State Fair announces new food lineup

INDIANAPOLIS — Whether you have a sweet tooth or prefer something savory, the Indiana State Fair has a huge lineup of foods to try.

Among the array, Indiana pork farmers will serve up pork riblets for $11 at all three Indiana Pork tents, in front of the West Pavilion, Indiana Farm Bureau Fall Creek Pavilion and near Pioneer Village.

The dish features a smaller portion of traditional pork ribs and is paired with three unique sauces — hot honey, Nelson’s red sauce and citrus explosion.

Pork riblets come from baby back ribs, which are leaner and more tender than ribs that come from a spare rack. It makes for a healthier food option at the fair.

“Indiana Pork is happy to feature our Taste of the Fair option that is not only delicious, but highlights the nutritional value of pork,” said Jeanette Merritt, Indiana Pork spokesperson.

“Taste of the Fair features something that is a bit different and encourages fair guests to try something new. These riblets are a smaller portion that can be shared like an appetizer with your family or enjoyed as an entrée.”

Guests can also try other signature foods at the pork tents, including popular dishes like the Garbage Burger, Pork Boat and Loaded Pit-Tatoes.

There are more than 40 other mouthwatering dishes to try. Here’s a peek at what’s being offered at the fair Aug. 2-18 (closed Mondays).

• All-American Mary by Urick Concessions. A classic bloody Mary brimming with all your favorite backyard cookout essentials. It’s loaded with a mini corn on the cob, cheeseburger slider, fried mac and cheese, fried pickles, waffle fries, hotdog slider and a mini apple pie.

• Aloha Hot Honey Chicken Nachos by Urick Concessions. This tropical twist on loaded nachos features crispy tortilla chips, taco seasoned chicken, creamy queso, sweet pineapple chunks, a drizzle of Mike’s hot honey and zesty mango salsa.

• Amish Peanut Butter Pretzel Bites by Wilson Concessions. Pretzel bites slathered in Amish peanut butter spread. The spread has a peanut butter marshmallow flavor.

• BBQ Totchos by Wagner Food Services. Tater tots, pulled pork, cheese sauce, jalapeños, sour cream and barbecue sauce — what more could you want?

• Bison Smashburger Taco by Red Frazier Food Truck. The classic Bison burger smashed and pressed into a flour tortilla served with all the classic fixings. Drizzled with signature smash burger sauce.

• Blue Ribbon Blueberry Milkshake by American Dairy Association. This first-place worthy, refreshing blueberry shake boasts just the right amount of berry flavor and makes for a beautiful photo opportunity.

• Blueberry Cheesecake Stuffed Elephant Ear by The Bakerman. For 10 years the Bakerman has offered fairgoers the original stuffed elephant ear available with apple, cherry, or peach filling. This year, they are introduce a blueberry cheesecake stuffed elephant ear.

• Boba Lemonade Shake-Up by Indiana Ribeye. Fresh-squeezed lemonade shakeups with various flavors of Boba for a burst of extra flavor of your choice.

• Bratzilla by Urick Concessions. This monstrous sandwich features a locally sourced one-third pound bratwurst from Dewig Meats on a pretzel bun, smothered in creamy hatch queso, topped with barbecue pulled pork, crispy onions and jalapeños.

• Chili Cheese Empanada by Newfields. Bursting with a tantalizing blend of house-made, three-alarm chili and rich Wisconsin cheddar cheese, each empanada is expertly deep-fried to golden perfection. It’s topped with a colorful medley of pickled red onions, fresh scallions and crunchy corn chips. Accompanied by a luscious creamy cheddar cheese sauce for dipping and a dollop of cooling sour cream, this savory sensation is a must-try for all food enthusiasts seeking a delicious and unforgettable fair experience.

• Chili Cheese Frito Corn in a Cup by Wilson Concessions. This tasty cup includes corn, nacho cheese, chili and chili cheese Fritos.

• Chocolate Caramel Coffee Float: “The Triple C Float” by Hook’s Drug Store Museum and Soda Fountain. Enjoy a 24-ounce serving of iced coffee with ice cream, chocolate and caramel syrups, topped with whipped cream, a cherry and drizzled with caramel sauce.

• Cinnamon Toast Crunch Funnel Cake by R & W Concessions. A delicious funnel cake topped with cinnamon and sugar and Cinnamon Toast Crunch, then drizzled with vanilla icing.

• Cookie Butter Elephant Ear by Urick Concessions. Treat yourself to a new twist on a classic carnival favorite. This oversized pastry is perfectly fried, sprinkled with cinnamon sugar, generously slathered with creamy cookie butter and topped with crushed Biscoff cookies.

• Deep Fried Golden Oreo by Orme Deep Fried Treats. Just like the original fried oreo, it is stuck with a toothpick to ensure it is completely coated in a sweet funnel cake mix and then fried to golden perfection.

• Dill Pickle Dr. Pepper by R & W Concessions. Everyone’s favorite Dr. Pepper with dill pickles spears followed by a splash of juice.

• Dill Pickle Lemon Shake-Up by R & W Concessions. If you want a real shake-up try a Dill Pickle Lemon Shake-up made with all fresh ingredients and a splash of pickle juice and pickle spear.

• Fried Ice Cream Cone by Freud Family Foods. Vanilla ice cream rolled in cornflakes and flash fried. Topped with honey, chocolate and whipped cream. Served in a homemade waffle cone.

