2008 MN State Fair
It is about time a definitive state fair thread for 2008 gets started dontcha think? I was bored today and drifted over to the website http://www.mnstatefair.org/index.html
and noted that they have a "preliminary" food finder started for this year (subject to changes/updates)
One of the more exciting things that I noted, when looking under the "New" postings, is that it looks like The Midtown Global Market stand will be back, and this year, various vendors will rotate at the stand, selling their wares! (instead of just fruit like last year).
They specifically list Manny's , La Loma, Pham's Deli, and Jakeeno's (which they have hilariously mispelled Jaquenos - lol, not every vendor in the MGMkt is selling hispanic food). It does not specifically state who will be there on each day, but perhaps that is coming, or it will just be a nice surprise! ( I am sure there will be a schedule at the booth too, for those of us who are repeat offenders, er visitors...
Of course, Big Fat Bacon and Pick Licker have already been discussed in this thread.
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/534469
It appears that Holy Land will have a booth there as well this year. I don't believe they have had one in the past.
Other new foods listed:
Axel's: Hand made tator tots (made with hashbrowns, chedar cheese, bacon, green onion and sour cream deep and served three on-a-stick) and Chicken bites blackened chicken breast meat served with horseradish sauce
Epiphany Diner: NEW THIS YEAR: walking taco (taco meat, cheese salsa and sour cream served in a Dorito bag of tortilla chips) -Served in the bag?? wierd.
Granny's Cheesecakes: NEW THIS YEAR: Hand dipped cheese cake and strawberry banana kabobs in chocolate (sounds good to me!
)Green Mill: NEW! foot long pizza on-a-stick (bigger is not always better, I'm getting heartburn just reading this)
Isabella's Italian Ice stand - new stand (happy about this as it gives my gluten/dairy fee chowpup another State fair option)
Island noodles - Offering: Hawaian buckwheat stir fried Yaki-Soba noodles with up to twenty-one vegatables, vegetarian product with no dairy, nuts or meat
(this is located in Heritage Square, which seems like a strange location for this type of stand, Bazzar would be more fitting)
O'Gara's : NEW THIS YEAR: Leprechaun legs (lightly-batted deep-fried green beans with dipping sauce)
Ole & Lena's: NEW! Norwegian cheese curds with lingonberry dipping sauce
Oodles of Noodles: NEW THIS YEAR: Deep-fried s'mores on-a-stick (marshmallow, chocolate and graham cracker battered and deep fried), Italian breakfast strata, layers of Italian sausage and cheese with Italian bread
Panda Palace: New stand in Bazzar Offering: White and fried rice, lo mein, beef and broccoli, sweet & sour chicken, egg rolls and cream cheese won-tons (Ho-Hum)
The Preferred Pickle: NEW THIS YEAR: Pickle Pop (frozen juice in a plastic push-up sleeve) - intriguing, I used to drink pickle juice straight out of the jar as a child, to me this sounds like it could be refreshing on a hot summer day. But I have a feeling that people are either going to love or hate this, no meh's
San Filipe Tacos New Stand Offering - Fish taco (fried tilapia, cabbage, red onion, red pepper sauce, and salsa in a tortilla), jerk chicken taco (grilled jerk chicken, cheddar cheese, letuce, jerk sauce), beef taco, nachos grande (choice of meat, melted cheese, sour cream, guacamole, salsa on tortilla chips), side dishes (refried beans, guacamole, sour cream, jalapenos, Mexican style deep fried ice cream, churros)
Sausage Sisters: NEW THIS YEAR: Caribbean jerk seasoned sausage (jerk on-a-stick)
That's it so far for new foods listed for this year.
P.S. I also noted they have some pretty decent music lined up for the Leinie's free bandshell, in particular Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings and Brandi Carlile
The fair runs from August 21- Sept. 1st, only about 1 month away now!
autmommy
Jul 17, 2008 10:52AM
Using Doritos for Frito Pie is an abomination. Who wants a bunch of artificial flavored dust overpowering what is a great Texas picnic tradition? They'll probably try and tell you to wash it down with a Mountain Dew instead of a Dr Pepper.
