Minnesota State Fair Food Guide

At the Minnesota State Fair, you can probably find your favorite food deep-fried or on a stick somewhere on the fairgrounds. By no means is this a full listing of vendors but rather a few recommendations you don't want to miss, plus a few other tidbits of useful information.

What-On-A-Stick?!

Nothing quite says the Minnesota State Fair like food on a stick. What once was a source of creating convenient and portable snacking has turned into a quirky, one-of-a-kind tradition to the annual gathering.

When everything is on a stick, you’re bound to come across a few that are less than traditional. Notable finds include alligator sausage, deep-fried hot dish and deep-fried scotch eggs—all of which are actually quite popular.

Big Fat Bacon

If you prefer your pork with a little more fat and grease, you’ll want to order up a slab of ¼ pound of maple-glazed bacon dusted with a blend of seven peppers and sea salt (served on a stick, of course). Great at breakfast and pretty darn fantastic at any other time of the day, too.

Fresh French Fries

If there’s anything as recognizable as the Sweet Martha’s cookie bucket, it’s the red and yellow stripes of Fresh French Fries. Fresh cut and served piping hot, they’re a simple, salty delight everyone can enjoy.

Ice Cream from the Dairy Goodness Bar

You can’t do much better than ice cream whipped up by the Midwest Dairy Association itself. Located in the Dairy Building (that’s how you know it’s legit), the Dairy Goodness Bar is your spot for tasty malts, sundaes and cones.

Fried Pickles

Dill lovers flock to this bright green stand in hopes of devouring The Perfect Pickle.

Choose between:

  • The Perfect Pickle: The original deep-fried pickles with a side of Ranch
  • The Cajun Pickle: Spicy Cajun-seasoned pickles with a side of Ranch
  • The Gourmet Pickle: Deep fried pickles with cream cheese in the middle with a side of Ranch
  • The Naked Pickle: A giant, crisp, and unfried pickle on-a-stick

Mouth Trap Cheese Curds

What could be better than fried Ellsworth cheese? Venture to the bustling Food Building to taste a boat (or bucket-load) of these fresh-fried golden nuggets.

Peterson's Pork Chop On-a-Stick

One of the more conventional foods you’ll find skewered for on-the-go eating, Peterson’s pork chops are a popular choice for those seeking a little protein in their Fair diet.

Pronto Pups

There are a lot of misconceptions about what makes a Pronto Pup different than the more commonly understood corn dog, and a lot of loyalists on each side who debate which is superior. To make a very long story short, it’s really just a matter of sweet or savory—corn dogs have a touch of sweetness, Pronto Pups do not. With multiple booths of both, you’ll have ample opportunities to conduct your own taste test.

Sweet Corn from Corn Roast

Name a more iconic duo than the State Fair and sweet corn—we’ll wait. Not only is a fresh ear delicious, but you can also go back over and over again without triggering the sluggish stomachache of some of the fair’s guiltier pleasures (or spending a fortune).

Sweet Martha's Cookie Jar

No matter the time of day, you won’t go more than ten feet without seeing someone indulging in chocolate chip cookies piled high in Sweet Martha’s iconic bucket. Order a cone for a smaller serving or splurge on the pail and make some new friends.

Turkey to Go

Serving tasty turkey at the Minnesota State Fair since 1958, Turkey to Go—ironically located across the street from the Poultry Building—is most known for its signature Giant Juicy Turkey Sandwich. Jazz it up with savory toppings like cranberry and brie or buffalo sauce and bleu cheese.

More to Explore