FAIR FOOD: The new 2018 Minnesota State Fair food items

FALCON HEIGHTS, Minn. (KMSP) - Like the swallows of Capistrano every year, a flock of new Minnesota State Fair food arrives marking the passing of time.

This year’s list of 27 new items includes a cavalcade of dishes that, at first glance look like there were invented by a mad scientist crossed with Alton Brown.

Behold!

NEW FAIR FOOD

Ahi Tuna Poke Bowl: Ahi tuna, avocado, mango and pico de gallo tossed in a Hawaiian ginger-soy sauce served cold over rice with a fried wonton.

At Café Caribe, located on the south side of Carnes Ave. between Chambers & Nelson streets

Bananas Foster French Toast: Cinnamon swirl French toast topped with slices of fresh bananas in an orange-rum-flavored caramel sauce and finished with a dollop of whipped cream.

At Hamline Church Dining Hall, located on the north side of Dan Patch Ave. between Underwood & Cooper streets

BBQ Split: Scoops of BBQ pulled pork, mac & cheese and coleslaw served side-by-side with a pickle spear.

At Midtown Global Market’s Mama D’s, located in the Taste of Midtown Global Market booth at the International Bazaar, east wall

(Available Aug. 29-Sept. 3 only)

Blueberry Rhubarb Cobbler: A blend of organic blueberries and rhubarb topped with a cornmeal biscuit and whipped cream.

At Farmers Union Coffee Shop, located on the north side of Dan Patch Ave. between Cooper & Cosgrove streets

Earth Wings®: Fresh cauliflower pieces dipped in a seasoned batter, deep-fried and smothered in organic sesame BBQ sauce.

Vegan and gluten-free.

At French Meadow Bakery & Cafe, located on the north side of Carnes Ave. between Nelson & Underwood streets

Firecracker Shrimp Stuffed Avocado: Gulf white shrimp tossed with lime, onion, black beans, tomato and fire-roasted corn in a garlic aioli, drizzled with cilantro-infused olive oil, stuffed in avocado halves and served open-face with flatbread.

At The Hideaway Speakeasy, located in the Veranda, Grandstand upper level, northwest section

General Tso Chicken Taco: Battered and deep-fried chicken tossed in a sauce of ginger, garlic, soy sauce and Asian spices, with seasoned cream cheese and topped with wonton crisps and green onion, served on a flour tortilla.

At Midtown Global Market’s Taco Cat, located in the Taste of the Midtown Global Market booth at the International Bazaar, east wall

(Available Aug. 23-28 only)

Honey Cream Soda Float: Honey cream soda (made without sugar) poured over Minnesota Grown honey ice cream.

At Minnesota Honey Producers Association, located in the Agriculture Horticulture Building, north side

Irish Tater Kegs: Jumbo deep-fried tater tots made with a blend of corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, sour cream and potatoes drizzled with house-made Thousand Island dressing and nestled on a bed of sauerkraut.

At O’Gara’s at the Fair, located on the southwest corner of Dan Patch Ave. & Cosgrove St.

Mangonada Shave Ice: Mango-flavored shave ice drizzled with Mexican chamoy sauce, dusted with tajin chili powder, topped with popping mango boba pearls and served with a tamarind candy straw.

Messy Giuseppe: A blend of seasoned ground beef and Italian pork sausage smothered in marinara, sprinkled with parmesan cheese and served on crusty Italian bread.

At Mancini’s al Fresco, located on the north side of Carnes Ave. between Nelson & Underwood streets

Moroccan Sausage Bowl: Coarse ground beef and lamb sausage seasoned with herbs, sweet spices and a hint of red pepper, cooked with carrots, turnips and chick peas, and topped with sautéed onions and a green olive.

At Sausage by Cynthia, located on the north side of Judson Ave. between Nelson & Underwood streets

Nordic Waffles: Fresh-made waffle wraps in seven varieties: All-Day Breakfast (egg, bacon & cheddar); Berries & Cream (raspberry & strawberry mixture with vanilla cream); Cinna-Sugar Butter (cinnamon, sugar & butter); Slammin’ Salmon On-AStick (Norwegian smoked salmon with cream cheese & green onions); S’More (marshmallow crème, crumbled graham crackers & Nutella); Turkey Chipotle Club (turkey, bacon & mixed greens with Sriracha mayo sauce); and Vegetarian Viking (black bean veggie burger, cheddar cheese, mixed greens & chipotle sauce). Also serving lemonade with blueberry or lingonberry saft.

At Nordic Waffles, located at West End Market, southwest section

Pepperoni Chips with Roasted Red Pepper Queso: Thinly sliced fried pepperoni chips served with a warm roasted red pepper cheese sauce.

At LuLu’s Public House, located at West End Market, south of Schilling Amphitheater

Rainbow Cloud Roll: Three scoops of ice cream sprinkled with fruity cereal and wrapped in a pillow of cotton candy. Hand-rolled on-site. Ice cream choices include Superman, vanilla, strawberry and chocolate.

At Rainbow Ice Cream, located in the Grandstand, upper level, east section near the elevator

Shrimp Ceviche: Fresh shrimp, cucumbers, jalapeños, onions, tomatoes and cilantro tossed with acitrus lime juice and served cold with tortilla chips.

At Shrimp Shack, located on the southwest corner of Carnes Ave. & Underwood St.