Fritos: 3 ingredients http://www.fritolay.com/fl/flstore/cgi-bin/Nutrition_ProdID_3057.htm
Doritos: 30ish ingredients http://www.fritolay.com/fl/flstore/cg...
ABOMINATION!
On the bright side, the tots sound good and I love me some Sharon Jones UK soul!
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The walking tacos are served at all of the school sporting events concessions here in eastern Iowa (small towns predominantly). Not in any way to be confused with Frito Pie, this is something entirely different. Seasoned taco meat, cheese, lettuce, salsa (maybe onions and tomatoes, depending on the town) all dumped into a snack sized bag of regular Doritos and served with a fork. Kids seem to love them - I usually stick with the popcorn, myself.
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whoa. never heard of them. interesting. i am very interested in regional eats. . . did this newfangled snack originate in iowa, or somewhere else?
yay i love the state fair. . . i look forward to that honey sesame-seed ice cream for months-- i am *such* a loser!
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walking tacos are one of my secret guilty pleasures -- I've mainly had them in South Dakota. (at HS basketball games)
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You know, I'm not sure where they originated, but they seem to be a relatively "new" concoction. I grew up in Iowa (in the central part of the state) and we never saw them at any of our concessions. It's only since following my stepdaughters around to various eastern Iowa small towns that I've seen them - but it's rare to find a place that doesn't have them.
I did find this link that further discusses the nuances between Frito Pie and a Walking Taco. Seems walking tacos are Midwestern in origin ...
http://www.year2000.com/Details-235/t...
I love the Iowa State Fair - never been to the Minnesota one - mmmm milkshakes, turkey legs and pork chops.
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A blog on the origins of walking taco or petro:
http://www.barrypopik.com/index.php/n...
We (well, not me, but friends of mine) used to put everything in the bag and smash it up to get frito crumbs.
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They have these around MN as well. I was at a high school football game in Stewartville last fall (go Tigers!) and they were selling them at the concession stand. Though the first time I was introduced to this was at a group cabin weekend where select couples were responsible for a particular meal. I thought it was a great take on a traditional taco bar. I got some weird looks when I poured mine all out into a bowl though!
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What is what we refer to as frito pie (it is also a cassarole with essentially the same ingredients). Bag of fritos, cut open lengthwise with chili and taco-fixin's atop.
PS. The MN State Fair is about 1000 times better than the Lone Star State's.
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OMG, I just gained 5 lbs reading this. I can't wait!
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I have seen the "walking taco" at fairs in Montana several years ago. There it was unforgettably called "Bag o' taco".
How long will it be until fried coca-cola makes it here?
The new offerings sound fairly ho-hum this year. Guess I'll be sticking to the old favorites then.
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I've had Axel's tater tots at Lucky's 13 in Mendota. Not sure that I'd go out of my way to get them since they're available year-round at one or more of the Axel's restaurants, but they are FANTASTIC.
-g
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everything worth eating is available year-round. and usually better quality.
state fair? meh...
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Ok, well...
For people who are interested in trying foods at the State Fair, they might choose to try this particular food at another time since it will be available.
For people who are not interested in the State Fair ("meh"), maybe a thread about the State Fair and what people like to eat there is not for them...
g
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When I go to the State Fair, I eat food that I would never indulge in the rest of the year. I consider those two weeks a "free ride" break from my usual sensible (in theory) eating. So if there are better corn dogs and mini doughnuts out there, I really wouldn't know. And, frankly, I deliberately try not to learn about them.
I can only quote TDQ, who said it best (in the thread about deep-fried mac & cheese):
"...That's what the two weeks of the State Fair is for, to satisfy your craving for deep fried whatever on a stick that you would never, ever dream of indulging in real life."
Me, I'm actually looking forward to trying a walking taco!
