Meet the fair's newest foods
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Linh here. The Iowa State Fair released 11 of its best new foods in 2024 on Tuesday, which will take visitors on a culinary journey — from a bacon cheeseburger eggroll to a creative spin on AE Dairy chips and dip.
The big picture: I got to try them as a member of the local judging panel at the fairgrounds yesterday.
- The ultimate winner will be determined by fairgoers in August.
State of play: I judged each dish on its "fair factor" — does it have a fun twist and make you say, "only at the Iowa State Fair?" — as well as taste.
- Here are my (very subjective) thoughts on some of the new foods.
Bacon cheeseburger eggroll — Winn and Sara's Kitchen
What it is: Take the ingredients of a cheeseburger and fry them in an eggroll. There's ground beef, bacon, cheddar cheese, pickles, smoked bacon and Winn's "burger sauce" ($12).
What I liked: It was savory and crispy. Eating a cheeseburger while wandering the fair is hard, but the eggroll delivery method lets you walk and chomp.
What could improve: I'm used to paying less for an eggroll, but I'm not bent on this since a cheeseburger can cost $12.
Fair factor: 4/5 — it's a creative twist.
Iowa Sm'Oak'ed Roll — Whatcha' Smokin'
What it is: The most Iowan sushi roll without the seafood. You get a pork tenderloin roll stuffed with rice, jalapeno cream corn and queso. It's topped with poblano ranch, barbecue sauce, sesame seeds and green onions ($14).
What I liked: The presentation was fantastic and looked like it belonged in a sushi restaurant. It was easy to eat and filling.
What could improve: I didn't taste much of the sauce.
Fair factor: A big time 5/5. It was the most creative dish I tried.