There is so much to love about the Indiana State Fair. Maybe you head to the fairgrounds for the Midway Rides or to catch a free concert. Perhaps your kids can’t wait to meet all the adorable animals or play farmer-for-a-day at Little Hands on the Farm. You might even check out all the fascinating agricultural exhibits with your children as a homeschool or personal field trip.
Whatever your reasons for visiting, can we all agree that the FOOD is one of the best parts of the fair?
Taste of the Fair Official Indiana State Fair Food Contest
Now that we’ve united around this common love of eating delicious things, it’s time to pick sides. Taste of the Fair is the official Indiana State Fair food contest and you and your family are invited to cast your vote! Download a map from the State Fair website as your guide to all the food stands selling this year’s entries for the 2024 Taste of the Fair People’s Choice Award. Eat your way around the fairgrounds and then vote online for the cuisine you deem most worthy of State Fair stardom.
Making your choice may be difficult. The concessionaires have put up some amazing NEW Indiana State Fair food items this year. Whether you’re looking for sweet, savory, or even a little shocking, the Indiana State Fair has you covered!
The 2024 Indiana State Fair is open August 2-18 (closed Mondays).
2024 Taste of the Fair Entries
All-American Mary
Urick Concessions
Remember 2022’s State Fair Mary? Urick Concessions puts a new spin on this major hit with the All-American Mary. A classic Bloody Mary is topped with miniature foods inspired by the backyard cookout, including a cheeseburger slider, fried mac-n-cheese, corn on the cob, waffle fries, a mini hot dog, and a mini apple pie.
Spicy Pickle Pizza
Swain’s Concessions
It definitely has shock value. But we’re confident the winners of the last two years’ Taste of the Fair can serve up an equally amazing pizza this year. Grab a slice with a jalapeno ranch sauce, mozzarella, pickle chips, cajun dust, and a spicy ranch drizzle.
Dill Pickle Dr. Pepper
R&W Concessions
Even in the grocery aisles, inventive soda flavors have been all the rage lately. R&W Concessions offers up a combo you likely won’t find at the supermarket: Dill Pickle Dr. Pepper. Your soda comes with a pickle spear and a splash of pickle juice.
Dill Pickle Lemon Shake-Up
R&W Concessions
In a similar vein as the Dill Pickle Dr. Pepper, you can order a classic lemon shake-up with a pickle-flavored twist. Made with all fresh ingredients, your beverage comes with a pickle spear and a splash of pickle juice.
Cinnamon Toast Crunch Funnel Cake
R&W Concessions
Did you even go to the State Fair if you don’t eat something deep-fried? Funnel cakes are fabulous on their own, but surely if this Indiana State Fair food can be made better, it’s by topping them with delicious cinnamon cereal. The treat is completed with a vanilla icing drizzle.
Hot Honey Pepperoni Pull Grilled Cheese
American Dairy Association Indiana, Inc.
The grilled cheese of the year at the Dairy Bar is sweet, spicy, and of course, cheesy. Served on Hawaiian bread, the sandwich is stuffed with mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, and hot honey then topped with a sprinkle of Italian seasoning.
Melty Mess Grilled Cheese
American Dairy Association Indiana, Inc.
The American Dairy Association brings you not one, but TWO signature grilled cheese sandwiches in the Indiana State Fair food contest this year! The Melty Mess comes with Havarti, Cheddar, and Muenster cheeses on sourdough bread.
Blue Ribbon Blueberry Milkshake
American Dairy Association Indiana, Inc.
Wash down that grilled cheese sandwich with a refreshing milkshake. This year’s annual shake at the Dairy Bar is blueberry-flavored. You’ll have to try it for yourself to decide if it deserves the blue ribbon!
Chili Cheese Frito Corn in a Cup
Wilson Concessions
Fresh corn arrives at the fairgrounds from Hamilton County each morning. This unique take on the classic “walking taco” contains corn, nacho cheese, chili, and chili cheese Fritos.
Fried Ice Cream Cone
Freund Family Foods
If you love fried ice cream, you’ll love this version served in a homemade waffle cone! The vanilla ice cream, fried with a coating of corn flakes, is topped with honey, chocolate, and whipped cream.
Gravy and Taters
Colp’s Concessions
Golden, crispy, spiral-cut potatoes and deep-fried and topped with savory sausage gravy and bacon. Don’t miss this Indiana State Fair food.
