Iowa State Fair food vendors serve thousands of treats as voting ends

record… about 110-thousand people would need to attend the fair each day between now and Sunday. Every year there are a lot of delicious food options to pick from at the fair. Today is the last day to vote for the best new fair food. KCCI Senior Reorter Todd Magel is LIVE at the fairgrounds with a look at how the contest creates a giant boost for the top three vendors. It’s safe to say fair food is the number one attraction at the fair. And we went behind the scenes to see how the top three vendors keep up with the enormous demand. < the scotcheroo shake has just taken off.> If you have any doubts about the popularity of the newest top three fair foods, just look at the line for the Over the top ice cream stand. It’s proof that the right combination of ingredients can turn into a state fair blockbuster. Co owner Natalile Carroll says they’ve been selling more than 1000 of the new 12 dollar Scotcheroo Shakes a day. And the assembly line of ice cream scoopers, blenders and cup fillers is a show stopper. They had to find a special des monies baker to make the scotcheroo bars, and build a separate preparation tent to make room for the new treat behind their regular concession trailer. hungry state fair visitors are hooked. It’s the same story for Winn and Sarah’s kitchen. They won the favorite food last year. And now this years Chicken bacon ranch eggroll is in the running again. Business is booming. Yes> < we’re so excited to be here. And you know what? Being in the top three, we feel like winners already.> Next door, Watcha smokin rounds out the top three fair foods with it’s three little pigs hamballs. All three vendors say it’s a lot of work to produce so much food for so many eager state fair goers. But… The top fair food will be announced early Friday afternoon. Just in case you need another reason to come to the fair

Updated: 9:19 PM CDT Aug 13, 2025

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Today marks the last day to vote for the favorite fair food at the state fair, where top vendors are working tirelessly to meet the enormous demand for their popular treats.Natalie Carroll, co-owner of Over the Top, said, “The scotcheroo shake has just taken off.” Carroll expressed excitement about their success, saying, “We were excited to get top ten. And then when we made top three, we were just pinching ourselves.”Carroll noted that they have been selling more than 1,000 of the new $12 Scotcheroo Shakes daily. The operation involves an assembly line of ice cream scoopers, blenders, and cup fillers, requiring a special Des Moines baker to make the scotcheroo bars and a separate preparation tent for the new treat. Fair visitors are hooked, with Lindsey Grife, a fair visitor, saying, “It tastes like the ones my mom makes. So it tastes delicious.”Winn and Sarah’s Kitchen, last year’s favorite food winner, is in the running again with this year’s Chicken Bacon Ranch Eggroll. Business is booming, with state fair visitor Molly Albers saying, “I didn’t think anything could taste this good. So ten out of ten.” Andrew Sayasane from Winn and Sara’s Kitchen shared their excitement, saying, “We’re so excited to be here. And you know what? Being in the top three, we feel like winners already.”Next door, Watcha Smokin rounds out the top three fair foods with its Three Little Pigs Hamballs. Gwen Page, owner of Watcha Smokin, said, “The last time I checked, we were approaching about 10,000 orders of hamballs.”All three vendors acknowledge the hard work involved in producing so much food for eager fairgoers. Page added, “The buzz and the energy and just being a part of the magic is all worth it.”The top fair food will be announced early Friday afternoon, providing yet another reason to visit the fair.» See all of our Iowa State Fair coverage here.Where will KCCI be at the fair?You can see KCCI 8 News live at 4:30 p.m. every weekday during the fair from the MidAmerican Energy Stage.You can also stream KCCI 8’s coverage of the Iowa State Fair for free on the Very Local app. Click here to download Very Local to your phone.See all of our Iowa State Fair coverage here.

DES MOINES, Iowa —

Today marks the last day to vote for the favorite fair food at the state fair, where top vendors are working tirelessly to meet the enormous demand for their popular treats.

Natalie Carroll, co-owner of Over the Top, said, “The scotcheroo shake has just taken off.” Carroll expressed excitement about their success, saying, “We were excited to get top ten. And then when we made top three, we were just pinching ourselves.”

Carroll noted that they have been selling more than 1,000 of the new $12 Scotcheroo Shakes daily. The operation involves an assembly line of ice cream scoopers, blenders, and cup fillers, requiring a special Des Moines baker to make the scotcheroo bars and a separate preparation tent for the new treat. Fair visitors are hooked, with Lindsey Grife, a fair visitor, saying, “It tastes like the ones my mom makes. So it tastes delicious.”

Winn and Sarah’s Kitchen, last year’s favorite food winner, is in the running again with this year’s Chicken Bacon Ranch Eggroll. Business is booming, with state fair visitor Molly Albers saying, “I didn’t think anything could taste this good. So ten out of ten.” Andrew Sayasane from Winn and Sara’s Kitchen shared their excitement, saying, “We’re so excited to be here. And you know what? Being in the top three, we feel like winners already.”

Next door, Watcha Smokin rounds out the top three fair foods with its Three Little Pigs Hamballs. Gwen Page, owner of Watcha Smokin, said, “The last time I checked, we were approaching about 10,000 orders of hamballs.”

All three vendors acknowledge the hard work involved in producing so much food for eager fairgoers. Page added, “The buzz and the energy and just being a part of the magic is all worth it.”

The top fair food will be announced early Friday afternoon, providing yet another reason to visit the fair.

» See all of our Iowa State Fair coverage here.

Where will KCCI be at the fair?

You can see KCCI 8 News live at 4:30 p.m. every weekday during the fair from the MidAmerican Energy Stage.

You can also stream KCCI 8’s coverage of the Iowa State Fair for free on the Very Local app. Click here to download Very Local to your phone.

See all of our Iowa State Fair coverage here.