I visited the Minnesota State Fair. Here’s my take on the food

The Minnesota State Fair was certainly a sight to behold.

I visited on Sept. 5 for its grand finale weekend. The fair, one of the largest in the United States, kicked off its 162nd edition on Aug. 27 and concluded on Sept. 7. This year, the fair had close to 2 million visitors, according to attendance data on the Minnesota State Fair website.

The fair, also known as the Great Minnesota Get-Together, has many bells and whistles such as exhibits, competitions, concerts, rides, and more. But the fair food is easily one of its biggest attractions.

Each year vendors introduce new (and often weird) menu items that sometimes pop up at other state fairs across the country.

Here's a recap of my experience as I taste-tested three of the fair's new food items for 2026 and tried a popular staple.

Description on the Minnesota State Fair website: "Corn cob quarters dipped in tempura batter, then fried. Brushed with seasoned butter and topped with bacon ranch, green onion, and candied jalapeños. Served on a bed of pork rinds."

The Cracklin' Corn Ribs, of course, featured corn cut to mimic the size and shape of meat ribs. But the star of the…

Original source: https://www.usatoday.com/money/