Anne
P.S. I except from my blanket statement the roasted corn at the corn booth - I would love a "real life" place that served corn that fresh and nicely roasted. Luckily, we have the Mexican roasted corn stand in the parking lot of El Burrito Mercado. (Oh, how they would rake in the bucks at the State Fair !!! )
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Anne, on Saturdays and Sundays at the Mpls Farmer's Market they sell roasted corn. Is that similar enough to serve you outside of the SF?
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Amen Anne. The State Fair is pure junk-food indulgence, nothing more. The obnoxiousness of the foods offered speaks to the nod-and-wink economy that makes this terrible food available to all of us for two weeks.
Let us also not forget that not everyone that visits the State Fair lives in the Twin Cities. Sure, I may be able to get a gyro and lamb near a stick, but Ole from Ottertail County may not.
And if there is a place to get a deep-fried ruebens/spaghetti & meatballs/aligator on a stick or nitrogen iced-cream year-round I certainly don't care.
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Who has deep fried reubens on a stick? That sounds artery-clogging, cardiologist-needs-a-new-boat delicious!
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O'Gara's in the food building. I tried it last year, because I too thought it sounded heart-stoppingly good. I hate corndog/pronto pup type things and that is what the reuben on a stick is...a sausage with rye breading that one dips in 1000 island dressing. Disappointment.
However I LOVE the State Fair, can't wait to try some bacon on a stick...
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Thank you SO much for that, seahag. If there's no corned beef, and no sauerkraut, then I can skip it! Whew!!! Sorry, cardiologist, you'll have to get that summer home off of someone else. Of course, I'll just shift the calories to some other deep-fried yumminess, so don't lose hope...
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The first year they had it, it was a chunk of corned-beef, battered and deep fried. I was hoping they'd find a way to get the kraut in it, but no go. I was equally unimpressed.
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I guess if I need a State Fair Reuben fix, I'll stick with the ones at Schumacher's
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The foods are obnoxious and wonderful. Thank goodness its only 2 weeks! Love it.
We have people come from out of state to visit us specifically during the state fair time since they have nothing like it.
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Bumping this thread, since the Fair is almost here! What's on your "must try" list for 2008.
For me: Roasted corn. Another ear of roasted corn.
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Do I have to list them in order of priority? ;-).
1. Honey sunflower seed ice cream (to share)
2. Cheese curds from the Mouth Trap (to share)
3. Shake from the Dairy Building (to share)
4. Jerk chicken wings (to share)
Other favorites that I try to fit in if possible:
~Toasted chocolate sandwich (usually, I get this to myself)
~Cream puffs (to share)
~Fresh cut fries (to share)
~Spaghetti and meatballs on a stick (to share)
~Breakfast at one of the church dining halls (any recommendations? We've tried Epiphany Diner and Salem Lutheran church over the last couple of years...)
I plan on trying the pig licker (chocolate covered bacon) if I get a chance...
I think that should be enough to cover 2-3 visits...
~TDQ
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Where are the jerk chicken wings? That is going straight to the top of my list. I'm always looking for new things to try, but I never take enough time to find them.
For me, here are the musts...
1) Foot long (from the 'About a Foot Long...' stand) - Always my first food of the fair. A nice pile of fried onions on top...delicious.
2) Cheese curds - They seem to be more and more salty every year, but I can't imagine going a year without them.
3) 1919 Root Beer - Can't beat a tall glass in the middle of the day.
4) Nut rolls - Cashew and pecan (or is it walnut?), specifically. I pick up one of each as I'm on my way out.
5) Dairy building ice cream in some form - Can't pass it up.
6) French fries - Gotta share those, but they are a must stop.
7) Milk booth - Just because
As oxymoronic as it sounds, I try to avoid the crowds as much as possible, so I usually don't enter the food building. I'm probably missing out on something there.
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Except for the footlong (I have nothing against a footlong, I just don't crave it), your favs are all on my "must do every year" list or "rotate in every year or two" list.
The Jerk Chicken wings are at the West Indies Soul booth. I thought it was in the food building, right next to the Twisted Sister booth and a couple down from the spaghetti and meatballs on a stick--but, according to the State Fair Food Finder, it's in the Bazaar.
