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I have attended the Minnesota State Fair every year since 1990. I’m obsessed. Since 2005, I worked at the Great Minnesota Get Together representing my daytime employer. And with that, I’ve had plenty of time to eat my way around the fairgrounds.

This food list goes beyond the cheese curds, pronto pups and Sweet Martha’s cookies. There’s much more to consume. Because the Fair runs for 12 days, here are 12 foods a bit more off the beaten path worth seeking out.

1. Wild Rice Cheeseburger from Wild Rice Specialties

Food Building

The wild rice cheeseburger is the first food I’ll eat on the first day of the Fair, and it’ll be the last food I’ll grab on my way out. It’s made on-the-spot with a big hamburger patty combined with cooked wild rice (not too noticeable, actually), and served up with cheese, onions (worth adding those on, no extra cost) and obviously, a fair amount of grease. The bun is no frills but it doesn’t need to be special. Don’t mess with perfection.

This delight is available at Wild Rice Confections; you’ll find them in the crowded Food Building. Pro tip: enter in a side door you’ll find on Cooper St. across from the Bandshell — it’ll save you a sweaty trip walking through the building. Learn more about secret tunnels in the Food Building here.

Before hopping in line, check your Blue Ribbon Bargain Book to find a coupon to save you a dollar.

2. Mint milkshake from Gopher Dairy Bar

Outside the Cattle Barn

Whether it’s in malt or shake form, there are many spots around the fairgrounds to get ice cream. The Kiwanis are up in the north, and down at the south end, you have the Dairy Goodness Bar in the Dairy Building (formerly Empire Commons), Sadie’s near the DNR fish pond and the Gopher Dairy Bar attached to the Cattle Barn. That’s where you’ll find a mint flavored milkshake which is definitely worth the walk. If you’re a fan of the shamrock shake at McDonald’s, this mint milkshake is a must. It’s a refreshing change after a day full of fried food.

3. Deep-fried Cookie Dough from Sonny’s

Food Building

I’m sticking with sweet for an unsung hero at the State Fair. There’s deep-fried cookie dough and it’s a bit of a hidden gem. It’s just one item on the menu of a booth in the Food Building serving up gluten-free corn dogs and spiral potatoes. You’ll get three balls of dough on a stick and you’ll be good after eating one (or maybe half of one). It’s a great item to share.

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

4. Pretzel

Liggett between Carnes and Judson

Yep, a pretzel made my list and it’s another hidden gem. Available at a stand-alone booth on Liggett Street between Carnes and Judson, these giant pretzels come a wide array of flavors, are doughy and warm, and are huge. Get the cinnamon sugar. Warning: although delicious, the garlic pretzel had garlic pouring out of every pore in my body for days.

5. Oslo Taco from Shanghaied Henri’s

International Bazaar

The 2016 State Fair was the first time I had an Oslo Taco from Shanghaied Henri’s located on the outside of the International Bazaar. It’s smoked pulled pork, Norwegian cheese, a cabbage slaw, bacon bits and a lingonberry relish sour cream. It’s really good.

6. Pickle Dog

Carnes

Okay, you could make a pickle dog at home with some Carl Buddig sliced meat, a pickle spear and cream cheese. But there’s something unique about the Pickle Dogs being served up at the entrance of the Midway on Carnes. Perhaps it’s the quality pastrami they’re using. Maybe it’s the friendly Minnesota staff working the booth (the owner is from Sebeka, MN). It doesn’t matter. They give your stomach a break from the grease. They have a Fire Dog version with peppers along with a Reuben Dog adding sauerkraut and thousand island dressing. I would stick with the original.

7. Deep-fried Pickles from The Perfect Pickle

Liggett and Dan Patch

So I hated pickles as a kid. I would peel them off of hamburgers. But alas, here we are with two pickle-based picks. The deep-fried pickles at The Perfect Pickle (formerly The Preferred Pickle) are fantastic and won the People’s Choice for Best Food during the 2016 State Fair. They come in a variety of flavors, too: choose from original, cajun or a third kind stuffed with cream cheese. All come with a healthy side of ranch dressing.

8. Cinnamon Roll

Note: this vendor is no longer at the State Fair.

Back to the Food Building for another food you could easily make at home. The cinnamon rolls sold in there are huge, gooey and cheap. Bring a friend to tackle this one.

9. Wine Slushy from French Créperie

Carnes near Ye Old Mill

Okay, you gotta wash all this food down with something. There’s a wine slushy booth tucked away in the back of the crepe stand on Carnes near Ye Old Mill. Again, it’s a booth that you gotta know it’s there — it even took me some time to find it. The price seems steep at first but it’s a perfect way to cool down on a hot day at the Fair.

Also on Give Me The Mike…
The most underrated foods at the Minnesota State Fair

10. Beergarita from Tejas Express

The Garden

The Beergarita has been poured at the fair for years, but I continually meet people who have never had it. The concept is simple: mix a margarita with beer. The beer dilutes the sweetness of the margarita, and the froth of both is plenty refreshing. You’ll find them at the Tejas booth inside The Garden at Dan Patch and Underwood.

11. Chicken in the Waffle from The Blue Barn

West End Market

Restaurant owner Steph Shimp (Longfellow Grill, The Lowry, Freehouse) has something special going at her State Fair spot, The Blue Barn. Their menu is creative. The food I’ve come to love at The Blue Barn is called Chicken in the Waffle. It’s a version of chicken and waffles perfect for the walking around State Fair, with chicken and gravy poured into a waffle cone.

12. All-you-can-drink Chocolate Milk

Corner of Judson and Liggett

All the milk you can drink for $2? It’s still a steal. And it supports Minnesota farmers. Oh, it’s even more awesome because it’s served on tap. Find it at the corner of Judson and Clough.

Honorable Mention

The Gizmo

New location for 2026!

Deep-fried Twinkies from Spaghetti Eddie’s

Underwood

Candied BLT from The Blue Barn

West End Market

The Peg Muffin from The Peg

Outside the Agriculture Horticulture Building

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.

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.