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Easily the most normal food item on this list. Deep-fried bacon dunked in chocolate—salty and sweet at its finest. For more of the bests from Texas, check this out. Coffee Tea Perfect for when you're Too Sober See All Drinks. Dining Hall Dorm Lyfe Perfect for when you're Broke See All How To. California hasn't announced its new state fair foods yet, but there's a good chance deep-fried Starbucks will be on the menu.
The deep-fried balls of ground coffee on a stick, served in a Starbucks cup, have been popping up at fairs up and down the California coast, including the San Diego Fair.
You can get these fried balls of spicy joy at the Minnesota State Fair two ways: a blend of chicken, corn, tomatoes, egg and Sriracha or the same ingredients mixed with Sriracha cream cheese. Both mixtures are deep-fried and drizzled with Sriracha sauce. Wisconsin is checking all the fair food boxes with this one. Deep fried? On a stick? Exotic meat?
Yes, again. Dig in. Entrepreneur Staff. Emily Rella. Jean-Paul Gravel. Skip to content Profile Avatar. Subscribe to Entrepreneur. Magazine Subscriptions. By Kate Taylor June 26, Minnesota State Fair In the last week, state fairs in Minnesota and Iowa — two heavyweights in absurdist fair food — revealed their food lineups for But overall, most fair cheeseburgers aren't the best thing on the menu.
After all, a cheeseburger is kind of boring when you think of all the other options at the fair. And while you might want to try a weird cheeseburger, like one with a waffle bun , it still won't be the best thing at the fair. Go ahead and skip it. If you aren't a huge fair person or just find the idea of going to the state fair a little daunting, then you can still count on going to a fall festival or small county fair to get some popular fair foods like candy apples. Yes, candy apples are certainly a seasonal favorite, but are they really the best that fairs have to offer?
Honestly, not really. Candy apples might be tasty, and they might be easy to eat while walking around the fair, but that doesn't make them great. Aside from the fact that candy apples can be messy, hard to eat, and tend to hurt your teeth, there are just so many other options at the fair.
Why waste your time with an apple? There's no need to be healthy at the fair, so who needs fruit? Seriously, there are so many dessert options at the fair; don't waste your time with a candy apple. Like the cheeseburger, the hot dog is another classic American food you can find at most fairs. Hot dogs are obviously delicious, and for picky eaters, they might be a great choice at the fair when other savory options are a little too weird.
But overall, hot dogs at fairs aren't anything special and honestly a little boring. Obviously, you can spice up your hot dog with different toppings like chili and cheese, but why waste your time with that when there are so many other foods at the fair that are more unique and interesting?
Fair hot dogs also tend to be a little unpredictable. You might get one that's overcooked or undercooked, and no one wants that. Hot dogs at the fair also aren't a super beloved item, as popular as they are, so they don't get the same attention as other, more unique items. You also run the risk of missing out on better food than the hot dog, and that might be even worse. Whatever the case, just skip the hot dog.
One of the most popular drink items people get at the fair is the lemon shake-up. Now, if you're wondering what, exactly, a lemon shake-up is, hold tight because it's really not that exciting. Lemon shake-ups are basically just lemonade made with fresh-squeezed lemon juice which is served over ice and then shaken to order to keep it nice and refreshing the whole time you're walking around the fair sipping on it.
Of course, lemon shake-ups aren't really all that exciting or unique, but there is something so enticing about a fresh, homemade lemonade that just screams "fun"! That said, lemon shake-ups still aren't the best thing at any fair because they really are just lemonade. And as delicious as lemonade might be, it's not anything new or exciting or deep-fried or covered in cheese.
Again, they aren't bad or anything, but if you have a limited budget or are worried about getting too full, go ahead and skip the lemon shake-ups.
Obviously, when you think of going to the fair and indulging in some delicious food, vegetables are probably the last thing on your mind.
But fair corn on the cob isn't your typical vegetable, and it's actually quite popular at most fairs across the United States. That said, just because it's popular doesn't mean it's the best thing at the fair, and unless you're just really craving it, you should save room for some more decadent treats.
Of course, corn on the cob from the fair isn't your typical corn on the cob that you make at home. It's typically served with your choice of toppings, from spices and seasonings to condiments and cheese, and it can be quite tasty if you choose the right flavor combination. Still, because it's a vegetable and not deep-fried or anything super special, it's not the best fair food out there.
Really, it's pretty mediocre, and something you can replicate at home if you wanted to. Unless you're a child, you probably don't get all that excited about the prospect of cotton candy. Nevertheless, it's still one of the more popular fair foods out there, and it sort of makes sense. After all, it's not exactly easy to make cotton candy at home, and most people probably don't think to get it except when they're at a fair.
But that doesn't make it that special. Since cotton candy isn't only sold at fairs, and the cotton candy you can get at a fair isn't really anything special or better than the cotton candy you can buy bagged up at a grocery store, this is one of the worst fair foods. Yes, it might be fun and festive and easy to carry around and melt in your mouth instantly, but cotton candy isn't all that great. After all, it's just sugar — literally — and there are so many other more creative and flavorful fair foods out there that cotton candy is definitely one to skip.
