Fairly Unbalanced

Minnesota State Fair food reviews, news and more

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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.
  • Daily Schedule Highlights – Monday, September 4th, 2023

    Daily Schedule Highlights – Monday, September 4th, 2023

    THIS IS IT! The final day of the 2023 Minnesota State Fair! It’s now or never, so if there’s a food item you want to try, an exhibit you want to check out, a product you want to buy, or an animal you want to pet, today is your last chance until next year. It’s always sad to see the Fair go, but if it were permanent it wouldn’t be as special as it is. Let’s hope for a beautiful final day, get out there and enjoy it!

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

    • 9:00am, 1:00pm, and 6:00pm: Minnesota State Fair Horse Show Speed Event Finals (Warner Coliseum) — Dazzling horses and riders will amaze the crowds at the Coliseum while competing in several agility events like barrel racing and pole weaving.
    • 10:00am: Cornbread Harris (AFL-CIO Labor Pavilion) — Harris is a Twin Cities music legend, with a history of playing his blues music in various venues all over town, and a tradition of playing the Labor Pavilion as a special treat on Labor Day. Listen: “Put The World Back Together”
    • 10:30am and 11:45am: Bruce A. Henry (Leinie Lodge Bandshell) — “An internationally known vocalist, composer and storyteller, Bruce A. Henry possesses a pure voice with a versatility and depth that few can match, allowing him to switch with ease between an eclectic mix of styles. He never ceases to amaze with a show both commanding and full of charm that leaves audiences uplifted, enriched and energized” (Minnesota State Fair). Listen: “Nature Boy”
    • 10:45am, 12:00pm, and 1:15pm: Orkestar Bez Ime (International Bazaar) — “Orkestar Bez Ime (the Bulgarian phrase for ‘orchestra without a name’) formed in 2002 to recreate the sounds of the village with a presentation as festive as the music itself. Focusing on Eastern Europe and music of the Romani people, the group’s repertoire reaches from Albania to Ukraine” (Minnesota State Fair). Listen: “Ramo, Ramo”
    • 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!
    • 11:00am, 2:00pm, and 4:00pm: Last Chance Forever Bird Show (DNR Building Garden Stage) — Make your way to the DNR Garden Stage for Last Chance Forever Conservancy’s raptor show, which they have presented at the Fair for decades previously but is returning after a pandemic hiatus. Owls, falcons and hawks swoop over the crowd and the intelligent conservationists dazzle with facts about these majestic creatures.
    • 12:00pm, 1:00pm, 2:00pm: The Good Time Gals (Schilling Amphitheater) — “Inspired by classic country, vintage jazz, jump blues and Americana, The Good Time Gals are an all-female band featuring fresh, fun originals and uniquely arranged covers. Their tight two-part harmonies and bold compositions, rich vocals, killer guitar, sweeping fiddle and an inspired self-contained rhythm section of cello bass and cajón result in a distinctive, ear-catching sound that keeps toes tapping and hearts humming” (Minnesota State Fair). Listen: “Easy Way Out”
    • 1:00pm and 2:30pm: B2wins (Leinie Lodge Bandshell) — “Captivating audiences worldwide with unique sound and engaging shows, B2wins is on a mission to change the world, one smile at a time. Led by charismatic twin brothers from Rio de Janeiro, the band combines a plethora of genres into a live show that is equal parts rock concert, jam session, dance party and house party” (Minnesota State Fair). Listen: “House of the Rising Sun”
    • 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.
    • 3:00pm and 5:00pm: Good Morning Bedlam (MPR Booth) — Say “good afternoon” to this Minneapolis-based folk quartet bringing their innovative sound to the Schilling Amphitheater. Sweet harmonies, banjo, fiddle and bass combine with smartly-written lyrics to create a sweet sound that will be sure to entertain the crowds no matter what time of day. Listen: “The Haunting”
    • 3:00pm and 6:00pm: Bulls and Barrels Championship (Warner Coliseum) — Bull riding and barrel racing action combined into one big rodeo-style show inside the spacious Warner Coliseum.
    • 3:15pm, 4:30pm, and 5:45pm: Socaholix (International Bazaar) — “The magical musicianship of Caribbean dance band Socaholix creates an energy that is both unique and infectious. With a sound that is complex and compelling, the band members draw on their vast musical backgrounds to deliver crowd-pumping rhythms and vibrant soca music (a blend of soul and calypso)” (Minnesota State Fair). Listen: “Jump Jump Jump”
    • 3:45pm and 4:45pm: St. Paul & The Minneapolis Funk Allstars (Leine Lodge Bandshell) — “Keepers of the Minneapolis Sound, St. Paul & The Minneapolis Funk Allstars is a world-class group of musicians brought together to keep Prince’s legacy alive. This purple crew of funk legends plays extraordinary music, showcasing the creators of some of the biggest hits from the heyday of electro funk-rock in the Twin Cities” (Minnesota State Fair). Listen: “Cool/Jungle Love/The Bird”
    • 4:00pm, 5:00pm, and 6:00pm: Maygen & The Birdwatcher (Schilling Amphitheater) — “Minnesota-based folk duo-turned-Americana-band Maygen & The Birdwatcher showcases distinctive songs, fantastic harmonies and tight musicianship with shared lead vocals. Earning Midwest Country Music Awards for Americana Artist of the Year and Album of the Year, they keep their music fresh by adventurously blurring the sounds of country, bluegrass, folk and blues” (Minnesota State Fair). Listen: “No, Joe!”
    • 6:30pm: Minnesota State Fair Horse Show Speed Events (Warner Coliseum) — “Watch horse and rider perform numerous skills in speed events, including pole weaving, barrel racing and jumping figure 8” (Minnesota State Fair).
    • 7:30pm: Malamanya (International Bazaar) — “Minnesota-based band Malamanya is a diverse group of musicians who come together to share traditional rhythms and melodies from the Caribbean and Latin America. The ensemble’s onstage energy and compositions reflect the communal, complex and celebratory spirit prevalent in these musical genres” (Minnesota State Fair). Listen: “El Baile”
    • 7:30pm: Soul Asylum (Leine Lodge Bandshell) — “Formed in the ‘80s and part of the celebrated Minneapolis music scene, Soul Asylum has been one of the most inspiring and hardworking bands in the rock scene, known for their raucous but emphatic combination of punk energy, guitar-fueled firepower and songs that range from aggressive to heartfelt” (Minnesota State Fair). Listen: “Runaway Train”
    • 7:30pm: Petty Comes Alive! (Schilling Amphitheater) — “Petty Comes Alive! brings together a collective of top local and regional musicians who share a love of Tom Petty’s music. Honored to give life to this music with their undeniable, raw, rock ‘n’ roll delivery, these musicians deliver authentic and creative takes on classics and deep cuts alike” (Minnesota State Fair).

