Tag Archives: tater tots

COL835: LTAF: State Fairs ’26 – Part Two

In this episode of Cubs Out Loud, it’s time for another Let’s Talk About Food. It’s that time of year – State Fairs are coming back around. So what does 2026 hold for the cubs? In Part 2, the guys return to Jeff’s home state–Minnesota! From savory bites to sweet treats, listen in as the cubs dish on the new selection of fabulous fair foods.

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Let’s Talk About Food: State Fairs ‘26 – Part 2

Summer has been in full force for a bit and once again the STATE FAIRS are active. For 2026, we’ve got a new batch of foods to consider as we return to one of our faves, Minnesota! Minnesota State Fair: Aug 27 – September 7 ’26.  Let’s take a look at which items this year we’d consider trying, sharing, or buying this time. 

First up, SAVORY STUFF!

 

    • Chorizo Manchego Croquettes – Paella Depot: Spanish-style potato croquettes filled with manchego cheese and Spanish chorizo. Lightly breaded, fried and garnished with chives. Drizzled with homemade lemon garlic aioli. (Gluten-free)
    • Cracklin’ Corn Ribs – The Blue Barn: corn cob quarters dipped in tempura batter, then fried. Brushed with seasoned butter and topped with bacon ranch, green onion and candied jalapeños. Served on a bed of pork rinds.
    • The Fried and the Furious: Cubano Drift – The Herbivorous Butcher: a deep-fried Cubano-style sandwich made with a crunchy tortilla filled with vegan Cuban pork, vegan Swiss cheese, dill pickle relish, vegan garlic mayo and mustard. Served with a side of jalapeño citrus sauce. (Vegan)
    • Elote Tots – Tot Boss: Deep-fried tater tots tossed in Tajín and topped with an elote-style sauce made with roasted corn, diced peppers, cheddar cheese, crema and cream cheese. Finished with cotija cheese and more Tajín. (Vegetarian)
    • Honey Brisket Battered Potatoes – Australian Battered Potatoes: deep-fried Australian Battered Potatoes topped with beef brisket, smothered in nacho cheese and drizzled with hot honey. 
    • Jamaican Jerk Chicken Loaded Fries – Midtown Global Market’s Irie Jamaican Express: battered french fries topped with Jamaican jerk chicken, melted cheese and green onions. Drizzled with ranch and jerk sauce. (Aug. 27 to Sept. 1 only)
    • Sligo Slider Bites On-A-Stick – O’Gara’s at the Fair: handmade dumplings stuffed with a cheeseburger blend made of beef, cheddar, pickle and onion. Skewered on-a-stick and deep-fried. Served with homemade Thousand Island dressing.

Secondly, SWEET THINGS!

    • Brandy Old Fashioned Cookie Dough – Kora & Mila’s Cookie Dough: an edible cookie dough infused with nonalcoholic brandy flavor and combined with orange zest, cinnamon, dark chocolate chips and tart dried cherries. Served on-a-stick, hand dipped in brandy-flavored bittersweet chocolate, and rolled in Biscoff® cookie crumbs. (Vegetarian)
    • Butter Brew Mustache Pretzel – Blue moon Dine-In Theater: a handmade soft pretzel dough rolled in the shape of a mustache and baked. Coated in melted butter and tossed in a butter brew sugar mixture flavored with caramel, vanilla and butterscotch. Served with a side of vanilla soft-serve dip. (Vegetarian)
    • Dubai Whoopie Pie – Dino’s Gyros: a Dubai chocolate-inspired whoopie pie made with pistachio cream sandwiched between two dark chocolate cakes. Rolled in Dino’s Dubai crunch topping of shredded filo, crushed pistachios, honey and brown sugar. (Vegetarian)
    • French Chouxnut Sundae – Bridgeman’s Ice cream: a  Salted Caramel Espresso ice cream piled atop a choux pastry donut filled with milk chocolate mousse and topped with dark chocolate fondant icing and chocolate curls. Finished with caramel drizzle, whipped cream and a cherry. (Vegetarian)
    • Pickle Pie – LuLu’s Public House: a pie crust filled with a blend of chopped pickles, pickle juice and cream cheese. Topped with homemade savory whipped frosting made with ranch and Cholula Hot Sauce. Garnished with a gherkin and a sprinkle of dill. (Vegetarian)
    • Strawberry Ube Sundae Tart – Sara’s Tipsy Pies: a swirled strawberry and ube marshmallow cream mixed with chocolate chips, chilled and scooped into a fudge-filled gluten-friendly shortbread crust. Topped with whipped cream, strawberry sauce and edible glitter sprinkles. (Gluten-friendly)

 

 

COL793: LTAF: State Fairs ‘25 – Part 1

In this episode of Cubs Out Loud, it’s time for another Let’s Talk About Food. It’s that time of year – State Fairs are coming back around. So what does 2025 hold for the cubs? This go round, the guys return to one of their fave states: Wisconsin! Listen in as the cubs take a look at a dirty dozen of delectable delights.