Moving on to what might be the ultimate fair snack: kettle corn!
The Best and Worst Foods on a Stick at the Iowa State Fair – Eater
For easier eating, try asking the vendor if they would cut the apple into wedges for an easy snack to munch on while you're walking around. Love apples? Try one of these 19 Healthy Apple Recipes. Boiled peanuts are a staple in the South. Even though you can find them at roadside stands along country roads, the best ones always come from the fair where the pot is always boiling and has been seasoned over years and years of use.
Boiled peanuts typically come in two varieties, plain and spicy, but you never know what flavor combinations you'll find at the fair. Even though state fairs have been canceled this year, you're in luck if you like boiled peanuts, because they are super easy to make at home! Just like corn dogs, cheese on a stick is fun to eat because it's on a stick, making it an easy portable snack to munch on while you explore the fair.
This deep-fried favorite is just what it sounds like: a brick of cheese like you would get at the grocery store, placed on a stick, covered in a corn batter, and fried to golden brown perfection. The first bite of cheese on a stick is always the best because of the massive and majorly Instagram-worthy cheese pull. And if you love cheese, don't miss these 18 Healthy Mac and Cheese Recipes. Southern states are really known for over the top desserts, and one that always rises to the occasion at the state fair is strawberry shortcakes.
The dessert is built up in layers, starting with the base of a biscuit or shortbread, then fresh strawberries that have been macerated in sugar, then whipped cream, a biscuit or shortbread top, then more whipped cream. Talk about an indulgent dessert. These are usually so large at state fairs it's best to get one and share with a buddy. Even after sharing, you'll probably still have a few bites leftover.
The Wisconsin savory snack has made its way across the country at state fairs. Cheese curds have a lot of different names at fairs, including cheese bites and squeaky cheese. No matter what you call them, they are delicious. Typically, you'll find these in white and yellow cheddar varieties and fried with a beer batter.
Some fair cooks have their own special sauce they serve with their cheese curds, but a lot of people serve them with ranch dressing. No matter what sauce you like, there's no way you can eat just one of these golden-fried nuggets—they're that good.
The Northeast United States are known for their famous whoopie pie dessert, and there's no better place to find these in a huge variety of flavors, sizes, and preparations. The basic whoopie pie is two chocolate cake "cookies" with a white frosting-like filling sandwiched between the two pieces of cake. Some fun flavors you might find at the fair include pumpkin, maple bacon, or red velvet.
While some state fair foods are hard to recreate at home, these are pretty easy, and they will instantly remind you of the times walking around the fair with friends or family.
Corn is a summer staple, and at the state fair, you can find corn prepared in a variety of ways. One that catches the attention of many people's noses is fried corn. The sweet corn on the cob has all of its husks and silks pulled back, and then the whole thing is dropped in hot oil. The corn kernels become browned around the edges and super sweet.
When the corn is taken out of the fryer, it's immediately dunked into hot melted butter. The corn husks become the handle to hold on to the corn while you walk around the fair eating it.
This is one thing we can't ever get enough of at the state fair. A classic Canadian dish, poutine has come across the border and made its way to the state fair. The dish is made up of hot French fries, cheese curds, and gravy layered into a loaded fry bowl that almost anyone will love. Poutine can be messy, thanks to the gravy, so you're going to want to grab a few extra napkins and a fork for this one before finding a spot to sit down and enjoy it. Fry Bread is mostly found in the Southwest United States, but it's gaining popularity at state fairs across the country.
The bread is light and crispy but still super pliable, making it the perfect thing to make into a taco. These tacos can be filled with any traditional taco toppings or be made into a breakfast taco with eggs and bacon. Because the tacos are pretty large, they make for a filling meal while you're walking around and enjoying the state fair. You might know the blooming onion from a chain restaurant , but those usually pale in comparison to the ones you can get at the state fair.
First off, massive sweet onions are put into a contraption that cuts it into the right shape and separates out all of the layers into petals. No way. The peanut butter and caramel are best friends with that honey bun, which acted as a sturdy base. Peanut Butter Paradise received a rating of 4. Right up there with the Peanut Butter Paradise was our tie-for-second favorite, a horchata milkshake called the Cha-Cha Chata.
Each cinnamon-caramel-cream milkshake is topped with delicious little orbs of fried arroz con leche, which balance the sweetness of the drink. Audio producer Julie Fisk disagreed: Gimme more, but add some rum! Cha-Cha Chata received a rating of 4.
We were delighted to see that two of the 10 Big Tex Choice Awards were drinks, and clearly, our judges loved both. La Bluebonnet is a simple blueberry lemonade, both tart and sweet. It has that lovable pucker that hits you in the back of the cheek. La Bluebonnet received a rating of 3. Despite the name, this deep-fried Brookie brownie-cookie is no monster. The Ultimate Brookie Monster received a rating of 3. Concessionaire Tom Grace layered bacon and shreddy cheddy inside a inch tortilla, then deep fried it.
