Celebrity chef Andrew Zimmern skeptical of  State Fair food 'gimmicks'

An Asian-inspired sausage in a crusty French baguette with Sister’s Sriracha sauce, shredded and pickled carrot, radish, chopped jalapeño and a sprig of fresh cilantro. The bun-less bowl starts with a five-grain blend and is topped with shredded and pickled carrot, radish, Asian slaw, chopped jalapeño, sausage slices, cilantro and a drizzle of Sister’s Sriracha sauce. 

You can find it at Sausage Sister & Me, located in the Food Building on the east wall.

A North Woods spin on ravioli with ground bison, braised fennel, portobello mushrooms and fresh basil wrapped in classic egg dough, deep-fried and served with a sweet bourbon sauce with a little kick. 

You can find it at Giggles’ Campfire Grill, located on the southeast corner of Lee Avenue and Cooper Street at The North Woods.

Traditional hand pie filled with a raspberry, blueberry and apple blend infused with UV Blue Vodka and topped with cotton candy sugar.

You can find it at Sara’s Tipsy Pies, located in the Food Building on the south wall.

Fluffy biscuit-style doughnuts stuffed with shredded chicken, glazed with a sweet & spicy buffalo icing, and topped with crispy bacon bits.

You can find it at The Blue Barn, located at West End Market, south of the History & Heritage Center.

Layers of homemade vanilla pudding, fresh bananas, toasted 'nilla wafers, caramelized cocoa crispy cereal, caramel sauce and fresh whipped cream. 

You can find it at Blue Moon Dine-In Theater, located on the northeast corner of Carnes Avenue & Chambers Street.

Chorizo by The Herbivorous Butcher dipped in a classic corndog batter, deep-fried on-a-stick with choice of avocado salsa or mole sauce drizzled on top or on the side. Served with Mexican BBQ chips. (Vegan) 

You can find it at Midtown Global Market’s Andy’s Garage (a new vendor this year), located in the Taste of the Midtown Global Market booth at the International Bazaar on the east wall (available Aug. 26-31 only).

Deep-fried chicharrón (pronounced chee-chah-rrohn) covered in prime rib slices, ¡Que Bueno! nacho cheese, pico de gallo and green onion slices.  

You can find it at Coasters, located on the southeast corner of Carnes Avenue & Liggett Street.

Limeade made with juiced Minnesota-grown cucumbers and jalapeño syrup, served with a cucumber slice. 

You can find it at Farmers Union Coffee Shop, located on the north side of Dan Patch Avenue between Cooper and Cosgrove streets.

Strawberries and blueberries over a sugar-coated Betty & Earl’s biscuit, topped with whipped cream and balsamic glaze. 

You can find it at LuLu’s Public House, located at West End Market, south of Schilling Amphitheater.

Mexican street corn off-the-cob topped with mayonnaise, Cotija (pronounced Koh-tee-hah) cheese and pequin (pronounced puh-KEEN) chile powder. 

You can find it at Midtown Global Market’s Los Ocampo, located in the Taste of the Midtown Global Market booth at the International Bazaar, east wall (Available Sept. 1-6 only). 

Los Ocampo returns to the Midtown Global Market booth for the first time since 2013.

Fresh strawberries and fudge brownies dipped in wine-infused dark chocolate, drizzled with wine-infused white chocolate and served on-a-stick. 

You can find it at Minnesota Wine Country, located on the west side of Underwood Street between Carnes and Judson avenues.

Mediterranean pastry dough stuffed with cream cheese, tzatziki sauce, mozzarella cheese, pepperoncini, tomato, gyro meat and Dino’s Greek seasoning, deep-fried and drizzled with roasted garlic butter. 

You can find it at Dino’s Gyros, located on the north side of Carnes Avenue between Nelson and Underwood streets.

Hollowed-out half-pineapple filled with charbroiled chicken glazed with teriyaki sauce and served with steamy white rice and pineapple chunks, topped with green onions and sesame seeds. 

You can find it at The Hangar, located at the North End, southwest section.

