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 31st, 2024

    Daily Schedule Highlights – Saturday, August 31st, 2024

    Good luck dodging the crowds on Saturday; today is historically the busiest day of the Fair. Last-minute Fairgoers are looking to get in as much of the Fair as they can pack in. It will feel at times like the entire state decided to go to the Fair today. However, if you can avoid feeling packed in like a tuna, there’s a lot of fun that can be had on a big Saturday at the Fair, so make the most of it, embrace your neighbors, and enjoy the Great Minnesota Get-Together!

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

    • 9:00am, 11:00am, 1:00pm, 3:00pm, and 5:00pm: Animal Inn Junior Showmanship (Pet Pavilions) — Kids aged 8-18 will compete in handling their canine companions around a show ring and through an agility course.
    • 10:30am and 11:45am: Thomasina Petrus & The King’s Quartet (Leinie Lodge Bandshell) — “Thomasina Petrus is a jazz singer, theater professional and entrepreneur. She is best known for her signature role of jazz icon Billie Holiday” (Minnesota State Fair). Listen: “Strange Fruit”
    • 10:45am, 12:00pm, and 1:15pm: Kickin’ It Irish with O’Shea Irish Dance (International Bazaar) — “Kickin’ It Irish thrills with traditional to contemporary Irish dancing with bodhrán, Irish flute, guitar and fiddle – all with flair, humor and fun. With world-class dancers and an international five-piece band, the live music and championship dancing will have you tapping your toes and flying out of your seat” (Minnesota State Fair).
    • 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!
    • 12:30pm, 1:30pm, 2:30pm: Jiggs Lee Invasion (Schilling Amphitheater) — “This band plays great tunes of the era with impeccable three-part vocal harmony, soaring and shredding lead guitar and a nimble powerhouse rhythm section” (Minnesota State Fair). Listen: “Victoria”
    • 1:00pm and 2:30pm: Jonny Lyons & The Pride (Leinie Lodge Bandshell) — “Fueled by a passion for old-time rock ‘n’ roll and soul, five-piece show band Jonny Lyons & the Pride brings audiences along on a nostalgic and unforgettable musical experience. A mix of original material and classic hits, the shows are full of electrifying energy from ‘50s and ‘60s sock hops and the soulful sounds of ‘60s and ‘70s R&B and Motown” (Minnesota State Fair). Listen: “Rock A Hula Baby”
    • 2:00pm: The Sex Rays (KARE 11 Barn) — “Twin Cities-based rockers” (KARE 11 bio). Listen: “Night Train”
    • 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: Obi Original (MPR Booth) — “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”
    • 3:15pm, 4:30pm, and 5:45pm: DiaToti (International Bazaar) — “A gifted vocalist, songwriter and dancer, DiaToti channels the rich African storytelling tradition, invoking genuine emotions with every tune. She masterfully blends African music, accentuating it with the distinctive rhythms of Congolese sounds, ensuring every listener feels the vibrant pulse of Africa” (Minnesota State Fair). Listen: “Sepelas”
    • 3:45pm and 4:45pm: Lucas Hoge (Leine Lodge Bandshell) — “A contemporary country artist with a pop-influenced sound and a down-home attitude, Lucas Hoge engages listeners with his warm, evocative vocals and emotional authenticity” (Minnesota State Fair). Listen: “Nowhere”
    • 4:00pm, 5:00pm, and 6:00pm: Gregg Hall & The Wrecking Ball (Schilling Amphitheater) — “Hailing from the driftless area of southwest Wisconsin, songwriter Gregg Hall returns to his country roots and backwoods upbringing, writing about heartache and the hard times that come from living on the edge of life” (Minnesota State Fair). Listen: “Glow”
    • 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: Stephen Sanchez with special guest Madi Diaz (Grandstand, $34+) — “Stephen Sanchez has materialized at the forefront of popular culture with a sound that’s as timeless as it is necessary for the times. It’s easy to sway into the embrace of his breezy baritone stylings, warm guitar phrasing and untouchable charisma” (Minnesota State Fair). Listen: “Until I Found You”
    • 8:00pm: International Reggae All Stars (International Bazaar) — “These musicians play reggae, dancehall and Bob Marley classics, while bringing peace, love and positive vibrations with them wherever they go” (Minnesota State Fair). Listen: “Is This Love”
    • 8:00pm: First Avenue Goes To The Fair (Schilling Amphitheater) — “Join us as First Avenue Goes To The Fair with Al Church and The Congregation, hosted by Diane Miller. This two-day showcase features a variety of local artists from Minnesota’s music scene. Expect great live music, a few surprises and a lot of local love at the Great Minnesota Get-Together this summer. Featured on Saturday, Aug. 31, are Anderson Daniels, Ashley Ackerson, Ava Levy, Pop Wagner and REIKI” (Minnesota State Fair).
    • 8:30pm: Moon Taxi (Leinie Lodge Bandshell) — “Once again ready to push the boundaries of their genre, Nashville-based indie alt-rock band Moon Taxi is back with a sixth full-length album, ‘Set Yourself Free.’ With tracks ranging from rock to synth to pop to bluegrass, the new lineup showcases what 15 years as a band gets you: a polished, classic sound without fear of exploration” (Minnesota State Fair). Listen: “Barefoot On The Dancefloor”