Bonacci went wild for it. Deep-fried BLT received a rating of 2. Deep-fried Rocky Road is fried chocolate fudge, with rocky road-esque toppings like mini marshmallows and cinnamon glazed nuts. Each of the four pieces were fried beautifully and made for a great photo. The side of vanilla-flavored Blue Bell was a cold respite from the warm fried fudge, but it still felt a bit heavy for most of our tasters.
Deep-fried Rocky Road was right up his alley. That's what makes them one of the best savory fair foods you can get. Corn dogs at the fair are the perfect balance of greasy, savory, smoky, and a little sweet from the corn batter. So, if you're a corn dog fan, then go ahead and grab one at the fair, because they're the best corn dogs you'll eat.
Obviously, if you're a Disney World or Disneyland fan, then you know that Dole Whip is one of their most popular items and people seemingly can't get enough of the sweet, creamy, tropical dessert. But fortunately, you don't have to travel all the way to Florida or California to try some yourself.
Many state and county fairs sell Dole Whip , so you can try the frozen treat while also saving room for other sweets at the fair. Dole Whip is pretty delicious and definitely a one-of-a-kind dessert. Additionally, it's not your typical fair food, though it is extremely popular among fair-goers who have given it a try. It might not be dipped in batter and then fried to a crisp golden brown, or served on a stick or in a giant bucket, or topped with melted cheese or powdered sugar, but the Dole Whip is still one of the better fair foods out there.
It's refreshing, tasty, and totally unique. French fries might seem like too simple of a treat to enjoy at the fair, but fair fries aren't your typical French fries. They're greasier, tastier often prepared from scratch , crisper, and way more fun to eat. There's just something different about French fries at a fair, and fairgoers seem to agree with that sentiment.
One attendee of the Minnesota State Fair noted that the fries were the highlight of their trip. Get that and go get our fries so they are nice and hot, find a spot to sit and enjoy our yearly treats. If you've never experienced true fair fries, then you're missing out. If you want something a little more flavorful while at the fair, there's nothing better than a walking taco.
If you've never heard of a walking taco, it's a deconstructed taco that you can easily walk around with and eat, making it ideal fair food. But if you want a better description, a walking taco is basically a snack-sized bag of chips — usually Doritos or Fritos — topped with seasoned ground beef, cheese, lettuce, tomato, sour cream, and salsa.
The fair food sensation has become so popular that Frito Lay even created its own The Walking Taco line of "top n go" chips. Still, we prefer the walking tacos served at the fair, which are typically pretty darn delicious. The meat is flavorful and perfectly fatty, and the novelty of walking around a fair carrying a bag of chips with a full meal in it just can't be beat.
And while this isn't the best fair food of all time, it's pretty high up on the list. Just as the corn dog is an iconic fair food, so is the turkey leg. Yes, a turkey leg might sound kind of boring if you've never had one, but a turkey leg at the state or county fair is a completely different beast. Sure, you can get a fair-style turkey leg at an amusement part or water park, but it still won't be the same as a turkey leg you can get at the fair. A review of the turkey leg from the New York State Fair highlighted the meat was perfectly cooked.
But not only is the turkey leg completely delicious, it's also portable, filling, and the perfect companion for a treat or dessert at the fair. Deep-fried Oreos are a staple at most fairs, and there's a reason for that. After all, it's not every day or at every restaurant that you see battered and fried cookies on the menu. But whether you go to your big state fair or a smaller county fair, you can almost guarantee that you'll find at least one stand selling deep-fried Oreos.
And they are seriously tasty. Obviously, a regular Oreo is pretty delicious. Dipped in milk, Double Stuffed, or just eaten plain as-is, Oreos are a classic treat enjoyed by just about everyone.
So when you take an Oreo, dip it in a semi-sweet batter, and then deep fry it in burning hot oil, it's bound to just get even better, right? And it does! Deep-fried Oreos are decadent, moist, flavorful, and definitely one of the best foods you can get at the fair. And while you might be able to find deep-fried Oreos elsewhere, there's nothing like the fair version, so definitely order it while you can.
Perhaps the epitome of what fair food is, deep-fried candy bars are definitely one of the most popular items you can find at any fair. Obviously, anything deep-fried is going to be a huge hit at any state or county fair. But when you deep fry something that is already junk food, it's going to be even more desirable.
And deep-fried candy bars are exactly that. Not only is the treat super popular, but it's also one of the best things at any fair that serves them.
16 Popular Fair Foods, Ranked Worst To Best – Cotton candy
Aug 26, · All-beef patty with raspberry aioli, lettuce, pepper jack cheese, pickled jalapeños, and bacon served on a concha, a traditional Mexican sweet bread roll. At Aldo’s. The Concha . Aug 26, · Here’s some of the best, worst and weirdest things I tried this year. Instant Classic: The cheese curd tacos from Richie’s Cheese Curd Tacos. ($12) Delicious, over-the . Top 10 State Fair Foods. Come on down to the state fair for all the deep-fried, crazy food on-a-stick creations you can eat. In honor of summer, aka state fair season, TIME takes a look at .