• Fried Sugar Biscuit n’ BBQ with Apple Butter Sauce by Nitro Hog BBQ. A deep-fried biscuit rolled in sugar, stuffed with pulled pork topped with an apple butter barbecue sauce.

• Gravy and Taters by Colp’s Concessions. A delicious, deep-fried tater topped with a savory sausage gravy and bacon.

• Grilled Cheese Slammer by Freund Family Food. A grilled cheese sandwich filled with barbecue pork, mac and cheese, and fried pickles, served on Texas toast with a side order of tater tots.

• Happy Jack Sandwich by Black Leaf Vegan. Loaded with shredded jackfruit blended with bourbon maple sauce and southern black leaf spices loaded on pretzel bun with coleslaw.

• Hoosier Cowboy Sandwich by Indiana Beef Cattle Association. Expertly grilled ribeye steak sandwich tucked between two slices of pepper jack cheese and sandwiched with grilled sourdough bread.

• Spicy Pickle Pizza by Swains Concessions. It starts with homemade pizza dough with a jalapeño ranch sauce. It’s topped with mozzarella and pickle chips then sprinkled with a Cajun dust over top and baked. The crust is buttered and dusted with more Cajun seasoning and spicy ranch.

• Hot Honey Pepperoni Pull Grilled Cheese by American Dairy Association. The perfect mix of mozzarella cheese, sandwich style pepperoni and hot honey between two slices of sweet Hawaiian bread, topped with a sprinkling of Italian seasoning.

• Jerk Chicken Nachos by Jamaican Breeze Sports Bar & Grill. Crispy chips topped with Jamaican jerk chicken, flavorful jerk sauce, sweet peppers and melted cheese.

• Melty Mess Grilled Cheese by American Dairy Association. Are you a lover of the perfect cheese combination? With slices of Havarti, cheddar and muenster cheeses on buttery sourdough bread, the Melty Mess is for you.

• Peach Shake Up by HI & Mighty. A bright and juicy refresher perfect for all types of summer “fuzz” at the fair.

• Peanut Butter & Jelly Chicken Wings by Urick Concessions. Crispy chicken wings tossed in a creamy peanut butter sauce and topped with a sweet jelly drizzle. Perfect for adventurous eaters and wing enthusiasts alike.

• Shark Attack by Twisted Drinks and Food. A fresh-squeezed fruit punch lemon twister infested with Albanese gummy sharks.

• Strawberry Cheesecake Funnel Cake by LT Concessions. A traditional funnel cake with powdered sugar, cream cheese icing, strawberries, graham cracker crumble and whipped topping cooked fresh to order.

• Strawberry Shortcake by Twisted Drinks and Food. A fresh bakery-made bundt cake topped with sliced strawberries, whipped cream and Albanese gummy butterflies.

• Sun King’s State Fair Pickle Beer by Sun King Brewing. This golden ale balances the pickled punch of cucumber and dill to the base beer’s crisp character, providing an unparalleled sensory experience.

• Sweet & Spicy Swine Pizza by Ginocchios Pizza. Handmade crust and Mozzarella cheese base, topped with pulled pork, jalapeños, Grippo’s barbecue chips and finished with a generous drizzle of Sweet D’s barbecue sauce.

• Sweet Chili Suga Daddy Sub by Gobble Gobble Food Tuck. Savory and mouthwatering Sweet Chili turkey meatballs, nestled and hugged in a doughnut.

• Sweet Tea Slushy by Swains Concessions. Everyone’s favorite freshly brewed sweet tea turned into a cold refreshing slushy.

• Tang-A-Rang Smoked Chicken Wings served with Kool-Aid Infused Pickles by Red Frazier Food Truck. Tang-A-Rang Smoked Chicken Wings marinated with Tang and a signature Tang barbecue rub. Smoked and then brushed with Tang-infused barbecue sauce. Served with various Kool Aid-infused pickle flavors.

• The Everything Fry by SW Concessions. Curly fries topped with cheese, bacon bits, ranch, pulled pork and barbecue sauce.

• The Godfather Egg Roll by J & J A Taste of Home Catering & Food Truck. A six-inch specialty egg roll stuffed with homemade spaghetti with ground beef meat sauce and mozzarella cheese, brushed with a parmesan garlic butter.

• The Korean Corn Dog by Meatball Factory LLC. A hot dog with fresh mozzarella cheese chunks on a stick. It’s dipped in a thick doughnut batter and rolled in panko and French fry chunks. After it’s fried it is topped with ketchup, mustard, sweet chili Thai sauce and Sriracha.

• Tropical Daze Float by McGrotha Foods. This creamy pineapple is paired with orange soda. Perfect for any warm day.

• Ultimate Steak Nachos by Georgia’s Kitchen. Tortilla chips, monetary cheese, melted cheese, steak, onions, peppers, honey barbecue sauce, sour cream and jalapeños.

Vote For Your Favorite

Fairgoers are encouraged to vote for their favorite new food items by visiting any of the information booths or by using the QR codes displayed at each participating Taste of the Fair concession stand.

The winning food stand will receive a $2,500 cash prize, followed by the second place receiving $1,000 and third place receiving $500.

This year, the World Food Championships will award three stands a Golden Ticket entry to the World Food Championships event taking place in Indianapolis this fall.

A map highlighting the locations of all the fair’s food booths, including the featured food items will be available at information booths around the fair.

Learn more at www.indianastatefair.com.