Slider Flights: Flights of three slider sandwiches, each with a variety of toppings, available in three varieties:

• Brisket Flight: One slider topped with coleslaw, one with pickles and onions, and one with crispy fried onions

• Burger Flight: One slider topped with thick-cut candied bacon and cheddar cheese, one with smoked gouda, and one with

BBQ sauce, pepper jack cheese and crispy fried onions

• Pulled Pork Flight: One slider topped with coleslaw, one with pickles and onions, and one with crispy fried onions

At The Hangar, located on the northeast corner of Murphy Ave. & Underwood St.

Smoked Soft Serve Ice Cream: Cold-smoked cream available in two flavors, all made on-site:

• Cold Brew Coffee infused with cold-smoked Arabica beans and topped with chocolate espresso dust, a toasted

marshmallow and a chocolate cookie on the side

• Muscovado Sugar Vanilla combines vanilla bean and cold-smoked molasses-rich cane sugar served with a toasted marshmallow and bacon candy round on the side

Optional sauces available: bourbon-soaked cherries or hot chocolate

At Blue Moon Dine-In Theater, located on the northeast corner of Carnes Ave. & Chambers St.

Swedish Meatball Smörgås: Meatball sandwich with three traditional Swedish pork and beef meatballs topped with white gravy, lingonberry sauce and dill pickles.

At The Blue Barn, located at West End Market, south of the History & Heritage Center

Sweet Greek Cheese Puffs: Flaky phyllo dough filled with feta and ricotta cheese, deep-fried, drizzled with honey and topped with powdered sugar.

At Dino’s Gyros, located on the north side of Carnes Ave. between Nelson & Underwood streets

Sweetie Cakes: Choice of black forest cake, birthday cake or chocolate peanut butter cake, baked in a cup packed with Sassy Pecan toffee bits and served warm, topped with real whipping cream and more toffee bits.

At Sweetie Cakes, located in the Food Building, south wall

Triple Chocolate Strawberry Shortcake: Dense chocolate cake with chocolate chips and fudge icing smothered with strawberries and whipped cream.

At The Strawberry Patch, located on the west side of Liggett St. between Carnes & Judson avenues

Turducken Sausage Sandwich: A blend of turkey, duck and chicken served on a fennel bun and accompanied by a side of Giggles’ sweet and saucy relish. Gluten-free; no nitrates added.

At Giggles’ Campfire Grill, located on the southeast corner of Lee Ave. & Cooper St. at The North Woods

UpNorth Puff Pasty: Porketta sausage, cheese curds, coarse grain mustard and chopped dill pickle baked in a puffy crust sprinkled with pepper and sea salt.

At Sausage Sister & Me, located in the Food Building, east wall

Wood-Grilled Elote: Corn on-the-cob grilled over an oak wood fire, brushed with chile-spiced mayo and sprinkled with queso Cotija & fresh lime juice.

At Tejas Express, located in The Garden, north wall

Za-Waffle Sticks: Waffles blended with pepperoni and mozzarella, topped with a parmesan herb blend and served with pepperoni-infused maple syrup or marinara sauce.

At Green Mill, located on the east side of Cooper St. between Randall & Wright avenues, at Family Fair at Baldwin Park

Zesty PB&J Sausage: Peanut butter, cherry jelly and a hint of cayenne pepper and cilantro blended into a quarter-pound sausage.

At Gass Station Grill, located on the west side of Cooper St. between Dan Patch & Judson avenues, outside southeast corner of the Food Building

NEW VENDORS

In addition to new foods from the places you already know and love, there are five new food vendors this year. 

The Anchor Coffee House: Serving cold brew coffees (including nitro cold brew, vanilla cream, caramel cream and chocolate cream), lattes, fresh-brewed drip coffee and banana chocolate chip gluten-free muffins. 

Located on the west side of Underwood Street, between Carnes & Judson avenues Ramberg Music Cafe. 

The Hangar: Serving breakfast items, Slider Flights (brisket, burger and pulled pork), smoked turkey legs, smoked brisket sandwiches, jumbo burgers, bacon-wrapped pork belly, kids meals and chicken-and-waffle ice cream split topped with candied bacon. Also serving fresh-squeezed lemonade, soda and craft beer. 

Located on the northeast corner of Murphy Avenue and Underwood Street. 

Midtown Global Market's Mama D's: Serving mac & cheese, gluten-free mac & cheese, pulled pork sandwiches, the BBQ Split (scoops of BBQ pulled pork, mac & cheese and coleslaw served side-by-side with a pickle spear) and sweet tea. 

Located in the Taste of the Midtown Global Market booth at the International Bazaar, east wall (Aug. 29-Sept. 3 only)

Midtown Global Market's Taco Cat: Serving Smokey Black Bean Tacos, Nacho Fries, General Tso Chicken Tacos, and a cold press coffee and horchata. 

Located in the Taste of the Midtown Global Market booth at the International Bazaar, east wall (Aug. 23-28 only)

Nordic Waffles: Serving fresh-made waffle wraps in seven varieties, as well as lemonade with blueberry or lingonberry salt. 

Located at West End Market, southwest section 

All of this is of course on top of the Pronto Pups, cheese curds, roasted corn, mini-donuts, cookies, milk, hot dogs, and everything else the Great Minnesota Get-Together has to offer. 

Enjoy, Minnesota!