2021 MN State Fair Food Preview Part 3 (Fudge & Fruit! through La Floretta)

 Here we are, middle of the week and time for Part 3!

We're exploring Fudge & Fruit! through La Floretta. You can bet we're gonna hate the idea of at least one item today, so read on.

Fudge & Fruit! - Minnesota Wine Country

Fresh strawberries and fudge brownies dipped in wine-infused dark chocolate, drizzled with wine-infused white chocolate and served on-a-stick.

Sarah

I saw this and was immediately pissed off. And then I saw it was from Minnesota Wine Country and got even more pissed.

Like fucking chocolate dipped strawberries and brownies is some amazing thing to get at the fair. Even if it’s drizzled in wine infused chocolate. Who cares? This isn’t a fair food.

Also, it’s gonna cost like fucking $20, too. And look at that “dipped” bs. Some of those strawberries have barely any chocolate on them. That’s bullshit and we all know it. And this is on the picture for the food which should be, like, the very best one. If the best one looks like that, you know we’re all getting barely any chocolate on our skewers.

Shit I’m pissed. Getting into a rage lather about it.

Patrick

Well, well, well, looks who is back on the new foods band wagon. MN Wine Country feels like the posh café where all the snooty wealthy elite get their “fair” food, while all us peons are staring in from the outside, half-eaten corndog in one hand and sugar-water lemonade in the other and a mustard stain on our shirt. Don’t get me wrong, I usually find their tiny little amuse-bouche sized food offerings to be surprisingly refined and a pleasure to the palette. I just don’t want to pay fifteen bucks for it! Chocolate covered strawberries and fudge on a stick, sounds like a gift box from a high-end candy store like Lindt or Godiva. Honestly, this wouldn’t excite me even if I could get it for five dollars, and I predict it’ll be closer in price to my initial estimate. This looks boring and I’m mad I’m going to have to empty my pockets to try it.

Anne

Does adding the exclamation point add a dollar onto the price? IIRC, MN Wine Country always had great food that was a smol portion at an exorbitant price (it has wine in it so $$$ amiright??).
Otherwise, these look good. Except take the fucking tops off your strawberries. God damn I hate tops on strawberries in food.

 

Greek Stuffed Ravioli - Dino's Gyros

Mediterranean pastry dough stuffed with cream cheese, tzatziki sauce, mozzarella cheese, pepperoncini, tomato, gyro meat and Dino’s Greek seasoning, deep-fried and drizzled with roasted garlic butter.

Sarah

Ope, more raviolis. Is that the theme this year?

This sounds pretty good, though I’m not excited about the pepperoncini. Also, that’s a lot of stuff in a filling for a ravioli, which makes me worried the bites will be uneven (this bite is all meat, this bite is all tomato, etc.)

I see there’s no dipping sauce, either. I feel like that kind of misses the point of deep-fried raviolis.

But, it’s Dino’s so I’m cautiously optimistic. I hope it blows my mind.

Patrick

This feels very similar to their feta bites or whatever from a previous year, but I feel like the filling on these sounds a bit more rounded out and interesting. A mixture of meat and cheese and a few other additives in a fried ravioli pasta shell, drizzled with roasted garlic butter (yum), here’s hoping this turns out as good as it sounds in my head. I mean, how do they get that many ingredients inside a little ravioli? Also, both of the twins don’t like pepperoncini, so I imagine they might turn their nose up to this one. Add another mark against Sarah and how much she hates this list.

Anne

Yeah for more dippin pockets! And damn do these sound great!! Though I wish they would’ve omitted the pepperoncini. Dang that’s a lot of stuff to stuff into a pocket.
Wait- I just realized these don’t come with a dip?? They’re just drizzled instead?
1- what a mess for my hands 2- why no dip?? Now it’s not a dippin pocket, it’s just a regular ol dumb pocket.

My friend Brigid says I need to just eat it with a fork, but if the intention is to eat it with your fingers, then don’t make it messy BRIGID.

 

Island Hopper - The Hangar

Hollowed-out half-pineapple filled with charbroiled chicken glazed with teriyaki sauce and served with steamy white rice and pineapple chunks, topped with green onions and sesame seeds.

Sarah

Sure sure sure. I mean, this sounds good and like something I’ll like.

But, because it’s actually served in half a pineapple, I have worries that that will jack up the price for something that I can, more or less, get at Leann Chin’s.

The Hangar is still new, too, so it’s hard to know if this will be good or not.

Even if it is good, though, I don’t see how teriyaki chicken and white rice is ever gonna blow my mind.

Patrick

Look at this thing! The hangar had a pretty good year last time, so I am hoping they are keeping up that tradition with this new food. Food inside a pineapple is whimsical the first time you have it, but I feel like it isn’t the best medium for carrying your food. Also, I think they missed out in making that white rice fried rice, so this could be some kicking teriyaki chicken pineapple fried rice. But hey, maybe the rice will really soak up that teriyaki sauce and the chicken will be tender and have that nice charbroiled flavor. I hope this is good, I do, I just worry it might miss the mark. Nothing about it sounds bad, but nothing super excites me about it either.

Anne

Ok, I think this might be an excessive amount of food? Don’t they know that we need to eat a LOT of different things and therefore don’t want an entire half pineapple?? Also rice is so filling.

This sounds like Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken, and the only gimmick/special thing about it is the half pineapple, which isn’t that special at all bc we had a half pineapple food item at the farmer’s market this weekend, and you can routinely get them at Karta Thai (which I DO.)

