Indiana State Fair foods 2023: which dish will be No. 1?

By ASHLEY FOWLER
WISH-TV | wishtv.com

Midway rides, exhibits, concerts, and animals are highlights of any state or county fair, but for many Hoosiers, the 2023 Indiana State Fair will be about one thing: food.

When the fair kicks off on July 28, so will the annual “Taste of the Fair” competition.

Thirty new food items will compete for the title of “2023 Taste of the Fair Winner” and a cash prize. Click here to see last year’s winner, the Pickle Pizza from Swain Concessions.

Here are the tasty treats and delicious drinks competing for your vote:

1. BBQ Pig Wings – Indiana Pork: The BBQ bone-in pork wing comes from the bottom of the ham and consists of tender, delicious dark meat. With a single small bone running through the middle, this wing is pork without a fork!
2. Bratchos – Urick Concessions: Crisp tortilla chips topped with a sizzling Bratwurst, creamy hatch queso, zesty jalapeños, fire-roasted salsa, and a dollop of sour cream.
3. Buffalo Pork-n-Mac – Nitro Hog: A bowl of homemade mac ‘n cheese with pulled pork, buffalo sauce, and ranch dressing drizzled on top.
4. Cherry Lemonade Twister – Twisted Drinks and Food: Fresh-squeezed lemonade with cherry syrup and maraschino cherries.
5. Cherry ShakeUp – Hi & Mighty: Eat, drink and be cherry! This citrus refresher is made to shake it up for celebrations big & small. In partnership with Ball State University… Chirp Chirp Cherry!
6. Chocolate Glazed Popcorn – Olde Tyme Poppin Korn: Popped the old fashion way, but with a tasty chocolate glaze and a hint of salt.
7. Cinnamon Crunch Corn – Fairlivin Concessions: Shredded sweet corn on the cob in butter, topped with a cinnamon toast crunch and cream cheese icing.
8. Deep Fried Corn on a Stick – Cantina Louies by Meatball Factory: A 6-inch ear of corn on a stick seasoned that’s dipped in a buttermilk and egg mixture, rolled into spiced cornmeal flour, then fired until golden brown and topped with mayo and Parmesan cheese.
9. Deep Fried Sandwich Cookie Ale – Sun King Brewery & Spirits: A classic Sun King ale with notes of deep-fried sandwich cookie makes for a delicious summer drink!
10. Elote Pizza – DG Concession: Signature crust topped with mozzarella and cotija cheese, corn, jalapeños, a drizzle of chipotle mayo, a sprinkle of tajin, and crushed ranch tortilla chips.
11. Flaming Hot Cheeto Corn in a Cup – Wilson Concessions: Corn, nacho cheese, Flaming Hot Cheetos, and tajin served in a cup.
12. Gimme S’more Bourbon Shake – Urick Concessions: A boozy milkshake with Hotel Tango’s Shmallow Toasted Marshmallow Bourbon, creamy vanilla ice cream, and milk blended together and topped with the classic s’mores essentials.
13. Hoosier Burger Mango – Black Leaf Vegan, LLC: Made in the Hoosier State, this plant-based burger patty is submerged in our unique Black Leaf sauce (teriyaki bbq), topped with fresh mango salsa and vegan cheddar cheese on a buttery brioche bun.
14. Indiana Hardwood Nachos – Twisted Drinks and Food: Nacho chips layered with queso cheese and homemade Indiana street corn and then drizzled with Sweet Baby Rays BBQ Sauce!
15. Italian Melt – American Dairy Association Indiana Inc.: Provolone and basil pesto on sourdough with marinara sauce for dipping.
16. Lemon Drop Drizzle – R&W Concession: Five mini sponge cakes with lemon icing dipped in funnel cake batter, deep fried, dusted with powdered sugar, and drizzled with vanilla icing. Ooey Gooey Deliciousness!
17. The Dirty Dog – R&W Concession: Smoked burnt end brisket link hand dipped in cornmeal batter, deep fried golden brown, and smothered in BBQ sauce.
18. Nutellaphant Ear – Urick Concessions: Fried dough slathered with velvety Nutella, topped with strawberries and bananas, and sprinkled with powdered sugar.
19. Pepperoni Pizza Pretzel – Wilson Concessions: A jumbo pretzel with pizza sauce, pepperoni, mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese.
20. S’mores Funnel Cake – LT Concessions LLC: Funnel cake with marshmallow drizzle, Hershey’s chocolate and graham cracker crumble.
21. Sirloin Tip Fries – SW Concessions: A mountain of curly fries cooked to a golden brown and topped with cheese, sirloin beef tips, and – of course! – A1 steak sauce.
22. Smoked Bologna Burnt Ends – Red Frazier Bison Ranch: Smoked bologna burnt ends served with pickles and mustard.
23. Spicy Sweet Chili Walking Taco – Georgia’s Kitchen: Spicy sweet chili Doritos with seasoned ground beef, lettuce, shredded cheese, salsa, and sour cream.
24. Street Corn Pizza – Swains Concessions: Fresh dough topped with a homemade white sauce, sprinkled with mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, finished off with fire-roasted corn, chili lime seasoning, and cilantro, then baked to perfection.
25. The Hoosier Slam Dunk Caramel Apple Surprise – Jessop Candy Products: Cinnamon-sugared apple slices with hot caramel sauce, nuts, sprinkles, optional mini chocolate chips or chocolate sauce, whipped cream, and a cherry, then topped with cotton candy.
26. The Indiana Grown Burger – Red Frazier Bison Ranch: Rice’s Farm Quality Meats bacon, Metal Honey Foods burger jam, Rising Creek goat cheese, Dillman Farm’s bread & butter pickles, and Cornerstone Bread pretzel bun.
27. The Mac Daddy Empanada – Gobble Gobble: Cheesy mac and cheese and the pulled BBQ Turkey combo stuffed in an empanada.
28. The Walking Burger – Indiana Ribeye: Regular or BBQ chips with a hamburger cut into bite-sized pieces and a scoop of our cowboy beans.
29. Vanilla Dream Coffee Ice Cream Soda – Hook’s Drug Store Museum and Soda Fountain: Vanilla-flavored iced coffee topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and whipped topping.
30. Wicked Chicken N Waffles – Urick Concessions: This infernally hot take on a classic dish features chicken tenders sandwiched between two waffles, drenched in Mike’s Hot Honey, and topped with crushed Flamin’ Hot Cheetos.

The 2023 Indiana State Fair runs July 28 to Aug. 20 and will be closed Mondays and Tuesdays. You can see the schedule here.

General admission tickets are $11 each, and one-day parking passes are $8 each.