Last week’s poll asking whether you put ketchup or mustard on your hot dogs surprised the shit out of me. I was honestly expecting that the majority of people would admit that they prefer ketchup on hot dogs but nearly 50% of you said mustard while only 18% said ketchup! This is further proof to both Josh and my wife that they are lame when it comes to eating hot dogs ;-)
This week’s poll stems from me watching many people I know, random people I see, and those that I follow on Twitter head over to the Minnesota State Fair. This year we aren’t going until the final day so that my parents can also get dragged along to see what it’s like to wander streets upon streets of fried food on a stick. I never really cared for the state fair but for some reason this year it definitely has me interested (I think it’s the beer on a stick from Summit ;-))
Earliest reports, with some people attending the “Great Minnesota Get Together” more than once, say that the pig cheeks are both great and awful, the beer on a stick is awesome, and the post roast sundae is to die for. I’m still interested in the pig cheeks, really want the beer on a stick, still dying for the roasted corn, and I’m just laughing hysterically over the phallic nature of the “State Fair on a Stick”.
Attended the 2009 MN State Fair Already?
- Yes (48.0%, 26 Votes)
- Not Going (33.0%, 18 Votes)
- Later (17.0%, 9 Votes)
- No (2.0%, 1 Votes)
Total Voters: 54
Loading ...So, I want to know if you have gone over to the 2009 Minnesota State Fair already. There was already some discussion about the new foods that have come out and I have be closely monitoring reports from the foodies out there but I’m wondering what foods are the best out of the newbies this year. So, please vote and then comment on letting us know what day(s) you went, what you ate, and what you liked best. After you do that please be sure to check out our expired polls in the archive or read through the previous posts about polls here.
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August 30th, 2009 at 7:49 am
I work at the Fair, so I’ve been & I’m still here.
The Pot Roast sundae is basically like a KFC bowl, mashed potatoes, corn, and a little bit of pot roast on top, with a cherry tomato to top it off. Not bad, but at $8, not the best deal around. Coupon book does get you $2.50 off.
Best meal at the Fair is breakfast, I think. Coasters in the Beer Garden by the Midway does great breakfasts, as does Blue Moon, just up the street. Blue Moon’s big combo breakfast isn’t the cheapest, but it’s big and good. They have really good wood-fired pizza, too, in non-Fair flavors (not just cheese, pepperoni, etc.)
There’s also a small food stand in the Midway that caters to the Midway staff (although they are open to the public, too) and they do good meals for good prices. You can get a pork chop dinner that includes your choice of 2 sides, like red potatoes, southern goulash (a tick spicy) corn, mixed veggies, etc., and it’s a big plate for $7. It looks like any other food stand, but they are nice old ladies that take care of their customers.
August 30th, 2009 at 8:17 am
I really liked the pig cheeks – I bought them at 7 p.m. on Saturday, for whatever that’s worth. The sauce was tasty, the cheeks were unbelievably tender. Wonderful for $5.
We tried the Minne-soda by the Eco-Experience yesterday – it’s like a cream soda with a hint of maple to it. Quite refreshing. $4.
If you love a non-traditional sweet food, The Salty Tart is by the Horticulture Building as part of the Midtown Exchange booth (there’s fresh produce there too). They’re selling 3 macaroons for $5. It’s well worth it. One of them is dense, filling, and delicious.
Among the classics: WE also always get the Cider Freeze in horticulture. It’s like a freeze pop of apple cider. For $1, it’s delightful.
I missed the beer on a stick, and I’ll probably go back one more time, so I look forward to other people’s suggestions.
August 30th, 2009 at 9:07 am
Mrs. Mooses and I will be there today. Want to catch The Wailers for free tonight and sample some of the new foods. Looking forward to the hog cheeks (as I’ve pointed out before, Hannibal Lecter has never steered me wrong — the cheeks are the most delectable of morsels). Because I am dieting, the sweets will be limited this year for me, but Mrs. Mooses will be in full fair mode, so I expect to be carrying home some Sweet Martha’s cookies and watching her slurp down a chocolate shake or two. I don’t know how she stays so thin. I’ll probably put on a pound or two just watching her eat. Also have to swing by and say hi to my friends at the Minnesota Swarm booth. The recent chill in the air tells me that lacrosse season is just around the corner.
August 30th, 2009 at 11:32 am
Check out Katie Jo Cannon’s pics of the new fair foods here: http://twincities.metromix.com/home/essay_photo_gallery/new-food-at-the/1428670/content
August 30th, 2009 at 7:52 pm
I went yesterday with my wife, parents, and brother since he was in town. I didn’t have anything that was new this year, though much of what I had was new to me.
