The Best-Reviewed New Foods At The 2026 Minnesota State Fair

Every year, before the gates even open, one thing gets Minnesota talking more than the grandstand lineup: the new foods.

This year was no different, with weeks of buzz building around three dozen new items and nine new vendors long before anyone took a single bite.

Now that the Minnesota State Fair has its first full weekend under its belt — including a record-breaking opening — the reviews are in. So which of the new foods actually delivered greatness this year?

The New Foods That Lived Up to the Hype

After scouring the internet to see which new foods drew raves time and time again, I utilized taste tests from Racket, the Star Tribune, Axios, Sahan Journal, Minnesota Monthly and more to come up with this list of the best-reviewed new foods, which are listed below in random order.

Get our free mobile app

Hmong Corn Dog (Union Hmong Kitchen)

Courtesy of the Minnesota State Fair

Chef Yia Vang's ginger-and-lemongrass pork sausage fried in cornmeal batter with a bright citrus dip. It topped nearly every ranking in town. Find it on the south wall of the International Bazaar.

Walking Chopped Italian Grinder (Mancini's al Fresco)

Courtesy of the Minnesota State Fair

A chopped Italian of salami, pepperoncini and mozzarella piled over Dutch Crunch chips that earned a resounding "heck yes." It's on Carnes Ave. between Nelson and Underwood streets.

Cracklin' Corn Ribs (The Blue Barn)

Courtesy of the Minnesota State Fair

A tempura-fried corn cob loaded with pork rinds, bacon ranch and candied jalapeños that kept showing up on best-of lists. Look for it in the West End Market, south of the History & Heritage Center.

Mango Sticky Rice Refresher (Chan's Eatery)

Courtesy of the Minnesota State Fair

The weekend's favorite new drink — coconut, condensed milk and mango — earned top marks for being refreshing rather than cloying. It's on Underwood St. between Murphy and Lee avenues.

Peri-Peri Bowl (Afro Deli & Grill)

Courtesy of the Minnesota State Fair

Fried Bird's-Eye chili chicken with beef sambusas and sweet plantains that critics called a perfect little bento box. Grab it along the east wall of the Food Building.

When Pigs Fly (Sausage Sister & Me)

Courtesy of the Minnesota State Fair

Pork sausages wrapped in puff pastry on a stick in four varieties, hailed by one crew as the best sausages they had all day. Find it along the east wall of the Food Building.

Bucket of Chicharrones (San Felipe Tacos)

Courtesy of the Minnesota State Fair

Fresh-fried, impeccably seasoned pork rinds that earned four out of five stars. Find them at the southwest corner of Dan Patch Ave. and Underwood St.

Elote Tots (Tot Boss)

Courtesy of the Minnesota State Fair

Deep-fried tater tots tossed in Tajín with elote-style toppings that reviewers said stayed crispy and delivered real value. Find them on Underwood St. just south of the Kidway.

Longanisa Cheese Curd Lumpia (Lumpia City)

Courtesy of the Minnesota State Fair

Sweet Filipino sausage and squeaky cheese curds rolled into crispy lumpia — by one crew's account, an absolute banger. Find it on Liggett St. between Carnes and Judson avenues.

The New Foods That Split the Room

Not every newcomer united the crowd. These items had reviewers cheering and cringing in equal measure — so consider yourself warned:

Dubai Whoopie Pie (Dino's Gyros)

Courtesy of the Minnesota State Fair

Pistachio cream between two chocolate cakes. One reviewer named it their favorite dessert of the day; another wrote it off as dry, cakey discs. It's on Carnes Ave. between Nelson and Underwood streets.

SEE NOW: The Items Now Banned From The 2026 Minnesota State Fair

Honey Brisket Battered Potatoes (Australian Battered Potatoes)

Courtesy of the Minnesota State Fair

Deep-fried potatoes with brisket, nacho cheese and hot honey. Fans loved the crispy, sweet-savory combo, while others balked at the steep price. Find it on Judson Ave. between Nelson and Underwood streets.

Bao Belly (RC's BBQ)

Courtesy of the Minnesota State Fair

Smoked pork belly on steamed bao with pickled vegetables. Some reviewers approved enthusiastically, while others found the belly too chewy to bite through. It's on West Dan Patch Ave. between Liggett and Chambers streets.

Dill With It, Cookie! (Urban Glow Mocktails)

Courtesy of the Minnesota State Fair

A big sugar cookie with a whisper of dill. One taster enjoyed the oddity, while another couldn't get past the pickle aftertaste. Find it in the North End, across from the North End Event Center.

SEE NOW: How to Indulge Healthier at the Minnesota State Fair

Remember, the 2026 Minnesota State Fair runs through Labor Day, so if you go, let us know which new food you enjoyed the most. Hopefully, this list will help set you on a path to a great day of food and drinks.