We made it! Day 5!! THE END IS NIGH
Turkey Kristo by Minnesota Farmers Union Coffee Shop
Minnesota-made Texas toast from Pan-O-Gold Bakery, sliced Ferndale Market turkey, CannonBells white cheddar cheese, apple butter made from locally sourced Westcott Orchard apples, and house-made spicy brown mustard mayo, dusted with powdered sugar. (White Cheddar Kristo vegetarian option uses extra cheese instead of turkey.)
Sarah
Time for the MN Farmer’s Union. They’re coming in with a Sammie.
And I got to say…it looks pretty boring based on that picture.
So I’m sure it’s a Monte Cristo with turkey. But a Monte Cristo is fried and this does not look like it is.
Okay, nothing in the description says it is.
Listen, I always love that MN Farmer’s Union highlights MN foods. I’m always gonna support that. But come on. This just doesn’t look all that fun. I mean, maybe it will be the best Sammy ever but VERY DOUBTFUL when the Sandwich Shoppe is just across the fair and they blow it out of the park with their sammies (AND they have a fried Monte Cristo AND there’s a coupon for it in the blue ribbon bargain book.)
Also, I know we gotta support turkey farmers or tevs but MN has pork farmers too. Why couldn’t this just be made with traditional ham from a MN pig farm?
Packie
Looking at the picture, this looks great! That Texas toast looks super crispy, with the turkey and the white cheddar, and the apple butter? Yeah, I can really get behind this. Then I see it is from Minnesota Farmers. The last two years have seen them get bumped up a letter grade, but previously they had an abysmal record. They always seemed to find some way to absolutely wreck what could have been a good dish (I’m looking at you cucumber jalapeno limeade with the 80% pulp). I’m gonna call it now that the spicy brown mustard mayo is what does this sandwich in. Do monte cristo sandwiches always have mustard on them? I don’t think they do, but maybe I’m wrong? If not, why the hell would you throw it on this one? It sounded perfect without it, but you had to go and add it anyways. This will suck, mark my words.
Anne
For a second I was excited to see something new coming out of The Sandwich Stop, since it’s been a minute, but then I was sad to see it’s the MFUCS (I’m really embracing the acronyms this year apparently. Quit having such long names everyone).
We really have a love/hate relationship here, which is pretty generous since it’s mostly a hate/hate relationship. I hate that they make me hate their interesting foods.
2 years ago they got a B for their Pork Schnitzel, other than that they’ve been straight C/D territory.
I like that their stuff is always locally sourced ingredients, though the shout outs make it difficult to read. Looks like we have bread, turkey, white cheddar, apple butter, brown mustard mayo, and powdered sugar.
Sure- it looks fine. I hope it’s tasty.
Walking Shepherd’s Pie by O’Gara’s at the Fair
Two handmade hot pastries filled with braised ground beef, mashed potatoes and a blend of onions, carrots and peas tossed in herb gravy.
Sarah
It’s a shepherd’s pie I can walk and eat at the same time!!
First off, I don’t know how many times we have to fucking say this, a shepherd’s is made with fucking Lamb or Mutton. That’s what a SHEPHERD DOES. He takes care of goddamned SHEEP.
If you’re going to put BEEF in your pie, then it’s a fucking COTTAGE PIE.
Jesus.
But why would I expect O’Gara’s to know this? It’s not like they’re supposed to be IRISH.
Anyway, I love a cottage pie and a shepherd’s pie and I love that this is a little hand pie I can walk off with. That way too, if it’s shitty as O’Gara’s often is, I can drop it in the garbage without the workers seeing.
I’d like to say this looks hard to fuck up, but it’s O’Gara’s. At least there’s no sauerkraut in it cuz they could have easily done another take on the Reuben.
Though I will say I’m looking forward to checking out their remodel. They do have one of the best locations at the fair, I think.
