A Foods

Grade A: Excellent. A New Classic to be Added to Our Annual Food Traditions. Everyone Should Try This.

Bacon Fluffernutter- $9 at The Sandwich Stop, 2017
       At first this was a solid B. Sweet, but not too sweet. Good bacon. And then we got a patch of
       peanut butter. And it was crunchy peanut butter. And omg that just elevated this for all of us.
       The Sandwich Stop never disappoints

Bama! Lemon Sweet Tea- $7 from Summer Lakes Beverages, 2021

        A! This is what we want from a refreshing summer drink. Good lemon flavor with an interesting   

        undercurrent of something else. Not a very strong tea taste (if that’s your jam or not). Had to

        take shelter due to severe weather, glad to have some great food and drink to weather the storm

        with.


Beer Battered Onion Rings- $5.75 (with BRBB) from Ballpark Cafe, 2019

        Not new, but new to us. Great batter, nice and crispy and tasty. Wonderful onion rings. Drowned
        our 
sorrows in onion rings (no more deep fried ribs).


Caramelized Banana Pudding- $8 at The Blue Moon Dine-In Theater, 2021

        Oh how we loved this. Good amount for the money, too. Just really great pudding. The only con

        was the Cocoa Krispies were stale but even that wasn’t enough to make us change our opinion.

        Great final food of the day


Carnitas Taco Cone- $10 from San Felipe Tacos, 2019

        Barring Sarah who doesn't like tacos, everyone loved this. The shell was amazingly crispy.

        Disappointed it didn't come with the taco holder in the original pic. Reallllllly long line.


Cheese Curds- $6 from Miller's Cheese Curds, 2019
        As cheese curd enthusiasts, we felt obligated to try this other brand (not new, but new to us). While
        they have flavors like ranch and garlic, the purists in us went with original. If you don't want to 
        deal with the crowd in the food building, this is a great sub.

Chick N Swiss Sausage- $8 at Gass Station Grill, 2022
       A!! Oh man! We LOVED this sausage! Moist, slight zip from the jalapenos, slightly sweet from the
       pineapple. Wish we could regularly fire these up on our grill. Also a good size dog.


Chop Dog- $? at Blue Moon Dine-In Theater, 2013
      Om nom nom. Delicious bun with tender crispy fried chopped Kramarzuk hot dog. Came with
       good chips. Will definitely recommend 

Cotton Candy Float- $6 at German Root Beet and Popcorn, 2022
       A- wow, this was as great as we had hoped. The soda tastes like liquid cotton candy and when you 
       mix in the ice cream it becomes oh so creamy and delicious. Seriously, give this a try, a lovely,
       sweet treat!

Cowboy Dave's Cluck and Moo- $9.50 at Blue Barn, 2015. RIP 2017
       This was just fantastic. Beef, chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, crispy onions. Om nom nom

Crab Fritters- $8 at Ollie's Crab Fritters, year unknown
       New to us in 2017, these are fantastic and we've had them twice already

Cream Puff- $4 at Cream Puff stand, year unknown
       New to us in 2016. Chou could have been a bit fresher but that cream. Dayum. A across the
       board

Curry Turkey Bacon Melt- $? at The Sandwich Stop, 2013
       Tasty sandwich with awesome crispy, fried bread and tangy sweet sauce. Lot of sammich for
       your buck 

Deep Fried Ribs- $9 at Ballpark Cafe, 2015. RIP 2019
       Ribs were fall off the bone tender. Breading was salty and crispy. Immediately wanted more

Deli Sandwich- $12 at Steichen's Market, 2022
        A- heard this little market on the fairgrounds made a good deli sandwich, and hooo boy was that
        spot on. Ingredients were so fresh and it was just a great deli sandwich that you could customize to
        your liking. Made for a great dinner to bring home and eat later. think we might do this again in
        the future, or hell, do it every time. Refreshing after a long day of crazy foods.

Double Decker S'more- $3.50 at S'more stand, year unknown. RIP 2022
       New to us in 2016. Man…for just being a s’more it was so freaking good

Doughsant- $? at French Meadow Bakery, 2013, RIP 2017
       Delicious! Possibly the best thing at the fair this year, certainly the top of the sweet list. Perfect
       fusion of croissant and doughnut. A must have!

