2025 State Fair New Foods Preview Part 2- Caprese Curds through Dill Pickle Iced Tea

It's Part 2, y'all! Read ahead for one of our most anticipated items! 

Caprese Curds by Lulu’s Public House

Mozzarella cheese curds breaded with Italian seasoning and deep fried. Served over a bruschetta-flavored blend of tomatoes and basil and drizzled with balsamic glaze. Served with a side of crostini for scooping. (Vegetarian)

Sarah’s Thoughts

Ooh look at that balsamic drizzle! Love a balsamic drizzle on stuff!

Oh, it’s cuz it’s a caprese curd! Derp! I get it! I frickin love bruschetta, so this is exciting. (Why is this caprese curds and not bruschetta curds? They literally have bruschetta in the food AND they’re serving it with crostini. Do they not know the difference?)

I prefer my curds battered, not breaded, but breaded curds can be good, too.

Oh! Lulu’s! Okay, decent chance this will be good!

I mean, I don’t think it’s really anything special. Pretty much let’s make bruschetta but instead of regular mozz, replace with cheese curds, but I’m sure I’ll like it.

Anne’s Thoughts

OK this is such a stupid smart idea I cannot believe it hasn’t been done before. Definitely makes sense that it’s coming out of Lulu’s though- they’re usually clever like that.

Now Lulu’s is usually our gal but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t have a mis-step now and again (Deep Fried Ranch, that Deep Fried S’mores that had cream cheese instead of MARSHMALLOW, replacing the Double Double with an English Muffin instead of English Muffin Bread- FIX HER YOU MONSTERS). But all that being said I’m betting this will be good. Will it be mind-blowing, favorite thing at the fair good? Nah. I’m betting it gets a B.

Packie’s Thoughts

Giiirl, you better have reassessed yo’self after last year’s lame ass deep fried ranch that was more cream cheese than ranch.  Blech!  I want that old LuLu’s flare, something to get excited about.  Ok, so it’s cheese curds, but mozzarella cheese curds?  So, it’s more like a mozzarella stick, in curd form?  I mean, fine, sure.  Got some Italian seasoning, ok, then it’s basically served as a bruschetta?  Including crostinis to scoop.  Hmm…doesn’t seem exactly revolutionary, or even really all that creative, but I like all the stuff on the plate, so maybe it’ll be a really good version of something that’s kind of already been done.  I mean, it can’t be bad.  Right?

Cherry Bigfoot Limeade Float by Tasti Whip

Limeade juice topped with cherry Dole Soft Serve, garnished with a lime slice and a cherry. (Vegan, Gluten Free)

Sarah’s Thoughts

Is this a Dole Whip?

Oh wait, sorry, we don’t have those anymore. They’re Tasti Whips now. And, yes, it is. I love a Tasti whip. Except for when they did that mangonado one cuz I don’t like mangonado AND it was a horrible fucking mess to eat.

Looks like they’re serving this one in an actual cup, though, so maybe they’ve learned a lesson.

Cherry limeade. Okay. This looks refreshing and not too sweet. Another cherry for us to fight over. If we get lucky there will be a third cherry somewhere and we can each have one this year. What a banner year that might be!

There’s not much to write about this one. I think it’ll be good. Seems like it’ll be hard to mess up.

Do…do we have to make one of us eat the lime slice?

Yes. I think we do. Gonna play rock paper scissors. Loser sticks that slice in their mouth like a chump and sucks it hard. The other two win and post photos to socials.

Anne’s Thoughts

HAHAHAHAHAH What?? What does Bigfoot have to do with this? I mean- I know that this is going to be great- Tasti Whip slaps and I bet Cherry Tasti Whip is going to be great. ALSO! I LOVE LIMEADE.

But wtf is the Bigfoot thing? Like I thought it was going to be some craft brewery limeade or something, but there’s no mention of it in the details. Is the Bigfoot in the room with us?

I DIBS THE CHERRY!!

Ooooh, maybe I got this one with the confusion over Bigfoot.

Packie’s Thoughts

Oh hell yes!  I was really sad and disappointed last year when they served us that delicious mango soft serve and threw tajin and chamoy on top of it.  I think I cried.  People were watching, it was embarrassing.  Also, it was served in an effing baby cup that was overflowing onto my hand, so I had to lick that shit off my fingers!  Still angry, to be honest.  But this!  THIS!  This is what I want.  I luuuuuurve limeade, and throwing a tall stack of cherry dole soft serve on top?  Oh damn, this looks amazing.  This will be great, I’m sure of it.  Oh, and look, another cherry.  There you go, one of the other two can have this one.

