Come late August, there’s one Toronto tradition that keeps spirits high — the CNE! Sure, the rides, games and endless shopping pavilions are fun, but the real thrill is the whacky midway food. The CNE keeps its food lineup hush-hush until closer to opening day, which got us thinking about all the delicious (and strange) food that could possibly make an appearance.
We’ve scouted the wildest eats from fairs across Canada and the USA, and here’s our wish list of 10 foods we hope are coming to the CNE this year.
1. PB Bacon Cakes
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The Minnesota State Fair, a summer send-off loved by two million yearly attendees, features a mouthwatering spread of 500 food items — including 80 on a stick! At the CNE this year, we’d love to see the PB Bacon Cakes from Blue Barn which features thick-cut bacon dipped in pancake batter, griddled and topped with peanut butter whipped cream, grape jelly and banana chips.
2. The Wrangler Waffle Burger
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Another Minnesota standout, the Wrangler Waffle Burger from Nordic Waffles, packs a juicy all-beef patty with patty melt sauce and American cheese, all sandwiched between caramelized onion-infused waffles.
3. Rick’s Flamin’ Hot Cheeto Pickle Pizza
The Calgary Stampede is the spot to be if you’re looking for daring midway food and you’ll certainly get a flavour explosion with Rick’s Flamin’ Hot Cheeto Pickle Pizza. This wild creation starts with hand-tossed dough, creamy dill sauce, fresh mozzarella and crispy dill pickle chips, all crowned with a layer of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos.
4. Lobster Bao
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Calgarians know how to wow the taste buds! The Lobster Bao from Dumpling Hero is a New England classic with an Asian twist. Picture a soft, pillowy steamed bao bun stuffed with succulent lobster meat, crunchy celery, fresh scallions and creamy house mayo.
5. Deep Fried Candy Pecan Bourbon Bread Pudding
At the State Fair of Texas, their decadent bread pudding combines French bread and custard, fried to golden perfection, then tossed with cinnamon sugar, candy pecans and crispy bacon. Topped with New Orleans praline and salted caramel bourbon sauces, this treat will make you wish the CNE was year-round!
6. Cornbread Sausage Bombs
Texas delivers again with these decadent cornbread sausage bombs. Representing Texas’s four major food groups — cornbread, smoked sausage, pimento cheese and jalapeño — this dish features pecan-smoked sausage topped with pimento cheese and jalapeño, dipped in cornbread batter and fried to golden perfection.
7. Disco Pop Shake
At the San Diego County Fair, disco fever hit hard with TJ’s Ice Cream’s Disco Pop Shake! This treat combines classic grape soda and vanilla ice cream, topped with whipped cream and grape Pop Rocks. The glass is rimmed with more Pop Rocks and comes adorned with a disco ball swirly straw!
8. Cap’n Crunch Berry Chicken Sandwich
This may sound wild, but that’s the fun of midway foods! San Diego nailed this colourful burger: double-battered, extra-crispy fried chicken dipped in a honey raspberry glaze, topped with crushed Cap’n Crunch Berries and served on a toasted brioche bun encrusted with more cereal. If this yummy creation makes its way to the CNE we have one criticism—where’s the milk?
9. Piggy in a Donut
Over at Iowa’s favourite fair, the piggies have been elevated to donut status. Piggy in a Donut from the Biscuit Bar is a must-try! This sausage on-a-stick is dipped in mini batter, fried, rolled in sugar, and ready to enjoy with syrup or a top-secret sauce.
10. Bacon Cheeseburger Eggroll
The Bacon Cheeseburger Eggroll from Winn & Sara’s Kitchen is the Iowa State Fair’s must-have for 2024! This fusion of American and Asian cuisine features seasoned ground beef, smoky bacon, tangy pickles, and melty cheese, all wrapped in a crispy eggroll and drizzled with house-made burger sauce.