One of these foods will become the top fair food on August 21.
DES MOINES, Iowa — EDITOR’S NOTE: Photos of all the items mentioned in this article can be found in a gallery at the bottom of this page.
Get your stomachs ready! The Iowa State Fair has decided on the top three new fair foods.
Members of the media, including Local 5, were at the Elwell Family Food Center to judge the Top 11 finalists.
In alphabetical order by the vendor, these are the Top 3 New Foods. Fairgoers will vote on these foods during their visitors.
Porky Parm Gnocchi: Gluten-free potato gnocchi and Graziano sausage smothered in a parmesan sauce and topped with a pesto drizzle, shaved parmesan and fresh parsley. (Destination Grille, $14)
All-American Scrambled Egg Roll: A roll stuffed with bacon, sausage, hash browns, scrambled eggs and melted cheddar cheese with a drizzle of cheesy ranch. (Winn & Sara’s Kitchen, $15)
Ultimate Minneapple Pie: Deep-fried apple pie served with vanilla and cinnamon ice cream and drizzled with apple syrup. (Minneapple Pie, $14)
The semi-finalists are as follows:
Garlic Dill Pickle Cheese Curds: Curds that combine two fan-favorite flavors, garlic and dill. (Brad and Harry’s Cheese Curds, $9)
Cajun Cluck ‘N’ Chaos: Cajun-style chicken and Sloppy Joe meat on a brioche bun, loaded with sweet pepper coleslaw and spicy pickles. (Cluckin’ Coop, $14)
Crunchy Lamb Wrap: Naan bread stuffed with risotto, braised Iowa lamb, cheese, creme fraiche and local greens, breaded and deep fried. Served with watermelon ranch sauce. (HoQ, $19)
Strawberry Bliss: A shortbread cookie topped with a strawberry, then covered with meringue and milk chocolate. Finished with a white chocolate drizzle and a sprinkle of strawberries. (Iowa Specialty Crop Growers Association, $8)
Sweet Americana: Three ice creams — strawberry shortcake, lemon bar and blueberry crisp — topped, respectively, with a shortcake cookie, a lemon bar square and chocolate-covered blueberries. (Over the Top, $13)
Stuffed Tater Kegs: A breakfast skillet tater keg filled with eggs, sausage and cheddar cheese — or a vegetarian version — loaded with cheddar cheese and sour cream. (Tater Todd and Hot Doug’s, $10)
1776 Dubai Strawberries: Sliced strawberries covered in milk chocolate and topped with pistachio crème and Kataifi, a roasted Middle Eastern phyllo dough. (The Strawberry Station, $19)
Star Spangled Swine: Pork belly with an apple chipotle rub and a red soda glaze rolled in white and blue honey crystals. (Whatcha Smokin? BBQ, $15)
Iowa State Fair names 2026 Best New Food contenders
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Dining and Cooking