 

Jumbo Donut Sundae - Fluffy's Hand Cut Donuts

A jumbo frosted yeast-raised donut available in a variety of flavors, topped with vanilla soft-serve ice cream, hot fudge and blend of sprinkles. Specializing in hand-cut, yeast-raised donuts, Fluffy’s menu options also include a variety of icings, butter cream frostings, fillings and toppings.

Sarah

Hello, Fluffy's Hand Cut Donuts. Are you a new place? I’ve never heard of you.

Yeah, this sounds great. I fucking love a glazed donut. Donut places that try to be all fancy and make weird ass topped donuts are doing it wrong (you heard me. I said what I said.) Just make a nice, glazed donut that’s fresh and poofy and you will have my heart.

Nothing about this sounds bad. Will definitely try, like, all the donuts? Probably.

Patrick

Is this place new? Never heard of it, so maybe so? Anyways, donuts kick ass (though I can be picky on what is a really good donut.) Hopefully these donuts are fresh, fluffy and delicious, because I actually think this is a really killer idea for a twist on beloved dessert. I just really like the customization available for this donut sundae. Different donuts, different frostings and fillings, different toppings? Do I get to pick all of that, or are there going to be set combinations? Either way, what a fine twist on an ice cream sundae. Sign me up!

Anne

*Does a little happy dance*
Ok, so sounds like you can choose your donut flavor AND your sprinkles?? Honestly I wish they would just have some pre-chosen choices for us, because too many options is hard when you’re a group AND what if you just make a poor choice and then you have to judge everything off of that?
But anyway, give me the one in the pic bc that looks baller, and I am excited to see how their donuts hold up to ice cream and stuff.

 

Kerala Fried Chicken Kati Roll - Hot Indian

Marinated, battered and fried chicken tenders wrapped in paratha with chutneys and slaw. A fan favorite in the Midtown Global Market booth in years past, Hot Indian has a new home of its own in the Food Building and will be at the fair all 12 days! Their menu will also include Paneer Pakora (new food in 2021, gluten-free), Butter Chicken Samosas (halal), Sweet Veg Samosas (vegan), Bhel Puri (vegan) and Mango Lassi.

Sarah

Okay, the picture grabbed my attention.

I was confused at first because I was like Hot Indian sounds familiar, but they’re in the food building?

And then I read that this is the Indian place that used to pop up in the midtown global market and I was immediately disappointed. Because I know for a fact that Hot Indian was never one of our favorites. In fact, we might have hated their food? I’m too lazy to go look.

Okay I checked and they had the paneer on the spear which I was very excited for in 2016 and I believe I was very disappointed by.

But this sounds pretty good, I guess? Battered fried chicken is usually something I want. So, I guess we’ll see. Maybe now that they have a permanent place, they’ll be better.

Patrick

Hmm…I like battered fried chicken tenders, not sure what paratha is though (looks like it is an Indian flatbread.) Basically a chicken tender wrap with Indian flavors. Normally I love Indian food, but I feel like every time Hot Indian (which appears to be the same place that was part of the MGM booth in the past and has now branched out to their own spot) has never produced something I’d get again. Good for them for earning their own spot of all twelve days of the fair, but I I’m not sure I needed them any more than the one day I would visit to try a disappointing new food. I’m not holding out any hope this year will be different.

Anne

Ok I get pretty excited when there’s words that I don’t know and there are 3 of them in this food.
Kerala- is a state in India
Kati- unclear (disappointing)
Paratha- layered flat bread made from flour, salt, ghee, etc.

Have we eaten Hot Indian before and was it super spicy? I feel like it might’ve been.
OH! This is the Midtown Global Market vendor and they just moved. I think we had their Paneer and Samosas and were disappointed/spiced out by them?

Well this looks great- I am excited to try this fancy Indian Fried Chicken Taco.

Looked them up- I was right about the Paneer and Samosas- we gave both of them Ds. Whomp whomp.

 

La Floretta - Mancini's al Fresco

Oven-roasted cauliflower florets seasoned with Iron Range herbs and spices and served with Calabrian sweet chili sauce. (Gluten-free, vegan)

Sarah

Ugh. Back when we were doing Keto we tried over and over again with cauliflower. We made it so many ways.

And I hated all of them. Which made me come to the conclusion that I just don’t like cauliflower.

So, all of that to say, I’m not excited about this and I doubt it will change my mind on the cauliflower point (though I’d love it if it could! I really want to like cauliflower.)

Mancini’s is also a place that doesn’t do me any favors. People love it, but they serve things that aren’t for my palate. *shrug*

Patrick

After doing several long months of the Keto diet, I’ve lost a lot of my initial love of cauliflower. People try to do everything to this fucking vegetable and say it tastes just like something else. Rice, mashed potatoes, pasta, you name it. No. It tastes like cauliflower and I’m a little tired of that flavor. I also hate when people try to pass off a food as something it is not. This is literally just roasted cauliflower with seasonings and a sauce to dip it in. I don’t see any sort of appeal for this. Gross really. Also, Sarah fucking hates cauliflower too, maybe Anne as well. I think we’re all going to hate this and shit on it in our reviews.

Anne

OMG I was SO EXCITED to learn about this food, and then I realized it’s fucking cauliflower and now I’m so sad/mad.

Get out of here. Get off my screen.

Tomorrow brings us Part 4 and the Naughty Biscuit! See you then

2021 MN State Fair Food Preview Part 2 (Caramelized Banana Pudding through Esquites)

Part 2! Does Patrick still hate Bananas? Does putting Elote in a bowl change anything for Sarah and Packie?? Read on to find out!

