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 – Saturday, August 27th, 2022

    Daily Schedule Highlights – Saturday, August 27th, 2022

    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 27th 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 http://www.mnstatefair.org:

    • 9:30am, 11:30am, 1:30pm, and 3:30pm: Minnesota 4H Dog Agility (Pet Pavilions) — Come up to the Pet Pavilions on the north end of Machinery Hill and watch various dogs race through an exciting obstacle course.
    • 10:00am-1:00pm: The Current Activity: Rock the Cradle Pop Up (MPR Booth) — Children of all ages can get hands-on with musical instruments at this educational and fun event presented by Minnesota Public Radio.
    • 10:30am and 11:45am: Quinn Sullivan (Leinie Lodge Bandshell) — “Singer, songwriter and blues-rock guitar prodigy… his music blends the earthy sound of contemporary blues with the melodic sensibility of classic rock.” Listen: “Let It Rain”
    • 10:45am, 12:00pm, and 1:15pm: Ukrainian Village Band (International Bazaar) — “A Ukrainian roots and ‘zabava’ (party) band founded in 2007, Ukrainian Village Band performs traditional and modern Ukrainian music, as well as renditions of popular, international rock and pop tunes.” Listen: July 2022 performance at the International Festival of Burnsville
    • 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, 3:00pm, 5:30pm, and 7:00pm: Timberworks Lumberjack Show (The North Woods Stage) — Take in all the excitement of this highly-competitive lumberjack competition, including events like the obstacle pole, speed climb, and the wet and wild logroll. Pick your side and cheer your team on to victory!
    • 12:00pm-2:45pm: The Minnesota State Fiddle Contest (Schilling Amphitheater) — Follow the competition across six divisions as the state’s best fiddlers show off their skills in a showcase that is always one of the Fair’s highlights!
    • 12:00pm-9:00pm: Minnesota Gladiolus Society Show (Agriculture-Horticulture Building) — See tremendous floral arrangements of Gladiolus in a variety of judged categories.
    • 1:00pm: Trivia Mafia (Star Tribune Booth) — Compete with your fellow Fairgoers in pub-style trivia related to stories pulled from the Star Tribune archives to win fabulous prizes.
    • 1:00pm and 2:30pm: Jenny and the Mexicats (Leinie Lodge Bandshell) — “Music that combines jazz, rockabilly, folk, flamenco, reggae, country and cumbia with lyrics in both English and Spanish.” Listen: “La Cumbia del Vino”
    • 2:00pm: Jillian Rae (KARE 11 Barn) — “A classically trained violinist with dynamic vocal skills and serious songwriting chops known for her soaring pop orchestrations and powerful, genre-bending songs.” Also performing at the Schilling Amphitheater later this afternoon (see below). Listen: “Stuck”
    • 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!
    • 3:00pm-6:00pm: Live Interview with Bad Bad Hats and Manchester Orchestra (MPR Booth) — Hear from two of tonight’s Grandstand performers ahead of the big show in a live radio interview. Typical MPR interviews include special performances as well!
    • 3:15pm, 4:30pm, and 5:45pm: Grupo Mio (International Bazaar) — “Tex-Mex band Grupo Mio blends musicianship, creativity and tradition with cumbias, rancheras, boleros and more to create captivating, high-energy performances.” Listen: “Arrangcate”
    • 3:30pm and 4:45pm: Dallas String Quartet (Leine Lodge Bandshell) — “A fusion of contemporary classical and pop music … referred to as “Bach meets Bon Jovi.” Known for creating tasteful renditions of both modern and pop music classics and updated takes on traditional forms of music.” Listen: “Wildest Dreams”
    • 3:30pm, 4:30pm, and 5:30pm: Prairie Fire Lady 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”
    • 4:00pm, 5:00pm, and 6:00pm: Jillian Rae (Schilling Amphitheater) — “A classically trained violinist with dynamic vocal skills and serious songwriting chops known for her soaring pop orchestrations and powerful, genre-bending songs.” Also performing at the KARE 11 Barn earlier this afternoon (see above). Listen: “Stuck”
    • 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 4th in the Grandstand.
    • 7:00pm: Portugal. The Man, Manchester Orchestra, and Bad Bad Hats (Grandstand, $27+) — A triple threat performance from three great indie rock bands will headline the Grandstand. Portugal. The Man are the hit-makers behind the 2017 number one hit “Feel It Still.” Manchester Orchestra has released several hit adult alternative albums. Bad Bad Hats are a Twin Cities-based trio that has previously performed at the Fair’s Schilling Amphitheater and have toured their endlessly entertaining power-pop nationally. Listen: Portugal. The Man, “Feel It Still”; Manchester Orchestra, “The Gold”; Bad Bad Hats, “Detroit Basketball”
    • 8:00pm: Honeybutter (Schilling Amphitheater) — Silky smooth sounds will fill the West End Market when this Minneapolis trio takes the stage and shares their bossa nova- and jazz-influenced music. They were recently featured at First Avenue’s Best New Bands showcase and their own set at Dakota Jazz Club, and this performance should make for a picture perfect way to close out your day at the Fair no matter if you’re dancing along or just resting your weary legs and vibing along. Listen: “Songbird”
    • 8:00pm: The Belfast Cowboys (International Bazaar) — The party will be on with this nine-piece band known for their raucous live shows performing the music of Van Morrison (thankfully without having to put up with the attitude or politics of the man himself). They’ve been known to draw large crowds at their annual summer shows throughout the Twin Cities, so come early to score a good seat to see this talented troupe up close! Listen: “Into The Mystic”
    • 8:30pm: Caitlyn Smith (Leinie Lodge Bandshell) — “One of the brightest rising stars in Nashville, singer-songwriter Caitlyn Smith has garnered acclaim as both a performer and a songwriter … with her compositions recorded by artists such as James Bay, Garth Brooks, Dolly Parton, and John Legend and Meghan Trainor.” Listen: “I Can’t”

