State fair cuisine constantly defies expectations. If you’ve ever attended a fair, you’re likely no stranger to the array of outrageous and often deep-fried concoctions on display. However, have you laid eyes on these truly weird dishes?
Below is our list of the top 10 weirdest fair foods:
1. Fruity Pebble Shrimp on a Stick at Alameda County Fair
Fruity Pebbles and shrimp might appear as an unusual pairing, but these treats hold a special place in the hearts of many in Alameda. Delicately fried in a batter made from Fruity Pebbles, the shrimps offer a delightful blend of savory and sweet flavors that have earned them a beloved status.
2. Pickle Lemonade at Florida State Fair
@kaymarie023 Foods/Drinks we tried at the Florida State Fair 🎡🍕. Stay tuned for Pt. 2 ☺️ #floridastatefair #fairfood #tampafl #tampafood #fypシ #foodtiktok ♬ What U Want – MONCLERMALC
Picture this: a mixture that’s as straightforward as it sounds – a blend of sweet and sour lemonade intertwined with dill pickle juice, complete with slices of pickles leisurely floating alongside the ice cubes.
3. Scorpion Pizza at the Indy State Fair
@indystatefair Scorpion pizza?!? Let's EAT with Indiana State Fair Queen Claudia Duncan! #indystatefair #fyp ♬ Fancy Like – Walker Hayes
This fair food isn’t for the light hearted. The Scorpion pizza at the Indy State Fair seems to be a blend of bugs with pizza sauce and melted cheese— something that I’m sure you can’t find anywhere else.
4. Deep-Fried Chicken Noodle Soup at State Fair of Texas
The masterminds behind the State Fair of Texas have unveiled an interesting creation— deep-fried chicken noodle soup on a stick. These crispy balls of soup are accompanied by a portion of broth for buyer to dip for an extra pack of flavor.
5. Ketchup-Flavored Soft Serve at Canadian National Exhibition
@nhi_v0 WOULD YOU TRY THIS?! KETCHUP ICE CREAM 🍦 #ketchupicecream #mustardicecream #cne #toronto #fyp #ketchup #softserve #carnivalfood ♬ Monkeys Spinning Monkeys – Kevin MacLeod & Kevin The Monkey
The Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto is pushing the boundaries by introducing a dedicated booth featuring ketchup- and mustard-flavored soft-serve ice cream. This unique soft-serve flavor combination raises questions about whether it would deliver a taste that’s sweet, tangy, and most importantly, delicious.
6. Hot Cheeto-Covered Corn at California State Fair
Cheetos are a beloved snack for many people, and the California State Fair elevates the experience further. A corn on the cobb coated in Flamin’ Hot Cheetos is both spicy and tangy, delivering just the right level of crunch to make you never forget about this odd food.
7. Deep-Fried Bubble Gum at New Jersey State Fair
At the state fair of New Jersey, an intriguing offering awaits: deep-fried bubble gum. The question arises – should you chew it or simply swallow? This invention is stuffed with marshmallow and encased in a pink batter before being fried.
8. Kool-Aid Chicken Sandwich at Orange County and San Diego State Fairs
@brittneyau that kool-aid chicken sandwich was interesting to say the least 😅 @oc_fair @travelcostamesa #ocfair #ocfair2022 #fairfood #foodie #foodtiktok #foodtok #foodreview #costamesa #summer #summervibes #summerfun #fypシ #fypage #foryou ♬ Blue Blood – Heinz Kiessling
The unique offering at the Chicken Charlie stand presents a fried chicken sandwich that has been generously coated with a Kool-Aid glaze and crowned with a sizable whole dill pickle. This dish definitely takes the savory and sweet combination to a whole new level.
9. Deep Fried Green Jell-O at Utah State Fair
The people of Utah have a profound affection for Jell-O. They not only consume more Jell-O per person than any other state in the nation but also observe a statewide Jell-O Week celebration. Given this, it’s only natural that the Utah State Fair would pay tribute to this cherished delicacy. And so, Deep Fried Guy makes his entrance.
10. Deep Fried Watermelon at Arizona State Fair
Tony Cardinali, the mastermind behind the beloved deep-fried creation at Cardinali Family Concessions, went through numerous attempts and witnessed several oil-watermelon mishaps before achieving the perfect batter consistency. After experimenting with various ingredients, they eventually attained a delightful balance: chilled, crisp watermelon within a “cookie shell” exterior. This culinary marvel, known as deep-fried watermelon on a stick, garnished with strawberry syrup and powdered sugar, earned the title of the “showstopper” at the Arizona State Fair according to a KTAR News correspondent.
