Fairly Unbalanced

Minnesota State Fair food reviews, news and more

recent posts

about

I am a lifelong Minnesota State Fair enthusiast from Minneapolis, Minnesota. I’ve attended over 30 years of the Great Minnesota Get-Together, trying nearly every food on offer and wearing down numerous pairs of shoes. I draw on my years of Fair experience to guide you through the hits and misses of my favorite event of the year.
  • Review: Mochi Donuts from Chan’s Eatery

    Review: Mochi Donuts from Chan’s Eatery

    Donuts have become prevalent throughout the Fairgrounds, in both full-size and mini formats. Now, new vendor Chan’s Eatery on Machinery Hill has brought trendy mochi donuts to the Fair in eight different varieties to add to the cavalcade of fried dough options.

    We opted for the Fruity Pebbles donut, which was immediately reminiscent of last year’s new food from LuLu’s Public House, the Fruity Cereal Milk Biscuit, though the donut could not compare to the exemplary Betty & Earl’s biscuit used in LuLu’s now-departed menu item. We enjoyed the mochi donut used here, with the rice flour base providing a subtle taste and texture departure from more typical Fair donuts that was pleasant and gave it a stretchy chew. The icing glaze was not overly sweet and perfectly compliments the Fruity Pebbles cereal bits sprinkled on top, reminiscent of milk and cereal.

    At $5, these compare favorably in value to some of the pricier donut options across the Fairgrounds, and we can see returning throughout the Fair to try other flavor options, as each looked appetizing sitting in a front-facing display case designed to entice.

    Ratings (0-5):

    • Taste: 4
    • Appearance: 3
    • Novelty: 2
    • Value: 3

    Overall Score: 12 out of 20 (Fairly Fresh)

  • Review: Hangar Wingonberry Chicken Wings from The Hangar

    Review: Hangar Wingonberry Chicken Wings from The Hangar

    Despite some previous food items from The Hangar that have crashed and burned, we took a flier on their new Wingonberry Chicken Wings to see if they would soar. The wings were meaty but the sauce failed to take off, falling short of the tart lingonberry flavor promise that intrigued us from the description.

    These wings could have benefitted from a little more time in the fryer to crisp them up, instead a mushy texture was offputting and caused the sauce to dissipate even more. The sauce was lightly applied and punchless although berry bits were apparent though sparse. The sweet honey Japanese BBQ sauce base was non-apparent, and far more complex wing flavors are available elsewhere.

    Bone-in wings aren’t the easiest to eat on the go, and a thorough hand washing was required after we finished up; thankfully, The Hangar is a vast beer garden-style eatery with plenty of places to settle in with your food and beverages and handwashing stations located just outside, an amenity that really should be more prevalent throughout the Fairgrounds. The $16 price point for 6 standard size wings compares favorably to the also new for 2024 Crab Boil Wings at Soul Bowl, which are priced at $20, albeit with more accoutrements. These wings could have flown high, but they get stopped by TSA: Total Sauce Abandonment.

    Ratings (0-5):

    • Taste: 2
    • Appearance: 2
    • Novelty: 1
    • Value: 3

    Overall Score: 8 out of 20 (Better Luck Next Year)

  • Review: Korean Corn Dog from Chan’s Eatery

    Review: Korean Corn Dog from Chan’s Eatery

    Chan’s Eatery is a debuting vendor new to Machinery Hill near the Pet Pavilions, a large mobile trailer dedicated to serving a variety of mochi donuts and trendy Korean corn dogs, an obvious addition to the Fair given its penchant for being home to corn dogs aplenty and everything on-a-stick. Chan’s has brought with them a Fair first, a kiosk ordering system never before seen on the Fairgrounds that we found to be simple to use and expedient.

    We ordered the potato-covered option, a $3 premium from the $12 basic corn dog, an added expense that was not worth it as our corn dog had a minimal potato coating, a far cry from the loaded one depicted in their official new food list picture. The potatoes were as sparse in flavor as they were in quantity, though they added an enjoyable tator tot-esque crunchy texture. The batter, despite being called a corn dog in name, consists of wheat flour and more resembles a Pronto Pup, lacking sweetness; this is counteracted by an optional cinnamon sugar sprinkle, though it was unevenly applied and left many bites lacking. Half mozzarella cheese at the end of the stick and half hot dog near the base, we found the cheese to have a pleasant flavor and perfect cheese stretch upon the first bite, like a jumbo mozzarella stick. The hot dog was comparatively a let-down, standard fare that rates among the least memorable we’ve had on the Fairgrounds.