    Quoted descriptions attributed in parenthesis.

  • Daily Schedule Highlights – Sunday, September 3rd, 2023

    Daily Schedule Highlights – Sunday, September 3rd, 2023

    Just two days left for the Minnesota State Fair this year! It’s now or never if you haven’t gone yet, and you’re bound to be joined by a couple hundred thousand fellow Minnesotans getting their final fix of the Fair. Make the most of the waning hours of the Fair out there!

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

    • 9:00am, 1:00pm, and 6:00pm: Minnesota State Fair Horse Show Speed Events (Warner Coliseum) — Dazzling horses and riders will amaze the crowds at the Coliseum while competing in several agility events like barrel racing and pole weaving.
    • 10:30am and 11:45am: Bruce A. Henry (Leinie Lodge Bandshell) — “An internationally known vocalist, composer and storyteller, Bruce A. Henry possesses a pure voice with a versatility and depth that few can match, allowing him to switch with ease between an eclectic mix of styles. He never ceases to amaze with a show both commanding and full of charm that leaves audiences uplifted, enriched and energized” (Minnesota State Fair). Listen: “Nature Boy”
    • 10:45am, 12:00pm, and 1:15pm: Orkestar Bez Ime (International Bazaar) — “Orkestar Bez Ime (the Bulgarian phrase for ‘orchestra without a name’) formed in 2002 to recreate the sounds of the village with a presentation as festive as the music itself. Focusing on Eastern Europe and music of the Romani people, the group’s repertoire reaches from Albania to Ukraine” (Minnesota State Fair). Listen: “Ramo, Ramo”
    • 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!
    • 11:00am, 2:00pm, and 4:00pm: Last Chance Forever Bird Show (DNR Building Garden Stage) — Make your way to the DNR Garden Stage for Last Chance Forever Conservancy’s raptor show, which they have presented at the Fair for decades previously but is returning after a pandemic hiatus. Owls, falcons and hawks swoop over the crowd and the intelligent conservationists dazzle with facts about these majestic creatures.
    • 12:00pm, 1:00pm, 2:00pm: The Good Time Gals (Schilling Amphitheater) — “Inspired by classic country, vintage jazz, jump blues and Americana, The Good Time Gals are an all-female band featuring fresh, fun originals and uniquely arranged covers. Their tight two-part harmonies and bold compositions, rich vocals, killer guitar, sweeping fiddle and an inspired self-contained rhythm section of cello bass and cajón result in a distinctive, ear-catching sound that keeps toes tapping and hearts humming” (Minnesota State Fair). Listen: “Easy Way Out”
    • 1:00pm and 2:30pm: B2wins (Leinie Lodge Bandshell) — “Captivating audiences worldwide with unique sound and engaging shows, B2wins is on a mission to change the world, one smile at a time. Led by charismatic twin brothers from Rio de Janeiro, the band combines a plethora of genres into a live show that is equal parts rock concert, jam session, dance party and house party” (Minnesota State Fair). Listen: “House of the Rising Sun”
    • 2:00pm: Hyooman (KARE 11 Barn) — “Hyooman traverses the terrain between the lo-fi bedroom pop of Alex G and the alternative bands of the 90s/early 2000s – while they lyrically explore the themes of introspection, social media, and existential dread” (artist Spotify bio). Listen: “Mud Water”
    • 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: 25th Annual Great Minnesota Moo-Off Contest (Moo Booth) — Contestants in three age divisions perform their best cow impressions in a competition that will be a-MOO-sing.