Caramelized Banana Pudding - Blue Moon Dine-In Theater

Layers of homemade vanilla pudding, fresh bananas, toasted 'nilla wafers, caramelized cocoa crispy cereal, caramel sauce and fresh whipped cream.

Sarah

Packie will be pissed but YES on this, please! I love me some nanas. Shit, there’s cocoa crispies, too? Gawd yes! It’s at the Blue Moon Dine-In, too, so it’ll probably be pretty good. They have a pretty high batting average (she says, having only a vague notion of what that means.)

Patrick

Goddamn bananas. All right, stringy mush fruit aside, this dessert has some good things going for it. I am pleased to read that it is vanilla pudding with banana slices on top, rather than banana pudding, so that is definitely a plus. Also, I love the sound of caramelized cocoa crispy cereal. How do you caramelize a cereal? I don’t know, but I want to find out. Also, who doesn’t love a delicious toasted ‘nilla wafer? This might end up being just too simple or boring, and I’m definitely giving those banana slices the side eye, but Blue Moon Dine-in Theater is usually a safe bet.

Anne

Yes, in my mouth right now. Poor Patrick probably just threw up all over himself knowing that he’s going to have to eat bananas this year.

These all look like normal things thrown together in an interesting way, and while it doesn’t seem too mind blowing in concept, I am looking forward to eating it.

 

ChoriPop - Midtown Global Market's Andy’s Garage

Chorizo by The Herbivorous Butcher dipped in a classic corndog batter, deep-fried on-a-stick with choice of avocado salsa or mole sauce drizzled on top or on the side. Served with Mexican BBQ chips. (Vegan). This new vendor is also serving deep-fried cheese or chicken tamales and horchata soft-serve milkshakes and cones. (At the fair Aug. 26-31 only)

Sarah

Okay, what? This one is like a rollercoaster. First, I was like, bleh, chorizo. A sausage I don’t like (it’s just not very good, everyone. Don’t @ me.) But then I hit the Herbivorous Butcher part and I got excited. First, because that means it’s not actually chorizo. Second, because I’m excited to try some vegan stuff! But then, also, what does vegan stuff that’s trying to mimic a sausage I don’t even like going to be like? I DON’T KNOW AND I AM INTRIGUED.

Hmm, it’s in the global market, though. Traditionally everything in there (except the gyros) sucks, so probably this will, too. I also get sus about any food item that is served with like a side of something (chips in this case.) That to me means they don’t trust that their main item is enough (either for the cost, or flavor, or amount-wise.)

Also, we’ve said it before and I’m saying it here now. It sucks that we have to choose a sauce. Give us both of them, damn it!

I’m gonna totes get some deep-fried cheese, though. Might try one of those horchata shakes, too.

Patrick

I’d like to start off by saying I hate how MGM does this split booth crap, where half the fair is one place and the other half is a different place. It means I can’t hit all the new foods on day one. Also, while I know the real MGM gets lots of love, I find that most the stuff they offer at the fair has been real disappointing every year. So, I’m already skeptical that this will be any different. A chorizo corn dog sounds like something I’d try, and I love a good mole sauce, so drizzling that on top doesn’t sound half bad. Not getting my hopes up about this one, though I’m curious if their deep-fried cheese is any different than the usual cheese on a stick from elsewhere. Sarah probably hates chorizo, and fairly certain Anne might dislike it as well. I like it in things, though not necessarily on its own in actual sausage casing form. Maybe the Mexican BBQ chips will be good.

Anne

Ok Ok Ok, I am excited to try this vegan meal on a stick. I’ve never been to Herbivorous Butcher but have always wanted to try them out. But why do you make us choose between 2 sauces??
How are Mexican BBQ chips different from American?

Also, sign me up for one of those Horchata Milk Shakes.

Also Also, I hate this split shift food stand

 

Cracklin Prime Nachos - Coasters

Deep-fried chicharrón covered in prime rib slices, ¡Que Bueno! nacho cheese, pico de gallo and green onion slices.

Sarah

Okay, all right! Nachos is a thing that I either love or want nothing to do with. It all depends on the stuff they put on top. I’m not a…fuck. What is that stuff called? Not cream cheese…

SOUR CREAM.

Heeey, I got there.

Anyway. I’m not a sour cream fan, so if nachos are covered in that, I’m usually out. But this skips that! It’s all meat and cheese and stuff. And then the chips are pork rinds! That’s honestly really smart and I’m not sure why it hasn’t been done before, especially for people trying to keep their carbs low (probably it has and I just didn’t know it.)

I think these will be good!

Patrick

Home of my favorite boozy malt, I’m not sure if I’ve gotten much in the way of food from Coasters before now. If this is going to be my first time eating there, I think this could be a damn fine start. Pork Rinds? Pork Rinds. I’m fairly certain chicharron is the same thing as pork rinds, so someone will have to let me know if they know better. Prime rib slices, nacho cheese, pico and green onions? Sounds like some good nachos, especially if you were looking to avoid carbs. Really though, this sounds like it could be pretty good. I’m sensing a pattern here of things Sarah hates so far: spicy stuff, Mexican flavors, buffalo sauce, fun. Maybe the theme this year is “Dishes That Upset Sarah.”