    All quoted entries courtesy official Minnesota State Fair daily schedule.

  • Review: Tirokroketes from Dino’s Gyros

    Review: Tirokroketes from Dino’s Gyros

    Dino’s Gyros takes full advantage of their premium location within the Fairgrounds by cultivating a lively atmosphere with nearly-constant live music alongside their sizable serving stand featuring several tap beers and Greek-themed food offerings. In recent years, Dino’s has found success in creating fun, light appetizers to compliment their lineup of gyros that are popular with those imbibing in the beverages at their stand. These spicy cheese balls are perhaps the best snack-sized offering yet, combining a brilliant spicy feta with cream cheese and mozzarella for a cheese-forward treat that is both substantial yet not so filling that eaters are unable to try other items around the Fairgrounds. More than just deep-fried cheese, this traditional tavern food comes well-seasoned with their house blend of Greek spices and rolled in panko breadcrumbs before receiving a dusting of parmesan cheese — because of course cheese balls require even more cheese! The mixture of all four cheeses blended well together, with the feta being the most apparent but the mozzarella contributing a satisfying stretchiness. They avoided any oily, greasy feeling common to fried Fair foods, and the exterior had a great texture. Unfortunately, despite being advertised as finished with a squeeze of lemon, no acidic element was apparent on our order and it would have added some further depth to the taste.

    These come with five bite-sized balls to an order at a price of $7, making them relatively light on your wallet. They were eminently portable making it a perfect walking snack, and a batch was fun to share with friends as well. With very few drawbacks, these are an easy recommendation for any cheese lover looking for a fun alternative to the nearby cheese curds or cheese on-a-stick or someone looking to soak up some of the alcohol they’ve consumed.

    Ratings (0-5):

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

    Overall Score: 15 out of 20 (Fairly Fresh)

  • Review: Tot Dog from LuLu’s Public House

    Review: Tot Dog from LuLu’s Public House

    LuLu’s Public House has carved out a nice niche for themselves as one of West End Market’s two anchor vendors, with their tall two-story location looming over the adjacent Schilling Amphitheater stage and the surrounding shops. Over the eight years that LuLu’s has been open since the renovated area replaced the aging Heritage Square, they have offered up a steady stream of inventive new food offerings, usually lighter fare that pair well with their stunning selection of tap beers. 2022’s addition is an ambitious take on a State Fair icon, the corn dog — but with a fried potato twist.

    The typical corn dog batter that surrounds their all-beef hot dog is then rolled in minced tater tots and onions prior to the hot frying oil bath, making this corn dog a much crispier and complex version than its sweeter cousin and giving it a warm amber hue. For those that dislike mixing sweet and savory, the Tot Dog may be a good middle-ground, avoiding the dissonance between cornmeal and hot dog inherent with the regular corn dog experience; the tater tot mixture essentially completely replaces sugary, sometimes cloying experience of the corn dog batter with a starchier, saltier taste. Unfortunately, the onions were completely lost among the potatoes, if they were there at all — we found no evidence of them in the hot dog’s coating, nor the promised cheddar cheese in the item’s official description. Perhaps the cheddar cheese has been replaced by the accompanying nacho cheese dip served alongside the Tot Dog, unmentioned when the description debuted upon the reveal of the New Foods List in June, but we found this cheese sauce to be lackluster in execution. With that said, dipping the tot dog into the cheese did add some needed sauce to break up the dryness of the tater tot crust (we suspect ketchup would be a sensible pairing as well if that’s your preference). The hot dog itself, while not a standout among the food’s other features, was plump and flavorful in a departure from the rather thin and unappetizing in appearance sausage shown in the food’s official photograph, and structurally adhered well to its batter.

