Only a few days until The Great Minnesota Eat Together and you’re going to want to be prepared. I have fallen into the unfortunate state of ‘fair food envy’ where I see a fellow fair-goer eating something so tasty and tempting that I didn’t even know existed.
To help prevent the awkwardness of accosting every stranger eating something delicious-looking, I will be your guide. With this list of 31 new delectable foods only the Minnesota State Fair could conceive of, you won’t waste one moment of non-fried goodness wandering aimlessly from one stand to another debating which treat to eat next.
1. Bacon Fluffernutter
Grilled cinnamon bun sandwich with a bacon, peanut butter and marshmallow cream filling.
At The Sandwich Stop, located on the west side of Clough St. between Carnes & Judson avenues
2. Bacon Up Pup
A Belgian waffle served on-a-stick with bacon in the batter, dipped in chocolate, drizzled with maple syrup, and topped with whipped cream and bacon.
At Granny’s Kitchen Fudge Puppies, located on the east side of Underwood St. between Dan Patch & Carnes avenues, outside the Food Building
3. Bowl O’ Dough
Scoops of straight-up, raw cookie dough that is safe to eat and available in four flavors:
- Brownie Batter Swirl: A chocolate chip cookie dough and brownie batter mash-up.
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough (gluten-free): A mix of classic cookie dough and chocolate chips.
- European Cookie Butter: Made with Biscoff® European spiced cookies.
- Lemon Ricotta Cheesecake with Blueberries: Lemons, fresh curd ricotta cheesecake and blueberries blended into a sugar cookie dough.
All served with a side of sea salt-flavored ice milk.
At Blue Moon Dine-In Theater, located on the northeast corner of Carnes Ave. & Chambers St.
4. Breakfast Buddy Bowl
Waffle bowl filled with hash browns, maple syrup, scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese and bacon, topped with a biscuit, country sausage gravy and green onions.
At LuLu’s Public House, located at West End Market, south of the Schilling Amphitheater
5. Brown Ale and Onion-Gouda Tipsy Pie
Onions caramelized in Lift Bridge Brewery’s Chestnut Hill Brown Ale with smoked Gouda cheese, baked in a pie crust, topped with an onion sugar and drizzled with a sweet beer glaze.
At Sara’s Tipsy Pies, located in the Food Building, south wall
6. Cheesy Nacho Corn on the Cob
Roasted corn on the cob lightly coated with crushed Dorito® corn chips and nacho cheese.
At Texas Steak Out, located on the west side of Underwood St. between Lee & Randall avenues
7. Cherry Bombs
Red licorice dipped in batter, deep-fried and dusted with powdered sugar.
At Vegie Fries, located on the north side of Dan Patch Ave. between Underwood & Cooper streets
8. Chocolate Popover with Peanut Butter Spread
Hot out-of-the-oven chocolate popover with a side of peanut butter spread.
At LuLu’s Public House, located at West End Market, south of the Schilling Amphitheater
9. Cranberry Wild Rice Meatballs
Swedish-style meatballs with cranberries and wild rice blend covered with Lingonberry sauce.
At Hamline Church Dining Hall, located on the north side of Dan Patch Ave. between Underwood & Cooper streets
10. Deep-Fried Avocado
Avocado slices dipped in a lightly seasoned batter, deep-fried and served with chipotle ranch dipping sauce.
At O’Gara’s at the Fair, located at the southwest corner of Dan Patch Ave. & Cosgrove St.
11. Deviation Stout Steak Taco Naan
Steak marinated in Modist Deviation 004 – Mexican Dark Chocolate Stout beer, grilled and topped with shredded lettuce, pico de gallo, queso fresco, cilantro lime and jalapeño ranch sauces, and wrapped in warm naan flatbread.
At San Felipe Tacos, located in the Food Building, east wall
12. Double Dose of Pork Belly
100% ground pork belly burger topped with crisp smoked pork belly, pepper jack cheese, coleslaw and pickled onions, served on a toasted bun.
At RC’s BBQ, located on the north side of West Dan Patch Ave. between Liggett & Chambers streets
13. Duck Bacon Wontons
Duck bacon, grilled sweet corn and cream cheese combined inside deep-fried crescent-shaped wontons and served with dipping sauce.
At Giggles’ Campfire Grill, located at the southeast corner of Lee Ave. & Cooper St. at The North Woods
14. Fall Guy Breakfast Panini
Capicola and scrambled egg topped with white cheddar on ciabatta.
At The Hideaway Speakeasy, located in the Veranda, Grandstand upper level, northwest section
15. Honey Puffs (Loukamades)
Deep-fried dough balls crispy outside and sweet inside, tossed in a sweet syrup and sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar.
At Dino’s Gyros, located on the north side of Carnes Ave. between Nelson & Underwood streets
16. Italian Bomba Sandwich
Beer-braised pork shoulder with prosciutto cotto ham, fontina cheese, giardiniera (Italian relish) and aioli on a grilled ciabatta roll.
At Mancini’s al Fresco, located on the north side of Carnes Ave. between Nelson & Underwood streets
17. Maple Cream Nitro Cold Press Coffee
Locally sourced heavy cream and maple syrup in a cold brew coffee infused with nitrogen.