Anne

You had me at Cracklin! Seriously, I sort of stopped reading after that. Better look at the rest of this.
Ok, so this is like a fancy, Keto-approved Nachos. I’m here for it, looks pretty good. It’s my kind of nachos where there’s not TOO much stuff, and the stuff they do have is Anne-approved. But also, my problem with junk nachos is the sogginess of the chips. Maybe Cracklin holds up better?

 

Cucumber Jalapeño Limeade - Farmers Union Coffee Shop

Limeade made with juiced Minnesota-grown cucumbers and jalapeño syrup, served with a cucumber slice.

Sarah

Okay. I’m intrigued. I like the cucumber limeade part. I’m sus about the jalapeno because I think that could very quickly get out of control. Also, it’s Farmer’s Union Coffee Shop and they’re generally not good, so I bet I’m right to be worried about that.

Probably this will be something that could have been good but won’t be.

Patrick

Hahah, we saw this one on the news this morning when we found out the new foods were out. “Cucumber Jalapeno Limeade,” we said. Hmm all right, interesting, we said. “From Farmers Union Coffee Shop.” Ooooh, of course, boo. I’ve found the Farmers Union to generally be overpriced, mediocre, and boring, and now I suspect the same thing about this drink. Plus, how spicy will that jalapeno be in the drink? Too spicy for Sarah? Too spicy for me?  Drinks shouldn’t be spicy. I don’t think I’ve ever had a drink and thought “You know what goes well with thirst quenching? Mouth melting!”

Anne

This was a roller coaster of emotion. I was SO THERE for this- not a huge jalapeno fan, but LOVE cucumbers and limeade, so I was pretty excited for this drink, but then disappointed to see that it’s at the Farmer’s Union Coffee Shop which always, always disappoints.
So I’m not holding my breath here.

 

Dual Berry Shortcake - LuLu's Public House

Strawberries and blueberries over a sugar-coated Betty & Earl’s biscuit, topped with whipped cream and balsamic glaze.

Sarah

Yep. Okay. Nothing on this that doesn’t sound good. LuLu’s is generally pretty good, too. But I will say there’s nothing all that special about this. Like, I could get a shortcake a lot of places, many of them at the fair, so will this be anything different?

Probably not. But as long as it’s good, then no worries.

Patrick

LuLu really blew us away last year with their warm cheesecake tart, so hopefully they’ve really found their groove in sweet dessert confections. This seems like it could be pretty plane (plain?) Jane to me.  Is it a biscuit or shortcake? Are those the same thing? I didn’t think so when I first read this, but now I’m questioning myself. Anyways, maybe this biscuit or shortcake will be real soft and sweet to mix well with those tart berries and maybe the whip cream will be thick and creamy. I’m guessing I won’t be a fan of this dessert, but then I don’t enjoy fruit-laden desserts very much. Anne will probably like this. She’s uh…umm…dumb? I couldn’t think of a funny insult to slip in there.  Eat your fucking fruit biscuit.

Anne

*droooooools* hey, Betty and Earls Biscuits are the bomb, and Lulu’s knocked it out of the park in 2019 with their cheesecake which might’ve won best new food for us that year. Otherwise Lulu’s is sort of meh, but I’m hopeful this is an upward trajectory they’re staying on. I can’t wait to eat this (though is calling it a shortcake when it’s a biscuit disingenuous? THEY’RE DIFFERENT THINGS, LULU’S!)

 

Esquites - Midtown Global Market's Los Ocampo

Mexican street corn off-the-cob topped with mayonnaise, Cotija cheese and pequin chile powder. Returning to the Midtown Global Market booth for the first time since 2013, Los Ocampo’s new menu also includes Mango On-a-Stick; Elote; Mexican Tacos with an al pastor, carne asada or veggie option; Coca Mexicana; and Aqua de Horchata. (At the fair Sept. 1-6 only)

Sarah

GOD DAMMIT. Why is the fair constantly making me and Packie eat elote? It’s never making Anne eat shit she doesn’t like, like curry. Fuck.

As soon as I saw the very top of this pic as I scrolled down my heart sank because I just KNEW it.

At least it’s Los Ocampo. I think they’re good? Packie and Anne will know, since I don’t eat at Mexican restaurants (unless it’s Theresa’s).

Mango-on-a-stick could be good. But also, is it just fruit? If so, I can get really amazing fruit at the fruit stand instead.

Patrick

Heeeeeeell no. I’ve tried Mexican street corn/elote numerous times, trying to be open minded, but I’ve never really enjoyed it and hated it in general. I’m just not a fan of the flavors, even though I kind of like the idea (though mayo all over corn just sounds like a food sin). That said, I’ve eaten at Los Ocampo and they do damn good Mexican food, and I’d be happy to give any of their other foods a try; mango on-a-stick, tacos al pastor/carne asada. Keep that horchata away from me as well. I thought I’d like what is basically cinnamon toast crunch cereal milk, but no. No I don’t want that as a beverage.  But hey, another Mexican food option for Sarah to bitch about.  I sort of feel like she’ll have a bit of a field day on her list.

Anne

And here’s why I hate the split-shift food stand, because this food is going to miss out on the new food fervor at the start of the fair.

Anyway, I bet Sarah and Patrick CAN’T WAIT to eat this elote in a bowl! Too bad we have to wait a whole week after the fair starts to taste it and hear all about their agony.
But for real though, I love elote, but this is just elote in a bowl, right?

That's it for part 2! Join us tomorrow for the next group of foods starting with Fudge & Fruit!

2021 MN State Fair Food Preview Part 1 (Banh Minn Bun and Bowl through Buffalo Chicken Doughscuit)

WE DID IT!