Is this new or have I lost my mind?
http://gopher.mnstatefair.org/foodfin...
My state fair jerk chicken wing fix is especially important now that West Indies Soul's location on University Avenue closed (though, thankfully, they are still at Midtown Global Market...
)~TDQ
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The West Indies Booth was in the food building, for sure...you are not losing your mind.
Apparently the Bazaar has been redesigned, I saw on the Fair website that they are having a "grand opening" on Thursday. Hopefully they made it easier to get around in there on crowded days. I mean, before if you had a stroller or were wheelchair bound, you were pretty much SOL.
So it looks like they have done a little rearranging as to where certain booths ended up.
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Where and what is the toasted chocolate sandwich? That sounds tasty. My list is:
1. Fried oreos
2. Fried pickles
3. Gizmo
4. Cini mini's (small cinnamon rolls with custard)
5. 1919 root beer
6. Dairy barn shake
7. Fried green tomatoes
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Toasted chocolate sandwich is at Moe and Joes espresso bar. Pretty near the entrance. http://fairborne.mnstatefair.org/food...
~TDQ
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OOOOH - second the Fried green tomatoes!! They became my new favorite after trying them for the 1st time last year, I was sad I had waited so long to try them. The Corn fritters sold there were not that special in and of themselves, more useful as a delivery tool for the incredible honey butter served with them.
I also love the fried pickles. I know of a lot of people that don't though.
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TDQ: It may bum you out to learn (or maybe you knew already), but the shakes in the Dairy Building are made from a powdered mix. Travesty of travesties.
I, too, always get the honey sunflower ice cream. Where is Mouth Trap? I typically get my curds from a stand (don't know the name, just the location) not from from the pet building.
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Brad, first of all, I'm a goofball. I don't mean from the Dairy Building, I mean from the Dairy Barn. From the little window on the side of the building that houses the actual cows. Forgive my misspeaking on that point. http://fairborne.mnstatefair.org/foodfinder/details.lasso?id=000267A&keywords=shakes&category=
I know many long-time fair goers call Empire Commons (the place with the Princess Kay Butterheads, right?) "the Dairy Building". I've had those shakes, too, but I like the ones out of the Dairy Barn/cattle building. Maybe they are even the same out of both buildings, but I can only afford the calorie splurge of a shake a year, so I have never tested them side-by-side.
Second of all, I've been told that it's out of a mix (although, I think you're the first person to say the mix is powdered). They say in the food finder that their ice cream is from real dairy products, although, I suppose powdered milk can be a "real dairy product". The first time I heard it, I was crushed, yes. But, to get down to brass tacks, I didn't get the handle "The Dairy Queen" for nothing. Long, long story, but I got it because someone at a chowdown noticed my excessive enthusiasm for Dairy Queen soft serve ice cream cones and christened me thusly. I've long ago reconciled with the fact that my tastes in ice cream (and a few other things, alas) include the low brow. ;-). But the good news is, I like real ice cream, too.
Last year was my first year--thanks to recommendations from 'hounds on this board-- of getting the honey sunflower seed ice cream. I'm hooked now. :).
The Mouth Trap is in the Food Building. http://fairborne.mnstatefair.org/foodfinder/details.lasso?id=000990&keywords=cheese%20curds&category= I'm very loyal to my Mouth Trap curds and will not budge on that point as you can see from this long discussion from last year's State Fair thread http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/4340... I wonder if the stand you prefer is the one gromit so passionately spoke of last year.
Just as warning to those of you looking for the toasted chocolate sandwiches. I don't think it's real chocolate. I think it's a nutella-like product spread on white bread along with a raspberry jelly-like product, "grilled" like a cheese sandwich, and sprinkled with powdered sugar.
~TDQ
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Regarding Empire Commons (fka Dairy Building for those of us who are old enough) shakes, maybe I'm injecting the word powdered into the mix (no pun intended). I can't say with 100% certainty it is powdered -- merely thought I read it that way.
