Ism: Views on life in rural America

One of my favorite TikTok creators eats his way through the Iowa State Fair. For the past three years, this Iowegian visits nearly every food stand on the fairgrounds, highlights a certain food or special drink, samples it while the camera runs and rates each food, giving it a specific number of corndogs on a 10-corndog scale.

He’s taste-tested apple bacon waffles, dill pickle sno-cones, alligator corndogs, lamb Philly cheese steaks, pork picnic in a cup (pulled pork, baked beans, Fritos and coleslaw in a clear Solo cup), walleye fritters, lutefisk steam buns, lobster corndogs, mango boba, dill pickle beer, cheeseburger eggrolls, tipsy peach waffles and more.

Last year, he added a trip to the Minnesota State Fair. I’m impressed with the wide variety of options at both states’ shindigs, with offerings ranging from basic burgers to ethnic dishes, foods on sticks to barbecue, local craft beers to healthy smoothies. It’s estimated that 2 million people visit the Minnesota fair; more than 300 vendors are on site, offering more than 500 items to select from.

I wish he’d visit Nebraska’s grand get-together in Grand Island and offer his ratings on mango on a stick, bourbon chicken, Maryland crabcakes, hot mini donuts, Italian sausage corndogs, bacon-wrapped cinnamon rolls and fried peanut butter and jelly on a stick. Compared to our neighboring states, the food choices here seem a little tame.

The Food Network ranked the best fair food in each state. Surprisingly, Nebraska’s top pick is a Reuben burger from Cactus Jack’s Church Wagon, which is described as a seasoned steak burger, topped with brisket, white American cheese, sauerkraut and a secret sauce. Might have to give it a try.

My favorite state fair food is the square-cut vanilla ice cream bars, dipped in chocolate and rolled in chopped peanuts. When the fair was in Lincoln, my family would gravitate toward the stand after concerts we attended. I located the stand the last time I visited the fair in Grand Island and bought a treat. That first bite of cold, rich vanilla ice cream reminded me of childhood.

Definitely worth 10 out of 10 corndogs.