The good, bad and wildest new foods at the Wisconsin State Fair

Good morning, 

By the time you’re reading this, I’m either A) Mentally preparing for my biggest eating feat of the year, B) Attempting my biggest eating feat of the year, or C) Recovering from my biggest eating feat of the year. 

Today, Aug. 6, is the first day of the 2026 Wisconsin State Fair, and today, I am eating all eight Sporkies finalists in one visit. Last year, I ate and reviewed the top three winners, one of the finalists, and the winner of the Drinkies. This year, I’m trying everything, assigning ratings to each and then ranking from favorite to least favorite. Look for that piece tomorrow. In the meantime, please keep me — and my will, blood pressure and digestive system — in your thoughts. 

I may be focusing on the Sporkies, but they’re just a fraction of the 80 new foods and drinks at this year’s fair — a collection of culinary curiosities that range from tempting treats to gastronomical gimmicks. After today’s feat, I’m unsure whether I’ll actually try any of them. But after studying the list, I thought I’d share a few that stood out to me — for good, bad and “what the …” reasons. 

A long line stretched outside the Lumpia City food trailer within the first hour of the 2025 Wisconsin State Fair. Its Ube Butter Banana French Toast Lumpia was the grand champion at this year’s Sporkies competition.

Hey, I’d try that! 

Cheddar Garlic Longanisa Lumpia with Banana Ketchup, Lumpia City: Lumpia City made last year’s Sporkies winner (an ube butter banana lumpia), and, as a fan of longanisa (a sweet-garlicky Filipino sausage), I think this could be a big hit this year, too. 

Potato Chip Sundae, Kora & Mila’s Cookie Dough: The salty-sweet-crunchy combo has a hold on me, so I like the sound of this dessert, made with salted caramel ice cream, deep-fried cookie dough, salted caramel sauce and ruffled potato chips. I kinda wish it used vanilla ice cream to cut some sweetness, but I could see this working! 

The Bloody Mary Mac Daddy, Pop’s Paradise: It’s mac and cheese infused with Bloody Mary mix, Bloody Mary relish and tomato powder. That tangy bite of relish and touch of tomato flavor sounds like it could balance well with creamy cheese sauce. 

Tanghulu, Lulu Tanghulu: After reading about all things deep-fried, call me crazy, but this traditional Chinese snack of skewered fresh fruit coated in hard sugar glaze sounds about as refreshing as a state fair food can get. 

I’m curious … 

Caramel Apple Cheese Curd Tacos, Richie’s Cheese Curd Tacos: At first glance, this was a hard “pass” for me. But thenagain … it sounds sort of like topping apple pie with cheddar cheese — weird, but it works. The description: sliced Granny Smith apples with fried white cheddar cheese curds topped with caramel sauce and sprinkled with crushed graham crackers. Sure. Why not?! 

French Onion Cheese Pull, Attavio’s Concessions: From the photo and description, this looks like a cross between a mozzarella stick and a corn dog, stuffed with loads of melty cheese with an onion-infused batter and French onion topping (is it thinned French onion dip?). Over the top? Sure. But I see the potential. 

Freeze Dried Cheese Curds, Everlasting Eats: Hey, I’m not proud of myself for being curious about this one. But as curd lover and a former kid who loved the novelty of astronaut ice cream, I can’t help but wonder how these taste. 

Soft Serve Beer, Bud Pavilion: This was another quick “pass” for me, but oh, am I interested. New Glarus’s excellent Raspberry Tart beer is blended with Wisconsin dairy to make soft-serve ice cream in a cone. Could be a disaster, but it could work with that sweet-tart raspberry beer. On a sweltering day on that pavement, it might be refreshing…

Absolutely not 

Hawaiian Pizza Slush, Exotic Meat Grill: Just because you can doesn’t mean you should. I’ll let the description do the talking: sweet pineapple and savory pizza sauce in an icy, refreshing blend. Garnished with a Canadian bacon-wrapped cheese stick and topped with croutons, herbs and Parmesan. How dare you, Exotic Meat Grill. 

Circus Peanut Spritz, Leff’s Lite Lounge: Oh hey! Let’s turn the world’s worst candy into a bubbly beverage topped with whipped cream! No thanks. 

Deep-Fried Ranch, All Family Concessions: I have a feeling this will be a hit with the crowds this year. I understand why; just don’t expect to see me in line. 

What are you looking forward to eating at the 2026 Wisconsin State Fair? Share the foods you love to revisit each year or the new ones you can’t wait to try at rseis@usatodayco.com. 

Happy fairing! 

Rachel 

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: The good, bad and wildest new foods at the Wisconsin State Fair | Dish