Grilled Cheese Slammer
Freund Family Foods
If you think of grilled cheese as a simple comfort food, the meal you make when you don’t have the time, energy, or ingredients for something more gourmet, prepare for a surprise. The Grilled Cheese Slammer comes on Texas toast, filled with BBQ pork, mac ‘n’ cheese, and fried pickles. You’ll also receive a side of tater tots.
Cotton Candy Margarita
Urick Concessions
This one’s for the grown-ups! This pink drink adds a touch of whimsy to the classic margarita. Your cup is served rimmed with pink sugar crystals and topped with a cloud of cotton candy.
Boba Lemonade Shake-Up
Indiana Ribeye
Bubble tea fans can get their Boba fix with this refreshing take on one of the most ubiquitous Indiana State Fair foods. Choose your favorite flavors of Boba to add to a fresh lemonade shake-up.
Hoosier Cowboy Sandwich
Indiana Beef Cattle Association
Pepper jack cheese from the American Dairy Association Indiana, ribeye steak from the Indiana Beef Cattle Association’s Cattlemen’s Club, and sourdough combine to make one fantastic sandwich you won’t want to miss!
Jerk Chicken Nachos
Jamaican Breeze Sports Bar and Grill
Journey to the Caribbean with the flavors from these delicious nachos! In this Indiana State Fair food, tortilla chips are topped with Jamaican Jerk chicken, jerk sauce, sweet peppers, and melted cheese.
Sweet and Spicy Swine
Ginocchios Pizza
There have been some stand-out pizzas at the fair over the past couple of years, and this pie from Ginocchios Pizza promises to make a name for itself. With a handmade crust, the pizza features mozzarella cheese, pulled pork, jalapenos, BBQ chips, and a drizzle of BBQ sauce.
Happy Jack Sandwich
Black Leaf Vegan
Believe it or not, there are vegan options at the State Fair! This all-new offering is filled with shredded jackfruit blended with bourbon maple sauce and southern black leaf spices, all served on a pretzel bun with coleslaw.
Peach Shake Up Canned Cocktail
Hi and Mighty
Another adults-only option! This peach cocktail in a can is produced by a local family-owned distillery and promises a bright, juicy flavor from the delicious summer fruit.
Chocolate Caramel Coffee Float: The Triple C Float
Hook’s Drug Store Museum
Two things that easily improve a hot day at the fair with kids? Caffeine and ice cream! Satisfy both these cravings with a “Triple C Float”. Head to the Soda Fountain at Hook’s Drug Store Museum on State Fair Boulevard.
State Fair Pickle Beer
Sun King Brewery
Sun King’s signature Indiana State Fair food offering for 2024 is flavored with a surprising ingredient: dill pickles! This tangy beer combines “brine and brew” and will be available at various Sun King locations in addition to the fairgrounds.
Bison Smashburger Taco
Red Frazier Bison
If you love a bison burger, you’ll want to try one in taco form. The Taste of the Fair entry from Red Frazier Bison is served on a large flour tortilla with classic toppings, with a side of Smash Burger Sauce to drizzle on yourself.
Indiana Pork Riblets
Indiana Pork Producers Association
These bite-sized portions are perfectly seasoned and served alongside three different sauces: Hot Honey, Nelson’s Red Sauce, and Citrus Explosion. Meat lovers will want to seek this one out.
Sweet Chili Suga Daddy Sub
Gobble Gobble Food Truck
If a meatball sub sounds like a pretty tame entry to you, remember — this is the State Fair. Gobble Gobble Food Truck’s sweet chili meatball sub is served on a donut bun. You know you want to try this Indiana State Fair food!
Fried Sugar Biscuit ‘n’ BBQ with Apple Butter Sauce
Nitro Hog BBQ
This Taste of the Fair food evokes all the flavors of a fall day at the apple orchard! Your pulled pork sandwich is served on a deep-fried sugar biscuit and doused in apple butter BBQ sauce.
Cookie Butter Elephant Ear
Urick Concessions
This indulgent Indiana State Fair food is an oversized elephant ear, fried to golden perfection, and topped with cinnamon sugar, cookie butter, and crushed Biscoff cookies.
Deep Fried Golden Oreos
Orme Deep Fried Treats
The deep-fried Oreo has been shocking fairgoers for years and gets an upgrade from Orme Deep Fried Treats. Vanilla-flavored Golden Oreos are coated in funnel cake batter, deep fried, and served warm with a sprinkle of powdered sugar.
