rib, sautéed peppers, onions and mushrooms (optional) in a soft bread cone with a side of au jus, horseradish or Parmesan garlic sauce. At Coasters, located on the southeast corner of Carnes Avenue and Liggett Street.
• Salad Named Soo– Cubed watermelon, basil, mint, arugula and almonds mixed with a chili honey lime sauce. At The Rabbit Hole, located at Taste of Midtown Global Market at the International Bazaar, east wall.
• Sara’s Tipsy Pies– Sara's is a new State Fair vendor and longtime farmers' market favorite around the Twin Cities. Owner Sara Hayden will have five varieties of hand pies at this year's fair: State Fair Rhubarb Blue Hunny Do (strawberry rhubarb and baby blueberries baked with Hunny Do Wheat Beer), 2GINGERS Irish Apple, the Bapple (wild blueberries and apples with a honey stinger mead), Maple Bacon Apple Breakfast (a hand pie filled with apples in maple syrup, finished with a beer glaze and candied bacon bits), and Salted Caramel Apple (apple pie with caramel beer filling). At Sara’s Tipsy Pies, located in the Food Building, south wall.
• Sausage Sister’s Sriracha Sliders– “Great Balls of Fire” meatballs with Monterey Jack cheese at the center, served on a crusty slider bun with Sister’s Sweet ‘n’ Hot Sriracha Sauce. At Sausage Sister & Me, located in the Food Building, east wall.
• Seafood Slider– A lobster and seafood mix blended with mayo, red onion, garlic, celery, lemon juice and breadcrumbs, served hot on a Hawaiian roll with wine aioli. At Minnesota Wine Country, located on the west side of Underwood Street between Carnes and Judson Avenues.
• Shanghaied Henri’s International Tacos– Four types of tacos, including a Korean barbecue beef taco, the Oslo Taco (pork, Norwegian Jarlsburg cheese, lingonberry relish sour cream), the St. Paul Taco (beef brisket simmered in Summit Villain beer) and the Yucatan Taco (chicken chorizo braised in tequila). At Shanghaied Henri’s, located at the International Bazaar, north side, near the entrance.
• Smokey’s Breakfast Burger– Seasoned sausage and hamburger on a corn-dusted bun with applewood-smoked bacon, caramelized onions, melted provolone cheese, fried egg and a tomato slice. At Smokey’s Char-Broiler, located on the south side of Murphy Avenue between Underwood and Cooper Streets.
• Five new Spam Burgers– Jalapeño, Hot & Spicy, Bacon, Hickory Smoke and Black Pepper. At SPAM® Burgers, located at Carousel Park, south of the Grandstand.
• Sriracha Balls– Two choices of filling (chicken or cream cheese) breaded in panko, deep-fried and drizzled with Sriracha sauce. At Boulevard Grill, located at the Warner Coliseum, west end.
• Sriracha Dog– All-beef hot dog on a Sriracha cream cheese-smeared bun, topped with bacon bits and drizzled with Sriracha sauce. At Boulevard Grill, located at the Warner Coliseum, west end.
• Steak Apizzaiola– Cuts of Italian steak sautéed in au jus and served on a seasoned kaiser bun with caramelized onions, melted cheese and marinara sauce. At Spaghetti Eddie’s, located on the east side of Cooper Street south of Dan Patch Avenue, west of the Merchandise Mart.
• Stuffed Italian Meatloaf On-a-Stick– Italian meatloaf stuffed with Mozzarella and pepperoni, topped with marinara sauce and a Parmesan herb blend and served on-a-stick. At Green Mill, located on the east side of Cooper Street between Randall and Wright Avenues at Family Fair at Baldwin Park.
• Sweet Potato Taco– Mashed sweet potatoes, black beans, sautéed onions and vinegar coleslaw wrapped in a flour tortilla. At Potato Man & Sweetie, located on the west side of Liggett Street between Carnes and Judson Avenues.
• Tikka On-a-Stikka– Chicken marinated in spices and yogurt, chargrilled and smothered in tikka sauce. At Hot Indian Foods, located at Taste of Midtown Global Market at the International Bazaar, east wall.
