The new State Fair food is fun, but the classics are where the real Minnesota State Fair fans live. I will be eating through as many new State Fair foods as I can on the first day, along with our team from Minnesota Monthly, my friends Dan and Billie, and my son Seth. But I also have written many times over the years about my classic favorites—the foods that I really eat when I’m out at the State Fair.
In 2023, we did an involved piece in print with my classics, and I posted a video about this to Instagram last year. Here is my latest list of State Fair food favorites—RANKED!
Courtesy Fresh French Fries
2. Frozen Cider Pop/Cider Freeze at Minnesota Apples in the Ag/Horticulture Building (a freeze pop of frozen apple cider from White Bear Lake)
3. Turkey Sandwich from Turkey-To-Go
4. Grilled Peach from The Produce Exchange
5. Cheese Curds from Mouth Trap
6. Deep-Fried Apple Pie at Minneapple Pie
7. Corn from Corn Roast
8. Chicken in the Waffle at Blue Barn
Courtesy of Blue Barn
9. About a Foot-Long Hot Dog from the vendor at Carnes & Nelson
10. Pork Butt Burnt Ends at RC’s BBQ
11. Piña Colada in a Real Pineapple at Manny’s Tortas Food Building
13. Cheeseburger and Cold Beer at Midway Men’s Club
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14. Pork Mole Tamale at Tejas Express
15. Egg Roll on A Stick from Que Viet Concessions
16. Onion Rings/Garlic Fries at Ball Park Cafe
17. Hamloaf at Hamline Church Dining Hall
18. Deep Fried Pickles at Preferred Pickle
19. Pronto Pups
20. Gizmo Sandwich at Carl’s Gizmo (new location on Dan Patch Ave between Underwood St. and Cooper St.)
That’s my top list of classics—what did I miss!? What’s on your must-hit list every year?