Shark Attack
Twisted Drinks and Food
This summery sip is sure to be a hit with the kids! A fresh fruit punch lemon twister comes with a helping of Albanese gummy sharks.
The Korean Corn Dog
Meatball Factory
Forget what you know about corn dogs. Inspired by the popular Korean versions of this State Fair staple, Meatball Factory’s Taste of the Fair take comes with hot dog and mozzarella cheese on a stick, dipped in donut batter, rolled in panko and chopped french fries, and fried. This creation is then drizzled with ketchup, mustard, sweet chili Thai sauce, and Sriracha.
Strawberry Cheesecake Funnel Cake
LT Concessions
Whether you prefer elephant ears or funnel cakes, it’s hard to resist the allure of a fried treat topped with all the fixings of a classic strawberry shortcake. Your funnel cake comes with powdered sugar, cream cheese icing, strawberries, graham cracker crumble, and whipped cream.
Strawberry Shortcake
Twisted Drinks and Food
Looking for a more traditional take on the strawberry shortcake, with a whimsical twist? This version is served on a bundt cake with strawberries, whipped cream, and gummy butterflies.
Peanut Butter and Jelly Chicken Wings
Urick Concessions
Two American favorites come together for an unexpected mash-up of flavors! Chicken wings are served crispy, with a peanut butter sauce and a jelly drizzle.
Amish Peanut Butter Pretzel Bites
Wilson Concessions
Amish peanut butter is sweeter than your typical jar from the grocery store and promises to be a dreamy topping for soft pretzel bites. Your Taste of the Fair order comes with a sprinkling of mini marshmallows to complete the treat.
Chili Cheese Empanada
Newfields
The culinary team from this year’s fair sponsor brings you a can’t-miss creation: The Chili Cheese Empanada. Each empanada is filled with cheddar cheese and house-made chili, topped with pickled red onions, scallions, and corn chips, and served with sides of cheddar cheese sauce and sour cream.
The Everything Fry
SW Concessions
If you love curly fries, you’ll want to hunt down a serving of this Indiana State Fair food! The fries are loaded with cheese, bacon bits, ranch, pulled pork and BBQ sauce.
Ultimate Steak Nachos
Georgia’s Kitchen
This entry takes your standard tray of nachos up a notch – or a few. Tortilla chips come topped with Monterey cheese, steak, onions, peppers, honey BBQ sauce, sour cream, and jalapenos.
Blueberry Cheesecake Stuffed Elephant Ear
The Bakerman
Stuffed elephant ears were first introduced as an Indiana State Fair food ten years ago, when The Bakerman first began offering apple, cherry, and peach-stuffed fried treats. This year’s Taste of the Fair entry is stuffed with a blueberry cheesecake filling!
BBQ Totchos
Wagner Food Services
Imagine a plate of nachos, but instead of tortilla chips, your toppings come on warm, crispy tater tots! This Taste of the Fair entry is served with pulled pork, cheese sauce, jalapenos, sour cream, and BBQ sauce.
Bratzilla
Urick Concessions
Sweet and spicy come together in the huge Bratzilla sandwich. A 1/3 lb bratwurst, BBQ pulled pork, crispy onions, hatch queso, and jalapenos are all served on a pretzel bun.
Sweet Tea Slushy
Colp’s Concessions
Hot days at the fair call for cold, refreshing drinks! Cool off with this unique sweet tea-flavored slushy from Colp’s Concessions.
Tang-A-Rang Smoked Chicken Wings with Kool-Aid Infused Pickles
Smokehouse Saloon
Remember Orange Tang? Enjoy this retro flavor when you order chicken wings marinated in Tang and topped with Tang BBQ sauce. You’ll also get a side of pickles infused with a variety of Kool-Aid flavors.
The Godfather Egg Roll
J & J A Taste of Home Catering and Food Truck
This egg roll comes with an Italian twist! More traditional fillings are replaced with homemade spaghetti, meat sauce, and mozzarella cheese. The 6″ eggroll is then fried and brushed with parmesan garlic butter.
Tropical Daze Float
McGrotha Foods
Imagine you’re at the beach when you take a bite or sip of this Indiana State Fair food. Creamy pineapple whip is served in a cup of orange soda.
Still dreaming of last year’s Taste of the Fair winner? Word is the famous and shockingly delicious Street Corn Pizza will be back at Swains Pizza on a Stick this year. Don’t forget to grab a slice — if you haven’t filled up on all the new 2023 Indiana State Fair food options!
Sample your way around the fairgrounds on your Indiana State Fair date night!
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