• Totchos– A gluten-free dish of tater tots smothered in cheddar cheese sauce with seasoned sour cream, bacon bits and green onions (with the option of adding chicken or taco-style beef). At Boulevard Grill, located at the Warner Coliseum, west end.
• Up North Shoreman’s Lunch– Battered northern pike in a fresh tomato sauce with potatoes and corn, finished with smoked pepper tartar sauce. At The Blue Barn, located at West End Market, east side, south of the History & Heritage Center.
• Walleye Stuffed Mushrooms– Jumbo mushroom caps stuffed with flavored cream cheese spread, walleye, three cheeses, red pepper, panko breadcrumbs and a special sauce. At Giggles’ Campfire Grill, located on the east side of Cooper Street between Lee and Randall Avenues at The North Woods.
• Wine Fried Kalettes– Battered kale, fried crispy in wine and served with sweet Thai chili sauce. At Minnesota Wine Country, located on the west side of Underwood Street between Carnes and Judson Avenues.
• BBQ Pickle Ice Cream– Vanilla ice cream infused with a light BBQ sauce and diced pickles. At R&R Ice Cream, located on the southeast corner of Randall Avenue and Underwood Street.
• Butter Queen Coffee Ice Cream– Chocolate espresso flakes blended into browned butter and coffee ice cream. At Hamline Church Dining Hall, located on the north side of Dan Patch Avenue between Underwood and Cooper Streets.
• Caramel Chocolate-Dipped Bacon Ice Cream Bar– Vanilla ice cream bar with a bacon and caramel-filled center, dipped in chocolate, rolled in bacon and drizzled with more caramel. At Pat’s Place, located at the Mighty Midway, north side.
• Chocolate-Dipped Cherry On-a-Spoon JonnyPop– Fresh tart cherries and cream, dipped in dark chocolate and served not on-a-stick but a spoon, inspired by Minneapolis’ Spoonbridge and Cherry sculpture. At JonnyPops, located at West End Market, east side, just south of the History & Heritage Center.
• Chocolate Jalapeño Ice Cream– Chocolate ice cream blended with jalapeño pepper bits. At Rainbow Ice Cream, located: On the southeast corner of Carnes Avenue and Liggett Street; at Carousel Park south of the Grandstand; on the southwest corner of Dan Patch Avenue and Underwood Street; in the Grandstand, lower level, center section; on the west side of Underwood Street between Wright and Dan Patch Avenues.
• Chunks O’ Fruti Frozen Strawberry Bar– An all-natural frozen treat that is both dairy- and gluten-free, with chunks of real strawberries on-a-stick. At Key Lime Pie Bar, located northeast of the Agriculture Horticulture Building off Cooper Street, next to the Skyride.
• Doo Wop Dip– Strawberry ice cream with real strawberries in a croissant, dipped in chocolate and drizzled with white chocolate. At West End Creamery, located at West End Market, north side, east of Schilling Amphitheater.
• Dot Shakes– A chocolate or vanilla milkshake layered with your choice of Dippin’ Dot flavor. At Dippin’ Dots, located on the south side of Carnes Avenue between Nelson and Underwood Streets.
• Espresso Float– Iced espresso over vanilla ice cream and topped with whipped cream. Flavor choices include: chocolate, chocolate salted caramel, vanilla, hazelnut or almond. At Java Jive, located on the south side of West Dan Patch Avenue between Liggett and Chambers Streets at Adventure Park.
• Fire and Ice Kreme– Soft serve vanilla ice cream with Sriracha sauce and corn chip crunch, topped with whipped cream. At Goertze’s Dairy Kone, located on Cooper Street south of Dan Patch Avenue, west of the Merchandise Mart.
• Salted Caramel Puff malts and sundaes– Vanilla ice cream topped with caramel sauce and finished with salty, crunchy puff corn. At Dairy Goodness Bar - Midwest Dairy Association, located in the Dairy Building, southeast corner.