We made it through the dumpster fire that was 2020 and have arrived at the best time of year, when our summers are consumed with the thoughts of the impending State Fair!

How will the MNSF be different after a year off? Will crowds come surging back for another record-breaking attendance, or will they hold off some for safety concerns?

Did any of our favorite fair vendors and restaurants go under during the pandemic?

Have Fairborn and Fairchild been vaccinated??

While we don't yet have answers to those questions, we do know one thing- which new foods we'll be trying come August 26th! So let's get to it and share our thoughts about what that first Fair day might have in store for us

Sarah

Overall Thoughts: (I spelled thoughts wrong 6 times before I got it right)

I think this list looks great! It’s hard to judge because we missed a whole year, so I’m just jazzed in general about the whole thing, but outside of things I don’t generally like (buffalo sauce, elote, etc.) I think the list looks good!

There didn’t really seem to be a theme. There were two raviolis. And there were a couple of vegan/gluten free items as well. But not really enough to emerge as a theme. And that’s okay. I’m just glad we’re here once more.

And there’s a return of a previous food vendor which is a thing that’s never happened before, as well as a couple of brand-new vendors too. So much potential. I hope everything is great.

 

Most Excited For: Spufull Puff. Don’t you fucking break my heart you potatoey doughy deep-fried masterpiece. Don’t you do it.

Least Excited for: Esquites. I’m never gonna like elote. The fair needs to stop making me eat it.

 

Patrick

Overall Thoughts:

We’re fucking back baby! 2020 was a goddamn shit show and it is now time to shove that dumpster fire into the sewer and step into the sun that is the 2021 Minnesota State Fair. Hell yeah, I couldn’t be any more excited than to be getting back into and trying all these new and exciting foods.  I got my engraved personal fork (yeah that’s right), I got my walking shoes, and I got a hell of a lot of weight to lose before I pack it aaaaall back on in a single day. 

Let’s talk about some food!  From the scintillatingly decadent, to the messy slop trough.  From the simply excessive, to the insultingly sparing.  From the favored treasured classics, to the Hideaway Speakeasy, let’s-talk-about-some-FOOD!

This is shaping up to be an interesting year. I’ve tried to be a little less even keeled this time, where I pretty much just sound excited about everything, and express more of my doubts, concerns, and disinterest. You be the judge if I succeed there. Overall, I think we have a nice variety of things to look forward to, as well as an even spread of foods I’m hesitant about, to things I will punch out Fairchild to get my hands on. I’m calling the theme this year as “Sarah’s Gonna Hate That.” That’s right, committee got together, shit-talked about Sarah, and we got our theme. Whole lot of haters on this list of food that I think Sarah is going to take issue with, and so we got our theme. Tough break.

 

Most Excited For: I always get this wrong.  I pick something crazy that I’m excited about and it ends up being far from the top of the list. So, this year I’m going with the Spufull Puff, sponsored dish of House Hufflepuff. Got a real good feeling about this one and can’t see anything going wrong with that combination of treats. Let’s git ‘um!

Least Excited For: I wanted to say the Dual Berry Shortcake from Lulu’s but I’ve got a little too much faith in her to screw that up THAT bad, so instead I’m going to say La Floretta. Final answer.  Oven-roasted cauliflower? Get that shit out of here!

 

Anne

Overall Thoughts:

26 items this year- a light year I think for new foods, but understandable coming off 2020 (are all our favorites still even around??) With a brief skim I saw a lot of fruit options (me likey) but I’ll have to decide on a theme after I’m done reviewing. Also saw some preeeeetty interesting looking things that I’m excited to see what’s what with them.
God, I don’t think there’s a single thing that I already hate, looking through the pics (unlike for Patrick and Sarah). Ope, there it is. La Floretta *spits*

Nice to see the return of MN Wine Country and Green Mill to the New Foods lists since they’ve been absent 2 or 3 years.

Also, some new places- Scenic 61 by New Scenic Café (What’s going on with the name here? A lot, is what it looks like), Fluffy Hand Cut Donuts (yes on the donuts, questions on the hand cut) and some sort of Summer Beverage place that has *GASP* non-alcoholic drinks?? (THANK YOU).

Multiple places have multiple options, including Hot Indian (2 distinct offerings), Nordic Waffles (2 items under the same listing) Summer Lake Beverages (3 offerings under the same listing). How is this fair? Why is Nordic Waffle relegated to just 1 new item (with 2 items under it), but Hot Indian gets 2? How are we supposed to count this? There are 26 items, but if we include the 2^nd Nordic Waffle and all 3 bevs we’re actually at 29.

I feel like we’re missing some OG Vendors- where’s Crappy O’Garas? French Meadow (did it just shrivel up and die after the poor service we received in 2019?) Brim- was that a one and done? Hamline Church Dining Hall? (You’re never one to miss out). OMG WHERE’S RAINBOW ICE CREAM?? Hopefully still around and just no new food offering this year.

Theme- fruit (thought it might be jalapeno, but I think there’s only 3 items with that whereas there are like 4 or 5 fruity concoctions).

 

Most Excited For: Jumbo Donut Sundae or Dual Berry Shortcake

Least Excited For: La Floretta. Get out of here Cauliflower

 

Banh Minn Bun and Banh Minn Bowl - Sausage Sister & Me

Asian-inspired sausage in a crusty French baguette with Sister’s Sriracha sauce, shredded and pickled carrot, radish, chopped jalapeño and a sprig of fresh cilantro. The bunless bowl starts with a five-grain blend and is topped with shredded and pickled carrot, radish, Asian slaw, chopped jalapeño, sausage slices, cilantro and a drizzle of Sister’s Sriracha sauce.

