We normally go to the Minnesota State Fair with at least a couple other people, but we decided to take a day off and go on the first Friday this year, which meant we were solo for the majority of our time minus a friend meet with some beverages. Being there over lunch and dinner did help us pace and we still fit in as many foods as our stomachs could handle!

My 2025 Stats: 5 Hours. 7 Foods. 5 Beverages. 11,500 Steps.

Get the breakdown below and let me know what foods you tried and/or plan to try this year!

Minnesota State Fair Food Review:

We debated only sticking to new foods this year so we could try more, but it’s just not the Minnesota State Fair without adding in some of the classics, so I’m sprinkling those in below, too, not only because they’re clearly some of the best foods at the fair, but because there are so many foods, that if you haven’t tried them, it’s a definite must.

Pot of Gold Dumplings:

O’Gara’s Walking Pot of Gold Dumplings: Cheesy garlic mashed potatoes folded into flaky dumplings, by Twin Cities-based Saturday Dumpling Co., and deep fried. Served with a side of Top the Tater^® “The Original” Chive Onion dip.

These were a top 3 for both of us. Thanksgiving in August.

Cheese-On-A-Stick:

Cheese-On-A-Stick: Battered and deep fried swiss cheese on a stick.

The Cheese On A Stick – Fresh Lemonade stand is my go-to stand for my favorite fair food. I usually also go to their pop-up in the spring at the Roseville VFW to satisfy my craving two times a year, but this year I couldn’t swing it so I truly had to stop myself from ordering a second one later in the day hahaha.

Somali Street Fries:

Midtown Global Market’s Somali Street Fries: A blend of Somali Beef Suqaar – spiced beef, vegetables, cheese and herbs – piled atop a bed of french fries. Topped with white garlic sauce and green jalapeño hot sauce

These are only available until the 26th so if you’re there in time, you definitely need to prioritize these. We jokingly referred to these as Somali poutine. Very good.

Pimento Cheese Puffs:

Shanghai Henri’s Pimento Cheese Puffs: Pimento cheese – a blend of cheddar cheese, mayo and pimento peppers – wrapped in puff pastry and deep fried. Served with a side of pepper jelly. 

The pimento cheese puffs were sort of like grilled cheese and sort of salty. I really enjoyed them on their own without the jelly.

Caprese Cheese Curds:

LuLu’s Public House Caprese Curds: Mozzarella cheese curds breaded with Italian seasoning and deep fried. Served over a bruschetta-flavored blend of tomatoes and basil, and drizzled with balsamic glaze. Served with a side of crostini for scooping

Soooo since I’m being honest, I’d say these are a pass. It’s basically just a cheese curd on a bed of diced tomatoes with bruschetta on the side.

Deep-Fried Ranch Dressing:

LuLu’s Public House Deep-Fried Ranch Dressing: Ranch dressing filling made with ranch seasoning, buttermilk and cream cheese in a panko shell, deep-fried and dusted with ranch powder. Served with a side of hot honey sauce crafted with Cry Baby Craig’s hot sauce.

Last year, I didn’t like the deep fried ranch, but I wanted to give it another try. Especially since the line was only a third of its usual size and I figured their staff may not be going as fast. Last year when we got these there was nothing inside them. It was like the ranch had completely melted and absorbed into the breading. This year, we actually had ranch chunks inside and I feel like I got a true taste. I still wouldn’t put them as one of my favorites, but they’re definitely a very Minnesotan experience.

Pronto Pup

In the corn dog vs. pronto pup debate I am usually pro corn dog, but this debate is just very coke people vs. pepsi people where for me, I will drink either. So yes, every now and then when I’m at the fair, a sort of sweet pronto pup just enhances the experience.

Basically – I’m pro dog 😉

Minnesota State Fair Drink Review:

This year I was the designated driver so I kept my consumption to 1 drink an hour which means I didn’t want to drink super heavy beers and I avoided a lot of my usual faves. If you go down to the bonus section you’ll see some of my usual Minnesota State Fair favorites!