Packie
O’Gara’s is always a mixed bag. Usually ok, never great. This looks like a meat hand pie, so it is certainly nothing unique. That said, I don’t find anything particularly offensive in this list of ingredients, so maybe they’ll have cracked the mold on savory hand pies. I certainly like the idea of a ‘walking’ shepherd’s pie, although I’d point out this is actually a cottage pie if it uses ground beef, so the Irish pub can’t even get that right, and they’re fucking Irish. About what I’d expect from them at this point.
Anne
Surely THIS time it’s Sara’s Tipsy Pies!
Nope
It’s the “too many apostrophes” O’Gara’s
Ugggghhhh
Like there’s no reason this shouldn’t be good. Shepherd’s Cottage pie is good. The pics look good. The
ingredients sound good.
But it’s O’GARA’S.
They’re a solid C-ville
If we get a B out of this we’ll be real lucky, because it’s been 10 years
Wrangler Waffle Burger by Nordic Waffles
Fresh all-beef patty and signature Whataburger(R) Patty Melt Sauce layered with American cheese and served in a caramelized onion-infused Nordic Waffle.
Sarah
Nordic waffles I assume.
Jah.
Okay, something savory. Granted, the waffle will be a little sweet but thank god it’s not like a waffle stuffed with cookies or cookie dough or cookie batter.
Okay I don’t know jack shit about Whataburgers but it seems fucking weird to me that they’re the brand you’re going with since it’s a TX based company and this is the MN State Fair. Like, take a cue from the Farmer’s Union and maybe highlight a MN burger company?
Oh wait, it’s just the sauce.
Okay well I stand by what I said.
That American cheese will melt nicely. Ooh and a caramelized onion waffle! I don’t really think they’ve actually messed with the waffle itself before… I could be wrong but I can’t think of one.
I’m excited for this. Mostly because I think I just don’t want any more sweets. I love some meat and now I get to eat some of it.
Packie
Hey, at least they don’t have an actual bone-in chicken leg in a waffle this time, so there is that. No eating the bones this time. A bit surprised they waited this long to just make a waffle burger. A caramelized onion-infused Nordic waffle sounds interesting, but otherwise nothing too special here. I like a good burger, though, so it’s sure to be satisfying at least, right? God I hope so. Anne
Going real basic this year I see. Honestly- maybe they need that? Because after their early successes they’ve really sort of taken a nosedive since 2019, so maybe playing it safe is what they need at this point
There’s not a lot to get excited for here- it’s a burger in a nordic waffle. I bet it’s good. The End.
NEW VENDORS
Chan’s Eatery
Chan's Eatery serves Korean corndogs (hot dog and mozzarella cheese, battered with panko, deep-fried and finished with a dusting of cinnamon sugar. Option to add a coating of fried potatoes or to substitute toppings for hot Cheetos(R) with spicy mayo); Mochi donuts in eight varieties (original glaze, churro, cookies 'n cream, Fruity Pebbles(TM), chocolate, strawberry, matcha and taro); Fruit and milk boba teas with optional tapioca and jelly toppings.
Sarah
Ooh, Korean corndogs! We’ve only had them once and I’m excited to try a different kind.
OH FUCK. THEY GOT MOCHI DONUTS.
God we love mochi donuts.