Chicken Fried Bacon Fries by Soul Bowl

Beef bacon strips double-breaded in tempura flour and fried. Garnished with fresh parsley and served in a cup. Choice of two dipping sauces: Cashville Hot, a brown sugar Nashville-style hot sauce; or 24k Gold BBQ, a passion fruit Charleston gold barbecue sauce.

Sarah’s Thoughts

Yes yes yes!! Chicken fried bacon! We miss the strips from Giggles (their quality was hit or miss, but when it was hit it was A+ food for sure.)

Okay, let me take a look at this and see how it actually shakes out here.

I like that they’re fries. They look nice and crispy which will make them easy to eat. Tempura flour eh? That…doesn’t feel very chicken fried to me?

Hmm.

Two dipping sauces is nice, but I hate that I have to choose. I feel like the hot sauce is the way to go but I hate hot sauce. I don’t particularly feel like dipping my fried bacon into BBQ sauce though, either. Might just have to eat them plain.

Soul Bowl. Crap. This is another place we want to like and generally don’t. Now I’m worried this won’t live up to the hype I’ve built in my mind.

Dammit.

Maybe this is the year they’ll surprise me.

I do give them props for serving them in a cup. Makes it easy to eat and walk. Though, they’re in the food building and we’ll definitely be sitting there so it’s wasted on us.

Anne’s Thoughts

SHE RETURNS!!!! THE RESURRECTION OF CHICKEN FRIED BACON!!!

Now from Soul Bowl- listen Soul Bowl- you best be doing us a solid here- you’ve got big shoes to fill.
For those new here, Giggles had Chicken Fried Bacon and in its heyday it was INCREDIBLE (though quality slipped towards the end of its life). We still fondly think of it.

Oh HO- BEEF BACON?? Well now we getting fancy. And two dipping sauces? I hope we can get both because I want to try both (though if we can only get one it’s gonna be the non-spicy one I assume).

Now Soul Bowl… you did us dirty with the Soulcicle in 2022 (though others’ mileage varied), but we loved your Queen B Lemonade and honestly your Mango Pickles were ok. But the Crab Boil was bomb, so let's keep the A Train rolling! Let’s knock this out of the park, ok?

Packie’s Thoughts

Oh ma gawd.  Is this…is this deep-fried bacon, back from the dead?  Can it be?!  It can!  Oh holy crep, I am excited about this.  Soul Bowl had a rocky start for us when they debuted themselves at the fair with that soul-sicle, but then they knocked it out of the park last year with those crab boil wings.  And now this!  Beef bacon, breaded with tempura flour, holy hot damn.  Oh man, it…it just looks great, I want it right now.  I want to try BOTH of those dipping sauces.  Surely they’ll let us try both, right?  Oh god, I might cry.  This just makes me so happy.  I am gunning for this to be my most excited for, so I can only imagine what would be able to beat this.

Cinna-Sugar Crust Tidbits Sara’s Tipsy Pies

Freshly baked flaky pie crust strips covered in cinnamon and sugar. Served with a side of whiskey-flavored caramel dipping sauce. (Vegetarian, Vegan upon request)

Sarah’s Thoughts

I’m starting to see a theme emerge

Bits you dip.

So, like chips and other things. We’ve had pita chips, cannoli chips and now we’ve got pie crust chips.

Listen. Our mom literally makes these as a dessert sometimes. Pie crust, sliced, spread with cinnamon and sugar. Bake. Eat.

This makes me roll my eyes. Come on. It’s like they’re barely trying to make a fair worthy food.

Yes, it’s nice they’ve got that caramel dipping sauce, but couldn’t they zazz this up some way?

Wait, is it a caramel dipping sauce? Or like a whipped cream thing? Because the picture doesn’t really match the description. I hope it matches the picture.

Who’s responsible for this?

Oh, Sara’s Tipsy pies. Makes sense with the pies. Siiiiiiiiigh.

It just seems like a waste of their talent.

I’m sure this won’t taste bad. But I just don’t see the point. I don’t predict that I’ll want to waste stomach space on something I can eat pretty much any time I want to. 

Anne’s Thoughts

Ok Sara. We see what’s happening here.