    Quoted descriptions attributed in parenthesis.

  • Review: Koshari from Kosharina Egyptian Cuisine

    Review: Koshari from Kosharina Egyptian Cuisine

    We applaud any new vendor that is doing well on their debut year at the Minnesota State Fair. It’s not easy to show up not fully knowing what to expect, gain a foothold among the myriad of food options, and serve up your product with quality and expeditiously. Things seem to be going about as smoothly as possible at Kosharina Egyptian Cuisine, one of five new food and beverage vendors at the Fair in 2024. Their trailer located under the Grandstand ramp was well-staffed and their product was being served promptly, with even the sauces off to the side being well tended to.

    Available in vegetable, chicken, or beef, their signature menu item is Koshari, a rice and pasta bowl filled with chickpeas, lentils, tomato sauce, and fried onions. The garlic vinegar dakkah sauce is available to apply as much as you would like from a squeeze bottle, alongside hot sauce for those that want to give it some kick. We opted to try the beef and applied the dakkah sauce liberally and were delighted by the entire combination. The end result is like a Middle Eastern goulash, with every bite a little bit different based on which ingredients you scoop up. The dakkah sauce has a strong vinegar flavor but it compliments the dish well, playing off the acidity of the tomato sauce and adhering well to the rice and pasta noodles. Each chickpea we found was a delight, adding texture and creaminess, and the crispy onions on top were a fun addition while they were present.

    The protein-filled versions are priced at $15, whereas the vegetable only comes in at $13; the bowl is deceptively large, with a seemingly never-ending portion that filled us up halfway through, and we wound up passing it along to others to finish off. For those looking for something hearty and substantial at the Fair, we think this is one of the very best options, and we couldn’t be more pleased with our initial visit to this new vendor that we hope becomes a State Fair staple for years to come.

    Ratings (0-5):

    • Taste: 5
    • Appearance: 2
    • Novelty: 3
    • Value: 4

    Overall Score: 14 out of 20 (Fairly Fresh)

  • Review: Fried Momo On A Stick from Midtown Global Market’s Momodosa

    Review: Fried Momo On A Stick from Midtown Global Market’s Momodosa

    2024 marks year number two for Momodosa, offering their Nepali and Indian food during the Fair’s first six days in Midtown Global Market’s booth inside the International Bazaar, a space that has seen many restaurant concepts come and go and few return to the Fair for multiple years. We loved their primary offering last year, a delicious batch of Chicken Momo potstickers, served alongside a vibrant tomato garlic chutney. They must have been a success, because rather than replace them from the menu, Momodosa opted to offer a slightly different preparation as a “new” food this time around.