Regarding cheese curds, I read the comments in the thread you linked. I don't think either location is what I pictured. On the map linked below, the stand I'm recalling is around Underwood and Lee. If Mouth Trap is the place in the Food Building with multiple lines, then I'm with those who prefer other options.
http://www.mnstatefair.org/2008_pdf/M...
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Underwood and Lee? That's very out of the way! You must be a very patient man. ;-) But, yes, the Mouth Trap is the place in Food Building with the multiple lines... Aside from shorter lines, what do you particularly like about those particular curds?
I wonder if the shakes from the Dairy/Cattle Barn are from a mix(powdered or otherwise)?
I see I've failed in my promise to pgokey to try the cheese curds at Town Talk Diner... maybe before the 2009 State Fair...
~TDQ
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Am I a patient man because, if I enter through the main gate, I have farther to travel before getting my curds fix?
How does one even start to answer the question, "What do you like about a particular version of cheese curds over another?" That's like asking "What's your favorite brand of supermarket bacon?" I don't know. Maybe I prefer the texture of the batter; maybe the curds themselves are more silky after being deep-fried.
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Maybe, (with apologies to Dara), we need a CCIAQ--a cheese curd inherent awesomeness quotient (I officially pronounce it CH-CHEE-ACK)--by which we measure and rank all MN State Fair cheese curds:
Flavor of the cheese
Texture of the cheese
Flavor of the batter
Texture of the batter
Flavor with Condiments+Flavor without Condiments, divided by 2
Ultra-Minnesotaness
Sentimentality
Saltiness
Integrity of curd shape
Greasiness
Maximum 5 points per category, for a maximum total score of 50 points.
I shall test Mouth Trap's cheese curds for CCIAQ and report back.
~TDQ
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This may require group input. I wonder if there should be a state fair chowdown.
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I, too, am looking for breakfast recommendations! Never had breakfast at the fair & we're gonna do it this weekend. What should we expect? :)
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Hey, funny timing! Good to see you!
Here's a great post re: breakfast at the fair, though, it's a couple of years old. http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/320289#1829464
Of the church dining halls I've tried, my favorite is Salem Lutheran Church for the "classic" church dining hall experience. Just your basic eggs and toast etc. but also the egg coffee. It's pretty reliable. [Indoor seating. Get there early to avoid the line. They also have a "counter" you access from the outside if you just want coffee and not a sit-down meal.] http://fairborne.mnstatefair.org/foodfinder/details.lasso?id=000629A&keywords=salem%20lutheran%20church&category=
The "pancake on a stick" at Epiphany diner is a hoot. Basically a "corn dog" with breakfast sausage as the dog and pancake mix as the batter. Served with a side of maple syrup of course. The volunteers let out a cheer whenever anyone orders one. [Sit-down type place, indoor seating.
]http://fairborne.mnstatefair.org/foodfinder/details.lasso?id=000121A&keywords=salem%20lutheran%20church&category=
Blue Moon Cafe for something different--we tried it a couple of years ago when it was new and it's a little inconsistent, but ambitious and fun. They show movies for the kids. We had the monkey bread and the egg bake. [Sit down kind of place. Outdoor seating. Indoor seating in front of the movies. I can't remember if there is non-movie indoor seating.
]http://fairborne.mnstatefair.org/foodfinder/details.lasso?id=000440A&keywords=breakfast&category=
If you want your breakfast to order with table service, the Peg isn't bad. [Indoor counter seating or outdoor seating.] Pretty civilized for state fair food
http://fairborne.mnstatefair.org/foodfinder/details.lasso?id=000550A&keywords=breakfast&category=
Worst breakfast ever, terrible food (assuming you actually get yours), terrible service, long erratic waiting: Gass Station. [Indoor and outdoor seating.
