Most fair food fans are aware of the greatness that emanates from the Texas State Fair each year. The Big Tex Awards are considered by most to be the crown jewel of competitive deep fried cooking. But deep in the heart of cheese country, the nice folks at the Wisconsin State Fair aren’t messing around. Since 2013, the Wisconsin State Fair has hosted the Sporkies; a competition designed to select the most creative fair food of the year. While there is no requirement that these items be deep fried, the majority of finalists usually are. This year, eight strong contenders are vying for the top spot! At Least We Fried has reviewed all eight finalists just for you.
Deep-Fried Turducken On-a-Stick – Water Street Brewery
Looking for innovative fair food? Say hello to Deep-Fried Turducken on-a-Stick! The creator’s of this masterpiece, the Water Street Brewery, aren’t newcomers to the Sporkies having finished first in 2015 and third in 2016. In fact, as you’ll see below they’re so good at this that they’re double finalists! The Deep-Fried Turducken has roast turkey, duck confit, and fried chicken layered with stuffing and gravy. But that’s not all! It’s all battered and fried on a stick, then drizzled with amber beer gravy and cranberry sauce.
Deep-Fried Spinach Lasagna Bites – Albanese’s Roadhouse
Former UFC champ Matt Hughes likes to say you’re not really the champion until you’ve defended your title. Albanese’s Roadhouse is going to get the chance to prove they’re the real champion this year with their amazing Deep-Fried Spinach Lasagna Bites. The defending champions, Albanese’s Roadhouse came up on top in 2017 with their Spaghetti and Meatballs Mozzarella Sticks.
This year, the Roadhouse crew is counting on being the first repeat winner with their Deep-Fried Spinach Lasagna Bites. The Lasagna Bites start with a lasagna noodle rolled up with cheese and spinach inside. The roll is breaded with Italian bread crumbs, fried, and served with Albanese’s famous marinara sauce.
Pig Candy Cannoli – Brew City
Ah, Cannoli. If The Godfather taught us anything, it’s to always bring the Cannoli. This version from Brew City is nothing like Marlon Brando has ever tried, however. Pig Candy Cannoli has candied bacon formed into the shape of a cannoli. The shell is filled with mascarpone cheesecake and garnished with bacon bits and bacon salt. (Editor’s Note: Yes, bacon salt is real.)
Brew City has competed in the Sporkies before. Their best showing was in 2015 when they came in second place with the Bacon Bottom Porker Pizza.
The PorkSTACKular – Budweiser Pavilion
This dish might not be entirely deep fried, but we’re prepared to forgive the Budweiser Pavilion this time. Plus, at least one major ingredient is fried which is good enough for us. The PorkSTACKular starts a 1/3 pound pork belly patty, stacked with bacon, swiss cheese, and deep-fried pickles. This monstrosity is served on buttermilk caramelized-onion naan and drizzled with sweet and spicy honey.
The PorkSTACKular is the creation of the Budweiser Pavilion. The Pavilion crew are veterans of the Sporkies, having come in third last year with the Budweiser Pavilion Triple Threat.
Wisconsin Hot Chicken Bombs – Water Street Brewery
Ever wondered what Nashville Hot Chicken would look like if it was born and raised in Wisconsin instead? Water Street Brewery has your answer. The brewery’s second finalist entry this year is a creative one; a ball of mashed potatoes mixed with fried chicken, corn and cheddar cheese. The balls are then breaded, fried and INJECTED WITH GRAVY. It’s dipped in hot sauce and has some other stuff with it, but did you catch the part about how it’s INJECTED WITH GRAVY? What a time to be alive.
French Onion Soup On-A-Stick – Slim’s PBR Park
Rounding out our deep fried finalists is French Onion Soup On-A-Stick from Slim’s PBR Park! These first time entrants have really come up with an interesting dish for the first finals appearance. This dish starts with carmelized onions mixed together with mozzarella and Swiss cheese. The cheese mixture is rolled into a wonton skin and deep fried. The wantons are cut in half, topped with a baguette crouton, and put on a stick. Slim’s serves an onion aus jus on the side as a dipping sauce.
Finalists That Aren’t Fried (Which is a Shame)
I mean congrats and stuff, but please deep fry stuff in the future. Thanks in advance.
Saz’s Breakfast Bombs – Saz’s Taste of Wisconsin
S’mores Beer Float – Slim McGinn’s Irish Pub
Previous Winners
2017:
- First Place: Spaghetti and Meatballs Mozzarella Sticks – Albanese’s Roadhouse
- Second Place: Chocomela Nachos – La Coppa Artisan Gelato
- Third Place: Budweiser Pavilion Triple Threat – Budweiser Pavilion
- #FairgoersFave Winner: Monkey Business – Saz’s BBQ
2016:
- First Place: Root Beer Float Cake – Sprecher Landing & Sprecher Root Beer Everything
- Second Place: Klement’s Famous Racing Sausages Corn Dog – Saz’s Bavarian Haus
- Third Place: Deep Fried Ol’ Fashioned – Water Street Brewery
- #FairgoersFave Winner: Klement’s Famous Racing Sausages Corn Dog – Saz’s Bavarian Haus
2015:
- First Place: Wis-Cone-Sin – Water Street Brewery
- Second Place: Bacon Bottom Porker Pizza – Brew City
- Third Place: Cheesy Smoked Gouda Sidewinder Fries – Tropics at the Fair
- #FairgoersFave Winner: Deep Fried Pretzel Crusted Brownies On-a-Stick – Saz’s Ribs
2014:
- Best Tasting – Dolce Panino from La Coppa Gelato
- Most Creative – Dolca Panino from La Coppa Gelato
- Grand Champion – Dolce Panino from La Coppa Gelato
- #FairgoersFave Winner – Bacon Wrapped Cherrywood Smoked Pork Belly On-A-Stick
2013:
- Best Tasting – Island Slaw from Island Noodles
- Most Creative – Mela Fritta Gelato On-A-Stick from La Coppa Gelato
- Grand Champion – Mela Fritta Gelato On-A-Stick from La Coppa Gelato