Sarah

I legit said “oh shit” as soon as I hit the “crusty baguette” portion of this description. I pulled back a bit, though, at the sriracha sauce and jalapeno. I’m hoping it won’t be too spicy.

Oh wait! I just realized there’s a bun option and a bowl option! Well, fuck. Does that mean we have to try both? Probably. I think we should start with the bun, though, and get the bowl on a later date.

Oh shit. It wasn’t until I ran spell check that I realize the name is a play on Minnesota and Bahn Mi. Clever.

Patrick

I do enjoy a good Bahn Mi sandwich and this sausage inspired version has me excited! Those fresh ingredients and soft/crispy French baguette mixed with Asian flavors and an “Asian-inspired” sausage all sounds like they’ll work real nice. Not sure they needed a bowl version of this, especially if there is some kind of grain-blend replacing the bread (isn’t the point of a “bowl” version to cut out carbs?) I know the twins probably won’t be too happy that it has sriracha, or jalapenos, especially Sarah. If I’m going to be honest, having raw jalapenos on something isn’t really my forte either, as they can get real hot real fast, but I always find I can just take them off it is getting to be a bit too much. A nice start to this list either way!

Anne

Well sausage sister is usually a good bet.  This sounds like it might be hella spicy though (we’ve been burned by Sausage Sister on spice before.) But I like the idea of an Asian-inspired hot dog, and nice that they offer a bun-free option. Hold the cilantro tho.

 

Bison Bites -Giggles' Campfire Grill

A North Woods spin on ravioli with ground bison, braised fennel, portobello mushrooms and fresh basil wrapped in classic egg dough, deep-fried and served with a sweet bourbon sauce with a little kick.

Sarah

Giggles has hurt me the last few years. But I still keep coming back to them, hoping…

This sounds good! I’m down for ravioli bites. A bourbon sauce for them sounds interesting, too! I’m glad it’s not just a dumb red sauce like most other places would do. Okay, yeah, I’m pretty excited about these. I hope it’s more than just, like, 4 raviolis, though. Especially since they’ll probably be like 8 bucks or something. There’s only 4 in the picture which makes me sus…

Patrick

Giggles’ is an old favorite with some tried and true menu items that we still get every year. Not gonna lie though, ever since they stopped making chicken-fried bacon, the new food items they put out have been lacking appeal. I still want to hope they can put out more real zingers, so I want to give them the benefit of the doubt, and by the looks of what they have this year I’m feeling hopeful again. The filling on these raviolis sound like they could be really tasty! Hopefully the portobellos will help keep the bison from drying them out, and in general the mixture is real appetizing. Also a sweet bourbon sauce to dip them in? I don’t know how much of a “kick” it will have, but I’m real eager to find out. It sounds like a real winning combo, I just hope they stick the landing. Maybe bring back that fucking fried bacon while they’re at it!

Anne

This definitely feels on-brand for Giggles. I LOVE me little dippin pockets, and this falls right into that category. This just sounds delightful- there isn’t a single thing in this that I don’t like, and I’m excited to try the sweet bourbon sauce (but that kick better not be too kicky. If I can’t use the sauce then these aren’t dippin pockets, ARE THEY?)

 

Blue Raspberry Blitzed - Sara's Tipsy Pies

Traditional hand pie filled with a raspberry, blueberry and apple blend infused with UV Blue Vodka and topped with cotton candy sugar.

Sarah

I still kind of want to roll my eyes at Sara’s Tipsy Pies even though they’re generally pretty good. I do love blueberry and raspberry. Apple bums me out, though. Sugar on top is a win. So, color me optimistic with this.

I really don’t have anything else to say about this.

NEXT!

Patrick

Looks like more of the same from the tipsy pie lady. I actually rather enjoy these hand pies, and this combination of blueberry, apple, and raspberry, along with her usual infusion of liquor, sounds like a sweet treat. Plus, cotton candy sugar on top? Now you got me real excited. Not sure what the twins will think about this, I feel like they don’t think much of Sara and her pies, but I could be mistaken. I like how in a lot of these reviews I point out how I think dumb and dumber will react to a new food, and I’m betting they both do the same on some items. I bet I’m also the first one to insult them. They didn’t know these reviews were going to turn hostile, I bet. Not this soon into the list, I bet.

Anne

Sara makes a good pie, but usually charges way too much for them. Cotton Candy sugar is just…like unspun cotton candy, right? How is that different than regular sugar?
Ok I looked it up and besides color and flavor (if added) cotton candy sugar is just regular sugar (that I’m sure you can charge more for, amiright SARA?).
I love a berry pie (though is it ruined by adding apple?) and I’m still excited to try this, but is it trying too hard?

 

Buffalo Chicken Doughscuit -The Blue Barn

Fluffy biscuit-style doughnuts stuffed with shredded chicken, glazed with a sweet & spicy buffalo icing, and topped with crispy bacon bits.

Sarah

I saw the picture and was like OOOOOH! Then I read the name and was like NOOOOOO!

Why does everything have to be dumb ol’ buffalo chicken? There are other flavors, people! God, I can’t even stand the smell of buffalo sauce.

Hmm, it says it’s just glazed with it, though. Maybe it won’t be too much? I hope so because otherwise this looks just grand. It might be my “most excited for but then read the description and got sad” pick.