Dragonfruit with Sno Cream- $7.50 from Minnesnowii Shaved Ice, 2019

        This flavor was fantastic and the sno cream drizzle was a nice, sweet added touch. Love this place.


Dreamsickle Hard Malt- $6.50 from Coasters, 2019

        A!!! We frickin looooooooved this. Kind of like a creamier, adult orange julius. Will definitely get

        again.


Dual Berry Shortcake- $7 from Lulu’s Public House, 2021

        A. Soft, flavorful biscuit with sweet whipped cream and slightly tart berries. This was amazing!

        The biscuit was so flaky, soft and perfect, and add in the sweet whip and berries and you get so

        much flavor that you can’t stop eating it. Great price for a good amount of food.


Earth Wings- $7 at French Meadow Bakery, 2018
       A for food, F for Service. Had to wait 45 minutes for these and their organization was a hot mess.
       Other than that, these were great! Crisp, tangy sauce, real satisfying. Just make sure the line isn't
       out to next week.

Eggroll on a Stick- $7 from Que Viet, 2019
        This is a fucking great eggroll. SO CRISPY! Thanks for the rec Bekah!

Elephant Ear- $6 from Funnel Cakes, 2019, RIP 2021 (the good stand)
        Not new, but new to us. This was really great, real big and fried fresh. I always go traditional
        (butter 
with cinnamon and sugar)

French Toast Bites- $5 from Blue Barn, year unknown
       Not new, but new to us in 2018. What a great breakfast! The mouthfeel is like bread pudding

       and fantastic. The berry sauce is sweet without being overpowering, and the pop rocks add an
       auditory element without ruining the food.

Fruit- Produce Exchange, year unknown

The Gizmo- $9 at Carl's Gizmo Sandwich, year unknown
       This isn't new, but we don't know if we've ever posted about it before. Fun Fact: this is one of
       MN Chef Andrew Zimmer's favorite things at the fair. It is awesome! Ground Beef and Italian
       Sausage, red sauce, on a toasted Italian roll with melted mozzarella on top. So meaty and good.
       Pure comfort food.

Hummus Bi Lahme- $12 from Babas, 2021

        A. This hummus bowl was zapped up with Shwarma, oil, almond slices and lemon sauce. Really    flavorful, good hummus with awesome toppings and soft pitas to dip. Loved this!


Iron Range Meat and Potatoes- $8 at Giggles Campfire Grill, 2016
       This was great. Giggles never disappoints. Meaty, great gravy, so cheese good. Om nom.

Italian Meatloaf on a Stick- $5 at Green Mill, 2015, RIP 2016
       Delicious meaty Italian flavors with marinara sauce and pepperoni on top. It was great. Will get
       again

Korean Pork Collar with Kimchi Pickles- $? at Famous Dave's, 2014
       So tender and sweet. Delicious! And the pickles. You guys, the pickles. Om nom.

Lobster Roll- $20 at Scenic 61, 2022
        A! Yoooooooooooo. This lobster roll is bangin! Unofficial new food- $20 might seem steep but it’s
        pretty much the going rate for lobster rolls nowadays, and honestly it’s not much more expensive
        than other fair foods. The bread was butter and toasty, the corn was a nice addition. Plus food
        slide!

London Broil Steak Sandwich- $10 from Butcher Boys, 2019
        This was great!! Juicy medium rare sliced steak meat in a soft bun. Just so good and so satisfying.
        Thanks for the rec Dann Krueger (Dann Food Haiku)

Mac n Cheese Curds- $9 at Oodles of Noodles, 2016
       Really good mac n cheese and the cheese curds add a nice chewiness. Patrick and Sarah
       gave it an A, Anne a B

Messy Giuseppe- $7.75 at Mancini's al Fresco, 2018
       So meaty. The bread was so soft. Even Sarah, who doesn't like red sauce, liked this. Afterwards,

       we learned to ask for it on their garlic bread and extra messy, so that's something to look forward
       to next year!

Minty Magic Tart- $5.50 with BRBB at Sara’s Tipsy Pies, 2022
        A- holy cow this was so good. Cold mint pie with a creamy whip on top and a flaky crust. So tasty
        and the cold dessert was nice for a hot day. Get this!


