What is it that people say? God first, then family?
It's basically how I feel...about the Minnesota State Fair.
Fair first, then family.
I grew up going to the fair, but never truly loved it until my teenage years. And then, as a young adult, I would take a "vacation" from my job and work the fair. I always told people it was a great way to get double-paid: vacation pay + MN State Fair pay--but that wasn't really true. Sure, double income was nice, but I just wanted an excuse to go to the fair EVERY. DAY.
During those years I learned a lot about the fair. I found the best places to get breakfast. I discovered the best days to go to the fair. I saw so much free music--it's really amazing the caliber of acts the fair attracts each year on ALL their stages. I tried some of the attractions at Adventure Park (which I never thought I'd do and I'll never do again). I ate a lot. I still visit some of my favorite booths I discovered during that time each year. A couple of those vendors still recognize me--I don't know if I should be proud of that or a little embarrassed. We'll go with proud.
I tried more new food during those years than at any other time. That is, until this year. Because I participated in the "Great MN Blog Together" (isn't that clever? a play off "The Great MN Get-Together") and as part of that, we got to sample some of the new foods being offered this year. (And, just so you know, the new food at the fair is A BIG DEAL. Even Buzzfeed covers the new offerings.)
I'm going to kick things off with my favorite. Grandma Deb's Snicker Bar Salad is the best kind of salad--it has chopped Snickers bars, Granny Smith apples, vanilla pudding, whipped cream and caramel sauce. Perfect combination of sweet and tart. My adoration of this treat is well-documented, see the tweet, below. It's available at The Blue Barn, which is located in the West End Market on West Dan Patch Avenue, behind the western Skyride station (north of the Mighty Midway). And, if you make it over there to try this yummy treat, do yourself a favor and get the corn fritters, too. You won't regret it.
My next favorite are Totchos. That would be tater tots + nachos. Oh yes, you read that right. I think the two best food groups, combined into one SUPERFOOD. It's pretty self-explanatory: tater tots, cheddar cheese, seasoned sour cream, bacon bits, green onions. These are available at Boulevard Grill, located on the west end of the Coliseum.
We also got to try the newest flavor malt from the Midwest Dairy Association: Salted Caramel Puff, available in malts or sundaes. Let me just say: a perfect union of sweet and salty. Vanilla ice cream topped with caramel sauce and puffcorn. Find this treat in the southeast corner of the Dairy Building, at the Dairy Goodness Bar.
The Mac & Cheese Cupcake was great--although I could have done without the dollop of Cheez Wiz on the top. But it was a cool idea, the "frosting" of the cupcake, if you will. I love mac-n-cheese so pretty much anything having to do with this, I'm going to like. Make sure to check this out at Lulu's Public House, located at the West End Market.
Rounding up our sampling was the Grilled-Venetian Style Pizza (we tried the Margherita version), Stuffed Italian Meatloaf on-a-stick (not a huge meatloaf fan but loved that this was stuffed with mozzarella), Minnesota Wild Rice Benedict Muffin (we actually didn't sample this and it is a breakfast item so it will NOT be on the menu all day), and the Maple Bacon Funnel Cake (VERY sweet--this is definitely something I would share with one or four people--good, but decadent).
Once we were nice and full, we learned about a new exhibit for children and were reminded of just how many things there are to do with kids at the fair--things that don't involve rides and (gasp!) do involve learning. I'll highlight these on Monday...so check back then!
Until then, because I know you were wondering, there are ONLY 20 days until the fair!
xo Sara
{P.S. I'm not a food blogger, but if you enjoyed this recap, perhaps you would like to read one of these other times I wrote about food? Ok then, here you go...the time I wrote about my first ever experience with Pho and the time I learned to cook. A little.}
Want to see what some of the other bloggers thought of the new food? Check out Beth's recap here or Katie's here.
{Updated: Part Two}