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Let’s Talk About Food: State Fairs ‘25 – Part 1 

It’s that time of year – STATE FAIRS are coming back around. So what does 2025 hold for us? This go round we’re returning to one of our faves, Wisconsin! Wisconsin State Fair: July 31-Aug 10 ’25 And we’re taking a look at a dirty dozen of delectable delights. 

  • Alligator Cajun Mac & Cheese Sundae – Alligator Cajun Mac & Cheese Sundae is your new favorite comfort food, featuring smoky alligator meat layered with creamy Cajun mac and cheese. Served in a waffle bowl and topped with shredded cheese, bacon bits, Cajun sour cream, and a cherry tomato, this dish brings big flavor and State Fair wow factor in every bite!
  • Banana Cream Pie Slush – The Banana Cream Pie Slush is a nostalgic, fair-ready treat that turns your favorite dessert into a refreshing frozen drink. Velvety banana slush layered with whipped cream and topped with crunchy vanilla cookie crumbles for a perfect pie-in-a-cup vibe. Sweet but balanced, it’s a cool, creamy crowd-pleaser you won’t want to miss.
  • Brat Rangoon – Brat Rangoon are a crave-worthy fusion of Wisconsin comfort and Asian street food. This unique German-Asian dish features crisp wonton wrappers filled with bratwurst, cream cheese, green onion, and melted cheese, deep-fried, and drizzle with house-made sweet and sour sauce. Topped with Nori Komi Furikake seasoning, these savory bites pack flavors together in every crispy crunch.
  • Chicken ‘n Waffle Jerky – Chicken N’ Waffle Jerky is a sweet and savory snack that blends comfort food flavor with jerky convenience. Sliced chicken breast is perfectly seasoned then dried with real maple syrup creating a tasty fair snack that hits all the right notes. It’s high protein, low carb, and bursting with flavor in every strip.
  • Dill Dawg Dorito Bombs – A juicy hot dog stuffed inside a zesty dill pickle, dipped in golden cornbread batter, and fried to crispy perfection!
  • Hot Diggety Dog – Hot Diggety Dog reimagines the American classic by slicing an all-beef frank into strips, battering, and deep–frying it to crispy perfection. It’s then topped with beer cheese, smoky bacon, tangy Big Sky sauce, and a sprinkle of scallions for a savory flavor explosion.
  • Irish Onion Rolls – Irish Onion Rolls reinvent the classic onion roll with a rich Irish Stout caramelized onions and a blend of three cheeses plus crispy bacon. Wrapped in a crispy wonton shell and deep-fried to perfection, they come with a side of hearty Irish stout gravy for dipping. This savory snack is a perfect fusion of tradition and bold flavor.
  • Lumberjack Tots – Tater Tots topped with maple syrup, bacon, and powdered sugar!
  • Meatloaf and Mash Bomb Pop – Meatloaf & Mash Bomb Pop takes classic homemade meatloaf and wraps it in creamy mashed potatoes, then coats it in seasoned breadcrumbs. Deep-fried on–a–stick and served with a tangy secret sauce, it’s a nostalgic comfort food turned into an on-the-go meal.
  • Pickle Quesadilla – Pickle Quesadilla is a grilled tortilla filled with melted cheese and tangy pickle slices. Served with a special pickle-infused sour cream, it’s a tangy and savory delight for pickle lovers.
  • Pretzaroni Pizza Brat  – Pretzaroni Pizza Brat is the delicious fusion of a pretzel, a pizza, and a bratwurst. A St. Joe’s Garlic Parmesan brat is wrapped in pretzel dough lined with pepperoni, baked to golden perfection, and finished off with homemade garlic parm topping. Served with a side of marinara, it’s cheesy, meaty, and totally Wisconsin.
  • Smoked Reuben Parfait – Smoked Reuben Parfait is perfect for enjoying the rich, smoky flavors on the go! This dish layers creamy Swiss mac and cheese with smoked corned beef, tangy sauerkraut, and Thousand Island dressing. Topped with crunchy marble rye croutons, it’s a handheld take on the classic Reuben sandwich.

Ube Butter Banana French Toast Lumpia – Ube Butter Banana French Toast Lumpia puts a twist on a traditional favorite sweet lumpia flavor called Turon. This Filipino-American dessert mashes up deep cultural roots and modern flavor made with caramelized bananas, syrup-soaked French toast, and rich purple ube butter, then deep-fried until golden and dusted with powdered sugar. Delicious for any meal of the day at the State Fair!

COL770: LTAF: Potatoes

In this episode of Cubs Out Loud, it’s time for another Let’s Talk About Food. This time around, these spuds discuss that fabulous starchy root veggie: the potato. From tasty tots to covered concoctions, listen as the cubs debate its a-peel!

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Let’s Talk About Food: Potatoes

Last time around we talked about the almighty tuber. This time it’s PO-TAY-TOES! 

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