Every October, the North Carolina State Fair takes over Raleigh with flashing lights, carnival rides and the scent of something sizzling around every corner.
The 2025 fair was no exception as crowds packed the streets, vendors fired up their grills and the food scene was as over-the-top as ever, debuting over 50 new foods. But amid the neon lights and sizzling oil, I focused on a mix of fair classics and a few bold new flavors.
Corn on the cob — Old Style Foods in Raleigh
Sometimes, you have to begin with a staple. The classic corn on the cob, dusted with cheese, garlic salt, cayenne and chili powder, was the perfect warm-up. The kernels were juicy and snapped with every bite. It is one of those fair foods that prove you do not need a deep fryer to make magic — just good corn and a bunch of seasoning.
London Broil steak sandwich — Butcher Boys
The London Broil steak sandwich surprised me. Served in a soft white bun with melted cheese, peppers and onions, the meat was perfectly tender and juicy. However, make sure to eat it before the bun gets soggy!
Dirty mac and hot chicken smash — Another Food Truck
This food truck quickly and easily became my favorite stop of the night. Their dirty mac came loaded with chopped beef brisket, collard greens, cornbread crumble and their take on a tangy eastern-style BBQ sauce that tied it all together. I cleared the bowl.
Next, I had their hot chicken smash, a wild mashup of Nashville hot chicken, pickles, ranch and gooey cheese pressed into a grilled cheese sandwich. It was spicy, crispy and absurdly good. This shows that the South’s best comfort food can always surprise you in new ways.
Fresh-squeezed lemonade — Debbies Concessions Food at the Fair
To wash everything down, I got a fresh-squeezed lemonade, the fair’s unsung hero. Tangy, cold and not too sweet.
Alligator tail bites — Ragin’ Cajun
I had to try the alligator tail bites, even if the idea alone made me take a pause. They were chewy and rubbery, with solid seasoning that could not quite mask the strange texture. I am glad I tried it, just to say I did, but I would call this one a bucket-list food, not a repeat order.
Korean corn dog — K Dog
I could not skip the popular Korean corn dogs, which ranged in flavor from savory to sweet. I opted for the Flamin’ Hot Cheetos flavor, which was crunchy and spicy but lacked cheese in the beginning. Not the best one I have had, but still fun to try.
Strawberry chocolate Dubai Cup — Chocolate Tap
The strawberry chocolate Dubai cup was pure Instagram bait: layers of strawberries, rich chocolate, pistachio cream and the crunchy shredded filo dough. It was perfect, but I had to eat it before the chocolate hardened around the strawberries.
Caramel apple — Peace River Concessions
To end the night, the caramel apple delivered classic fair nostalgia. And the best parts: the caramel did not cement my teeth together and the crisp green apple center kept the treat tart and balanced.
Elsewhere on the fairgrounds, brave souls tackled pickle pizza, Krispy Kreme burgers, fried candy bars and bacon-wrapped everything. The N.C. State Fair never runs out of ways to shock your arteries. From cheesy corn to spicy chicken grilled cheese, the fair proved once again that food here is about joy, chaos and a little culinary courage.
@dthlifestyle | lifestyle@dailytarheel.com
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Dining and Cooking