    Whereas last year’s dumplings were served steamed, the Momo On A Stick are deep fried, in true Fair food fashion. The same tomato chutney is served on the side, once again a heaping portion that ensures no bites go without dipping in, and we found it just as delightful and rich in flavor as last year, like a spiced tomato soup that would be pleasurable alongside a grilled cheese sandwich. The momo themselves tasted familiar too, and we were pleased that they were not overcooked, instead having a pleasant crisp to the shell that made the previously mushy potstickers firm up and contain their fillings a little better than before. The vegetables inside, a cabbage and onion mix, held up well on their trip through the deep fryer, and the chicken was plentiful and remained juicy.

    If you tried last year’s steamed version and were waiting until this year to get more, you’ll be happy to have another preparation option, albeit the fried version will cost you an extra dollar over the steamed, raising the total to a hefty $15. We enjoyed these once again, but we were disappointed that this was it for their new offerings. They say if it’s not broke, don’t fix it, but we thrive on Fair innovation and in that sense only these disappointed.

    Ratings (0-5):

    • Taste: 5
    • Appearance: 4
    • Novelty: 1
    • Value: 1

    Overall Score: 11 out of 20 (Fairly Fresh)

  • Review: Strawberries and Cream Waffle Stick from Waffle Chix

    Review: Strawberries and Cream Waffle Stick from Waffle Chix

    Maybe we’re just getting too old, or maybe midway through the Fair the overly sweet starts to lose it’s luster, but we’ve hit a point where sweet has become saccharine. Such was the fate of this excessive waffle on a stick, topped by an outlandish amount of strawberry sauce and whipped cream. Perhaps it wasn’t that we’re tired of treats at the Fair for the year and more that this isn’t particularly done well, with a cloying artificial strawberry taste that permeates throughout. The whipped cream is doing its part, pleasant and undercutting the strawberry as much as possible, but a higher caliber of ingredients throughout would have done much to improve this experience. The corn dog-shaped Belgian waffle, the Waffle Chix specialty, was fluffy and delicious aside from the globs of strawberry on top, although if it actually were filled with strawberry shortcake cookie dough as advertised we certainly could not detect it.

    We must admit this was visually one of the most impressive and appealing items we’ve tried this year, with the strawberry sauce and whipped cream turning the waffle into a marbled beauty. Its sauciness means it’s also difficult to eat without dripping down the front of your shirt, a messy concoction that will have you running back for more napkins. Unfortunately, $10 was far too steep a price to pay for a product that the vendor doesn’t see fit to upgrade with better ingredients. This was on the smaller side, particularly relative to the price, although we wouldn’t have wanted another bite even if it were upped in size.

    Ratings (0-5):

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

    Overall Score: 9 out of 20 (Better Luck Next Year)

  • Daily Schedule Highlights – Friday, August 30th, 2024

    Daily Schedule Highlights – Friday, August 30th, 2024

    The Fair enters the holiday weekend with a huge schedule of events going on! Today is MPR Day at the Fair, with lots of performances happening at Dan Patch Park near the Grandstand, but there’s lots going on all over the Fairgrounds too.