Patrick

It’s funny. I used to hate Blue Barn and it especially irked me that they’d put out two new items each year, so I’d have to double my misery. Last couple of years they’ve started to put out some real zingers though, and I am glad their creative approach to new food ideas has been paying off and they have really won me over. A “Fluffy biscuit-style doughnut?” What? I mean…I love biscuits and doughnuts are great, so I am pretty friggin’ jazzed to find out what that combo is gonna be like. Stuffed with chicken…but the chicken is not the part that is buffalo’d? A “sweet & spicy buffalo icing?” Whaaat? Like doughnut icing? Is that gonna be weird or amazing? Toss on some crispy bacon bits why don’t you? I honestly have no idea how this will go. It couldn’t possibly mediocre, so it will either be amazing, or just absolute hot garbage. Sarah hates buffalo sauce. Not even because it is spicy, I don’t think, but just the smell makes her want to gag. Her face makes me do that sometimes. Hmm, really laying it on thick. Maybe like that icing.

Anne

UMMMMM YES PLEASE. Now this is State fair Innovation right here. Poor Sarah- I bet she was real excited about these until they ruined it with SPICY BUFFALO ICING (WHAT??!!).

(ETA- boy do I have Sarah down pat.)

The Blue Barn had a huge comeback for us in 2019, so I’m looking forward to it continuing that run.

That's it for Part 1! Tune in tomorrow for Part 2 kicking off with Caramelized Banana Pudding.

2019 Final Thoughts

 Welp, here we are- 1.5 years later, and just now getting these thoughts posted. I KNOW I had a draft of this post ready and waiting to add hyperlinks, but stuff came up (*cough* Rona *cough*) and damn if I can't find that draft now. I'm sure we TOTALLY remember all the stuff that was important, so this will be great. Thank Fairchild we have all of our day-of thoughts saved on IG.

Upon reflection (oh the nostalgia of better times after more than a year of not eating out), 2019 was a really great year! First- we were so dang SKINNY (sighs forever). Second- the weather was fantastic. Third- only one horrible disappointment (goodbye beloved Deep Fried Ribs from Ballpark Cafe). Fourth, overall the food was great and we discovered a couple new gems that we can't wait to get again. 

Here are our day-of thoughts for the new and new to us foods. And as always, check us out on IG (FairFestFeasts) to see thoughts + pics.

NAILED IT- GRADE A FOODS

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

Wingwalker Donuts- $9 from The Hangar
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.

Carnitas Taco Cone- $10 from San Felipe Tacos
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.

Peaches n' Cream Nachos- $8 from Bridgeman's Icecream
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!

Warm Cheesecake Tart- $6 from Lulu's Public House
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

Cheese Curds- $6 from Miller's Cheese Curds
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.

 

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

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

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

Dragonfruit with Sno Cream- $7.50 from Minnesnowii Shaved Ice
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
A!!! We frickin looooooooved this. Kind of like a creamier, adult orange julius. Will definitely get again.

London Broil Steak Sandwich- $10 from Butcher Boys
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)

PRETTY DURN GOOD- GRADE B FOODS

Breakfast Potato Skins- $8.95 from Blue Barn
Solid Start! A little too much potatoes because the bearnaise sauce was subtle, but the flavors was very nice!

Al Pastor Waffle- $8 from Nordic Waffles
Great flavor with the marinated pork and pineapple, savory goodness.

Duck Drummies- $8.75 from Giggles Campfire Grill
Super crisp and tender duck drummies with a really good tequila lime dipping sauce. Nice job Giggles.

Grilled Sota Sandwich- $9 from Brim
We were split between a B and A. Just a really good pb&j sammy. Gluten free with Irish soda bread. Delicious.

Stuffed Cabbage Roll- $8 from iPierogi
A meaty, savory cabbage roll and a fresh dinner roll. Really hit the spot, good flavors.

Bada Bing Sandwich- $9 from The Sandwich Stop
They always make great sammies. The Swiss cheese was baller.

Cheesy Sriracha Funnel Cake Bites- $8 from Funnel Cakes
Well what a fuckin delight! The more we ate it the more we liked it. We speculate that if we had eaten it earlier in the day it miiiight've even rated an A. We are now fans of savory funnel cake.

Halo Cone- $9 at Rainbow Ice Cream
This was a fun food. It was hard not to compare it to the excellence that was last year's Rainbow Cloud Roll, but the soft serve and the fruity pebbles were excellent.

RC's Jammin Brisket Grilled Cheese- $10 from RC BBQ
Great crispy toasted bread, melty cheese, and slammin onion jam with that brisket. One person didn't like it, but don't listen to her. Reeeeeeeal good.

Nashville Hot Chicken-on-a-Stick- $9.95 from Blue Barn
B (though some of us thought it might be an A). Super crunchy. Nice sweetness. Spicy but not too spicy. Worth it (though pricey)

Mac & Cheese- $8 (or $5 with BRBB coup) from Oodles of Noodles.
A "new to us" food. Not as good as the mac and cheese curds selection but good! Especially since we're picky about m&c with cheddar cheese

OK, NOT GREAT- GRADE C FOODS

Cookie Dough on a Stick- Oreo Fudge Flavor for $5, Chocolate Dipped is $1, Peanuts is another $1, from Cookie Dough on a Stick
Very rich. If you like cookie dough you'd probably enjoy.

Irish Whiskey Boneless Wings- $8 from O'Gara's
Yeah this was fine. We ate it all but probably wouldn't get it again. Unbalanced- needed to be either sweeter or tangier. Pretty good heat level.

