The Weirdest State Fair Foods in the U.S.
America's Wacky Fair Foods
Cotton candy, corn dogs, and candy apples once ruled the midway at the local fair, but visitors now want food that's exotic — as long as it's on a stick, or more importantly, fried. From health–defying anomalies like fried butter to squirm-inducing mealworm-covered caramel apples, the new sideshow is food.
North Carolina: Kool-Aid Pickles
Raleigh, Oct. 13-23, 2011
Also known as Koolickles, pickles soaked in the sugary kids' beverage are a Southern tradition — and a sweet-and-sour snack at North Carolina's annual state fair.
Indiana: Hot Beef Sundae
Indianapolis, Aug. 5-21, 2011
When state fair-goers tired of the iconic rib eye steak sandwich, Indiana's Beef Cattle Association invented the Hot Beef Sundae, layered with mashed potatoes, marinated beef, gravy, cheese, corn "sprinkles," and a cherry (tomato).
Arizona: Mealworm-Covered Caramel Apples
Phoenix, Oct. 14-Nov. 6, 2011
Along with deep-fried crickets, the Arizona Exposition & State Fair's Chef du' Jour booth sells caramel apples dipped in mealworms.
Florida: Cheeseburger with Fried Ice Cream
Tampa, Feb. 9-20, 2012
One Florida State Fairgoer rationalized the appeal of a cheeseburger topped with deep-fried ice cream by describing the salty-sweet hybrid as a "milk-shake burger."
Texas: Fried Beer
Dallas, Sept. 30-Oct. 23, 2011
Even alcohol can be fried when it's pocketed in pretzel dough. The food innovation won the 2010 Big Tex Choice Awards at the Texas State Fair.
Montana: Fried Butter Balls
Great Falls, July 29-Aug. 6, 2011
While the Montana State Fair is famous for its Big Sky ProRodeo Roundup, Paula Deen wannabes and other fried-food enthusiasts head for the deep-fried butter balls.
California: Deep-Fried White Castle Burgers
Costa Mesa, July 15-Aug. 14, 2011
The Orange County Fair is so dedicated to frying that a vendor called Heart Attack Café chose Deep Fried Butter Stand as its new name after being pressured with legal action by Arizona's Heart Attack Grill. Even more stupendous: Chicken Charlie's fried White Castle cheeseburgers (bun and all).
Kansas: Pickle Pop
Hutchinson, Sept. 9-18, 2011
The Kansas State Fair's answer to a freezer pop — filled with briny pickle juice — is a chilling, super-sour pairing for the region's famous barbecue.
Massachusetts: Fried Jelly Beans
West Springfield, Sept. 16-Oct. 2, 2011
The Big E (a nickname for the Massachusetts State Fair) doesn't force a choice between candy and funnel cake. These jelly beans are dipped in batter before being deep-fried.
California: Python Kebabs
Sacramento, July 14-31, 2011
After realizing that visitors to the California Exposition & State Fair wanted more adventurous foods, vendor George Sandefur changed his offerings from chicken to foods that "taste like chicken." Grilled python kebabs seasoned with Worcestershire sauce, liquid smoke, Old Bay, and lemon-pepper are a new favorite.
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