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

    • 10:30am: The Twins of Franklin (Dan Patch Park) — “In contrast to the indie-pop vibe of their debut album ‘Low,’ ‘This Life’ lets the Twins’ siren harmonies and band do the work” (artist Spotify bio). Listen: “To The Moon”
    • 10:30am and 11:45am: Thomasina Petrus & The King’s Quartet (Leinie Lodge Bandshell) — “Thomasina Petrus is a jazz singer, theater professional and entrepreneur. She is best known for her signature role of jazz icon Billie Holiday” (Minnesota State Fair). Listen: “Strange Fruit”
    • 10:45am, 12:00pm, and 1:15pm: Kickin’ It Irish with O’Shea Irish Dance (International Bazaar) — “Kickin’ It Irish thrills with traditional to contemporary Irish dancing with bodhrán, Irish flute, guitar and fiddle – all with flair, humor and fun. With world-class dancers and an international five-piece band, the live music and championship dancing will have you tapping your toes and flying out of your seat” (Minnesota State Fair).
    • 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!
    • 12:30pm, 1:30pm, 2:30pm: Jiggs Lee Invasion (Schilling Amphitheater) — “This band plays great tunes of the era with impeccable three-part vocal harmony, soaring and shredding lead guitar and a nimble powerhouse rhythm section” (Minnesota State Fair). Listen: “Victoria”
    • 1:00pm and 2:30pm: Jonny Lyons & The Pride (Leinie Lodge Bandshell) — “Fueled by a passion for old-time rock ‘n’ roll and soul, five-piece show band Jonny Lyons & the Pride brings audiences along on a nostalgic and unforgettable musical experience. A mix of original material and classic hits, the shows are full of electrifying energy from ‘50s and ‘60s sock hops and the soulful sounds of ‘60s and ‘70s R&B and Motown” (Minnesota State Fair). Listen: “Rock A Hula Baby”
    • 2:00pm: Chandler’s House (KARE 11 Barn) — “An alt-country quartet” (KARE 11 bio). Listen: “Did It Again”
    • 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.
    • 3:15pm, 4:30pm, and 5:45pm: DiaToti (International Bazaar) — “A gifted vocalist, songwriter and dancer, DiaToti channels the rich African storytelling tradition, invoking genuine emotions with every tune. She masterfully blends African music, accentuating it with the distinctive rhythms of Congolese sounds, ensuring every listener feels the vibrant pulse of Africa” (Minnesota State Fair). Listen: “Sepelas”
    • 3:45pm and 4:45pm: Lucas Hoge (Leine Lodge Bandshell) — “A contemporary country artist with a pop-influenced sound and a down-home attitude, Lucas Hoge engages listeners with his warm, evocative vocals and emotional authenticity” (Minnesota State Fair). Listen: “Nowhere”
    • 4:00pm: Nur-D (Dan Patch Park) — One of the Twin Cities’ most fun performers, Nur-D performs fun, family-friendly hip-hop with geeky themes and infectious hooks. Listen: “Luv You (Cuz I)”
    • 4:00pm, 5:00pm, and 6:00pm: Gregg Hall & The Wrecking Ball (Schilling Amphitheater) — “Hailing from the driftless area of southwest Wisconsin, songwriter Gregg Hall returns to his country roots and backwoods upbringing, writing about heartache and the hard times that come from living on the edge of life” (Minnesota State Fair). Listen: “Glow”
    • 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: Matchbox Twenty with special guest Beauty School Dropout (Grandstand, $67+) — “Earning hits in each of the last three decades, Matchbox Twenty have gone from perennially dominating radio airwaves and ruling MTV to piling up streams in the billions, speaking to the enduring appeal of their music” (Minnesota State Fair). Listen: “3AM”
    • 8:00pm: International Reggae All Stars (International Bazaar) — “These musicians play reggae, dancehall and Bob Marley classics, while bringing peace, love and positive vibrations with them wherever they go” (Minnesota State Fair). Listen: “Is This Love”
    • 8:00pm: First Avenue Goes To The Fair (Schilling Amphitheater) — “Join us as First Avenue Goes To The Fair with Al Church and The Congregation, hosted by Diane Miller. This two-day showcase features a variety of local artists from Minnesota’s music scene. Expect great live music, a few surprises and a lot of local love at the Great Minnesota Get-Together this summer. Featured on Friday, Aug. 30, are Fanaka Nation, Jake Balistrieri and Sarah Mevissen from Pit Stop, Lars Pruitt from Yam Haus, student 1 and The Foxgloves” (Minnesota State Fair).
    • 8:30pm: Moon Taxi (Leinie Lodge Bandshell) — “Once again ready to push the boundaries of their genre, Nashville-based indie alt-rock band Moon Taxi is back with a sixth full-length album, ‘Set Yourself Free.’ With tracks ranging from rock to synth to pop to bluegrass, the new lineup showcases what 15 years as a band gets you: a polished, classic sound without fear of exploration” (Minnesota State Fair). Listen: “Barefoot On The Dancefloor”

    Quoted descriptions attributed in parenthesis.