    • 3:00pm and 5:00pm: Davina and the Vagabonds (MPR Booth) — “A jazz blues band based in the Twin Cities” (artist YouTube bio). Listen: “Bone Collection”
    • 3:15pm, 4:30pm, and 5:45pm: Socaholix (International Bazaar) — “The magical musicianship of Caribbean dance band Socaholix creates an energy that is both unique and infectious. With a sound that is complex and compelling, the band members draw on their vast musical backgrounds to deliver crowd-pumping rhythms and vibrant soca music (a blend of soul and calypso)” (Minnesota State Fair). Listen: “Jump Jump Jump”
    • 3:45pm and 4:45pm: St. Paul & The Minneapolis Funk Allstars (Leine Lodge Bandshell) — “Keepers of the Minneapolis Sound, St. Paul & The Minneapolis Funk Allstars is a world-class group of musicians brought together to keep Prince’s legacy alive. This purple crew of funk legends plays extraordinary music, showcasing the creators of some of the biggest hits from the heyday of electro funk-rock in the Twin Cities” (Minnesota State Fair). Listen: “Cool/Jungle Love/The Bird”
    • 4:00pm, 5:00pm, and 6:00pm: Maygen & The Birdwatcher (Schilling Amphitheater) — “Minnesota-based folk duo-turned-Americana-band Maygen & The Birdwatcher showcases distinctive songs, fantastic harmonies and tight musicianship with shared lead vocals. Earning Midwest Country Music Awards for Americana Artist of the Year and Album of the Year, they keep their music fresh by adventurously blurring the sounds of country, bluegrass, folk and blues” (Minnesota State Fair). Listen: “No, Joe!”
    • 6:30pm: Minnesota State Fair Horse Show Speed Events (Warner Coliseum) — “Watch horse and rider perform numerous skills in speed events, including pole weaving, barrel racing and jumping figure 8” (Minnesota State Fair).
    • 7:30pm: Amateur Talent Contest Finals (Grandstand) — Now in it’s 50th year, the Amateur Talent Contest seeks the state’s best performers in three different age divisions. The finals, held inside the Grandstand, are the culmination of the previous ten days of qualifying rounds held nightly at the Leinie Lodge Bandshell. Free to attend, this showcase of singers, musicians, dancers, and a variety of other acts is always inspiring to watch. Be sure to stick around after the champions are crowned for the fireworks show!
    • 7:30pm: Soul Asylum (Leine Lodge Bandshell) — “Formed in the ‘80s and part of the celebrated Minneapolis music scene, Soul Asylum has been one of the most inspiring and hardworking bands in the rock scene, known for their raucous but emphatic combination of punk energy, guitar-fueled firepower and songs that range from aggressive to heartfelt” (Minnesota State Fair). Listen: “Runaway Train”
    • 8:00pm: Malamanya (International Bazaar) — “Minnesota-based band Malamanya is a diverse group of musicians who come together to share traditional rhythms and melodies from the Caribbean and Latin America. The ensemble’s onstage energy and compositions reflect the communal, complex and celebratory spirit prevalent in these musical genres” (Minnesota State Fair). Listen: “El Baile”
    • 8:00pm: Petty Comes Alive! (Schilling Amphitheater) — “Petty Comes Alive! brings together a collective of top local and regional musicians who share a love of Tom Petty’s music. Honored to give life to this music with their undeniable, raw, rock ‘n’ roll delivery, these musicians deliver authentic and creative takes on classics and deep cuts alike” (Minnesota State Fair).

