13 Insane Foods You Should Eat at the Minnesota State Fair
Prepare you stomach for the ultimate in Frankenfood.
By Audrey Bruno
It's fair season and the mama of all food-obsessed state fairs is more than ready. The Minnesota State Fair, which runs runs from Aug. 27 through Sept. 7 is unveiling 50 new treats and while nearly all of them toe the fine line between genius and madness, we picked 10 of our favorites to showcase the madcap brilliance of fair food. Now, please excuse us while we book our ticket to Minnesota.
Deep-Fried Ribs
After we've obsessed over chicken fried steak for years, the only logical next step HAD TO be deep-fried ribs.
Where to Find at the Fair? The Ball Park Cafe
Macaroni & Cheese Cupcakes
Ever felt bogged down by the tiresome task of eating macaroni and cheese with a fork? This adorable cupcake—complete with breadcrumb crust and Cheez Whiz frosting—will satisfy super lazy eaters everywhere.
Where to Find at the Fair? LuLu's Public House
Prime Rib To-Go
We didn't know we needed portable prime rib in our lives. However, this version—thinly sliced prime rib, peppers, onions and mushrooms served with a side of au jus, horseradish or Parmesan garlic sauce—makes us want to order as many as we can carry.
Where to Find at the Fair? Coasters
Kimchi 'n' Curry Poutine
Poutine seems like it should be a well-established fair food, but add braised pork, curry gravy, cheddar cheese, kimchi and a poached egg and you've got something really worth the price of admission.
Where to Find at the Fair? The Rabbit Hole (From Sept. 2-7 only)
Snickers Bar Salad
It's about time salad morphed into a food worth getting excited about. With chopped Snickers, Granny Smith apples, vanilla pudding, and whipped cream, a salad never sounded so good.
Where to Find at the Fair? Grandma Deb's
Italian Dessert Nachos
Cinnamon sugar cannoli chips, smothered with ricotta cheese, fruit, chocolate nuts and candy toppings—these nachos deserve a place in the Delish hall of fame.
Where to Find at the Fair? Pizza Shoppe
Maple Bacon Funnel Cake
Just when you thought funnel cake was practically perfect, they went and added bacon.
Where to Find at the Fair? Food Building
Pretzel Croissant Sandwich
Pretzels and croissants (croitzels?) together at last, proving that croissants can be combined with just about anything and still be a win.
Where to Find at the Fair? French Meadow Bakery
Deep-Fried Sriracha Balls
Considering our well-documented Sriracha obsession, we're amazed we didn't think of these first. Made from a blend of either chicken, corn, tomatoes and eggs or Sriracha cream cheese with corn, tomatoes and egg, we're betting these balls alone are worth the trip.
Where to Find at the Fair? Boulevard Grill
Stuffed Meatloaf on a Stick
Of all the foods we didn't know we needed, meatloaf on a stick had to be at the top of that list. Now that it's a thing—a stuffed with mozzarella and pepperoni, topped with marinara and a Parmesan herb-blend thing—we're ready to tip our hats to its mad genius inventors.
Where to Find at the Fair? Green Mill
Wine Fried Kalettes
As if the trendy vegetable would miss out on fair fun, but we're happy to see it's been handily fairified—deep-fried and soaked with wine.
Where to Find at the Fair? Minnesota Wine Country
The Burger Dog
A burger and a hot dog, at the same time?! Now this is the kind of food cross-breeding we can get behind. This baby is a blend of hamburger, hot dog, bacon, cheese and jalapeno on a hot dog bun.
Where to Find at the Fair? Gass Station Grill
BBQ Pickle Ice Cream
We really don't know what to make of this one. Pickles are obviously an important part of barbecue, but in ice cream? We'll let fair food experts be the judge on this one.
Where to Find at the Fair? R&R Ice cream
