The Iowa State Fair sprawls across 285 acres and hosts almost 200 vendors, making the culinary choices overwhelming for first-time visitors and veterans alike. This year’s fair adds 84 new foods and 45 new drinks to the lineup, while offering a range of dietary options and places to sit and eat.
What stands out on the midway
Reporters from multiple outlets spent time sampling a cross-section of the fair’s offerings. Among the items called out so far:
- Wok-fried soba noodles from Island Noodles, $16 — praised for pleasant noodle texture and tender chicken.
- Strawberry lemonade from Dad’s Old Fashioned Lemonade Original Factory, $9 — a favorite that disappeared quickly from one reporter’s hands.
- Ultimate Minneapple pie from Minneapple Pie, $14 — extremely sweet and served with generous scoops of ice cream.
- Shoyu poke bowl from Kama’aina Grill, $18 — an option for those who enjoy raw fish offerings at the fair.
More than 50 foods-on-a-stick continue to be a hallmark of the fair experience, from Hot Cheetos mozzarella corn dogs to walleye on a stick.
Seating and full-service dining
For visitors who prefer to sit down, the fair lists 33 locations with sit-down dining. Options range from hearty Midwestern fare like Cattlemen’s Beef Quarters near the Horse Barn to more modern selections such as Bubbly next to Grandfather’s Barn. These spots offer a break from walking the grounds and places to rest while enjoying a meal.
Dietary needs and choices
Fair organizers and vendors are increasingly listing special-diet items. Visitors can find gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian and vegan choices scattered throughout the grounds. Given the scale of the event, those with strict allergies or dietary restrictions should ask vendors about ingredients and cross-contact precautions.
Drinks beyond the usual
Beverage offerings span the familiar to the novel: jalapeño lemonade and dirty sodas are among nonalcoholic choices highlighted this year. The fair’s drink lineup also includes alcoholic options at licensed booths and beer gardens; attendees should plan ahead for ID checks and designated-driver arrangements.
Practical tips for food-focused visitors
To make the most of your culinary tour of the fair, consider these practical approaches:
- Map out clusters of vendors you want to visit rather than crisscrossing the entire fairgrounds.
- Share larger or very sweet items to avoid a sugar overload and to try more varieties.
- Bring payment methods accepted at booths — many vendors accept cards, but smaller stands may prefer cash.
- Check vendor signage or ask about allergens if you have food sensitivities.
Reporter impressions and flavor notes
On taste, reactions varied. One reporter described the Minneapple pie succinctly:
"Horrifyingly sweet, which some people will love and others will hate."
Another wrote of the strawberry lemonade:
"It did not last long in my hands before being gone."The wok-fried soba received compliments for texture and protein tenderness, while the poke bowl represented a risk some fairgoers were willing to take when eating raw fish at an event like this.
Where coverage goes next
Reporters will continue sampling additional new foods and drinks across the fair’s run and update impressions as they try more items. With dozens of new menu entries this year, that reporting will aim to help visitors prioritize what to try and where to sit.
| Item | Vendor | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Wok-fried soba noodles | Island Noodles | $16 |
| Strawberry lemonade | Dad’s Old Fashioned Lemonade Original Factory | $9 |
| Ultimate Minneapple pie | Minneapple Pie | $14 |
| Shoyu poke bowl | Kama’aina Grill | $18 |
Whether you’re chasing novelty items on a stick or seeking a place to sit and enjoy a plated meal, the Iowa State Fair’s massive selection offers something for most tastes. Keep an eye on updated coverage for further recommendations as reporters sample more of the new offerings.