    For corn dog lovers looking to venture out from the tried and true and looking for customization options beyond what the existing stands offer, these are worth checking out, though we suspect most will return to their old standbys long term.

    Ratings (0-5):

    • Taste: 1
    • Appearance: 1
    • Novelty: 3
    • Value: 0

    Overall Score: 5 out of 20 (Fried-Out Flop)

  • Review: Marco’s Garden from Jammy Sammies by BRIM

    Review: Marco’s Garden from Jammy Sammies by BRIM

    The Minnesota State Fair is notorious for being the land of the deep-fried, but contrary to popular notion fresh food choices abound on the grounds. They may take some effort and know-how to seek out but they are often worth your effort for a pleasant refresh from the gut bombs you began your day with. On the Fairgrounds’ far north end atop Machinery Hill, Jammy Sammies from BRIM has stood out as a culinary oasis, serving up the absolute best for fruit and veggie lovers (and coffee addicts).

    Their new offering for 2024 is their most complex dish yet, a small serving bowl loaded with vibrant tomatoes in a wide palette of colors with visually apparent thyme coating them, sliced jalapeño rings, a creamy farmer cheese, and rhubarb jam, with two wedges of flatbread on the side to dip in and construct the perfect bite. The tomatoes are the main character, delightfully juicy and expertly seasoned, lending a rich, herby flavor that begets the dishes reputation for being vegetable-forward. The jalapeños play off the tomatoes perfectly, adding some bite and nuance to the flavor profile. The cheese was easy to smear all over the flatbread, aiding the otherwise lifeless bread, and blended beautifully with the jam, BRIM’s not-so-secret ingredient that punches up nearly every menu item — we just wish the jam was more plentiful and an additional piece of flatbread would’ve been better portioned for the amount of tomatoes given.

    A $14 price point is steep for a diminutive dish, though it does feel worthwhile for fresh and locally-sourced ingredients. Value is always relative, and at a Fair that offers so little akin to this item, the comparison becomes a favorable one, and we didn’t regret trying it at all. This is a memorable favorite that would hold up well as a full-size lunch item on any restaurant menu.

    Ratings (0-5):

    • Taste: 5
    • Appearance: 4
    • Novelty: 4
    • Value: 3

    Overall Score: 16 out of 20 (Blue Ribbon Best)

  • Daily Schedule Highlights – Saturday, August 24th, 2024

    Daily Schedule Highlights – Saturday, August 24th, 2024

    The Minnesota State Fair is in full swing as it enters the first weekend! Good luck dodging the crowds as the weekend traditionally brings many more visitors to the Fairgrounds than the first two days experienced. Saturday, August 24th is also 4H Day at the Fair, so be sure to check out the talented kids’ projects and animal showings throughout the Fair today!

    Below is a selection of what we think is most worthy of checking out on Day Three; for a full daily schedule, visit the Minnesota State Fair official site at mnstatefair.org:

    • 10:30am and 11:45am: The Dryes (Leinie Lodge Bandshell) — “Country music husband-and-wife duo The Dryes bring the stage to life with songs that range from rowdy to nostalgic, each one a tiny window into their lives” (Minnesota State Fair). Listen: “Take Me Out”
    • 10:45am, 12:00pm, and 1:15pm: Pan Dimensions (International Bazaar) — “With a vast repertoire of party favorites refashioned in acoustic steel band arrangements, their colorful music brings a tropical twist to the fair” (Minnesota State Fair). Listen: “Just The Two Of Us”
    • 11:00am, 2:00pm, and 4:30pm: All-Star Stunt Dogs Splash (The North Woods Stage) — Watch all the fun tricks and athletic feats these various breeds of trained dogs can achieve in this showcase of canines!
    • 12:00pm-9:00pm: Minnesota Gladiolus Society Show (Agriculture-Horticulture Building) — See tremendous floral arrangements of Gladiolus in a variety of judged categories.
    • 12:30pm, 1:30pm, 2:30pm: High & Rising (Schilling Amphitheater) — “Wisconsin-based quartet High & Rising plays a unique combination of instruments to bring a fresh groovy sound to bluegrass and folk-Americana music” (Minnesota State Fair). Listen: Blues on the Chippewa performance
    • 1:00pm and 2:30pm: Kazual (Leinie Lodge Bandshell) — “Lauded for their dance moves as well as their vocal abilities, Kazual … is a family band of three brothers and a cousin who perform an eclectic mix of old school, Top 40 and originals” (Minnesota State Fair). Listen: “Her Way”
    • 1:00pm and 2:30pm: Prairie Fire Choir (Education Building) — A Twin Cities-based a cappella group consisting of over 60 members performing well-known songs from both national and local Minnesota musicians. Listen: “Can’t Hardly Wait”
    • 2:00pm: Obi Original (KARE 11 Barn) — “Obi Original has brought together diverse communities to revel under rich sounds of rock, Afro-fusion, highlife, and bluegrass in a variety of live events” (artist Spotify bio). Listen: “No Talking”
    • 2:00pm: Minnesota State Fair Parade — The daily parade, with a route that runs from the Dairy Building north past the Leinie Lodge Bandshell and Baldwin Stage to the Eco Experience and then back south, features marching bands from across the state and vibrant floats.
    • 2:30pm: Milk Moo-stache Contest (Moo Booth) — Participants in three age divisions compete for prizes while showing off their most impressive milk mustaches in a goofy contest!
    • 3:15pm, 4:30pm, and 5:45pm: Rumba Nueva (International Bazaar) — “[Rumba Nueva’s] performances of merengue and bachata music gained popularity, making them area favorites” (Minnesota State Fair).
    • 3:45pm and 4:45pm: McKinley James (Leine Lodge Bandshell) — “He creates a lean, honest version of American roots music that makes room for everything from Motown hooks to roadhouse boogie-woogie” (Minnesota State Fair). Listen: “She Moved On”
    • 4:00pm: Mae Simpson (MPR Booth) — Mae Simpson “blurs the lines between a wide range of influences… from the depth and energy of funk and rock, down to the melodic edge of R&B and folk” (artist Spotify bio). Also performing tonight and tomorrow at the Schilling Amphitheater stage (8:00 PM). Listen: “Chandelier & Bloom”
    • 4:00pm, 5:00pm, and 6:00pm: Alexander Craig (Schilling Amphitheater) — “Minnesota musician Alexander Craig captivates crowds with his high-energy fusion of rock ‘n’ roll, soul, punk and blues, inspiring dancers with a timeless rock beat” (Minnesota State Fair). Listen: “I Wanna Roll With You”
    • 4:30pm: King/Queen of the String Cheese (Moo Booth) — Watch as artists in three age divisions present their masterpieces made from string cheese to compete for prizes.
    • 6:00pm: MSF Amateur Talent Contest (Leinie Lodge Bandshell) — Watch as contestants in various age divisions compete for the opportunity to advance to the Talent Contest Finals, held Sunday, September 1st in the Grandstand.
    • 7:00pm: Nate Bargatze: The Be Funny Tour (Grandstand, $77+) — “2021 Grammy-nominated comedian, podcaster, director and producer Nate Bargatze is selling out shows around the world” (Minnesota State Fair).
    • 7:45pm: All Tomorrow’s Petty (Giggles’ Campfire Grill) — Loosely comprised of various members of several Twin Cities area bands, this band is dedicated to the music of Tom Petty, while avoiding the pratfalls of being purely a tribute act. Their shows are fun and vibrant, as these talented musicians step out of their comfort zone to tackle this classic material. A fantastic band to check out while having a few beers with friends, which makes them perfect for the Giggles’ Campfire Grill beer garden. Listen: “Breakdown”
    • 8:00pm: Tropical Zone Orchestra (International Bazaar) — “Their interpretive style and inventive musical flair make them a fast favorite among Twin Cities jazz and salsa fans” (Minnesota State Fair). Listen: “De Los Besos Que Te Di”
    • 8:00pm: Mae Simpson (Schilling Amphitheater) — Mae Simpson “blurs the lines between a wide range of influences… from the depth and energy of funk and rock, down to the melodic edge of R&B and folk” (artist Spotify bio).  Listen: “Chandelier & Bloom”
    • 8:30pm: Maggie Rose (Leinie Lodge Bandshell) — “Known for her blend of rock, soul and Americana-folk stylings, she has crafted albums filled with potent songs, each one anchored by her riveting vocals” (Minnesota State Fair). Listen: “Saint”

    Quoted descriptions attributed in parenthesis.