Tailspin- $11 from The Hangar
This was perfectly fine. This is the replacement new food (since the original wingwalker donuts had injector 'needles' and an excessive amount of plastic that received a bunch of backlash- and The Hangar did the decent thing and actually listened to feedback), and in case you missed it it's "BBQ sauce, french-fried onions and coleslaw, layered over pulled pork, elote, Oaxaca cheese on a hash brown waffle".
We think this might be just too much stuff.

Joey Mary- $8 from Brim
NOTE: requires mixing!! Otherwise too bitter.
Cold coffee. Not much of a slush. GF almond cookie not great. Those of us who liked cold coffee drinks liked it more than others.

Snow Cap Mini Waffle Sundae- $6 from Hamline Church Dining Hall
Good waffle and Cream Cheese Ice Cream, but utterly tiny for six bucks.

Blueberry Key Lime Pie- $8 from Farmer's Union Coffee Shop
We were very split on it, with some going to B and some to D. Good Key Lime flavor and nice graham cracker crust. The spork that comes with it is dumbly shaped, making it hard to eat.

Tipsy Pecan Tart- $7 at Sara's Tipsy Pies
$7 for this tiny mouthful?! GTFO Sara. Crust is too thick- I don't know how you eat it without a metal fork. Flavor was good.

Shrimp & Grits Fritters- $5 for 3 from Funky Grits
Dipping sauce was almost too spicy for some of us. Fritters were a little soft but not bad. Literally no line.

Feta Bites- $5.50 at Dino's Gyros
This was really just ok. Little dry, as expected with feta. Dip was good, and good value.

No Bologna Coney- $6.75 from Mancini's Al Fresco
The sausage and bread were real good, but the muffaletta was cold and overpowering and kind of took over the whole coney. Damn shame.

Lamb and T-Bone Chops- $6 from Holy Land
Very small chops. Not particularly exciting, unless you're a big fan of lamb.

Carolina Pit Smoked Brisket Taco- $9 at Shanghai'd Henri's
Split between a B and a C. The beef was tasty but the taco seemed to lack flavor

Mini Donut Latte- $7 from Anchor Coffee House
Fine if you like cold coffee drinks. But Brim's Joey Mary was better

Deep Fried Dilly Dog- $8 from Swine and Spuds
The batter is excellent which is what's saving it from a D. Falls apart as soon as you start eating it. Not a fan of warm pickles, and ours was way overdone compared to the others coming out.

Cuban Fusion Fajita- $7 from Juanita's Fajitas
This had mixed reviews. Some thought the cheese wasn't melted enough, or enough sauce, others thought it was a pretty good item. Agree to disagree.

The Hot Hen- $8 from RC BBQ
Damn this was divisive. Sarah says it's a fuckin F--, but she hates buffalo chicken. Anne and Pat thought C and B, and the parents were underwhelmed and confused by the conflicting spices of buffalo and jalapeno. But damn- those chips.

Loaded Garlic Cheese Bread- $5 from Green Mill
This was perfectly fine. We just wanted it to be more garlic bread and less pizza. Less sauce and crispier bread would have helped

Fried Taco on a Stick- $12 from Taco Cat
We were all across the board on this one. Sarah hates Mexican food, Anne thought it was too spicy, and I really liked it. Real crispy, with a spicy green sauce drizzled on the outside and meaty filling inside (it also came in vegetarian, but they don't let you mix and match)

NOPE, DON'T LIKE THIS- GRADE D FOODS

Strawberries and Cream- $7 for a small at Strawberries and Cream
Unsurprisingly this is exactly what we expected- something we could easily make at home, but more expensive. Cream was good but berries were too underripe. The best thing about this is the photobomb (see IG pic).

Lavender Lemonade- $6 at Farmer's Union Coffee Shop
The only reason we drank half of it was because we were thirsty. Too tart to be thirst quenching. At least it was pretty.

Turkish Pizza- $9 from Blue Moon Diner
We wanted to love this. We didn't. All heat and no real flavor. Also wished the bread was crispier. We sad.

Boozy Berry Trifle- $9 from the Hideaway Speakeasy
Surprising absolutely fuckin no one this tiny trifle was way overpriced. It was too tart and the poundcake and whipped cream weren't enough to balance it. Expected.

Honey Bee Lavender Mead- $9 from Lulu's (sociable cider werks)
Flavor was like a C but the price on this little bitch dropped it into D territory. We'll stick with Jaybird mead.

YOU HAD ONE JOB, AND YOU FAILED- GRADE F FOODS

NONE THIS YEAR!

So that's it! No State Fair in 2020 (for OBVIOUS REASONS), but we've gotten the official word that there WILL be a MNSF in 2021. Normally right about this time is when we should hear about new foods, but who knows how that will play out. So I guess we'll see.

But one thing's for sure. We'll see you at the Fair.

2019 MN State Fair Eve

This is it, guys

THIS IS IT!!!!

Tomorrow is the day! One of the best of the year. The first day of the 2019  Minnesota State Fair season!

via GIPHY

The weather is supposed to be a glorious 74 degress, and we are excited.

If you're looking for real time, live reviews of all the new foods (yes alllll of them. Except the single food that isn't available until the second half of the fair) then check out our Instagram!

@FairFestFeasts

This is hands down the most effecient way to see our thoughts about the foods as we eat them. We post immediately after those foods have entered out mouths. Neat!

Hope to see you at the fair!