Cheerwine, the classic cherry-flavored soda famous to North Carolina, now comes in a funnel cake version.
The trend at this fair appears to be deep-fried pie. Here’s Minneapple…
…pumpkin…
…pecan…
…chocolate…
…moon…
…and key lime.
North Carolina 2017: (continued)
I’m less clear on what Hickory Tree Turkey BBQ’s Crack ‘n’ Cheese is. Even the State Fair’s website is mum. Any guesses?
This Thanksgiving Egg Roll is described as a “divine abomination.” Bite by bite, it’s a mix of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, and cranberry sauce, but what you get in each mouthful is up for debate. It’s served with a side of Bacon Cheese Collard Bites that act as “tender, creamy semblances of vegetables.”
Also new for 2017 at the state fair is poutine.
The Wicked Wafflewich Slider, from Chik-N-Que, crams chopped barbecue chicken and slaw into two crispy waffles and calls it a sandwich.
North Carolina 2017: (continued)
Arepa Loca won an award for the best new fair food with its Beef Arepa. Tender, flavorful beef packed inside a pocket with more flavors than one reviewer could pick out.
From looks alone, this bacon mac ‘n’ cheese should sweep the awards too.
Ragin’ Cajun’s Deep-Fried Dirty Rice Balls.
They will also offer deep-fried bananas foster, a dish that involves sauteing the fruit in rum and brown sugar.
Miss Debbie’s Specialty Apples offers up caramel apples coated in chocolate and paired with a Krispy Kreme donut. Inexplicably enough, the line’s called “Angry Gobstoppers.” Varieties include pecan streudel, coconut macadamia nut, and chocolate marshmallow fluff.
Another abomination to fruit is this Deep-Fried Watermelon.
Last but not least–and I’ll keep on trying to find a better picture, but since the fair’s going on now, this is the best I can find–is this Pumpkin Pie Milkshake, served inside a pumpkin and made with vanilla ice cream, real pumpkin pie, secret spices, and topped with whipped cream and pie crust crumbles.
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