I finally tried a deep fried Twinkie, which was good, but more of a novelty food that you get once and then that’s it. I also tried the deep fried Spam curds and a Spamburger, shared with my wife (as was everything, since that’s how we do it). The main reason we got them were pictures for friends; the curds were okay but, as they are just breaded and fried cubes of Spam, not all that special for $5. The Spamburger was pretty good, though, and I’m going to try making that one at home. We also got the Island Noodles in the Bazaar, which were decent. Nothing unusual, and a little on the pricey side ($7) but they were good and you got a pretty good quantity of hot noodles, vegetables, and sauce.
Other than that, just a bag of mini doughnuts, soda, and coffee. I saw quite a few beers on a stick, though. Actually, a lot of beer in general.
August 30th, 2009 at 9:02 pm
I had a frydog. Not quite like the picture I saw before going to the fair…a hotdog with french fries surrounding it. It was more like a fry waffle wrapped around the dog. I also read it described as a hot dog and corn dog wrapped in french fries. It was a hot dog.
It was ok. Not as crazy as the deep fried candy bar or big fat bacon on a stick, but it comes with dipping sauce. I’d get it again.
We tried the pig cheeks too and thought those were good. Didn’t look like like what I expected. I’m still not sure if it was really a pig cheek or something ground and turned into a patty of some sort with seasoning.
We also got a huge pile of cheese curds from a stand a bit southwest of the Pet Expo building. Couldn’t even finish it! Cost was $7. Not bad considering…
August 31st, 2009 at 5:53 am
After going to the fair on Saturday I realized that I do put ketchup on a hotdog. If a corn dog is concidered a hot dog, but that is the only dog I would put ketchup on. However the new frydog might be another eception due to the fried potatos wraped around it.
August 31st, 2009 at 10:43 am
I’ll be there tomorrow, pretty much all day starting early in the morning (volunteering from 9-1…stop on by the Health Fair 11 building and guess which one is me!).
As the years go by, the bizarre foods at the Fair just seem less and less interesting. I go with the tried-and-true: Pork chop on a stick, corn, some of my wife’s fries, split chocolate milkshake and maybe something else as we’re walking around.
This year, I’m finally going to get around to the Ag building and get some honey-sunflower ice cream that’s supposed to be so great.
Who knows…maybe being there so early in the morning will inspire some other kind of sampling.
This will be my 20th straight year at the Fair, dating back to when I moved here from out east.
August 31st, 2009 at 7:19 pm
Jason, what makes a macaroon a “non-traditional” sweet? Just curious.
August 31st, 2009 at 9:27 pm
I’ve been twice this year and going a third time on Saturday (we have concert tickets to Styx/REO Speedwagon/.38 special). Saturday will be our main fair day with plenty of time to wander the fair grounds and find interesting food items.
We went last Saturday (8/29) to Lynyrd Skynyrd and Kid Rock. I’ve never been so cold at the State Fair! Seriously! We left 1/2 way through Kid Rock because my hands were numb from the cold. We got to the fair about 6:00 and left before the fireworks went off. Mr Marcos had sausage, peppers, & onions and a roasted corn. I had a London broil sandwich (next to the Grand Stand).
I went today with my dad. My dad is almost a vegetarian and avoids anything on a stick or anything deep fried. We had breakfast burritos from Tejas in the “Garden Building.” The breakfast burrito consists of scrambled eggs, onions, and peppers in a soft tortilla shell for $2.50 AND you get a free coffee. The breakfast burrito w/free coffee ends at 11:00. We always start our day there (dad is always a bargain hunter). Other than the burritos our only other purchase was a bucket of Sweet Martha’s Cookies ($14 a bucket for roughly 4 dozen cookies). My “fair tip” – throw a large Ziploc in your fair bag so when you buy the cookies you don’t have to eat up the pile of cookies before you can close the bucket. We’ve been doing this for a few years and people always look at our bag and say “Oh, that is a good idea!”
I’ll be curious to see what your parents think of the “Great Minnesota Get Together!”
August 31st, 2009 at 10:42 pm
Bill, you said something about the Renaissance Festival being too expensive – I compared it to the State Fair, and gas, parking, and admission are very close, with the Renaissance a bit higher, but not much. The food prices look similar, but the food at the Renaissance is somewhat better for taste, quality, and variety.
Just mentioning it.
Hate the fair:)
Here comes the lynch mob – run!
Hubby adds: Better breasts at the Renaissance. Men.
September 1st, 2009 at 10:46 am
I like RenFest, in fact I’d say I like it better than the State Fair all other things being equal, but I would say it is more expensive, mainly due to admission.
I haven’t paid to park at the State Fair in a while; for the past several years we’ve always parked at a free lot (usually the U or Rosedale) and rode the bus in from there. As for food, I think the prices are similar, but the State Fair seems to have a wider overall range of foods available.
For me, though, RenFest has more interesting entertainment (you’re never going to see an act like the Tortuga Twins at the Fair, for example), vendors, and overall atmosphere. Plus, it’s less insanely crowded and seems like it gets updated more often.