[Wulfgang]

Haha why is a cannoli in this list? As an Italian-American, I am deeply offended. I had a cannoli cornucopia in lieu of a birthday cake for like five years growing up.

[6souls]

Because it's an item that hasn't been offered before at our fair. It's probably the safest item on the list.

[AidenCarby]

Saw one state doing deep fried watermelon...nope

[psychodwarf]

Nothing compares to the MN state fair. They are going heavy on the Sriracha this year though. I'll probably stick to the deep fried alligator and deep fried Reese's.

[Cream Soda]

Been in FL since birth. Never been to a state fair (despite it being 45 mins from me. Could probably bike there in an hour and a half)

[6souls]

Nothing compares to the MN state fair.

Us & Texas. We have the two biggest state fairs in the country (which is why Texas had a tourist exhibit last year).

[Iono]

Nothing compares to the MN state fair. They are going heavy on the Sriracha this year though. I'll probably stick to the deep fried alligator and deep fried Reese's.

I love Reese's, but deep fried ones are no bueno. I think Oreos are superior. Can't remember what the thing I got on special was.

[Anoat]

Us & Texas. We have the two biggest state fairs in the country (which is why Texas had a tourist exhibit last year).

The Texas State Fair happening at the same time as the Texas/Oklahoma football game every year certainly helps make them one of the bigger attractions in the nation.

[BaneTheBrawler]

ive actually never been to our state fair.

[D44kpunk]

iowa

Spoiler: show

Apple Pie On-A-Stick: sliced apples dipped in a funnel cake batter and apple pie spice, deep fried and topped with cinnamon sugar. Served with a side of caramel and three apple wedges.
Corn in a Cup: Available in two varieties. "The Iowan," which includes a cup of corn niblets, pork sausage, cheddar cheese, mayo, butter, lime and spicy magic dust. "The Mexican" is a blend of corn niblets, pork chorizo, coyote cheese, butter, mayo, lime, and spicy magic dust.
Cattleman's Steak Fajita Wrap: juicy marinated certified angus beef, traditonal peppers and onions, lettuce, and cheese all wrapped in a flour tortilla, and topped with a chipotle mayo.
Deep Fried Nacho Rolls: seasoned ground beef, jalapenos, and cheddar cheese rolled in a Nacho Cheese Dorito crust. Deep fried and served with nacho cheese dipping sauce.
Toasted Coconut Caramel Cluster: a blend coconut, pretzel pieces, and caramel dipped in chocolate and served on a stick.
Ultimate Bacon Explosion: smoked pure ground brisket, diced jalapenos, a few onions, infused with a pepper cheese, all wrapped in bacon, and served with a sweet and spicy chili glaze.
Other new foods in 2015 include:

Chocolate Marshmallow Malt Fair Square (available at the Fair Square stand at the northwest corner of the Administration Building)
Bruschetta
Deep Fried Cherry Pie
Donut Sundae
Golden Fried Peanut Butter and Jelly on a Stick
Gluten Free Corndog
Kernel Kluster

[Tokitoki]

I don't know where to find the food list for NY State Fair.

I went one time two years ago maybe. It's in Syracuse, which my fiancee grew up outside, so she wanted to go while we were visiting a friend of hers. They had come up with a "Hot Beef Sundae" as the new thing that year.

Mashed Potatoes topped with Pot roast and gravy, sour cream, cheddar cheese, and a grape tomato. Served in a sundae dish with a spoon. Not really artery clogging, but was interesting.

EDIT: Also of note, Dinosaur Bar-B-Que is from outside Syracuse. Had an entire tent section to themselves. If you're in NY and haven't had Dinosaur BBQ I suggest looking it up.

[BaneTheBrawler]

yeah, well, i was born in wisconsin anyway

[psychodwarf]

I try to get 1 new item every year, but usually end up back at the Turkey to Go booth. Why they have to taste so damn good?