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The hidden gem foods Minnesota State Fair staff eat

So there are hundreds of foods to taste at the Minnesota State Fair. And if you’re only heading out to the Great Minnesota Get Together one day, your stomach — and your wallet — can only handle so much.

The official new Fair foods get a lot of buzz, and there are the State Fair staples like Sweet Martha’s Cookies, Pronto Pups and cheese curds.

I wanted to know what the Media Relations team at the Minnesota State Fair eat. They know the State Fair more than anyone else I know. So I asked. And this list has some true hidden gems.

I presented some of these foods on KSTP-TV’s Twin Cities Live.


Puff Daddy On-a-Stick

Thai sausage wrapped in puff pastry

From Sausage Sister & Me

In the Food Building, east side


Chicken & Rice Bowl

Grilled chopped chicken breast, yellow rice

From Patinella’s Chicken Grill

Chambers Street, just south of the Grandstand


Porketta Pig Wings

Porketta Pig Wings Minnesota State Fair
Porketta Pig Wings. Photo courtesy Mancini’s.

Roasted spilt pork shanks

From Mancini’s al Fresco

Carnes Avenue between Nelson & Underwood


Pickle Dog

Pickle Dog Minnesota State Fair
Pickle Dog.

Quarter dill pickle coated with cream cheese and wrapped in pastrami

From Pickle Dog

Carnes Avenue between Liggett & Chambers


Also on Give Me The Mike…
State Fair Information Booths answer up to 180,000 questions a year. Here are the top 5.


Baked Potato with Pulled Pork

Baked Potato Minnesota State Fair
Baked potato.

Baked potato with barbecue-smoked Carolina pork, sour cream, cheddar cheese, chives, chili, bacon)

From BBQ Baked Potato

Cooper Street between Dan Patch & Judson, outside the Food Building


Giant Egg Roll On-a-Stick

Egg Roll On-a-Stick Minnesota State Fair
Egg roll on-a-stick.

From Que Viet

Cooper Street, outside the Merchandise Mart


Wild Rice Cheeseburger

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Wild Rice Cheeseburger.

Hamburger made with wild rice

From Wild Rice Specialties

In the Food Building, northeast side


Also on Give Me The Mike…
The cheapest, beer, pop and water on the Fairgrounds

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Frozen Cider Pop

Frozen Cider Pop Minnesota State Fair
Frozen cider pop.

Popsicles made with cider from Minnesota grown apples

From Minnesota Apples

In the Agriculture Horticulture Building, west side


Gluten-Free Muffins

From Hamline Church Dining Hall

Dan Patch Avenue between Underwood & Cooper


Peg Muffin

Sandwich with fried egg, sausage, cheese, tomato

From The Peg

Outside of the Agriculture Horticulture Building, southeast side


Lemonade

Lemonade Minnesota State Fair
Lemonade by the Kidway.

From Netterfield’s Food Court

Cooper Street between Wright & Dan Patch


Wood Fire Pizzas

Cheese, margarita, sausage, pepperoni, sweet corn and bacon

From Blue Moon Dine-In Theater

Corner of Carnes Avenue & Chambers Street


Fish Taco

Fish Taco Minnesota State Fair
Fish Taco in the Food Building.

Deep-fried tilapia, cabbage, mango salsa, red onion and sauces in a flour tortilla

From San Felipe Tacos

Food Building, east wall


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