I mean, are cinnamon sugar pie crust bits good? Yup. But are they special? Nope. Like this is a basic 10-minute hack recipe I’d see on FB.

I’ll give you points for the whiskey caramel sauce. And a good use for leftover pie crust (which I assume you have). But c’mon. It’s not a state fair. It’s The Minnesota State Fair (SEE WHAT I DID THERE SARAH AND PACKIE). Step up your game.

Packie’s Thoughts

LOLOL.  I swear this is the same thing our mom makes when she has like extra pie crust or something.  She just bakes it and throws some cinnamon and sugar on it.  Super simple, oddly satisfying.  Probably what happened here as well.  Got pie dough scraps, just gussy them up and eat ‘em.  Not sure I’d say this will be groundbreaking, but it makes me think of our mom and kind of gets me in the feels, plus whiskey-flavored caramel dipping sauce is a nice addition.  I think this will be fairly simple, but I hope its nice and gives me a sweet dose of nostalgia.

Croffle Cloud by Spinning Wylde

Croissant pressed in a waffle iron and topped with fresh whipped sweet cream, a drizzle of fruit puree and a cloud of cotton candy. Choice of three flavors: Banana Caramel – caramel drizzle with banana taffy cotton candy; Yuzu Meringue – yuzu puree with lemon meringue cotton candy; or Coconut Cream – coconut drizzle with coconut cotton candy. (Vegetarian)

Sarah’s Thoughts

LOL what is this thing?

I mean, it’s clearly a fancy cotton candy, but what else?

Oh shit. Okay, there’s a LOT here. Waffle croissant? Delightful. Sign me up for that. Whipped sweet cream? Yes please. Fruit puree? Sure! It’s a waffle. And then cotton candy on top!

NOW WE’RE TALKING!

Thank god for Spinning Wylde for always doing cotton candy and state fair foods right! This is the bonkers yet delicious food I want on my trek of 30,000 steps and 30,000 calories!

And there’s 3 flavors to choose from.

I want the coconut one. You hear that Anne and Packie? We’re getting that one. If we get another one, I’m slapping it out of your hands and then if you want to try it, you’ll have to eat it off the ground. Granted, it’ll be day one State Fair ground, so cleaner than usual, but still the ground.

You want that? You want to be State Fair ground eaters? Cuz I’ll take a picture and share it on social media, you bet your ass.

I’m very excited about this.

Anne’s Thoughts

Croffle Cloud? CROFFLE CLOUD???!!!! LOLOL WHAT IS THIS?! (besides cotton candy obvs).
For one brief moment, when I did my early morning swipe through to just get a taste of what I had to look forward to (and the gasp I gusped when this flew by on my screen…), I thought that Rainbow Cloud Roll had returned. But alas no- she is still gone from our lives. But Spinning Wylde definitely stepping up to the plate.

Ok let’s see what’s going on here.

Croissant waffle? Sweet Cream? Fruit Puree? Cotton Candy? LOL girl you crazy. My kind of crazy.

I would legit try any of these flavors, but I’m leaning either Yuzu or Coconut (I bet we get Coconut, though I wish it had another flavor to go with it as well).

Y’all, I am excited. Is this my most looking forward to?? I mean, we’re only on C, but it might be…

Packie’s Thoughts

Oooh ho ho ho ho, what do we have here?  Sweet jebus, this kind of reminds my of the ol' rainbow roll stand.  Just wild and out there and so damn fun.  A croissant waffle?!  Shut up!  Throw some whipped sweet cream and fruit puree on that and then add Spinning Wylde’s iconic fun cotton candy flavors on top?  The only question here is, which one do we try?  Damn, we might have to try all of them if they are as good as they look, and it looks goooood.  So excited for this.  This could be in the running for my most excited for new food, for sure.  That’s the kind of dilemma I crave, too many good foods to choose from.

Deep Fried Tofuego Bites by Rooted & Wild (Snack House)

Bites of breaded tofu, deep fried and tossed in a tangy, spicy sauce. Served on a bed of pineapple and napa cabbage slaw. Topped with sesame seeds and scallions. (Vegan)

Sarah’s Thoughts

Okay! I like the look of this cuz it looks like glazed stuff on top of other stuff.

It’s tofu! Frickin LURVE tofu. We don’t get enough tofu at the fair. Breaded tofu, fried, served on stuff.

