Skip to Content

Behold: The Best State Fair Food In Every State

Looking for fried goodness? Right this way.

Headshot of Jamie BallardBy Jamie Ballard
florida state fair funnel cake sandwichpinterest icon
Florida State Fair

There's nothing quite like fair food. You've got your classics like corn dogs, fried Oreos, cotton candy, fried potatoes, and funnel cakes. It wouldn't be a fair without these offerings. But some states have a slew of decadent treats to offer that would stop you in your tracks. We're talking fried butter, pickle-topped pizza, donut burgers, and more. Other state fairs get visitors from far and wide searching for the item that's unique to that state, like Maine's red snapper hot dogs.

We can all agree that it's hard to go wrong when it comes to any fair fare. But, that said, if you want to sprinkle in some unique, can't-miss items, we have picks that come highly recommended by fairgoers from each state.

Alabama: Boiled Peanuts

best state fair foods alabama peanuts boiled
Birdlkportfolio//Getty Images

Boiled peanuts are not to be missed at the Alabama State Fair. Grab a bag of the spicy ones if you're feeling adventurous.

Alaska: Donut Burger

the straw carnival fare in hayes valley in san francisco, is serving up the ringmaster a glazed donut bun cheeseburger during day two of the outside lands music festival in golden gate park in san francisco, california, on sat aug 6, 2016
getty//Getty Images

Two words for you: donut burger. As a fairgoer describes one from the Alaska State Fair as "A delicious, delicious disaster. Is it ridiculous? Yes. Would I order it again? Also, yes."

Arizona: Lobster Roll

best state fair food every state arizona lobster roll and french fries, high angle view
Glasshouse Images//Getty Images

When you think Arizona State Fair, you probably don't think "lobster." But apparently, this is the dish to order at the Arizona State Fair.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Arkansas: Steak Sandwich

best state fair foods arkansas steak samich
dirkr//Getty Images

According to Kat Robinson with Tie Dye Travels, a steak sandwich from the Arkansas Cattlemen's Association is definitely worth trying at the Arkansas State Fair. It comes piled high with steak, caramelized onions, cheese, and a special horseradish sauce.

California: Beef Rib

best state fair food every state california beef rib
Education Images//Getty Images

Rumor has it you shouldn't leave the California State Fair without trying the beef ribs from Soul On a Roll. Get a plate of shrimp and grits while you're at it.

Colorado: Sloppers

burgers on charcoal grill
Ali Majdfar//Getty Images

Every year, the Colorado State Fair hosts the World Slopper Eating Championship. What's a slopper, you ask? It's an open-faced cheeseburger covered in green chile.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Connecticut: Big Donut

big donut durham state fair
Jennifer Schulten

In the mood for sweets? If you're in Connecticut, head to the Durham Fair and snag "The Original Big Donut" at The Dough House.

Delaware: Ice Cream

best state fair food delaware udairy creamery
stock-eye//Getty Images

Homemade ice cream is hard to beat. That's especially true if you're at the Delaware State Fair, where you can grab a scoop or two from the UDairy Creamery. They make ice cream using milk harvested from cows at the University of Delaware's College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Florida: Funnel Cake Sandwich

florida state fair funnel cake sandwich
Florida State Fair

There are plenty of classics to enjoy at the Florida State Fair, like deep-fried pickles, but we have our eyes on the new funnel cake sandwich—piled high with Spanish pork, smoked ham, Genoa salami, Swiss cheese, dill pickles, and mustard.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Georgia: Korean BBQ Fries

best state fair foods meester mikes
Georgia National Fair

Last year, Meester Mike's took home the "Best Savory" award at the Georgia National Fair for its Korean BBQ Fries, which are topped with kimchi and Korean BBQ.

Hawaii: Poke Bowls

best state fair foods hawaii poke bowl
Randy Risling//Getty Images

Word on the street is that you should definitely get a poke bowl from at the Hawaii State Fair.

