This year, the NC State Fair will welcome 70+ new food items, and we got a taste of what’s to come — including those social media-worthy bites. Here’s what food at the 2024 NC State Fair we loved and can’t wait to try again when the fair opens Thursday, Oct. 17.
The over-the-top (but still good)
State fairs across the nation promise wacky fried dishes, and the NC State fair is no different. Here’s what’s both worth the picture and the price.
- Meme Mia, Ezzell’s Somethin’ Good: This deep-fried spaghetti sandwich topped with coleslaw seriously surprised us. The deep-fried element provided a good crunch without overpowering any of the fun flavors. Plus, that slaw gave it a fresh Carolina hotdog feel.
- Hot Cheeto-crusted NC Crab & Shrimp Bomb, Waypoint Oyster Bar: City Editor Allie here — I’m a big seafood fan and this was my favorite dish. Stuffed with huge pieces of local crab + shrimp, the Hot Cheetos gave it a slight spice and a fun texture.
- Korean BBQ Kimchi Nachos, Bulkogi: In the best way possible, this shouldn’t work. We didn’t expect bulgogi, kimchi, tortilla chips, and queso to meld together for a perfect bite, but these nachos deliver.
These snacks were made for walking
What’s the fair without a snack on a stick?
- Honey Butter Mozza Dog, GoldenKdog: This Korean corn dog vendor is another local fave of ours, and this sweet + cheesy iteration hits the spot. Coated in honey and a crunchy Korean corn snack, we’ll take 14 of them.
- Granny Cone, Magdalena’s Chimney Cakes: Picture this — a rotisserie-cooked donut cone filled with maple-bacon ice cream and corn cake. There’s no wonder why this sweet treat was the media’s choice for best new sweet food this year.
- Monster Tots, Hot Chix: We’re big fans of Hot Chix around here, and these stuffed tots on a stick lived up to the hype. Available in buffalo chicken and bacon, cheddar + chive, these are perfect for sharing on Instagram and still being worth your while.
Make a meal out of it
Whether you’re taking advantage of the weekday lunch pass program or sticking around for dinner, here’s what you should nosh on.
- Kale Me Shwarma, Neomonde: Veggies? At the fair? Believe us when we say this Mediterranean dish was one of our faves and is a great lighter option while still being flavorful.
- Pineapple Bowl, Brazilian Bowls: Want to stand out from the crowd? A surefire way is to eat a Brazilian-style bowl out of a half pineapple. In addition to being a showstopper, this bowl was fresh + filling.
- Jerk Pork Belly Bao, Cool Runnings Jamaican: Crowned the best new savory food by the media, this fusion dish will keep you running all night.
- Vegan crabcake Sammie, Fresh AF Vegan: This fried crabcake taste-alike is unreal. Made with veggies and kelp for that seafood flavor, even vegans can get in on the fried fun this year.
To find these top-tier bites and more, use the NC State Fair food + ride finder website to locate your next foodie find.