And Boba Tea. Gonna maybe get one of those, too. Eh, who am I kidding. I won’t have the space and it probably won’t compare to my beloved Soha’s in Hugo. Packie Aw hell yeah! Gonna be honest, I tried a Korean corndog once and was not impressed, but I desperately want to like them so I look forward to giving them a second shot. And they have mochi donuts too!? Hell yeah! Mochi donuts are fucking divine. If you have yet to try one, here is your chance and you should definitely hit it. Add some sweet fruit, milk, and boba teas to the mix and this sounds like a fun new vendor. Looking forward to this one. Anne Ohhhh it’s Korean Corndogs. I thought it was some sort of delicious-looking dessert. Ok listen We all already have a favorite corndog at the fair. And you know, as much as I want to LOVE Korean Corndogs, they always seem to be just ok.Looks like they also have Mochi Donuts, so I'm very excited for people who haven’t had one before to give them a try, but we also already have a favorite Mochi Donut place and I don't need to get one at the fair.Well either way- welcome to the fair
El Burrito Mercado
El Burrito Mercado serves Quesabirria Taquitos (deep-fried, rolled tacos filled with beef marinated in red sauce & cheese, topped with salsa verde and crumbled cheese); esquites (corn kernels cooked with herbs, topped with sour cream, crumbled cheese, chile powder and lime, served in a cup); and Agua de Sandia Loca (watermelon drink with chamoy and bits of seasoned dried mango). All items are gluten-friendly
Sarah
Oh! I think Anne, and maybe the rest of the fam, eat here occasionally? IDK, I can’t remember. Listen, I don’t (generally) eat Mexican food so when they go to Mexican restaurants and then tell me about them later they sort of all blend together.
But I think this is the one that’s in St. Paul and maybe has a shop with it? IDK.
Anyway, Anne will be excited about this, and I’m not against trying a taquito. I’ll also be happy to drink any watermelon drink you shove my way. And I can probably be cajoled into trying the esquites but I know I won’t like it.
Packie
Hey, I love this place! Excited to see them join the bazaar. Holy hell, quesabirria taquitos?! That sounds great, though I wish it came with consume. Anne should be intrigued by the esquites at least. Not sure about that watermelon drink, but only because of the chamoy. Sarah’s sure to not be happy we get to try more Mexican.
Anne
Well Well Well Well Well
The best Mercado is now at the fair
I’ll eat the SHIT out of some taquitos and esquites, I tell you what. Though I wish the salsa verde was on the side and not on top. And that Agua de Sandia Loca sounds amazing- I for sure want to at least try that (especially since Sarah won’t want taquitos and neither of them will want esquites).
Kosharina Egyptian Cuisine
Kosharina Egyptian Cuisine serves Koshari (rice, pasta, chickpeas, lentils, tomato sauce, garlicky vinegar "dakkah" sauce, topped with fried onions) in three varieties (chicken, beef and vegetable); plus caffeine-free iced hibiscus tea. Koshari is gluten-free without pasta, and the vegetable variety is vegan.
Sarah
Oh nice! I like when we get new ethnic offerings and Anne and I know someone who absolutely LOVES Koshari so I’m very excited to try it!
Also it’s nice that both these last two have GF options.
Oh, just saw the iced tea! As I said above, I love me some iced tea and will pretty much try every offering. Though, honestly, keep in the caffeine. It’s gonna be a long fair. Packie Not sure this one is quite up my alley, but I’ll give it a shot because I love exploring new and different cuisines from all kinds of cultures. Not a big fan of hibiscus tea either, but it does look refreshing. Anne Egyptian Cuisine?! Oooooh sign me up!Looks like they just do 1 thing, Kosharis which are a rice/pasta bowl. They sound interesting- I’m excited to try these flavors out (though I don’t need that quantity of food- I need to eat a lot of things, I don’t want an entire meal). I wonder what that drink is. (editor's note- finish reading the blurb you boob)
Loon Lake Iced Tea
Loon Lake Iced Teas serves Official New Food Cotton Candy Iced Tea, plus a variety of brewed, naturally flavored, cane sugar-sweetened iced teas, including blood orange, blueberry, peach, strawberry and unsweetened.
Sarah
Oh dang! They ARE a whole new iced tea vendor!!
I am very excited about this! I legit think I might try a lot of these, if not all of them, by the end of the fair.
Well, unless I try one and it’s not good or not for me. Then I shall pass on the others.