*not pictured, we did also stop at the Hanger to find a table and grab a drink. I just got a Blue Moon though so it didn’t feel photo worthy haha

Frozen Espresso Martini Selzter

Frozen Espresso Martini Hard Seltzer: A frozen brewed twist inspired by a classic cocktail. Rich, smooth and topped with a chocolate-covered coffee bean – because why not be a little extra? 5% ABV. Brewed in Stillwater, Minn., by Lift Bridge Brewing Company

This year at Cafe Caribe they had the Lift Bridge Frozen Espresso Martini Seltzer. Pros: I love an espresso martini to kick start a day drinking day and it was hot out so a frozen beverage that wasn’t super fruity or sour was exactly what I wanted. Cons: There is a bit of an aftertaste I couldn’t put my finger on that I didn’t love. A friend of mine summed this up best “didn’t hate it, didn’t love it.”

Grain Belt Blu

Schell’s Grain Belt Blu with a Frozen Topper

This year they rebranded and changed up the Schell’s stand to “West End Brews,” which was heavily Pryes Brewing marketed. Luckily they still had the Grain Belt Blu with the Frozen Topper available, because it is one of my fair musts, especially while waiting in that LuLu’s line!

This is also where you get the beer ice cream from LuLu’s which a lot of reviewers have been raving about. We generally stick away from sweets at the fair, because there is so much savory to try and husband was very against beer ice cream haha.

Strawberry Blaze:

Millstream Brewing Co. Strawberry Blaze: Strawberry blonde ale is packed full of bright flavors and finished with a jalapeño kick. Garnished with a Tajín-dusted lime

We originally went to Giggle’s Campfire so I could get my Dill Pickle Kölsch, S’mores beer orrrr both 😬 but then I saw the Strawberry Blaze and thought it was worth a try…I did not like it, but it was 100% my fault. I didn’t read it to the end in the chaos of ordering so I didn’t see it had jalapenos and Tajín and I am a spice baby so it burned my tongue. If you like spicy beers, this is for you.

The Hideaway Speakeasy

In all the years we’ve been to the Minnesota State Fair we didn’t know that the Hideaway existed…probably because it’s (dad joke incoming) hidden away in the Grandstand, a place we usually avoid like the plague because that building gets so incredibly hot and stuffy.

However, this year we were told about the bubbling drinks and we decided to go check it out. While I only got a Michgolden (again, DD), It was cool to see the drinks come out!

BONUS: Favorites We Didn’t Get To

Cajun Cheese Curds:

True love is husband purposely not getting his favorite food at the fair – these cheesecurds – because he knew we were going to be trying the caprese ones and we had to save our stomachs for as many new foods as possible. This is a sacrifice I will not take lightly.

Rueben Fritters:

O’Gara’s Rueben Fritters: Bite sized ruebens with thousand Island dressing.

These were one of our favorites from last year.

Qui Viet Eggroll-On-A-Stick:

This is my absolute favorite eggroll in the Twin Cities so while it is always on my state fair food list, it is usually one of the first we cut if we’re too full just simply because they’re equally as good at the restaurants. However, if you’re not a local definitely prioritize this one!

Tirokroketes

These were a new item at Dino’s Gyros few years ago and now they have so many different types available (spicy feta, cream cheese, mozzarella, Dino’s Greek seasoning, gluten-free panko, lemon juice, Parmesan cheese, gluten-free, vegetarian).

Pickle Kölsch

Giggle’s Campfire Grill Pickle Kölsch

Because I decided to try the new Strawberry Blaze I didn’t get the Blacklist Dill Pickle Kölsch this year, but this is one of my big regrets of this year.

Mini Donut Beer:

Lift Bridge Mini Donut Beer w/ Sugar Rim

Available at the Ball Park Cafe, the Mini Donut beer is one of my yearly musts, however I was the driver home this year so I unfortunately had to miss out. Fingers crossed the Lift Bridge will do a post fair event again so I can stock up 🤞.

And that’s a wrap!

Let me know what foods you tried or think I missed out on!

Minnesota State Fair
Open through Labor Day