Full Breakdown
Minnesota State Fair Unveils 36 New Foods and Nine New Vendors for 2026
7/10/2026, 6:12:44 PM
Expanded Food Lineup and Vendor Additions
The 2026 Minnesota State Fair, opening on August 27 and running through September 7, will feature 36 new food and drink options alongside nine new vendors. Organizers describe the expansion as part of the fair’s longstanding tradition of introducing novel culinary offerings each year.
Highlighted New Dishes
Among the new items are several regionally inspired selections:
- Pickle Pie – offered by LuLu’s Public House, blending tangy pickles with a classic pie crust.
- Surf ‘N’ Turf Burger – a surf-and-turf-style sandwich served by Café Caribe.
- Hmong Corndog – a cultural twist on the traditional corndog, prepared by Union Hmong Kitchen.
Limited-time specialties include Jamaican Jerk Chicken Loaded Fries (available August 27 – September 1) and Midtown Global Market’s El Taco Torro (available September 2 – September 7).
New Vendor Spotlight: Dockside Poppers
Dockside Poppers, operating from the Summer Lakes Boat House, will open in a brand-new building that features daily live entertainment. The vendor’s addition expands the fair’s waterfront dining options and aligns with the event’s goal of diversifying visitor experiences.
Official Outlook and Scheduling Details
Fair officials note that the new foods will be distributed across various locations, with a map of the new sites provided on the fair’s website. The limited-time items are scheduled to appear during specific windows within the fair’s two-week run, encouraging attendees to sample them while available.
The expanded menu and vendor roster aim to attract both returning fairgoers and new visitors, reinforcing the Minnesota State Fair’s reputation as a premier venue for innovative and culturally diverse cuisine.
