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The hidden gem foods Minnesota State Fair staff eat

Here is what State Fair staff eat on the fairgrounds.
Mike Marcotte August 8, 2026 2 min read
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There are hundreds of foods to eat 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.

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.


What Minnesota State Fair staff eat

Puff Daddy on-a-stick from Sausage Sister & Me

Food Building, east side

  • Thai sausage wrapped in puff pastry.

Chicken and Rice Bowl from Patinella’s Chicken Grill

Chambers Street, south of the Grandstand

  • Grilled chopped chicken breast, yellow rice.

Porketta Pig Wings Minnesota State Fair

Porketta Pig Wings from Mancini’s al Fresco

Carnes between Nelson and Underwood

  • Roasted spilt pork shanks.

Pickle Dog Minnesota State Fair

Pickle Dog

Carnes between Liggett and Chambers

  • Quarter dill pickle coated with cream cheese and wrapped in pastrami.

Also on Give Me The Mike…
State Fair information booths answer up to 180,000 questions a year. Here are the five most commonly asked.


Baked Potato Minnesota State Fair

Baked Potato with Pulled Pork from BBQ Baked Potato

Cooper between Dan Patch and Judson

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

Egg Roll On-a-Stick Minnesota State Fair

Giant Egg Roll on-a-stick from Que Viet

Cooper outside the Merchandise Mart

Wild Rice Cheeseburger from Wild Rice Specialties

Food Building

  • Hamburger made with wild rice.

Frozen Cider Pop Minnesota State Fair

Frozen Cider Pop from Minnesota Apples

Agriculture Horticulture Building, west side

  • Popsicles made with cider from Minnesota grown apples.

Gluten-free Muffins from Hamline Church Dining Hall

Dan Patch between Underwood and Cooper

Peg Muffin from The Peg

Outside of the Agriculture Horticulture Building, southeast side

  • Sandwich with fried egg, sausage, cheese and tomato.

Lemonade Minnesota State Fair

Lemonade from Netterfield’s Food Court

Cooper between Wright and Dan Patch

Wood Fire Pizzas from Blue Moon Dine-in Theater

Corner of Carnes and Chambers

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

Fish Taco Minnesota State Fair

Fish Taco from San Felipe Tacos

Corner of Dan Patch and Cooper

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

If you’re looking for more suggestions on navigating the Minnesota State Fair, check out Give Me The Mike’s entire Minnesota State Fair guide here.

A picture of the Minnesota State Fairgrounds, including the Grandstand.

While you’re here, take a moment to read how I adapted after losing both parents before I was 25 years old and my journey with epilepsy.


 

About the Author

Mike Marcotte

Administrator

Give Me The Mike is a Minnesota guide to good food, local events and places worth exploring. Created by Mike Marcotte, the site shares restaurant recommendations, seasonal guides and ideas for making the most of life in Minnesota.

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