Whether you see the Illinois State Fair as a
dieter’s nightmare or a junk food lover’s dream, there’s
no denying that it’s one of the few Springfield events to offer such
a variety of culinary treats.
This year, there are more choices
than ever, including iced Thai coffee (coffee topped with heavy cream) sold
by Red Iguana Coffee Co. and chocolate-covered strawberries from CocoFlow
Chocolate Fountains.
Among other new food entries:
“Texas-style” quesadillas and
nachos prepared on a five-foot replica of a cast iron skillet. This snack
is available at the Skillet, a stand operated by Debbi and Mike Oxford of
Granbury, Texas. The Oxfords also offer a low-carb tortilla with only 14
carbs compared to the 44 carbs of a regular tortilla.
Fried cheesecake served by Michael’s
Concessions. There are three versions of this new treat: plain, strawberry,
and turtle. The outer layer of the turtle variety is a thin, crispy, hot
pastry coating that resembles pie crust coated in cinnamon and sugar. Take
a bite and the cold, creamy cheesecake melds with the melted chocolate and
nuts.
You don’t have to spend a fortune to eat at the
fair. Here are some options:
The 4-H Junior Livestock Building foodstand
serves pancakes, sausage and gravy for breakfast, and brats and
ham-and-cheese sandwiches. Most items are under $3.
Free ice water is offered by the Lutheran Hour
Ministries, on Pat Henry Lane, north of the Coliseum. Tents staffed by
state and local officials also offer free water.
Ice-cold watermelon is available in the Farmers
Market tent on Farmarama Lane, on the east side of the Floriculture
Building. Peaches, garlic, ice cream, and cider slush are also for sale,
but it would be nice to see a more abundant selection of fresh produce
here. The fair should copy the twice-a-week Farmers’ Market in
downtown Springfield: It would be nice to see a lively, outdoor market
atmosphere at the fairgrounds, promoting Illinois produce and
offering taste samples.
The Prairie Farms stand near the Milk-A-Cow
display offers a chocolate-coated ice cream bar for 50 cents. It’s
one of the best deals at the fair.
On the other end of the eating spectrum, there are
many more expensive food items. The curry chicken at the Jamaican tent in
Ethnic Village has always been one of my favorites. But it seems the price
has increased over the past few years, while the portions get smaller. This
year, the tasty concoction of red beans and rice, topped with chunks of
spicy chicken served with one meager sliver of plantain, was $6. It’s
still delicious, but one of the more expensive items I tried.>
The Illinois State Fair runs through Aug. 21.
This article appears in Aug 18-24, 2005.
