New fair foods are not to be missed
The Oreo was invented in 1912, but people have only been dropping them in deep fryers for the past decade or so. And we didn’t stop there. Nowadays, you can find almost anything on some menu with the “deep-fried” prefix. Admittedly, it’s not the healthiest thing for you, but this is a special occasion. This is tradition. This is the South Carolina State Fair.
There are over thirty vendors at the fairgrounds, ready to fill up your once-a-year fair food dance card. They’ve got all the staples covered. A fried Oreo here, an elephant ear there, chili fries and an 18-ounce commemorative holographic cup full of Pepsi, and you’ll be waddling home.
I had never even eaten a fried Twinkie when one was presented to me, deep-fried and smelling like all the good things warm sugar has to offer at last year’s fair. But this year, I wanted to see what the healthier options were.
Turns out, there are several. There are two gyro stands, one at each entrance to the fairgrounds. You can have your choice between beef or chicken — both are tasty — and the stands also offer Greek salads. The information desk encourages you to ask vendors about gluten-free and dairy-free foods.
But even better (and more surprising) is the wide selection of healthy options at the “Food to Fair” area (located in the Canty Building ) called Roadside Market. You can sample all sorts of SC grown foods and learn about sustainable farming efforts from all across the state. Plus, you can even take home a bushel of fresh veggies to snack on later.
This year’s big food feature is a national phenomenon: the Ramen Noodle Burger. It’s just like a regular cheeseburger (lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, American cheese and a beef patty) served between two steamed squares of ramen noodles. Plus, instead of mustard and ketchup, this sandwich is topped off with a sesame-based spread you’re going to want to put on your instant noodles from now until forever.
If you’re looking for ways to cool down, I suggest an ice cream sundae. And while there’s always money in the banana stand, you’ll have to get your frozen fruit from a non-novelty shaped booth. (There are but two fruit-shaped stands, and they’re both lemons.) But you can still get frozen bananas (with chocolate, of course) from several vendors on the grounds, or you can create your own quadruple-layer slushie at a stand devoted entirely to the drink. (I always go for blue, because who doesn’t love a blue mouth?) Several vendors will fresh-squeeze lemonade as soon as you order it. But let’s be real — when it comes to refreshment, frozen lemonade is where it’s at.
The bottom line is, you don’t want to miss what South Carolina is serving up.
What you want:
Ramen Burger - $9.50
Elephant Ear - $7 (Strawberries +$1)
Frozen Lemonade - $4
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