It’s nice having whole vendors that are just drinks, though. PackieWow, and to think I was pretty excited for the Cotton Candy Iced Tea they were offering on the new foods list. I hope that it is good, because I’d love to try some of these other flavors, particularly blood orange, peach, and blueberry. Anne Ok so they are a new vendorOoooh they have a bunch of other iced teas as well. God I hope they’re all fantastic because they look and sound great
Midtown Global Market’s Indigenous Food Lab
Midtown Global Market's Indigenous Food Lab serves Official New Food Nixtamal & Wild Rice Bowl with Wozapi & Bison Meatballs or Sweet Potato Dumplings, with the option to add cricket & seed mix. All items are gluten-free. (Aug. 28 to Sept. 2 only)
Sarah
Again, very excited about this, very sad it’s in the second half of the fair and not the first half. What the hell is in the first half? Nothing new, clearly, because it’s missing from this list.
It’s probably Tacocat again or something lackluster. Which, I mean, pretty much everything that’s in this rotating location ends up being blah, BUT I FEEL GOOD ABOUT THIS ONE!
Looks like they just have the one thing, though. Interesting. PackieHmm, so it seems they are ONLY offering the new food of the rice bowl with the meatballs or dumplings. Nothing else? Wait, so who is the other vendor that’s going to be there for the first half of the fair. Oh my god, this pisses me off so much. There is only one new vendor for MGM, but they put them on the back half of the fair? If you’d put them on the first half, it would have been the first year we didn’t have to wait a week to eat our last new food off the list. You had ONE job! What a fucking slap in the face. I’ll reserve judgement for Indigenous Food Lab, but MGM you are fucking dead to me! Anne Woah woah woahWhat…what is in the Market stand for the FIRST half of the fair? Did I miss it? Am I stupid about IFL’s dates? No they’re definitely 8/28-9/2. So what’s there 8/22-8/27?I’m confused and irritated.It must be a vendor that just didn’t get on the official foods list? So now we’re going to have to wait a month to just SEE what’s there I guess
Paella Depot
Paella Depot serves Chicken & Chorizo Paella (traditional Spanish caramelized rice dish with leeks, red bell peppers, zucchini and snap peas, with option to adde fried egg or seafood). Plus agua frescas in six flavors made from fruit puree, whole fruit, lime juice, agave and water. All items are gluten-free and dairy-free.
Sarah
Oh dang! A place just for Paella!
Now, we get Paella regularly because our dad makes a good paella in a huge pan. But I’m always willing to try other paellas
But, meh on Chorizo. As I said before, it’s the worst sausage. I like that I can add a fried egg though and yes please! I wonder what kind of seafood you can add? Probably I want it, either way.
Also aguas frescas are always great. Packie Yeeess I love paella! Pop Pop Ahiers the Hiking King makes a real mean paella, but I only get it once a year if I’m lucky, but now I can have it at the fair?! Done! Oh shit, I can add fried egg or seafood? Can…can I do both? I want both. DO BOTH! Oh shit and there is agua frescas! I love those too! This is amazing!! AnneAlright, it’s Paella. Our Dad makes a great Paella so I'm not excited about this. They DO have agua frescas, but there’s that Agua Fresca place that also does them (I’ll have to look them up). (It’s Churros and Agua Frescas) Well welcome to the fair I guess.
That way too, if it’s shitty as O’Gara’s often is, I can drop it in the garbage without the workers seeing.
ReplyDeleteHaha! So true. O'Gara's is so underwhelming.
Though I will say I’m looking forward to checking out their remodel.
Oh, hadn't heard about that. That's kinda cool. Hopefully they keep their super awesome air conditioned bathrooms.
That American cheese will melt nicely.
Here's my hot take: I *detest* American cheese. Can't stand it. The very thought of it turns my stomach. Just gross, goopy plastic-ness draped over otherwise fine food. Blech.
Also aguas frescas are always great.
Seriously your recommendation to try the ones at the fair last year changed our lives. It may have been the best thing we had last year (it helped that we had them when it was like 118 degrees out...)