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Minnesota State Fair

As summer nears it’s devastating end, I can’t help but feeling a sense of strange melancholy, a nostalgic twinge of anxiety, trying to fill my days with as much adventure, bliss and incantation as possible before the chilly zephyr strikes again. For some, this fleeting emotion leads to hours upon hours at the beach soaking up the last of nature’s Vitamin D. For others, it’s late-night biking and cocktail sipping patio laziness. But for so many Minnesotans late August/early September can only mean one thing: a trip to the Minnesota State Fair.

It’s hard not to be just the slightest bit curious as to why the Fair attracts so much attention (why last year alone crowd readings were in the 1,700,000′s). Is it the people watching? The chance to see eclectic, oddly paired live musicians – “Weird Al” Yankovic and Brandi Carlile, anyone? Is it the surprising exhilaration a ride on the Gondola Wheel brings? The awe of witnessing the miracle birth of a baby calf? Some say it’s all about the food, and as official foodie I may just have to agree. Where else can one find such a seamless juxtaposition of old fair favorites and creative taste experiments. The Minnesota State Fair might just be nonpareil when it comes to “feasts on a stick.”

Since opening last Thursday, news of the Fair’s newest array of libations and comestibles is definitely abuzz and everyone’s a critic. This year, the State Fair has brought in a few familiar names in Twin Cities dining including vendor treats from Minneapolis’ Midtown Global Market and French Meadow, brats from Northeast’s legendary Kramarczuk, nosh from the Green Mill and more.

The copious menu of “au courant” fare can seem daunting to a Fair virgin- even us veterans can get bewildered – but don’t get defeated just yet. One trick to keeping Fair food tasting within budget and nausea-free is to shop around. Take at least one good swoop around the fairgrounds before deciding on which dishes to consume and don’t be afraid to indulge your adventurous side.

To whet your appetite, here’s a pint-sized preview of new Fair delectables – the yummy, the eye-brow raising and the just plain gruesome.

Deep Fried Bologna ($5) Netterfield Food Court – disguising itself as a crescent-shaped corn dog, this deep fried wonder is a a perfect example of a twist on a classic Fair favorite.

Photo by Rachel Hutton

Corndog Pizza ($4) Pizza Shoppe – I can’t help but think this sounds like an idea someone had after a few too many cocktails. A junk-food lover’s delight or a greasy prelude to indigestion? You be the judge.

Fried Pigs Ears ($5) Famous Dave’s BBQ – an acquired taste?

Photo by Rachel Hutton

Stuffed French Toast Tots ($5) French Meadow – spongy French toast bites dusted with powdered sugar and filled with melted Swiss and Parmesan cheese. Um, yum!

Grilled Marshmallow Chocolate & Banana Sandwich ($4) Moe & Joes Coffee – warm bananas, chocolate syrup and marshmallow nestled inside a griddled sandwich. Be prepared for instant sugar comatose. Though my guess is it’s well worth it.

Other honorable mentions include Granny’s Cheesecake & More’s Deep-Fried Strawberry Shortcake ($7), O’Gara’s Sweet Potato Tots ($5), Chinatown Minn’s Tempura-battered Szechuan Shrimp ($6), Holy Land’s homemade Baklava ($2), My Sausage Sister & Me’s Jalapeño Poppers ($5) and Manny’s Tortas made-to-order virgin Piña Colada served in a hollowed-out pineapple ($7).

Stay tuned for next week’s “Fair in Review” post where I take my “glutton for punishment” appetite to the fair grounds for a taste test.

The Minnesota State Fair runs through Labor Day, September 6^th and is located at 1265 Snelling Ave. N., St. Paul.