The 80th North Florida Fair has come to pass once again and Tallahassee residents took full advantage of the two-week experience.
It’s safe to say that mostly everybody goes to the fair to indulge in some of the best foods and sweet treats, but all that glitters isn’t gold.
With hundreds of foods to choose from, including some that can only be described as intriguing, everything isn’t bound to be the best. Here are some of the best and worst fair foods that we’re either going to miss or be glad that they’re gone.
Funnel cake
Starting with the best, and one of my all-time favorites, those sweet funnel cakes. This treat is perfect to eat after a savory dish. I choose to top it with strawberries, but one of the best parts of these funnel cakes is that the options are endless. Whether it’s strawberries, peaches, chocolate syrup, ice cream, powdered sugar or all five that you top it with, you can surely have it how you want it.
Donut burger
This unusual combination may not be a favorite for many, but for me, it’s the perfect combination of sweet and savory. If you haven’t tried it, you’re missing out. The sweetness of the donut followed by the savoriness of the meat patty is the ultimate duo that you never knew you needed. I know it sounds crazy, a donut cheeseburger, but trust me, it works.
Elote
If you’re looking for something that’s not too heavy on the stomach, this option is perfect for you. It’s easy to get tired of the greasy and fatty food choices at the fair (I mean, practically everything there is fried), so this is my go-to when I need a lighter option. Sweet corn, slathered with their mayo mixture, topped with cheese, chili powder and lime, it’s pretty hard to resist. It may sound fairly simple, but the taste is far from it.
Turkey legs
I think I can speak for everybody when I say that you can’t go to an amusement park, let alone a fair, without getting a turkey leg. It’s definitely a fan favorite and one of my trustworthy picks. You can never go wrong with one, it’s consistent and hard to mess up. There’s nothing like walking around the fair with a warm turkey leg in your hand. Yeah that sounds crazy, but if you know, you know.
Now, let’s get into my not-so-favorite fair foods that I definitely won’t miss from the fair.
Popcorn
Whether it’s kettle or regular popcorn, this for me should stay where it belongs, which is at the movie theaters. Sure, it smells good as you walk around but the only popcorn that I’ve gotten from the fair was hard and stale. This is probably because they make a big batch and leave it to sit out until somebody asks for one, and the results are not so great. Bagged popcorn is never the way to go for me, so this is one I will probably continue to pass on next year.
Corn dogs
Let’s just say, there’s nothing wrong with the corn dogs at the fair but there’s also nothing right with them either. Going to the fair for a corn dog seems anti-climatic. This is something you can make at home or order at a restaurant and it would taste just the same, so going to the fair for one just seems pointless. There’s nothing special about corn dogs, so for me, it’s a pass.
Candy apples
For many these are a true fall delicacy, and though they are pretty to look at, they sure are a hassle to eat. Anything that I eat I want to be able to enjoy, especially walking around the fair, and that’s not to say these aren’t good to me, but they aren’t the most easily accessible fair food — which makes them a no on my list.