2018 New Food Preview

27 new foods and 5 new food vendors are making their debut at the 2018 MN State Fair. A few new items look amazing, a few are interesting enough that I’ll give them a try, some sound good, and some look awful! Here is a breakdown of what I’m trying and will review, a breakdown by savory and sweet, and additional commentary from an experienced fair food eater (that’s me).

I’m drawn to savory foods and do not have a major sweet tooth; the sweets I try will be limited and you’ll need to find another person to review the sweets. I also don’t eat seafood so will not be trying the new shrimp or tuna dishes (sorry folks!).

The MN State Fair page has a photo and overview of each new food. You can find the pictures here: 2018 New MN State Fair Food. This year the fair went above and beyond and created a great printed version of new foods, descriptions, and a map here: Printable New Fair Foods.

What I’m Eating

• BBQ Split at the new vendor Mama D’s at the Midtown Global Market booth in the International Bazaar. You won’t read about this food until August 30th. The Midtown Global Market booth houses two vendors that split time at the fair. Mama D’s will be at the fair August 29-September 3rd. Midtown Global Market provides a reliably good food experience at the fair and I generally like everything I’ve had at the vendors in this space.
• Earth Wings at French Meadow Bakery & Cafe on Carnes Avenue. Earth wings are battered and fried cauliflower; this is a good option for my gluten free friends.
• General Tso Chicken Taco at the new vendor Taco Cat at the Midtown Global Market booth in the International Bazaar. This vendor staffs the booth from August 23rd-28th only.
• Messy Giuseppe at Mancini’s on Carnes Avenue. A Messy Giuseppe is ground beef and pork covered in marinara sauce and cheese and served on bread. I likely won’t try this on day 1 and will save this for when I’m craving “real food.” Mancini’s has several great food options and incredibly friendly service.
• Slider Flights at the new vendor The Hanger in the former pet building. The north end of the fair was lacking a good food/hang out location and I’m hoping this fits the bill. I’ll be checking this out day 1.
• Sweetie Cakes at Sweetie Cakes in the food building. This is the only sweet treat that caught my eye and I love birthday cake!
• Turducken Sausage Sandwich at Giggles’ Campfire Grill located at The North Woods space. Giggle’s is a solid food vendor with a large variety of good fair food. Giggles’ typically introduces a worthy new food each year and I expect this year to be no exception. Giggles’ also offers a great space to sit in the shade and enjoy free music while eating your food and having a beverage.
• Up North Puff Pastry at Sausage Sister and Me in the food building. Sausage in a puffy crust – sold. Sausage Sister and Me offers decent food and has some historically successful new foods.

I will likely sample a few additional new foods, but this is my list of must-try new foods.

What I Might Eat

• Smoked Soft Serve at The Blue Moon Diner on Carnes Avenue. I’m hesitating because last year’s new food from The Blue Moon was terrible.
• Swedish Meatball Smorgas at The Blue Barn located at West End. The Blue Barn typically has delicious food; I may even forgive them for removing meatloaf on a stick from their menu (but, probably not).
• Wood Grilled Elote at Tejas Express in The Garden. If it is a good year for corn I may give this a try. I already know I enjoy this dish because a restaurant near my house does this really well.

What I’m Not Eating – but, You Might Like

• Bananas Foster French Toast at the Hamline Church Dining Hall on Dan Patch Avenue. I’m not eating this because I don’t like French Toast. I’m recommending you may want to try this because Hamline Dining Hall rarely disappoints.
• Irish Tater Kegs at O’Gara’s located at Dan Patch and Cosgrove streets across from the main gates. I’m not eating this because I don’t like sauerkraut. I’m recommending you try this, if you like this sort of food, because O’Gara’s *typically* has great food and provides a nice atmosphere for getting off of your feet for awhile. I say *typically* because last year’s fried avocado was a massive, soggy, epic fail.

What I’m Not Even Considering

• Mangonada Shaved Ice – the number of ingredients was an immediate turn off and the picture doesn’t even look good!
• Pepperoni Chips at Lulu’s Public House at the West End – Really? You burnt pepperoni, on purpose, and want me to pay to eat this abomination?
• Rainbow Cloud Roll at Rainbow Ice Cream in the Grandstand – even the picture looks disgusting. Also, I’m fairly certain that when ice cream comes into contact with cotton candy the cotton candy will become a sticky, gross mess.

Savory New Foods

• Ahi Tuna Poke Bowl
• BBQ Split
• Earth Wings
• Firecracker Shrimp Stuffed Avocado
• General Tso Chicken Tacos
• Irish Tater Kegs
• Messy Giuseppe
• Moroccan Sausage Bowl
• Pepperoni Chips
• Shrimp Ceviche
• Slider Flights
• Swedish Meatball Smorgas
• Wood Grilled Elote
• PB&J Sausage
• Turducken Sausage Sandwich
• Up North Puff Pastry

Sweet New Foods

• Bananas Foster French Toast
• Blueberry Rhubarb Cobbler
• Honey Cream Soda Float
• Mangonada Shaved Ice
• Nordic Waffles
• Rainbow Cloud Roll
• Smoked Soft Serve
• Sweet Greek Cheese Puffs
• Sweetie Cakes
• Triple Chocolate Strawberry Shortcake
• Za Waffle Sticks

Healthy New Foods

• Ahi Tuna Poke Bowl