My M.O. at the N.C. State Fair has historically been to make like Fern from Charlotte’s Web and ride the Ferris wheel with my crush.
The older I get, though, the more fearful I seem to become of both heights and love, so this year I’m content to just emulate Wilbur—stay HUMBLE and eat from a slop bucket. Specifically, the Sweet Potato S’mores Slop Bucket, one of over 60 new food items debuting on the midway.
I’ve taken the liberty of sorting some of the new creations by theme. Something that’s fun to keep in mind is that the vendors behind these monstrosities are largely just regular local businesses; the Slop Bucket comes from the very normal-sounding caterer “Lawrence & Perry BBQ,” and this is functionally their Halloween, a chance to dress their wares up like freaks or whatever’s trendy (I’m looking at you, Dubai burger).
As with any costume party, you’re probably not going to understand every getup, and that’s okay. It’s also okay to scream.
more n.c. State fair fodder
LITERALLY OR SPIRITUALLY AMERICA250
Deep Fried Hot Dog Tacos | Party in a Pita
This seems worthy of its own button on President Trump’s desk, right next to the one he has for Diet Coke. It’s just a hot dog wrapped in a flour tortilla. Only the hot dog is deep-fried, not the whole taco. Deep-frying a hot dog gives it an ultra-crispy exterior and an explosive, juicy interior.
Red, White, and Birthday Brew | Tiki Tea
A serving of birthday cake-flavored tea topped with a cupcake and an American flag, this is exactly what John Adams had in mind when he wrote that independence should be commemorated “by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty.” The drink, from vendor Tiki Tea, was created in honor of America250 and comes in your choice of a patriotic jar or a cake slice-shaped cup (which seems like it would be hard to hold).
Sweet Potato S’mores Slop Bucket | Lawrence & Perry BBQ
The idea of chocolate, caramel, and marshmallow creme on sweet potato fries didn’t make sense to me until I realized the dish is riffing on a sweet potato casserole. It’s all a matter of mindset: at Thanksgiving, sweet potatoes and marshmallows masquerade as a vegetable side; here, they’re being honest with themselves and admitting they’re dessert.
Carolina Yam N Ham Biscuit. Photo courtesy of the N.C. State Fair.
CAROLINA ON MY MIND IN MY MOUTH
Carolina Yam N Ham Biscuit | Granny’s Country Kitchen
We all remember where we were when we heard that the legendary church ham biscuit booth would no longer be operating at the N.C. State Fair.
Granny’s Country Kitchen has emerged with a noble alternative: a sweet potato biscuit with a big slab of country ham hanging out one side like a cheeky emoji tongue, served with a ramekin of sweet potato butter. Both the sweet potatoes and the ham are from North Carolina.
Cheerwine Fried Corn Ribs | Davis Concessions/Mr. Pickle
I was burned on Cheerwine-flavored things a few years ago when I drank a really bad Cheerwine beer, but this combo—NC corn ribs tossed in a sweet and smoky Cheerwine BBQ sauce—is intriguing enough that it might get me to dip my toe back in. Corn syrup on corn, baby!
NC Poke Bowl | Waypoint Oyster Bar
Seafood isn’t really a fair staple, despite the coast being such a big part of North Carolina’s identity, so it’s nice to see the coast getting some representation here. Waypoint Oyster Bar’s poke bowl is customizable; the promo photo the fair shared has tuna and shrimp with cucumber, cherry tomatoes, jalapeño, mango, edamame, corn, pickled ginger, and wasabi.
The Cider Donut Delight. Photo courtesy of the N.C. State Fair.
THINGS MY MOM MIGHT EAT
Mediterranean Bowls | Urban Olive Mediterranean
My mom loves the N.C. State Fair, and she also loves eating healthy, two pursuits that don’t generally overlap.
I think the Mediterranean Bowls from vendor Urban Olive Mediterranean would strike her fancy; each bowl comes with turmeric rice, hummus, fresh vegetables, pickles, tabbouleh, and a protein. They’re not exactly quintessential fair fare, but they’ll fuel a long day on your feet.
The Cider Donut Delight | Bright Branch Farms
As far as desserts go, the quaintly named Cider Donut Delight—a paper boat filled with apple cider donuts, apple slices, and apple butter—probably packs the most fruit per square inch, and it’s the most seasonal, too. This donut number is the handiwork of Bright Branch Farms, an apple orchard near Hendersonville that’s been a fixture at the fair for 35 years.
FAIR-EST OF THEM ALL
Mac’d & Loaded | Hot Chix Hotcakes & Chicken
A bread cone stuffed with mac ‘n cheese and fried chicken, this is the type of dish you’d find in one of those cookbooks centered around hangover food—a literary genre which has always confused me, because who’s out here pulling out a cookbook when they’re hungover? Mercifully, you can just walk up to a window and order this. Hangover not required, though the booth does open bright and early with the rest of the fair.
Pickle Cheesecake | Davis Concessions/Mr. Pickle
I’m delighted by the innovation behind this dish: it’s not a dill pickle-flavored cheesecake, as you might assume from the name, but a regular cheesecake dipped in pickled white chocolate. A hard truth is that straight-up white chocolate just isn’t that good—my preferred way to consume it is in caramelized form—so even if pickling it sounds unhinged, there’s nowhere to go but up.
Maruchan Loca | Merrill Holdings, LLC
A cup of instant ramen topped with Mexican street corn, Tajín, melted cheese, and Takis, the Maruchan Loca was not actually invented for the state fair—it’s a Mexican street food that went viral online—but it sure looks the part. With the Takis sticking up like mechanical arms, it even resembles the Claw ride.
To comment on this story, email [email protected].
