334761 Tue Oct 17 10:20:56 -0700 2006 15 11 South 0 1951151 ok this is a one time deal but Im planning on going this weekend and would like suggestions,,,how about the giant turkey legs?, the potato chips, the fried coke???what do you all think? Tue Oct 17 10:20:56 -0700 2006 17086 orzobino 1 1951219 Recommendations: Roasted Corn Italian Sausage with Onions/Peppers NC State Ice Cream Country Ham Biscuit from Apex Lions Club or Cary United Mehodist Church What others like: Fried Dough Funnel Cakes Candy Apples Gyros Tue Oct 17 12:28:45 -0700 2006 1951151 15304 steveindurham 1 1951249 The giant turkey legs look appealing, but I had one once and it just really wasn't that good, and way too much meat in one go. Of course, if you want the Fred Flintstone experience, eating a piece of meat the size of your head, go right ahead, but be sure to take a few pictures.... Funnel cakes have, like, 8000 calories even without the toppings. I know, calories shouldn't be a consideration, but again, they're one of those things that look really good and those first few bites probably are, but then it just goes downnhill until you're eating a cold piece of fried dough. Maybe I shouldn't even be responding - not a big fan of fair food, which tends to be all about grease and sugar. I'm with Steveindurham - I would go with a ham biscuit, roasted corn and ice cream. Tue Oct 17 12:45:59 -0700 2006 1951151 26542 suse 1 1951332 I went to the fair on Saturday (do NOT ask about parking what with the State game and all...nightmarish). While there, ate a ham biscuit from the Amran Shriners, roasted corn, a root beer float, and split a funnel cake 3 ways (that makes it better, right?). I personally don't get the turkey leg thing. Also, I was too full but there's also the ice cream and fresh apple cider in the Village of Yesteryear area. The cider smelled amazing! I'm tempted to go back just to try that! Tue Oct 17 13:36:42 -0700 2006 1951151 15132 OrganicGal 1 1951408 We went yesterday. Once again, I did not try a fried candy bar. While I think I'd love it, I'm not willing to stand in that line, especially without a clearly-posted price. I always get: fudge from the people in the corner of the Hobbies & Crafts building (fudge like my mom made, not that squishy stuff found everywhere else); maple cotton candy (in the corner of the Commercial building, on the end farthest from Dorton arena); honey cotton candy (in the big concrete building with the artwork submissions). (I'm never tempted by regular cotton candy anymore anywhere!) We also got: polish sausage (not bad, not my favorite thing, favorite thing of companions, though); NC State ice cream - REALLY good ice cream, supports scholarship funds and whatnot, and an insane amount of ice cream for $4!... longest line I saw, but it moved reasonably quickly; slice of pizza - really *bad*; apple pie at the apple booth across from the Village of Yesteryear (DH tradition, he loves them, they're not my fav); and kettle corn, again near the VoY (I really like kettle corn! especially fresh and at the fair.) Tue Oct 17 14:13:49 -0700 2006 1951151 14222 abowes 1 1951635 I'm going tonight and am planning on the corn, ice cream and fresh cut french fries. Not the healthiest dinner i admit but figure once a year won't kill me. It seems that with a lot of the meats ( roast beef sandwich, turkey leg etc) I am disappointed, while they look good they are often dried out and not very tasty. Tue Oct 17 15:37:19 -0700 2006 1951151 20248 jean9 1 1952010 Apple cider!!! I'm not sure what's different about it, if anything, but I swear it's the best cider I've ever had. The tough choice is whether to get hot or cold. I usually go with both (at different times). It goes great with the kettle corn sold nearby. Other than that, everything is pretty mediocre. Some of the church breakfasts can be pretty good but the one I had this morning was a must-miss. The ribbon fries at the "German" food stand to the side and behind the Kerr Scott building aren't too bad if they're fully cooked. The price, however.... It's fair food. If that's your thing, you can't go wrong. If not, choose carefully. Either way, don't forget the Pepcid. Tue Oct 17 17:18:49 -0700 2006 1951151 25244 rockycat 1 1952261 Fried oreos. It sounds crazy but they are awesome. I think you get six for about $5. Be sure and say yes to the powdered sugar and chocolate sauce....I know, I know, but it's not like I make these things at home Tue Oct 17 18:24:10 -0700 2006 1951151 20534 jlwnc 1 1954402 My feeling regarding food at the fair is as much where you get it as what you get. Roast corn, for me, is best if you get it at the place in front of the rabbit building. There they actually roast it in the back...unlike those other trailers advertising roast corn. Al's Fries (on the main drag, with its back to the midway/old track) are the BEST fries...and they have malt vinegar. I second the NC State ice cream SO GOOD. There is a reason these places have lines. Look for a corn dog place where you can actually see someone dipping