    We were seeing regular corn dogs selling for $6 all over the Fairgrounds this year, which makes the Tot Dog’s $7 price point seem perfectly reasonable from a value standpoint — there’s a few more ingredients at play here, and whether you want to go with the classic or this newfangled variety is up to personal preference. Personally, while we’re not big fans of the entire corn dog genre, we think the Tot Dog is a more interesting way to go if we were to have a craving for one.

    Ratings (0-5):

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

    Overall Score: 12 out of 20 (Fairly Fresh)

  • Review: Elote Style and Chipotle Style Molotes from Midtown Global Market’s Andy’s Garage

    Review: Elote Style and Chipotle Style Molotes from Midtown Global Market’s Andy’s Garage

    Over the last several years since a revamped International Bazaar introduced the Midtown Global Market space, the South Minneapolis-based food hall has served as a way to get a foot into the door of the Minnesota State Fair for many vendors, somewhat circumventing the Fair’s notoriously rigorous qualifications and lengthy waitlist for those looking to serve food and beverages to Fairgoers. After successful appearances at the Midtown Global Market booth, vendors like Hot Indian Foods and Manny’s Tortas have spun-off into their own stand-alone locations on the Fairgrounds. Unique to Midtown Global Market’s space is a time-share arrangement, where the food on offer from the stand splits the Fair in half, with one restaurant serving the Fair’s first six days (August 25th through 30th in 2022) and another taking over for the last six days (August 31st through September 5th). Therefore, if you want to try the new items made available by Andy’s Garage (and spoiler alert: you should), your time is unfortunately limited.

    Their feature item are two varieties of jam-packed corn masa empanadas, the Elote and Chipotle. The Elote Style filled with a gorgeous char-roasted corn, drizzled with mayo and Tajin and coated with cotija cheese. The Chipotle version is stuffed with a shredded chipotle chicken and topped by a chipotle sour cream, cotija cheese, and a healthy handful of cilantro. The molotes are served two to an order, and you are allowed to get one of each type in your order, making it easy to try both — and you definitely should try them both as each were exemplary!

    With the Elote Style, the roasted corn overflowed out of the empanada after the first bite and starred the show, featuring a vibrant yellow color speckled with beautiful caramelization spots where the corn had been charred to perfection. It was evocative of the State Fair classic Corn Roast stand, where the simple vegetable is elevated to new heights by perfect preparation. The mayo atop the crispy crust of the empanada complemented the dish well, as did the healthy dusting of cotija cheese, though the Tajin element was non-apparent. Elotes can be a messy experience in their traditional corn-on-the-cob form, but these kept the mess confined to any spill-over that landed in their serving boat, not all over the eater’s face or the ground.

    For the Chipotle Style, we were impressed by the juiciness and direct heat of the chipotle chicken, but most striking was just how much chicken is provided inside. For relatively small deep-fried pockets, Andy’s Garage has managed to stuff these full without bursting out, an impressive feat. The cilantro added needed color and a freshness to help avoid being too heavy, and was some of the strongest cilantro we’ve experienced, so haters of the controversial herb should beware. On both molotes, the corn masa was fried to perfection, providing a satisfying crunch with each bite but relenting easily and not feeling greasy, remaining light and airy.

    These are a snack-sized order rather than a full meal, and at $10 for the pair it’s a somewhat steep asking price, though the quality of the product does make up for it. These are easily enough eaten on the go as a cohesive finger food, though they will spill some of their fillings as you bite through. Altogether, these were both a positive experience and one that Fairgoers should rush out to before they disappear from the Fair menu — at least for this year — on Wednesday!

