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 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 2023 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 2023 Indiana State Fair is open July 28-August 20 (closed Mondays and Tuesdays).
2023 Taste of the Fair Entries
Bratchos
Urick Concessions
Combining two fan-favorite cuisines, your bowl of Bratchos contains tortilla chips topped with bratwurst, queso, jalapenos, salsa, and sour cream.
Street Corn Pizza
Swain’s Concessions
It definitely has shock value. But we’re confident last year’s Taste of the Fair winners can serve up an equally amazing pizza this year. Grab a slice with homemade white sauce, two cheeses, fire-roasted corn, chili-lime seasoning, and cilantro.
The Dirty Dog
R&W Concessions
Deep fried and delicious! This option takes the corn dog concept up a notch. A smoked burnt-end brisket sausage is deep-fried in cornmeal batter and drizzled with BBQ sauce.
Lemon Drop Drizzle
R&W Concessions
Did you even go to the State Fair if you don’t eat something deep-fried? Order this daintier take on all the deep-friend deliciousness and receive five mini sponge cakes with lemon icing, fried in funnel cake batter, and served with powdered sugar and vanilla icing.
Italian Melt
American Dairy Association Indiana, Inc.
The grilled cheese of the year at the Dairy Bar takes your taste buds on a journey to Italy. Melty provolone cheese is paired with basil pesto on sourdough and served with a cup of marinara for dipping.
Flaming Hot Cheeto Corn in a Cup
Wilson Concessions
Fresh corn arrives at the fairgrounds from Hamilton County each morning. Enjoy a cup full of sweet kernels topped with nacho cheese, Flaming Hot Cheetos, and tajin.
Gimme S’more Bourbon Shake
Urick Concessions
This one’s for the grown-ups! This huge boozy milkshake uses Hotel Tango’s Shmallow Toasted Marshmallow Bourbon as a base. Blended together with vanilla ice cream and milk and topped with marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers, you won’t want to miss this impressive dessert.
The Walking Burger
Indiana Ribeye
Ever had a walking taco? Indiana Ribeye puts a new spin on a classic with their Walking Burger. Choose from regular or BBQ potato chips. The bag is then stuffed with hamburger bits and cowboy beans and served with a fork so you can eat as you stroll.
Hoosier Burger Mango
Black Leaf Vegan
Believe it or not, there are vegan options at the State Fair! This all-new offering is a plant-based burger covered in teriyaki BBQ, fresh mango salsa, and vegan cheddar served on a brioche bun.
Cherry Shake Up Canned Cocktail
Hi and Mighty
Another adults-only option! This cherry cocktail in a can is produced by a local family-owned distillery. The “Chirp Chirp Cherry” flavor is inspired by Ball State University’s cherry-red cardinal mascot.
Vanilla Dream Coffee Ice Cream Soda
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 Vanilla Dream Coffee Ice Cream Soda. Head to the Soda Fountain at Hook’s Drug Store Museum on State Fair Boulevard.
Deep Fried Sandwich Cookie Ale
Sun King Brewery
Sun King’s signature Indiana State Fair ale offering for 2023 is flavored with everyone’s favorite chocolate-and-cream cookie snack! The Oatmeal Milk Porter is made with oats, lactose, chocolate malt, and of course, chocolate sandwich cookies.
Smoked Bologna Burnt Ends
Red Frazier Bison
The bologna sandwiches of your childhood get an upgrade at Red Frazier Bison. Your dish of burnt ends is served with pickles and mustard.
BBQ Pig Wings
Indiana Pork Producers Association
The bone in the “pig wings” makes a perfect stick to hold for fork-free munching. The cut of tender, dark meat comes from the bottom of the ham. Meat lovers will want to seek this one out.
Mac Daddy Empanada
Gobble Gobble Food Truck
Delicious dough pockets stuffed with Gobble Gobble’s popular mac-n-cheese and pulled turkey combo. This multi-cultural mash-up sounds like a perfect State Fair treat.
