Midwest dominates Yelp ranking of states with best fair food

Food & DiningA corndog fan posed with a meal that matched her shirt during the first day of the Minnesota State Fair in Falcon Heights, Minnesota. (Photo by Leila Navidi/Star Tribune via Getty Images)Star Tribune via Getty ImagesBy Brandon Champion | bchampio@mlive.comWhen it comes to fair food, the Midwest is the place to be. That’s according to Yelp, which analyzed review volume and ratings to try and identify the top 10 state fairs for festival eats in the US based on businesses with high concentrations of reviews mentioning fair foodThe Midwest dominates with four of the top 10 fairs (Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Indiana), while other favorites come from the South and the East Coast. “State fair season is almost here, and while the rides and livestock shows have their charm, most of us are really there for the food,” Yelp noted. “Whether it’s the latest deep-fried invention or a classic bucket of warm cookies, America’s state fairs have become some of the most exciting summer food destinations in the country.” The top 10 state fairs have collectively earned more than 2,500 reviews on Yelp, with 81% specifically calling out the food from deep fried experiments to treats on a stick. The Minnesota State Fair in Saint Paul took the top spot with buckets of warm cookies from Sweet Martha’s Cookie Jar earning a special shoutout. “If you’ve never been, put it on your bucket list. The Minnesota State Fair is not just a fair, it’s a full-blown cultural experience,” one Yelper wrote. The Wisconsin State Fair in West Allis came in at No. 2 and was unsparingly noted as a “cheese-lover’s paradise,” while the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines at No. 3 was touted for its agricultural roots and reputation for fried food innovation. The New York State Fair in Syracuse is the highest rated event outside the Midwest at No. 4. Staples like 25-cent milk, $1 baked potato, wine slushies and The Bacon Bomb sandwich listed as highlights. New York’s melting pot population also leads to a massive selection of ethnic cuisines like Italian, Chinese, Greek, Halal, Brazilian, African, Caribbean, and many others.The Indiana State Fair in Indianapolis and its classic comfort food like the breaded pork tenderloin sandwich rounded out the top five. The State Fair of Texas in Dallas, aka the “Fried Food Capital of Texas,” was No. 6 while The Big E in West Springfield, Massachusetts and its array of seafood delights like Massachusetts clam chowder and Maine lobster rolls comes in at No. 7. The Florida State Fair in Tampa, Alaska State Fair in Palmer and North Carolina State Fair in Raleigh rounded out the top 10 with Alaska’s event being described as “a rollicking good time.”You can see the complete list here. Brandon Champion is a National Trending Reporter for Advance Local based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Focused on restaurants, food and retail. Central Michigan University graduate. Brandon also hosts the Second...