Idaho: Twister Potatoes

fried potato chips on stick, spiral potatoes fried, on wooden sticks, spiral selling food at the market unhealthy fried street food
LittleElefant//Getty Images

For obvious reasons, you can't go to the Eastern Idaho State Fair without getting a ribbon-cut fried potato on a stick—and the Garlic Truffle Tortatoe from Tortatoes is a fan favorite.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Illinois: Apple Pie Fries

best state fair food every state illinois apple pie fries
Illinois State Fair

We hear the apple pie fries from Truckin Good Food at the Illinois State Fair win big. Honeycrisp apples are cut into strips, dipped in cornstarch, fried, tossed with sugar, and topped with whipped cream.

Indiana: Pickle Pizza

best state fair foods indiana pickle pizza
megaflopp//Getty Images

Calling all pickle lovers! 2022's "Taste of the Fair" winner at the Indiana State Fair was the pickle pizza from Swain's Concessions.

Iowa: Corn Dog

best state fair food every state hand holds up a pronto pup smothered in mustard at the fairgrounds in summer
Melissa Kopka//Getty Images

Iowa hosts one of the most iconic state fairs. And according to a poll, there's no Iowa State Fair food more iconic than the corn dog.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Kansas: Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Lollipop

best state fair foods bacon wrapped chicken lollipop kansas bacon wrapped chicken lollipop at the kansas state fair
Mark Reinstein//Getty Images

Bacon. Wrapped. Chicken. Enough said! Grab one of these from Jackson Meat if you find yourself at the Kansas State Fair.

Kentucky: BBQ Pulled Pork Mac 'n Cheese

bbq mac and cheese
Sivori Catering

You'll find plenty of Kentucky State Fair food recommendations here, but at the top of the list is the BBQ pulled pork mac n' cheese from Sivori Catering.

Louisiana: Deep-Fried Oreos

best state fair food louisiana deep fried oreos
Tom Pennington//Getty Images

This is a fair food classic. Multiple local outlets recommend trying these when you head to the State Fair of Louisiana.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Maine: Red Snapper Hot Dog

best state fair foods maine red snapper hot dogs maine's distinctive "red snapper" hot dogs
BDMcIntosh//Getty Images

Maine's known for these distinctive red hot dogs, so if you're at the Bangor State Fair, you've gotta try one.

Maryland: Peach Sundae

panna cotta with peach
mpessaris//Getty Images

Does anything sound more refreshing at a state fair than a peach sundae? One fairgoer calls Maryland State Fair's "an absolute must-try."

Headshot of Jamie Ballard
Jamie Ballard
Contributing Writer

Jamie Ballard (she/her) is a freelance writer and editor who covers news, lifestyle, and entertainment topics, including sex and relationships, TV, movies, books, health, pets, food and drinks, pop culture, shopping, and personal finance. She regularly contributes to Cosmopolitan, Woman’s Day, Good Housekeeping, and YouGov, among other publications. When she’s not working, you can find her running, traveling, or scrolling TikTok. Follow her on Twitter.

Watch Next
 
preview for Watch Our Newest Videos

Travel

best buffets in las vegas — bellagio

The 15 Best All-You-Can-Eat Buffets In Las Vegas

Restaurant, Room, Interior design, Building, Tree, Table, Window, Art,

The Most Romantic Restaurants Around The Country

pizza

World's Best Pizzerias List Has 10 U.S. Spots

Building, Restaurant, Lighting, Room, Interior design, Architecture, Ceiling, Furniture, Plant, Interior design,

The 14 Best Christmas Bars In New York City

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Logo
twitter icon
youtube icon
facebook icon
instagram icon
pinterest icon
Hearst Lifestyle and Design Group - A Part of Hearst Digital Media

A Part of Hearst Digital Media

We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back.

©2023 Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Privacy NoticeCA Notice at CollectionYour CA Privacy Rights/Shine the LightDAA Industry Opt OutTerms of UseSite Map
Cookies Choices