Orange Treet- $5 with BRBB from Orange Treet, 2022
        A! Ok, to be clear, this was recommended to us last year but we forgot to take a pic bc we’re basic
        bitches (also THANK YOU to whomever rec’d this to us- we can’t remember but we love you)/
        Anyway this is like the most amazing, fresh-squeezed Orange Julius you’ll ever have. ALSO the
        strawberry is just as baller. Everyone get this.


Peaches n' Cream Nachos- $8 from Bridgeman's Ice Cream, 2019
        This was wonderful! Great peaches flavor with sweet honey and cinnamon pita chips, and crunchy
        pecans. Almost like a peachy fried ice cream flavor combo. Bam!

Pebbles and Bam Bam- $8 from Nordic Waffles, 2019
        DING! DING! DING! If you want a dessert then this is it! Warm and melty, gooey and crunchy,
        chocolatey and fruity. LOVE IT

Pepperoni Chips with Roasted Red Pepper Queso- $7 at Lulu's Public House, 2018
       Yeah, these were great. Just great. Crispy and delicious pepperoni and the queso was fantastic.

Pickle Pizza- $9 at Rick’s Pizza, 2022
        A- holy cow, what a surprise! You guys, this was so good. Very pickle forward, salty, a great
        cheese and flavorful crust. The dill was really slammin. Sarah can’t get enough of it, she is crying.


Pizza Lucy- $7 from Green Mill, 2021

        Straight up A.

        Sorta a fancy pizza pocket. The mouthfeel is fantastic. There was discussion about buying more to

        bring home for later. Though the cup with the pizza sauce was too small for dipping. Also my hair

        is out of control because hair mediation plans were interrupted by the take shelter order.


Pizzarito- $5 at Green Mill, 2017
       Like everything Green Mill makes, this is fantastic. Delicious and pizza-y, would get this at a
       restaurant. Plus the price is great! 

Pork Rinds- $? at Famous Dave's, 2013, RIP 2014
       Might be the best new thing at the fair this year, certainly in the savory catergory. Crispy and
       light with a drizzle of fresh squeezed lemon and a tangy ranch (white BBQ) dipping sauce. Will
       get again, highly recommend 

Queen B Lemonade- $5 at Soul Bowl, 2022
        A blueberry lavender lemonade that is so damn good! Sweet, tangy, fresh, you really need to try it.
        Comes in a resealable pouch with is so convenient.


Rainbow Cloud Roll (chocolate flavor)- $8 at Rainbow Cloud, 2018, RIP 2021
       Bahahahahah! This thing is fucking ridiculous and yet so great. The chocolate helps offset the

       fruity pebbles (which leave a good taste in your mouth). The cotton candy, by some amazing feat,
       does not dissolve. It's just-just perfect.

Swedish Meatball Smorgas- $8.95 at The Blue Barn, 2018
       The Blue Barn stepped it up this year! So flavorful and good. The bun was so soft. A bit pricey

       but not too bad. Loved this.

Sweet Greeks- $5 at Dino's Gyros, 2018
       So sweet but the insides are smooth and not sweet so it balances nicely.


Thai Rolled Ice Cream- $7.50 at Thai Rolled Ice Cream, 2017
       Good ice cream. Fun flavor choices (we went with strawberry midnight). So cold (like dipping
       dots). Entertaining to watch them make it. Worth going into the Grandstand for

Vegan Corn Dog- $7 from Daryl’s Dog House, 2022
        A! Holy shit y’all. If someone handed us this corndog and we didn’t know it was Vegan WE
        WOULD HAVE NO IDEA. The ONLY criticism is that the hotdog lacks the slight snap of a real
        dog, but we only noticed because we were looking for differences. The batter is the bomb. This is
        the 3
rd best corndog at the fair (after Poncho Dog and Big Dog Corndogs).

Warm Cheesecake Tart- $6 from Lulu's Public House, 2019, RIP 2022
        What a fucking fantastic end to the day- start with an A, end with an A. We had strawberry, but
        plan
 on going back for chocolate and salted caramel. Oh god, it was so jiggly and custardy. We
        thought the 
warmth would be a turn off, but it was the opposite. Fucking homerun. EVERYONE
        GET THIS

Wingwalker Donuts- $9 from The Hangar, 2019
        These donuts were fantastic! Crispy on the outside, soft and fluffy inside. Dipping sauces were all
        good too, but the prize pigs were the donut holes, hands down. A must get.



No comments:

Post a Comment

We'd love to hear from you!