Jul 30, 2026 - News

Iowa State Fair ranks third by Yelp users for best food

Linh Ta

Triptych of treats: left chocolate-drizzled strawberry dessert cup; center wrap with a pink pig figurine and an "America 250" flag; right burger with a red candy on a skewer over green ice cream. — This year's new Iowa State Fair food. Photos: Courtesy of Iowa State Fair

Somebody, hold us back — the Iowa State Fair somehow only ranked third for best fair food in the country, and our passive-aggressive Protestant side is about to come out.

Driving the news: In a fair food state ranking compiled by Yelp, the Midwest reigned supreme (obvi) with Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa as the top three states, respectively.

How it works: Yelp analyzed review volume and ratings to identify the top 10 state fairs, based on reviews mentioning fair food.

The big picture: Okay, we're automatically kicking Wisconsin to the curb because no one actually talks about their fair (except Yelpers, I guess).

That means we're face-to-face once again with our archnemesis, Minneso-tah.

Our thought bubble: The only thing they've got going for them is Peachey's Doughnuts, which is not returning to our state again this year, per Iowa State Fair CEO Jeremy Parsons.

👀 Axios Twin Cities' Kyle Stokes thought bubble: I'm here to spike the football — because the "Great Minnesota Get-Together" is dope — but also to tell you the ISF was jobbed: No way did you deserve to trail Wisconsin's (lame) state fair.

And if you're missing Peachey's, they will be in Minnesota again this year! Make the drive up I-35…

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Iowa State Fair ranks third by Yelp users for best food

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