It’s either a very good or very bad idea to be hungry when you look at the list of concessions being offered at this year’s Indiana State Fair. Obvious benefit: A peek at a robust menu full of exciting flavor choices. Potential drawback: Drool on face. Grab a napkin and let’s dive in!
If you’re feeling snacky, start with the Amish Peanut Butter Pretzel Bites at Wilson Concessions. Niblets of pretzel find a happy home under a scrumptious layer of peanut butter marshmallow spread. Yes, please!
Feeling thirsty? Not anymore! Give the All-American Mary a taste.
Urick Concessions serves up a classic Bloody Mary with a unique combination of appetizer-worthy accouterments, including a cheeseburger slider, fried pickles, and a miniature piece of apple pie.
You can also get an alcohol-free kick with the Triple C Float. Available at Hook’s Drugstore Museum, the Chocolate Caramel Coffee float contains iced coffee, ice cream, caramel sauce, whipped cream — and more! Stop by for 24 ounces of delicious.
Once you have a main course in mind, head over to Ginocchio’s Pizza for the Sweet & Spicy Swine, which features pulled pork, Sweet D’s barbecue sauce, and jalapeños atop mozzarella. Delizioso!
The fair has pickles aplenty, perhaps most notably on the Spicy Pickle Pizza from Swains Concessions. Mozzarella and pickle chips nestle on homemade pizza dough brushed with jalapeño Ranch. The finished product has a dusting of Cajun seasoning and more spicy dressing.
Choices abound when you’re ready for dessert. Consider the Blueberry Cheesecake Stuffed Elephant Ear, a new filling choice on The Bakerman’s menu. If you’re a softy for 10 years of tradition, you can also get apple, cherry, or peach filling.
Other sweet treats include strawberry shortcake from Twisted Drinks and Food, the pineapple-and-orange-soda delight known as the Tropical Daze Float from McGrotha Foods, or the American Dairy Association’s Blue Ribbon Blueberry Milkshake.
If you’re looking for meat-free options, try Black Leaf Vegan’s Happy Jack Sandwich or the American Dairy Association’s Melty Mess Grilled Cheese. The former is a pretzel bun topped with shredded jackfruit that’s been kissed by black leaf spices and bourbon maple sauce. (Coleslaw makes an appearance as a trusty sidekick.) The latter is a sampling of cheese-based heaven with muenster, havarti, and cheddar slices on sourdough.
There are quite a few food choices on this list, but it’s definitely not exhaustive. Take a look at everything being offered this year by visiting the Indiana State Fair website, where you can also download the 2024 Taste of the Fair map and buy your gate admission tickets ahead of time.
Happy sampling!