    Quoted descriptions attributed in parenthesis.

  • Review: Bee Sting Sundae from Bridgeman’s Ice Cream

    Review: Bee Sting Sundae from Bridgeman’s Ice Cream

    We can’t recall a time where two new foods at the Minnesota State Fair were so identical to each other as this year’s Bee Sting Sundae and the Minnesota Honey Producers Association’s Salted Hot Honey Sundae. Both are based primarily around dumping a lot of hot honey over a bowl of ice cream, and both are competently done for those that want a little spiciness to go with their sweet ice cream. However, despite the warm feeling we got from supporting local honey producers with the Salted Hot Honey Sundae, we’re giving a slight edge to Bridgeman’s as the better of the two.

    Whereas the Salted Hot Honey Sundae had just sunflower seeds as a topping, Bridgeman’s loads their sundae up as they have for decades, with spicy peanuts, whipped cream, and of course a cherry on top. They manage to provide so much more, despite coming in at 50 cents less than their cross-Fairgrounds cohorts, priced at $9.50. We thought the $10 price point was absurd, and $9.50 isn’t much better for an ice cream sundae, but comparatively this is a much better deal. The spicy peanuts added more heat on their own than the hot honey did on either sundae, adding a significant crunch and some saltiness to this treat. The ice cream is secondary here, a basic vanilla that tastes familiar but not special. Our biggest complaint here is that the hot honey pooled primarily at the bottom of the serving bowl; the Salted Hot Honey Sundae did a better job with the hot honey adhering to the ice cream like a glaze, and here we had to spoon honey from the bottom of the bowl back over the top of the ice cream manually, and still had too much honey left over at the end.

    Ultimately, we thought both sundaes were a bit of a miss, as even those that adore spicy foods aren’t likely looking for it out of their desserts, and if they are neither had enough heat to impress them anyway. In lieu of having too much of a good thing, we’ve stumbled upon too much of an okay thing, cancelling each other out in mediocrity.

    Ratings (0-5):

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

    Overall Score: 11 out of 20 (Fairly Fresh)

  • Review: The Double Feature (Lord of the Bings and Crunchy Balboa) from The Herbivorous Butcher

    Review: The Double Feature (Lord of the Bings and Crunchy Balboa) from The Herbivorous Butcher

    As much as we endeavor to write at length about every new food item that graces the Minnesota State Fair each year, it’s a real challenge to get to everything promptly and compose a review. Last year saw the debut of The Herbivorous Butcher in the Food Building, the stand-out vegan marketplace with a retail location in Northeast Minneapolis that prides itself on crafting meat substitutes that closely replicate the real thing. We tried their two new items last year, an ode to Southern cooking with chicken-fried chicken and steak, served atop Texas toast and slathered in gravy, and we adored both, for both overall taste as well as providing the most impressive Vegan substitutes we’ve tried anywhere.