At Farmers Union Coffee Shop, located on the north side of Dan Patch Ave. between Cooper & Cosgrove streets
18. Memphis Totchos
Sliced bananas and sautéed bacon over tater tots, topped with peanut sauce.
At Snack House, located in the Warner Coliseum, south concourse
19. Mini Sconuts
Buttermilk scone holes filled with chocolate, marshmallow and Nutella®, deep-fried and topped with a dusting of powdered sugar. (Gluten-free)
At French Meadow Bakery & Cafe located on the north side of Carnes Ave. between Nelson & Underwood streets
20. Mobster’s Caviar
Cream cheese dip with crab meat, green onions, fresh red pepper and water chestnuts, served with whole wheat flatbread crackers.
At The Hideaway Speakeasy, located in the Veranda, Grandstand upper level, northwest section
21. Pie’n the Sky Malt & Sundae
A sweet and tart mix of crunchy, spiced “airplane” cookies and lemon curd, topped with dark chocolate drizzle and served with vanilla ice cream as a sundae or malt.
At Dairy Goodness Bar, located in the Dairy Building, south wall
22. Pizzarito
Flour tortilla filled with pepperoni, Italian sausage, risotto, mozzarella and marinara, coated with garlic butter, parmesan and Italian spices, baked and served with a side of marinara.
At Green Mill, located on the east side of Cooper St. between Randall & Wright avenues, at Family Fair at Baldwin Park
23. Slow-Roasted Pork Mole Tamale
Fresh corn tamale with slow-roasted pork, mole coloradito sauce and black bean and pineapple relish.
At Tejas Express, located in the Garden, north wall
24. Sonoran Sausage: ONE.BAD.DOG
Tex-Mex sausage stuffed with pepper jack cheese, wrapped in bacon, baked and served on a cornmeal-dusted bun with fresh corn salsa and a drizzle of avocado ranch sauce.
At Sausage Sister & Me, located in the Food Building, east wall
25. Spicy Thai Noodles
Rice noodles and red curry with coconut milk served with kaffir lime, basil leaves, bell peppers, galangal, onions and tomatoes. Gluten-free.
At Oodles of Noodles, located in the Food Building, east wall
26. Sweet Corn Blueberry Éclair
Kernza® flour éclair filled with sweet corn pastry cream and topped with blueberry glaze.
At Farmers Union Coffee Shop, located on the north side of Dan Patch Ave. between Cooper & Cosgrove streets
27. Sweety’s Churros
Sweet potato, cinnamon and nutmeg kneaded into a traditional churro dough, deep-fried and served with a side of chocolate or maple-brown sugar sauce or whipped cream.
At Potato Man and Sweety, located on the west side of Liggett St. between Carnes & Judson avenues
28. Swine & Spuds
Bacon-wrapped pork belly and mashed potato croquettes served on a skewer and topped with a choice of homestyle gravy, Korean Bulgogi barbeque sauce or sweet chili sauce.
At Swine & Spuds, located in the Warner Coliseum, northeast corner
29. Swing Dancer Sandwich
Honey smoked salmon, cucumbers, capers and cream cheese with fresh dill on pumpernickel, served with sliced lemon garnish.
At The Hideaway Speakeasy, located in the Veranda, Grandstand upper level, northwest section
30. Triple Truffle Trotters
Sliced peppers and bacon with black diamond truffle oil mayo on top of waffle fries.
At The Blue Barn, located at West End Market, south of the History & Heritage Center
31. Wild Bill’s Breakfast Bake
Scrambled eggs, roasted chicken and chorizo sausage baked and topped with salsa and a mix of lettuce, pickled red onions and cilantro.
At The Blue Barn, located at West End Market, south of the History & Heritage Center
Also be sure to check out some of the new brews unveiling at the State Fair! Some of the more intriguing selections include:
Coasters Beer Malt – A spin on a classic malt, the beer malt is a sweet treat that starts with vanilla ice cream and is then mixed with malt powder. Added next is a dash of vanilla bean flavor. To bring it all together, it’s blended with Boulder Beer’s Shake Chocolate Porter for a mild chocolate taste. Shake Chocolate Porter has an ABV of 5.9% and is brewed in Boulder, Colo., by Boulder Beer. Located at Coasters on southeast corner of Carnes Ave. and Liggett Street
Cotton Candy Bubble Trouble – Real State Fair Cotton Candy in a champagne flute is doused with Cannon River Winery’s Sparkle Edelweiss for a special “smoke & mirrors” effect that’s effervescent, sweet and snappy. Located at The Hideaway Speakeasy, in the Veranda, Grandstand upper level, northwest section
Dill Pickle Beer – This American-style ale’s light malt notes give way to a bright minerality, dry hopped with fresh dill horseradish and spices. Each is garnished with a dill pickle and Havarti dill cheese. 4.2% ABV. 18 IBUs. Brewed in New Richmond, Wis., by Barley John’s Brewery. Located at Giggles’ Campfire Grill, southeast corner of Lee Ave. and Cooper Street, at The North Woods
(Photos courtesy of the Minnesota State Fair)