Okay. This looks good. I don’t think it’ll blow my mind or anything, unless that tofu is out of this world, but I think it’ll be good. If it’s hot outside, that napa slaw could be nice and refreshing, depending on how things go. Could also be soggy and sad, too.

Wait. Why is it fuego? Is it because it’s THAT spicy? Or because it’s Mexican flavors? Now I’m worried.

Nice that it’s vegan for the vegan peeps.

Where is this coming from?

Rooted and Wild Snack House?

Okay, that for SURE has to be a new vendor! I wonder what else they serve. I hope they’re on the official list below so I can find out.

Oh fuck me it’s in the coliseum. Sigh. I kinda hate going in there to eat food. But, also, sometimes the food in there will knock your socks off. Like the bee-nana pie. Nothing else in there is good, but that one from last year is worth the trip.

Is this another Lancer place? I feel like all the food stalls in the coliseum are Lancer owned.

Anne, ask the Lancer people at your work.

(Editor's Note- I did, and yes it is)

Anne’s Thoughts

Ok this has to be a new vendor- I’ve never heard of them.

Is this like a spicy deep fried tofu? I mean I like tofu (and deep fried tofu), but that Fuego has me pausing…

Ok it’s a tangy spicy sauce- that sounds better. Also pineapple and cabbage slaw? Plus sesame seeds and scallions? Yeah- that sounds like it’s gonna be great. I hope it’s good. I want it to be good- it looks tasty! Hope they introduce this vendor in the new vendor section because I want to know more about them.

(spoiler- they don’t. But we’ve found out it is a new Lancer Vendor in the Coliseum)

Packie’s Thoughts

Hmm, is this a new vendor?  It’s not listed in the new vendor’s section, but I sure as hell have never heard of them.  In the Coliseum, eh?  Alright, what we got?  Ok, deep-fried breaded tofu tossed in a tangy, spicy sauce.  Hmm, I do enjoy tofu when it is breaded and in some kind of sauce.  Sounds like a good pairing, putting it with a pineapple and napa cabbage slaw.  I wonder how spicy that sauce is.  Not because I care, but because I’m with a couple of butt babies who can’t handle the heat.  But maybe it’s just a little kick, not a full-on curb stomp that’ll leave your mouth on fire.  Could be good this one.  Nothing super exciting, but maybe fresh, and sometimes that can be refreshing in a field of greasy food.

Dill Pickle Iced Tea by Loon Lake Iced Tea

Brewed black tea infused with dill pickle flavor and served with a dill pickle spear. Garnished with a rim of chamoy, Tajín, salt and dill. (Vegan, Gluten Free)

Sarah’s Thoughts

I thought we’d moved past (passed? I’ve been having such a hard time with that lately) the Dill Pickle craze of the last few years but I guess not. Or someone is just late to the punch (probably that)

I love Iced tea.

I enjoy pickles.

I don’t want my iced tea to taste like pickles.

Hey, look, it’s got chamoy and Tajin, too! Another thing I really don’t like!

What a way to ruin iced tea for me.

Maybe this will be from that new iced tea place where all their stuff tasted like water.

Ope, Loon Laked Iced Tea. Got it in one. So, if I’m lucky, this will mostly taste like water and nothing else.

Kinda mad I have to spend money on this. Better not be expensive.

Anne’s Thoughts

Ok didn’t we do this last year? We’ve moved past pickle, Loon Lake! (despite other people online guessing otherwise).

We had Dill Pickle Lemonade last year and it was fine. We had Loon Lake Iced Tea last year and it was sparkly water.

Will I be impressed by Dill Pickle Iced Tea by Loon Lake? I doubt it. But you go ahead and surprise us Loon Lake.

(oh ho- I just effing read the text bc I formed opinions before reading and now I see the rim is Taijin and Chamoy. I don’t think there’s any recovering for us now Loon Lake)

Packie’s Thoughts

Oh boy, here we go again.  Last year’s cotton candy iced tea was a great disappointment (though damn was it visually stunning), watered down and bland.  And it seems they are still around and still putting out new iced tea.  I feel like they really missed the pickle train here, trying to get in on a fad that’s been over for a few years now.  I don’t foresee adding pickle flavor and a pickle spear to iced tea to be particularly appetizing, and to make matters worse they also put chamoy and tajin on the rim (I get people who like that stuff, but I am not a fan).  There is literally nothing I like about this, save for maybe the black tea, but I’m betting this will still taste watered down.

That's it for Day 2! See you tomorrow for some items we have some STRONG opinions about