October in North Carolina means the temperatures are finally starting to drop, the leaves are thinking about changing colors, and the smell of hot deep fryers is is in the air within a mile radius of the State Fairgrounds.
This year’s fair opens October 15 and runs through the 25, giving you lots of time to admire quilts, marvel at giant vegetables, take a gander at assorted livestock, and of course eat an uncomfortable amount of over-the-top once-a-year treats.
We sent Social Media Coordinator Arlem Mora to the Media Day preview to try all the delectable goodies on the menu this year (she has a rough job!) so you can plan your menu before you enter the gates.
“I really enjoyed getting together with everyone and seeing how much effort the organizers and food vendors put into Media Day. It was clear they’d worked hard to bring everything together,” Arlem says. “I was also surprised by the variety of food. You expect plenty of fried food at the State Fair, but a Dubai Burger? I definitely didn’t see that coming. Trying so many of the 80-plus new items at this year’s fair was a lot to take in, but it was so much fun.”
Read on for her ratings …
Dirty Monkey Slush by Moose Juice Slush
If you like banana candy, these are for you! 7/10
B-Day Cake Flavored Iced Tea by Tiki Tea
The tea itself tasted like a pretty regular brew to me, but the props were awesome and made it fun. Available in a cake-shaped cup or a jar. 6.5/10
Brandy Old Fashioned Cookie Dough by Kora & Mila’s Cookie Dough
This super sweet cookie dough has bits of dried fruit, and it’s served with chocolate sauce for dipping. Also the owners are super welcoming. Lovely family. 8.5/10
Deep Fried Hawaiian Bacon S’mores Bites by Chef D’Lite
A quintessential fair-style treat. Gooey chocolate spills out as you bite into it. 8.5/10
Deep Fried Hawaiian Sweet Rolls by D&J Concessions
These taste like cinnamon sugar doughnuts made with Hawaiian rolls. The owner says deep-frying is the secret. They’re topped with cream cheese icing and a generous amount of cinnamon sugar. 7/10
Dill Devil — Pickle Bun
A pickle filled with creamy deviled egg-style filling and dill, with a cool, savory finish. I think this is genius, perfect for summer parties, but I would love to eat these all year long. I’ll totally make these at home. 8.5/10
Strawberry Cheesecake Churro Nachos by Mike Nice Empanadas
O-M-G, these are so yummy! Cinnamon-sugar tortilla chips served with strawberry cheesecake dip. The dip has a frosting-like taste and adds another layer of sweetness to the churro-style nachos. It will sure raise people’s cholesterol, but it’s worth it. 9/10
Biscoff ’Nana Puddin’ by Tropical Delights
Lactose-free banana pudding soft serve is layered with Biscoff flavor. The spice gives it a fun twist, and at the fair people can get it topped with a slice of cheesecake. They won for a reason. 9.5/10
Pork Belly Burnt Ends by Fat Boys BBQ
This dish was the talk of the town (er, arena) since the very beginning. Double-smoked pork belly is deep-fried and finished with a sweet-tangy sauce and the family’s signature hot sauce. The result is tender, smoky burnt ends with a bacon-like bite and a fair-style twist. 9.5/10
Hot Honey and Pimento Cheese Fried Pickle Chips by Chester’s Gators and Taters
Very tasty! For those leery of heat, don’t be scared. They aren’t that spicy, and it’s safe to say that is people won’t need to drink milk afterwards to calm the heat. 9.5/10
Korean Fried Chicken Sandwich by Bulkogi
A fried chicken sandwich coated in sweet Korean sauce. I feel like it’s a good Southern-style fair food with international flavor. 6.5/10
Dubai Burger by Urban Olive Mediterranean
A savory take on the viral Dubai chocolate trend, reimagined as a fair food. Lamb shawarma, kataifi, and battered onion ring are among the ingredients. As a Mediterranean food lover, I really enjoyed this one. The pistachio worked beautifully with the savory flavors. 9/10
Scotch Egg by Pioneer Wagon
Made with North Carolina pork and eggs, these are filling enough to be called a protein bomb. The sausage has a crisp bite; I’d just like a little more kick from the horseradish sauce, but that’s me. 9/10
Kreyol Oxtail Empanada by Kreyol Flavors
A crisp, blistered empanada filled with tender braised oxtail. 8.5/10
NC Poke Bowl by Waypoint Oyster Bar
Probably the healthiest option on the grounds! Featuring fresh and local seafood, it’s full of flavor. 7.5/10
Caramel Biscoff Mozzarella Kdog by GoldenKDog
A crispy good size mozzarella kdog topped with caramel drizzle and a Biscoff dusting for a sweet spin on a cheese stick. 8/10
Arlem’s final verdict: “It’s hard to pick an absolute favorite, but I’ll definitely come back for the Strawberry Cheesecake Churro Nachos from Mike Nice Empanadas.”