Buffalo Pork-n-Mac
Nitro Hog BBQ
Kids love mac-n-cheese — and so do their grown-ups! Grab an order of an Indiana State Fair food the whole family can enjoy. Homemade mac-n-cheese is topped with pulled pork, buffalo sauce, and ranch.
Cherry Lemonade Twister
Twisted Drinks and Food
This summery sip is sure to be a hit with the kids! Fresh lemonade is combined with cherry syrup and maraschino cherries.
Chocolate Glazed Popcorn
Olde Tyme Poppin Korn
If you’re a fan of popcorn, you’ll love this sweet, salty, and crunchy snack. Fresh popcorn is glazed with chocolate and lightly salted.
Cinnamon Crunch Corn
Fairlivin Concessions
We are so intrigued by this flavor combination! Sweet corn kernels are served in a bowl and topped with butter, cinnamon toast crunch, and cream cheese icing.
Deep Fried Corn on a Stick
Cantina Louies by Meatball Factory
You’ve got to have something served on a stick at the State Fair. Try this Indiana State Fair food competitor. An ear of corn is breaded and fried, then topped with mayo and parmesan and served with an optional packet of hot sauce.
Elote Street Corn Pizza
DG Concession
You have not one, but two options for street corn-inspired pizza at the fair this year. May we suggest a slice of each so you can compare? The crust is layered with mozzarella and cotija cheese, corn, jalapenos, chipotle mayo, tajin, and crushed ranch tortilla chips.
Indiana Hardwood Nachos
Twisted Drinks and Food
A classic ball game snack, nachos fit right in with this year’s State Fair basketball theme. Your basket of chips is topped with queso, street corn, and Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ sauce.
Nutellaphant Ear
Urick Concessions
Your favorite fair dessert gets the pizza treatment. Urick Concessions slathers a golden fried elephant ear with creamy chocolate hazelnut spread and tops the creation with strawberries, bananas, and powdered sugar.
Pepperoni Pizza Pretzel
Wilson Concessions
This Indiana State Fair food offering combines more tasty favorites. A jumbo pretzel is covered in essential pizza ingredients, including sauce, pepperoni, mozzarella, and parmesan.
S’mores Funnel Cake
LT Concessions LLC
The fluffier, chewier relative of the classic elephant ear, funnel cakes are everywhere at the fair. But LT Concessions tops their version with marshmallow drizzle, chocolate, and crumbled graham crackers. Say hello to summery goodness!
Sirloin Tip Fries
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, sirloin tips, and A1 steak sauce.
Spicy Sweet Chili Walking Taco
Georgia’s Kitchen
Here’s another walking taco variety awaiting your vote. This variety uses Spicy Sweet Chili Doritos as its base and is topped with ground beef, lettuce, shredded cheese, salsa, and sour cream
Hoosier Slam Dunk Caramel Apple Surprise
Jessop Candy Products
With a name that pays homage to the 2023 Indiana State Fair theme, this Taste of the Fair entry hopes to slam-dunk your vote. Apple slices are covered in cinnamon sugar, caramel sauce, nuts, sprinkles, mini chocolate chips or chocolate sauce, whipped cream, a cherry, and even a dollop of cotton candy.
The Indiana Grown Burger
Red Frazier Bison
This hearty option is a great way to fuel up for your day at the fair. A quarter-pound bison burger is topped with bacon, burger jam, goat cheese, and pickles, all served on a pretzel bun.
Wicked Chicken N Waffles
Urick Concessions
This Indiana State Fair food is a “hot take” on the chicken and waffles classic. Your chicken tenders are served as a sandwich between two waffles, covered in Mike’s Hot Honey, and sprinkled with crushed Flamin’ Hot Cheetos.
Still dreaming of last year’s Taste of the Fair winner? Word is the famous and shockingly delicious Pickle 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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