]http://fairborne.mnstatefair.org/foodfinder/details.lasso?id=000248A&keywords=breakfast&category=
Some day I'm going to try the scotch eggs on a stick [outdoor food stand--no seating.] http://fairborne.mnstatefair.org/foodfinder/details.lasso?id=000813A&keywords=breakfast&category= and the French Creperie http://fairborne.mnstatefair.org/foodfinder/details.lasso?id=000423A&keywords=breakfast&category=
I still like Moe and Joe's toasted chocolate sandwich. You can get a fancy coffee drink at the same time [outdoor food stand--no seating.] http://fairborne.mnstatefair.org/foodfinder/details.lasso?id=000009A&keywords=chocolate%20sandwich&category=
For coffee and a place to sit, and often live music, I like the Farmer's Union. [Indoor and outdoor seating or "to go".] http://fairborne.mnstatefair.org/foodfinder/Results.lasso They have "mocha on stick" which I think is made by Grand Ole Creamery. Never tried it, always mean to. http://fairborne.mnstatefair.org/foodfinder/Results.lasso
And, don't forget creme puffs! [outdoor food stand--no seating.
]http://fairborne.mnstatefair.org/foodfinder/details.lasso?id=000559A&keywords=creme%20puffs&category=
And, there's always French Meadow [food stand, no seating.
]http://fairborne.mnstatefair.org/food...
I thought the fudge puppy on a stick was meh. [outdoor food stand--no seating].
Every year, after I'm full, there's a dining hall I walk past that looks really good that I wish I'd eaten at, but I never remember which one. And I can't remember it now, either. Hamline? St. Bernards? Robbinsdale? I think it's Robbinsdale, but can't be sure. I notice on the food finder that they offer wild rice pancakes and blueberry pancakes, which sounds really good.
Have fun!
~TDQ
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We stood in line forever for a shake from the dairy building. Not worth it. It was almost as good as Dairy Queen. I'm wondering what the fuss is all about.
The honey ice cream on the other hand is exquisite bliss.
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Loren, as I explained here, http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/5397... my favorite shake at the fair is NOT in the "Dairy BUILDING." The Dairy BUILDING is the one with the Princess Kay butterheads in it, right? That building used to be called "The Dairy BUILDING" a million years ago, which was changed to "Empire Commons" in recent years, and then changed back to the Dairy BUILDING for 2008.
No no no. Not that one.
My favorite, the one I've fussed over is from the window out the back of the Dairy BARN. The Dairy BARN is the building with all of the actual living, breathing cattle in it. I think the window itself is called the "Gopher Dairy Bar."
Very confusing, I know.
But, here's my most honest opinion. There is not one food item at the fair that is worth standing in line "forever" for. Too much good chow. If you have to wait forever for something, good golly, move on and get something else.
~TDQ
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What TDQ said.
There's rarely a wait of more than one or two people from the Gopher Dairy Club, and the shake is far, far better than in the dairy building.
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Agree with you on this, Danny.
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The best parts about the Dairy Barn shakes are no lines, much more sparse crowds (you can always have a seat somewhere nearby), authentic farm smells, the steady stream of animals passing by, and overhearing the auctions. The shakes themselves are ho-hum (but for some reason, I've gotten one 10+ years in a row...tradition I guess).
On Saturday, while sharing our shake, we heard the auction hitting prices up to about $2,700. Mrs. MSPD and I played a fun game of "guess what they're auctioning off". Her guess was horses. I scoffed. My guess was cattle of some sort. She scoffed. Stupid city folk. Turns out it was lambs. We actually watched a couple dozen of 'em get auctioned off. It was far and away the best part of the fair. I'm kind of in a State Fair rut.
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Couldnt agree with you more MSPD, about the Dairy Barn shakes. Even as i was directing my girlfriend there yesterday over the phone (she: the lines so long at the dairy building, me: go to the dairy barn! ) i couldnt help but remember how lukewarm i am on their shakes. for me, a milkshake should involve milk and ice cream. i love a cup full of (really)soft serve as much as the next guy, but it isnt the milk shake of my dreams (drools thinking of the convention grill).
that said, im missing the whole fair this year, and couldnt be more busted up about it. id take a cup of soft serve masquerading as a shake any day over nothing at all. or, for that matter, waiting in line at the dairy building.
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