September 2nd, 2009 at 12:58 pm
I saw at the fair this year a KQRS shirt that said on the back, “I took a cab from Burnsville.” A long cab ride to the fair when they have busses every hour. What, no good places to eat and no entertainment at the PAC that people will take a cab to the State Fair from Burnsville?
September 2nd, 2009 at 3:18 pm
at Thought Leader… I think the KQ||RS shirt was in reference to the “Popeye’s Chicken” debacle wherein a customer was interviewed on TV saying he paid 20 bucks to come to Popeye’s to eat $5.00 chicken
September 2nd, 2009 at 6:07 pm
sandy, i’m with you on the fair:) if i’m going to spend some quality time with a hundred thou or so of my good personal friends, i’d rather it’d be a different venue, perhaps george jones at the beautiful down down burnsville P.A.C.!!
bb
September 2nd, 2009 at 6:21 pm
sandy, (gasp), better breasts!!!
bill, sounds like another uplifting, whoops, upcoming! poll!:) maybe a poll on what the title of the poll should be?? (gals), don’t blame be, blame sandy! (ar ar ar)
bb ‘sent from my clear eyed desque top!!
September 2nd, 2009 at 9:40 pm
Blame Sandy’s hubby! He made me type it…
September 3rd, 2009 at 10:19 am
The deep fried banana split from Ole & Lenas was the bomb. Let the banana cool a bit and it is a very nice little treat to split. The fry dog was rather disappointing and pretty greasy (even for fair food). The cheese curds are the best. My suggestion, try everything new because you never know if it will be back next year.
September 4th, 2009 at 11:24 am
I hate, loathe and despise the fair. I like Ren Fest, but having a friend on the king’s court means I’ve never had to pay to get in, so it’s free entertainment for me.
September 4th, 2009 at 12:03 pm
I usually go twice a year, once with just the wife and another with our son. So I have plenty of time to eat everything on my list and try a few other things.
Must eats every year:
Deep Fried Pickles (preferably with cream cheese) (in food building) – I usually get these twice because they are so good. Maybe my favorite fair food. $5 for just the pickles, $6 with cream cheese.
Twisted Sister (My sister and Me in Food Building) – Great flavor, a sausage wrapped in a garlicy crust. Mmmm.. $5 I think
Cheese Curds (The Mouth Trap in Food Building) – Tasty goodness. $5 I think.
Pronto Pup – Waaaay better than a corn dog. $3.50
Steak Sandwich (Butcher Boys…by the Grandstand east side entrance) – Free cheese, fried onion and peppers and it’s rather big. Quite delicious. Usually get this on the way out because it’s filling. $7 but it’s big.
Malt from the dairy buidling – I always get raspberry, it’s 3/4th ice cream and 1/4 raspberries. Amazing. $4.50 I think. Well worth it.
Optionals:
French Fries from the French Fry stands. I usually can’t resist and get these too. $4.25 for 16 oz, $5.25 for 32 oz. Simple math insists I get the bigger 32 oz.
Sweet Martha’s – Really I just want like 2-3 of these, I wish there was a snack size. Bring them over to the all you can drink Milk booth for a perfect combo. I skipped them this year because I think they suck the next day and didn’t want to drop $16 on them.
Deep Fried Candy Bar – The Milky Way is awesome, super gooey. I can handle only a bite or two because it is so rich. $3.50 each, this guy must be making a mint.
Mini Donuts from Tom Thumb – for my son but I snag a few. A rip off at $4.
Other stuff I tried this year:
Elephant ear – Fried dough smeared with cherries. I liked it. I used a coupon and got it for $2.50 if I remember right.
Pig Cheeks – The flavor was very good, but I didn’t fall in love with these and wouldn’t get them again. $5. I much prefered the Pig Lickers (chocolate covered bacon) I tried last year over the Pig Cheeks.
Boatload of Sunnies at Giggles Campfire Grill. The fish was very good and it came with a yummy dipping sauce. I think it was $7 which is a tad too much for me even though I did enjoy it.
Also, we always get a 33oz pop from the Food Building, there is a Coke or a Pepsi stand (Pepsi is cheaper). Refills are just a $1 at Pepsi.
I love the fair!!
September 4th, 2009 at 6:37 pm
I wrote a post about my favorites and the things I will never buy again, but in case you don’t get time to stop by:
Sweet Martha’s = WAAAAAY overrated
French Meadow Bakery Scones = uber-yummy
September 6th, 2009 at 10:52 am
Here’s something you don’t see at the Fair every year, CNN is here broadcasting live today with John King & The State of the Union show. They’re set up right outside my office door. It’s interesting seeing the behind the scenes action of a national telecast like this.
So far the Gov & Sen Klobuchar have been on the set.
September 7th, 2009 at 6:58 pm
[...] week’s poll asking if you have attended the Minnesota State Fair yet showed that the majority of you have attended but the surprising part comes that many of you are [...]