5 New Dishes That Go Way Too Far at the State Fair

This morning the Minnesota State Fair released the list of the 31 new dishes added to the fair roster of outrageous, deep fried, stick impaled food offerings. Every year in addition to the classic, non-negotiable, must-be-ordered foods like cheese curds, Minneapple pie, walleye cakes and pronto pups, it’s required eating to try at least one new dish. Vendors reach for the outer limits of daily caloric intakes and bizarre food combinations in hopes of being the new favorite. And then, there are the dishes that make us go, “Mmmm, it’s not my favorite.”

The fair runs this year from August 24 through Labor Day.

What: Bacon Fluffernutter

Where: The Sandwich Stop, located on the west side of Clough St. between Carnes & Judson avenues

Why: Now, this could easily veer into “So Wrong It’s Right” territory. A grilled cinnamon bun sandwich is packed with a bacon, peanut butter and marshmallow cream filling. How exactly does one get excess charred cinnamon sugar off a grill? The Sandwich Shop will find out.

The Minnesota State Fair

What: Cheesy Nacho Corn on the Cob

Where: Texas Steak Out located on the west side of Underwood St. between Lee & Randall avenues

Why: It’s crushed Doritos on corn on the cob. It’s served with nacho cheese sauce, because that’s a handheld crazy train that needs a garnish.

Minnesota State Fair

What: Bowl O’ Dough

Where: Blue Moon Dine-In Theater, located on the northeast corner of Carnes Avenue and Chambers Street.

Why: The raw cookie dough trend has reached its zenith with an appearance at the Great Minnesota Get Together. The Blue Moon Dine-In Theater has had its hits and misses with hot trend dishes, like the year they ruined Korean barbecue tacos. The idea of eating raw cookie dough in the blazing heat is kind of squicky, but then again, a variety made with Biscoff® cookie butter inside of dough is so meta it might be good. There’s also a gluten-free classic chocolate chip cookie dough lemon and more.

Minnesota State Fair

What: Cherry Bombs

Where: Vegie Fries, located on the north side of Dan Patch Avenue between Underwood & Cooper streets.

Why: Red licorice is dipped in batter, deep-fried and give a superfluous powder sugar pounding. Last time anyone checked, Red Vines didn’t count as a vegetable.

Minnesota State Fair

What: Memphis Totchos

Where: Snack House, located in the Warner Coliseum, south concourse

Why: What did Memphis ever do to deserve this? Because you know what totchos don’t need? Bananas. Tater tots are topped with slices of the offending fruit then drizzled in peanut sauce. There’s also bacon, but there’s no coming back from the rest of the textural weirdness.

• All Coverage of the 2016 Minnesota State Fair [ETC]
• 10 Essential State Fair Foods [ETC]
• Favorite Fair Foods: Where the Pros Go [ETC]