    Ratings (0-5):

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

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

  • Daily Schedule Highlights – Friday, August 26th, 2022

    Daily Schedule Highlights – Friday, August 26th, 2022

    The Minnesota State Fair is officially underway, and after we saw very large crowds out enjoying perfect Fair weather on Day One, it’s time to shift our focus to Day Two and what’s on tap for the Fair’s first Friday! Friday, August 26th is Governor’s Fire Prevention Day, which frankly is one of the worst theme days of the Fair, but don’t let that detract you from what should be another gorgeous and fun-filled day at the Fair! Below is a selection of what we think is most worthy of checking out on Day Two; for a full daily schedule, visit the Minnesota State Fair official site at http://www.mnstatefair.org:

    • 9:00am-9:00pm: African Violet Society (Agriculture-Horticulture Building) — the flower shows in two of the exhibition halls inside the Agriculture-Horticulture Building rotate classes of flowers every two days of the Fair. The first two days of the Fair feature a floral fan favorite, the African Violet. Come see the stunning creations of Minnesotan horticulturalists arranging these flowers in accordance with judging criteria and check out who took home the coveted Blue Ribbons!
    • 10:30am and 11:45am: Teea Goans (Leinie Lodge Bandshell) — Nashville-based country singer-songwriter. Listen: “That’s What I Know”
    • 10:45am, 12:00pm, and 1:15pm: The Working Stiffs (International Bazaar) — Uptempo big band and swing music fronted by a talented saxophonist. Listen: “The Sway”
    • 11:00am: TPT Almanac Live Taping (MPR Booth) — Watch a live taping of Minnesota’s longest-running public affairs show, Almanac. State Fair episodes typically lean more heavily on fun segments and less on the political news the show is known for.
    • 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, 1:00pm, and 2:00pm: Good Morning Bedlam (Schilling Amphitheater) — 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”
    • 12:00pm, 3:00pm, 5:30pm, and 7:00pm: Timberworks Lumberjack Show (The North Woods Stage) — Take in all the excitement of this highly-competitive lumberjack competition, including events like the obstacle pole, speed climb, and the wet and wild logroll. Pick your side and cheer your team on to victory!
    • 1:00pm and 2:30pm: Appalachian Road Show (Leinie Lodge Bandshell) — A Grammy-winning ensemble combines to tackle traditional Americana tunes that tell the tale of the land where the music was created. Listen: “Blue Ridge Mountain Baby”
    • 2:00pm: Mayda (KARE 11 Barn) — R&B-infused pop singer with local roots but has been featured in numerous national TV shows and commercials. Listen: “Justice”
    • 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: Agrilympics Celebrity Milking Contest (Moo Booth at the Cattle Barn) — Local celebrities compete to find out who can hand milk the most from their cow in a bizarre but fun competition.
    • 3:15pm, 4:30pm, and 5:45pm: Samantha Moon (International Bazaar) — Silky smooth vocalist Samantha Moon performs soul-infused R&B originals. Listen: “The Reason”
    • 3:30pm and 4:45pm: Tonic Sol-fa (Leinie Lodge Bandshell) — This Emmy award-winning a capella group are annual State Fair performers and always draw a crowd with their unique arrangements and incomparable vocal talents. Listen: “Cry Me A River”
    • 4:00pm: Good Morning Bedlam (MPR Booth) — If you didn’t get enough of Good Morning Bedlam at their three shows at the Schilling Amphitheater earlier in the afternoon, catch them at the MPR Booth performing and being interviewed! Listen: “Blue House”
    • 4:00pm, 5:00pm, and 6:00pm: Rich Mattson and the Northstars (Schilling Amphitheater) — This group brings their unique blend of cosmic folk to the stage, and have performed with local luminaries like The Jayhawks and Trampled By Turtles. Listen: “In Flight”
    • 5:00pm-7:00pm: 5 Local Ladies with Raymond Berg (AFL-CIO Labor Pavilion) — Voices combine to perform some of the great song standards of past and present.
    • 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 4th in the Grandstand.
    • 7:00pm: Counting Crows with The Wallflowers (Grandstand, $34+) — Two 1990s hit-makers combine for a double-bill of some of the most recognizable radio tracks from their era. Listen: Counting Crows, “Mr. Jones”
    • 8:00pm: Durry (Schilling Amphitheater) — One of Minnesota’s most buzz-worthy new bands, the brother and sister duo of Austin and Taryn Durry have combined to make indie pop that was featured in First Avenue’s prestigious Best New Bands showcase earlier this year. Their songs have been going viral all over TikTok, now catch them live in person! Listen: “Who’s Laughing Now”
    • 8:00pm: The Good, the Bad and the Funky (International Bazaar) — As the name suggests, this band will get funky with their five-piece horn section leading the way. The International Bazaar stage is always a party atmosphere and you’re sure to see people getting down to this group of talented musicians! Listen: “Pick Up The Pieces”
    • 8:30pm: Eddie Montgomery of Montgomery Gentry (Leinie Lodge Bandshell) — Half of the hit-making country music duo, Montgomery will be sure to delight fans of the genre in the wake of his partner’s passing. With five #1 country chart hits, Montgomery will have no shortage of recognizable tunes to perform to get the crowd moving! Listen: “What Do Ya Think About That”