and frying the dogs, not warmed over ones stacked in the window. Ditto with caramel apples, funnel cakes...fresher is better. We never miss the apple cider in Heritage Village (where they press it, not that little trailer...I agree, that place is just okay). I also agree about the agony of deciding hot or cold, hot or cold. We got hot this year due to the chill in the air. And the kettle corn in Heritage Village is the BEST...a little sweet, a little salty, VERY fresh. Nothing better than eating kettle corn, drinking fresh cider, listening to bluegrass, or a storyteller on a nice fall afternoon. I also second the honey or maple cotton candy. SOOO good. Much better than that oversweet, made and bagged weeks ago stuff in pink and blue that they sell everywhere. Has anyone tried the mini doughnuts from the vendor behind Dorton? They are made fresh and served hot. They have a tiny version of the Krispy Kreme machine in the trailer, although they are covered in sugar and are cake doughnuts, but are incredible when just made. Great if you are there early in the morning, trying to beat the crowds. We always make a stop at the Cary Methodist "restaurant". Good ham biscuits, but mostly, a place to rest and the people there are so darned nice. A little oasis. And don't miss the Pork Producers BBQ (between gate 1 &2, aka the "pork chop shop"). They used to bring it in from that place in Smithfield. Didn't make it this year, so not sure...but usually great. So, you can't write off certain items til you get them from the right vendor! Wed Oct 18 14:12:37 -0700 2006 1951151 47569 VaNC 1 1962361 Thanks everybody got my list of what and where to go Going this afternoon so itll be me and my wife and 100,000 of my closest personal friends!!! Sat Oct 21 11:01:22 -0700 2006 1951151 17086 orzobino 1 1964719 So, Orzobino, what did you think of the food....uh, Fair???? Sun Oct 22 23:32:46 -0700 2006 1951151 47569 VaNC 1 1965356 well I was there on the busiest day ever over 140,000 and only 100,000 were my friends but what was worth the 45 minute drive was the fried oreos,,,I never eat them dont like them but deep fried I thought they were heaven and for some reason there was no line for them,,,unlike the fried snickewrs and coke which was unreal so didnt get it.. the cider at heritage was good got the freezie,,,and a dumpling,,,kettle corn in front of the rabbit exihibit very tasty,,,als french fries very good... didnt get the turkey leg but it must have put a sumbliminal message in my brain because I bought 3 for 1.50 at the food lion and crock potted them yesterday... all in all it was a very good experience,,realised i hadnt been to the fair in 10 years,,dont think ill let it get that long an absence again..thanks all,,,now where am i going to get those fried oreos now....?hmmmmmmmm Mon Oct 23 10:27:01 -0700 2006 1951151 17086 orzobino 1 1966769 Pretty much agree with all the positive recommendations above: the real roast corn, maple cotton candy, etc., but I've got one more to add: the Fried Apples. Delicious, but what are they you ask? They were cutting up Roma apples with an old-style french fry slicers and getting a julienne of maybe 5mm square and picking out the core slices. Then they got the batter which was sweetened and had a bit of cinnamon spice. Then they fried them up and served them in a waffle cone just about big enough to hold a softball. The overall effect was quite good. The apple insides were cooked into nicely flavored, tender and sweet mass, with just enough crunch and browned sugar in the coating to really make it work. Had the flavors of a very good apple pie. And the waffle cone was a nice foil for the richness of the apple pieces. This is definitely a new favorite of mine. Mon Oct 23 20:29:04 -0700 2006 1951151 22838 FuzzyT 2 1971011 FuzzyT, where were these apples? I need to get the location in the State Fair map that stays in my head, for next year! Okay, I am NUTS about the Fair. DC Gal, we understand! Wed Oct 25 13:27:07 -0700 2006 1966769 47569 VaNC 3 2066204 They were set up right at the entrance to one of the Big Ag buildings. I wanna say it was the Jim Graham building, but I'm not 100% on that. Believe there was a dairy goat showing inside. Sun Dec 03 18:44:09 -0800 2006 1971011 22838 FuzzyT 1 1966866 I had to come here and tell everyone - I'm in DC and missed the NC State Fair for the first time in years this year. I was SO SAD about not having any of the maple cotton candy. So, today at my office, a large copy paper box arrives and is light as a feather. It was from my dad and he sent me FOUR bags of the maple cotton candy! I am in heaven! The people in my office are looking at me like I have three heads for being so excited about some cotton candy - but to me, this is not ordinary cotton candy. And, as if this isn't a strange enough story already - I have to tell you who else is going to be excited about this when I take it home. MY CAT! He loves the stuff! Don't worry - he only gets a little of it.! Mon Oct 23 20:51:38 -0700 2006 1951151 12743 DC Gal