Indianapolis, In. — The animals are a tradition, the Midway is a blast and the wide variety of circus performers are spectacular, but one of the best parts of the Great Indiana State Fair is the wide variety of fair foods that are featured. And this year, there are even more wacky, fun fair foods that are better than ever.
While the 2018 Indiana State Fair maintains many staple fair foods of the past, these new food items are featured in a food contest called “Taste of the Fair,” which encourages fairgoers to vote on their favorite new item. To vote, find the nearest State Fair Information Booth presented by Prairie Farms to get a ballot and vote for your favorite new fair food or vote on the Indiana State Fair Mobile App. The top three winners will be announced Friday, August 17.
And, one of the easiest and cheapest ways to taste your way around the fair is to take advantage of $2 Tuesdays, presented by the Indiana Secretary of State, where all food stands offer a $2 option, fair admission is only $2 per person and Midway rides are only $2. The final $2 Tuesday of the State Fair is Tuesday, August 14.
New “Taste of the Fair” food items include:
- Deep Fried Chicken & Waffle Sandwich (Urick Concessions)
Crispy fried chicken strips will be stuffed in a fresh hot fluffy waffle exterior and topped with maple syrup and powdered sugar. This savory dish is located in front of the Administration Building on Main Street.
- BBQ Pork Potachoes (Indiana Pork Producers Association)
BBQ pulled pork will be poured over seasoned pit potatoes and topped with cheese and sour cream. BBQ Pork Potachoes can be found in many places throughout the fairgrounds, including in front of the Champions Pavilion, in front of the West Pavilion and in front of Pioneer Village.
- Hatch Green Chili Beef Meatballs (Indiana Beef Cattle Association: south location)
Just as the name suggests, this new addition to the Fair’s food lineup is seasoned beef meatballs with hatch green chilis cooked into them. These meatballs will be in front of the West Pavilion.
- Deep Fried Sugar Cream Pie (Urick Concessions)
The secret ingredient to this new addition has to be the fact that Wick’s Sugar Cream Pies are deep fried with Funnel Cake Batter. To top things off, the pies are coated with powdered sugar and chocolate sauce. Get your slice across from Kiddie Land or across from Reynolds Farm Equipment.
- Inside Out Grilled Cheese (American Dairy Association Inc.)
From the creators of all the good eats at the Dairy Bar, including grilled cheese sandwiches and milkshakes, comes this new item. The inside out grilled cheese will be grilled with mild cheese on the outside and gouda cheese on the inside on sourdough bread. The Dairy Bar is located across from the Indiana Farmers Coliseum on Main Street.
- Birthday Cake Shake (American Dairy Association of Indiana Inc.)
Also from the creators at the Dairy Bar, a new milkshake flavor will be available for fairgoers – the Birthday Cake Shake topped with festive sprinkles.
- Peach Cider Slush (J. Wilson Group, LLC)
This new frozen treat will be a frozen mixture of cider and peach sauce blended together to perfection. This frozen treat can be found west of the Harvest Pavilion, across from the DNR Building, or in front of the Administration Building.
- The Curd Cup (Meggers Road Concessions)
An easy-to-eat treat! Enjoy fried cheese curds in front of the Purdue Extension Ag/Hort Building.
- Sati Babi® (Sati Babi®)
Find Philippine cuisine in front of the West Pavilion or across from Celebration Park and taste this marinated pork on a stick.
- Caramel Apple Elephant Ear (Coffman Concessions)
Get a classic elephant ear topped with apple pie filling, drizzled with caramel and sprinkled with cinnamon sugar in front of Celebration Park or in front of Champions Pavilion.
- The Waybetter Strawberry Milk Shake (Polar Bear Ice Cream)
Try a homemade strawberry shake topped with two cupcakes, a sponge cake, a lollipop, fresh strawberries, whipped cream and fruity pebbles in a souvenir cup. Located across from the DNR Building.
- Turkey Tips (Gobble Gobble)
These turkey tips are marinated in a house rub, grilled and topped with mild or hot BBQ sauce. This food stand is located across from the DNR Building.
- Piggy Popcorn with Sweet Yum Yum Sauce (Pork-N-More)
Try a deep fried seasoned pork cutlet with sweet Hawaiian chili sauce drizzled on top. This item can be found in front of the Indiana Arts Building or across from the Glass Barn.
- Lemonade Strawberry Boba Twister (Pork-N-More)
Enjoy a freshly squeezed lemon shakeup with added strawberry boba balls. This refreshing drink can be found in front of the Indiana Arts Building or across from the Glass Barn.
- Gourmet Mac & Cheese and Grilled Cheese (Freund Family Foods)
Find gourmet mac & cheese with buffalo chicken, along with grilled cheese with buffalo chicken! These savory items can be found across from the DNR Building.
- Dessert Nachos (Freund Family Foods)
Try a twist on classic nachos! This sweet version features ice cream, strawberries and chocolate sauce and can be found across from the Glass Barn.
- Gourmet Tots (Freund Family Foods)
Find this savory item across from the DNR. These tots are loaded with cheese, bacon, sour cream and green onion.
- Dilly Dilly (Meatball Factory)
Enjoy a hot dog stuffed inside a pickle dipped in corn dog batter, which is then fired until it’s golden brown. Located outside of the Champions Pavilion.
- Bison Rangoon (Red Fraizer Bison)
Try charred sweet corn puree, cream cheese and ground bison all wrapped into a fried won ton and topped with sweet chili sauce. Find it across from Pioneer Village.
- Bubba’s Bacon Grilled Cheese (Bubba’s Bacon)
Chow down on a grilled cheese wrapped in bacon. Find it across from the DNR Building.