    Both of last year’s items have been replaced in favor of two new items that are just as remarkable for their ambition as well as their usage of plant-based product. Beginning with the Lord of the Bings, a gigantic spring roll is filled with Beyond Meat sausage, onions, shredded carrot, cabbage, bean thread noodles, and cheese sauce. This might be the largest spring roll we’ve ever had, and while we enjoyed the mixture inside, we would have preferred something smaller; ends of the spring roll wrapper were burnt and contained no filling, folded over awkwardly. Especially when blended with the other ingredients, the sausage was undetectable as a meat substitute, but that may be because all of the veggies stood out more as well. We’d love to have assessed the vegan cheese sauce listed, but it was undetectable in what we were served and likely missing entirely.

    The second half of the movie-themed bundle (each item is also available individually, for those that are less hungry) is the Crunchy Balboa, an obvious homage to Taco Bell’s Crunchwrap, a stuffed and folded over tortilla filled with roast beef, bacon, peppers, onions, cheese, and a hashbrown patty, served with a sour cream sauce. Despite being deep-fried like the Lord of the Bings, and coming out with an even darker golden brown hue than its partner, we thought this one was better prepared, and easier to eat on the go as the Crunchwrap form factor held together well. It was entirely too large for the small sour cream serving cup however, unfortunate as the sour cream helped the dish immensely. We could tell the roast beef wasn’t real meat, but only when eaten separately from the rest of the ingredients, where its texture seemed off; we still enjoyed it, especially as a total package. Our favorite component was the peppers which were rich in flavor and a joy each time we found one, but too few in number. Also minimal was the bacon, not appearing enough to provide a proper assessment. The hashbrown dominated most bites, and led to a fried-on-fried component that we’re never a fan of at the Fair, but was overall enjoyable and blended with the cheese well.

    Neither item compared favorably to 2022’s foods, which we thought were genuinely some of the Fair’s best, vegan or non-vegan. Pricing may keep away curious eaters, with the Bing at $8 and the Balboa at $15, or $22 for the Double Feature with both served together. While each was a large portion, and vegan products have a reputation of being higher in price, we thought this was steep for Fair food and will likely cause those that don’t follow the vegan diet elsewhere. It seems as though Herbivorous Butcher is likely to keep rotating in new items rather than build up a menu of favorites, so we’re hopeful that year three can see continued improvement.

    Ratings (0-5):

    • Taste: 3
    • Appearance: 1
    • Novelty: 4
    • Value: 2

    Overall Score: 10 out of 20 (Better Luck Next Year)

  • Review: Fried Butternut Squash Ravioli from Oodles of Noodles

    Review: Fried Butternut Squash Ravioli from Oodles of Noodles

    Of all the new foods we’ve tried at this year’s Minnesota State Fair, this is the most confounding. We like butternut squash, we like ricotta, and we like ravioli, but all combined we detested this dish. What should have been a sweet treat of an appetizer instead was a chore to finish, despite being only four small ravioli.

    Our ravioli were served hot and crispy, though we thought they seemed overdone, aside from one piece that was undercooked to where the dough was still raw; the inconsistency across each piece was perhaps the first sign that these were a mistake. Each ravioli contained a large amount of butternut squash, but it was the blandest squash we’ve ever tasted, lacking any sweetness or nutty flavor. Aside from the dull squash filling, the dish was helped along by a competent whipped ricotta, which was necessary to keep this from being completely boring, but was not plentiful in serving size. We also enjoyed the cinnamon sugar dusting applied to each ravioli, but we could have used a heavier dusting and larger granules, applied very finely to each.

    At $10 for a very small dish of ravioli, in addition to being one of the worst items we’ve tried, it’s also one of the poorest values too, making this a total enigma and having us wondering what exactly the vendor was thinking. Half-baked ideas like this are a rarity at the Fair, but each year a few slip through to be bemoaned by the public, and we hope this one disappears from the Fair landscape as quickly as it came.

    Ratings (0-5):

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

    Overall Score: 3 out of 20 (Fried-Out Flop)