The Florida State Fair returns to Tampa on February 6th and that means Florida State Fair food is back! And this year it's as outrageous as ever, bringing along some really crazy(&awesome!) concoctions. Because why else do we really go to the fair?
Tickets for entry are $9 for one adult, $5 for kids and $7 for seniors. This allows you into the expo hall, petting zoos, Cracker Country and much more. For rides you must purchase tickets, but food is available on your card or with cash. And food at the Florida State Fair provides plenty of choices to guarantee that everyone will find something!
It's the fourth year that The Midway Eye is coming to the Florida State Fair. It is the largest traveling Ferris Wheel in the United States, and will be competing with the fried foods for the longest line. It stands 155-feet above the fair, giving riders a birds-eye view of other attendees eating giant turkey legs and playing Midway games until their wallets are empty.
But the best part of being 155 feet above the fair is the aroma of brisket being smoked, turkey legs being grilled, and pizza cone’s being filled with onions and peppers. Above all, you smell the oil that is frying just about anything: Oreos, pickles, butter, etc. Because who goes to the fair not to gain a few pounds eating delicious and outrageous feats of culinary excess?
This year the fair has some new food they’re hoping teenyboppers and cranky parents agree are worth keeping around. Here are some of the most outlandish foods that are being introduced this year:
Peanut Butter Ramen Burger - Carousel Foods
Stop by Carousel Foods for a burger like you’ve never had before! It’s a Ramen noodle bun with a 1/4 pound burger and two strips of bacon, topped with a peanut-butter vinaigrette-dressed Chow Mein Asian Slaw.
Cheesy Sriracha Funnel Cake Bites - Out of This World Funnel Cakes
For all those Sriracha lovers out there, the Florida State Fair brings you cheesy funnel cake pieces, deep-fried and topped with four cheeses and chives, served with Sriracha aioli, ranch or garlic butter dip.
Sweet Heat Jalapeño Ice Cream - Coolicious Treats
Do you enjoy unique flavor combos like sweet and salty? Well, at the Florida State Fair you can experience the best of both worlds with the “Sweet Heat” of jalapeño & chocolate-flavored ice cream served in a cup.
Steak N Eggs Sundae - DeAnna’s Steak Sundaes
For all of my fellow meat and potatoes people, they’re serving up fresh cut fries layers with warm cheese, sour cream, real bacon. Next, they layer on a scoop of cheesy grits, a fried egg, and topped with mouth-watering sirloin steak.
S’mores on a Stick - Pence’s Caramel Corn
Nothing brings back childhood memories like a s’more! Grab a S’mores on a Stick from Pence’s Caramel Corn to try a larger than life marshmallow, dipped in sweet, melted chocolate and rolled in crunchy graham cracker pieces.
Pina Colada Candy Apple - The Apple Cart
Do you like pina coladas? Or getting caught at The Apple Cart at the Florida State Fair? Well, if you do stop by to try their new PIna Colada Candy Apple! Here’s how it’s made: a crisp apple coated in a hard crunchy pina colada flavored candy available with or without coconut.
Cheeseburger On-A-Stick - DeAnna’s Diner
If you're a bigger fan of savory than sweet, stop by DeAnna’s Diner for a Cheeseburger on a Stick! Yes, you read that correctly! It’s a grilled Angus beef patty, dipped in DeAnna’s secret batter, deep fried and drizzled with a warm cheddar cheese sauce.
Cheesy Tater Corn Dog - Best Around
A corn dog is one of those traditional fair foods, unless you get it from Best Around that is! Stop by for a unique take on the Corn Dog with a cheese-filled hotdog on a stick, dipped into a potato and corn dog batter, coated in Panko, deep fried until golden brown and crunchy.
The Orie - Best Around
Stop by Best Around for an Oreo funnel cake like never before! This masterpiece has a sweet cream filling sandwiched between two chocolate funnel cake batter cookies.
Candy Corn - Pence’s Caramel Corn
We’ve all had kettle corn and the traditional butter popcorn but have you dared to try any of the more outrageous flavors? Stop by Pence’s Caramel Corn for sweet and crunchy popcorn with fun, multicolor coatings, in banana, bubble gum, raspberry and green apple flavors!
Strawberry Lemonade Shortcake Sundae - DeAnna’s Steak Sundaes
Now, when you go to the fair, it’s necessary to eat both savory and sweet items and DeAnna’s Steak Sundaes is serving up both! Grab a warm cinnamon sugar donut pieces drizzled with lemonade frosting, fresh strawberry slices and homemade whipped cream on top.
Cajun Chili Cheese Fries - DeAnna’s Steak Sundaes
If you’re into cheese fries like I am, this is going to excite you! fresh cut cajun fries, with hot sauce, cheese, and grilled onions, topped with Beef Chili con carne, Jalapeño slices and parmesan cheese.
Hawaiian Jerk Chicken Pizza - Angela’s Pizza
Pizza is something we can all agree is one of our favorite food groups. But how about a Hawaiian Jerk Chicken Pizza? I would try it! It’s a white garlic sauce based pizza topped with jerk chicken, diced pineapple, ham, and mozzarella cheese, available whole or by the slice.
So forget about the diet for a day, and enjoy the Florida State Fair food from February 6th-18th. But don't forget the games and rides since you'll need to burn some of those calories!
For more information on things to Do for the whole family in Tampa, check us out on 813area. We're your free guide to everything local!
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