A jumbo frosted yeast-raised donut available in a variety of flavors, topped with vanilla softserve ice cream, hot fudge and blend of sprinkles. 

You can find it at Fluffy’s Hand Cut Donuts (a new vendor this year) located between West Dan Patch and Carnes avenues and Liggett and Chambers streets.

Marinated, battered and fried chicken tenders wrapped in paratha (pronounced puh-RAH-ttah) with chutneys and slaw. 

You can find it at Hot Indian, located in the Food Building, east wall. 

The fair says this was "A fan favorite in the Midtown Global Market booth in years past, Hot Indian has a new home of its own in the Food Building and will be at the fair all 12 days."

Oven-roasted cauliflower florets seasoned with Iron Range herbs and spices and served with Calabrian (pronounced kah-LAH-bre-an) sweet chili sauce. (Gluten-free, vegan).

You can find it at Mancini’s al Fresco, located on the north side of Carnes Avenue between Nelson and Underwood streets.

Smoked pork belly topped with beer cheese sauce, arugula, pickled red onions and candied jalapeños served on a buttermilk biscuit. 

You can find it at RC’s BBQ, located on the north side of West Dan Patch Avenue between Liggett and Chambers streets.  

Two new fresh-made waffle wraps: A Southern-fried spicy chicken drummy and cheesy macaroni, finished with a drizzle of honey on a warm Nordic waffle; and a classic ice cream cookie sandwich, crunchy kettle corn and chocolate drizzle dusted with sprinkles all wrapped in a Nordic waffle. 

You can find it at Nordic Waffles, located at West End Market, south section.

Seasoned paneer cheese cubes fried in a gluten-free batter and served with tomato butter. (Gluten-free, vegan)

You can find it at Hot Indian, located in the Food Building, east wall.

Sausage patty topped with pizza sauce, pepperoni and mozzarella cheese, stuffed in homemade Green Mill pizza dough, and topped with Italian seasonings, cheese and crumbled pepperoni.

You can find it at Green Mill, located on the east side of Cooper Street between Randall and Wright avenues, at Family Fair at Baldwin Park.

Crisp wonton shells filled with ahi tuna, avocado and sesame soy. Thai slaw with peanut dressing, pickled ginger and wasabi served on the side. 

You can find it at Scenic 61 by New Scenic Café (a new vendor), located on the east side of Underwood Street between Lee and Randall avenues, just south of Little Farm Hands.

Thick-cut cognac-infused bacon smothered with Cointreau (pronounced khan-troe) and citrus marmalade, layered with melted havarti, smoked Gouda and aged cheddar, served on toasted sourdough bread and garnished with fresh orange slices. 

You can find it at The Hideaway Speakeasy, located in the Veranda, Grandstand upper level, northwest section.

Graham cracker funnel cake topped with marshmallow, milk chocolate chunks and more graham cracker bits. 

You can find it at Funnel Cakes, located in the Food Building, east wall.

Mashed sweet potatoes blended with sweetened cream cheese then wrapped in dough and fried. Lightly dusted with powdered sugar and served with maple dipping sauce on the side. 

You can find it at Potato Man & Sweety, located on the west side of Liggett Street between Carnes and Judson avenues, outside the Horse Barn.

These 2021 State Fair-exclusive mocktails are all gluten-free and vegan. The Wedge-Hammer is fresh ginger, orange and other citrus juices, zest, sparkling water and simple syrup. Lake Storm Lemonade is lavender-infused lemon and other citrus juices, zest, sparkling water and simple syrup. Bama! Lemon Sweet Tea is fresh brewed tea, fresh lemon and other citrus juices, zest, sparkling water and simple syrup.

You can find it at Summer Lakes Beverage (new vendor) located on the east side of Underwood Street between Lee and Randall avenues, just south of Little Farm Hands.

Summer Lakes Beverage previously sold its bottled mixes and merchandise at the State Fair.

Quarter-pound bacon cheeseburger served between two maple-infused candied sweet crunch waffles with a side of maple syrup. 

You can find it at Andy’s Grille, located on the south side of Carnes Avenue between Chambers and Nelson streets.