POLL: Which New Wisconsin State Fair Food Are You Most Likely to Try?

alt ideas needed July 15, 2012 at 02:17 pm

as a normal person, I too will not be eating any of the above, nor will I will be attending the the State Fair - too much alcohol, fatties, and violence.
Thanks for your opinion Johnny Seed. Opinions are highly valued on the internet and forums such as the Wauatosa Patch.

jerry mislang July 15, 2012 at 02:23 pm

How do you know about all the "alcohol, fatties and violence" if you don't go? I beleive there's a lot of "normal" people among the 90,000 + folks who attend every day. I don't care where you go, you're always going to find a few bad apples. The more good apples you have, the better the bushel!

Bren July 15, 2012 at 03:01 pm

Johnny, a good friend had the same "notification after being found guilty in court" experience in Menomonee Falls except that friend was never told a ticket had been issued (expired insurance card. The appeal was struck down because the college intern who is apparently the judge's boss told him to do so. Menomonee Falls should change its name to Macon County! ; ). How you were treated was based on officer competency, not the State Fair. After the flash mob experience (which my relative's spouse narrowly escaped) more security is good, in my opinion!
A relative lives near the State Fair park and 10 days of the year has to deal with the traffic issues. It's hard on residents too but it's only 10 days. And one reasonably has to expect issues like this around a major event. Instead of trying to steer people away from the State Fair, counsel planning extra time for finding parking, etc.

Johnny Seed July 15, 2012 at 03:40 pm

Bren, There are a lot of guests from out of town and there is no way to notify them that the fair ground neighborhood is improperly marked for navigating around the park. In addition since the park is not directing traffic but handing out tickets at the entrance I feel the problem is with the park. In addition there is no reason for them not to provide us with a notice of a court date to defend ourselves. In our case I complained to the State Fair about the initial situation and feel the ticket or notice may have been withheld intentionally.

mau July 15, 2012 at 04:28 pm

I haven't gone to state fair since abt. 1988. I hate the crowds and prices. Those all look like very healthy food choices :(

Jack Mehoff July 15, 2012 at 04:32 pm

alt, you are a dumb hayseed rube. you would fit right in at the WSF

Bren July 15, 2012 at 05:00 pm

Johnny, I generally warn friends that parking is a challenge and they plan accordingly. Some of our plans include meeting up and carpooling, etc. I can't speak for your ticket issue but in Menomonee Falls my friend was convinced it was intentional. Getting hit with $200+ in fines when a simple phone call to the insurance agent at the scene would have straightened out the issue (and what about "Get a current copy of your card" suggests that there was a serious problem), and that the friend had an adult passenger in the car at the time of the stop who came to the appeals court ready to testify and was never given the opportunity to do so, was further evidence that there was intention. (This friend drives an older model car, a tail light apparently burned out and the stop was made. The officer was apparently "shocked" to see this individual behind the wheel, "as if he was expecting to see something else." At the appeals court, there were 5 parties having cases heard, 3 were non-white, and of the 3 heard by my friend, all 3 stated that they had never received notice of a court date. My friend was ready to go to the state supreme court with this one but eventually decided against it "you can't fight City Hall." But the friend advises [and I follow], "avoid driving in the Village of Menomonee Falls if you're not a resident, and especially if you are nonwhite. You won't like it.")
So Johnny, please believe it's not the park!

Bren July 15, 2012 at 05:05 pm

I generally attend State Fair twice/year as I enjoy the daytime and evening ambiance and especially the student art exhibitions and show competitions! Rupena's rotisserie chicken is a favorite, as are the all-fruit smoothies and fruit cups. It's definitely possible to savor the flavor of the State Fair without gaining 20 lbs. My all-time favorite fair, with the Vernon County fair coming in a close second.

Johnny Seed July 15, 2012 at 05:32 pm

Bren I do avoid the village because I have heard similar complaints by residents, these are white in their 60's being harassed for trivial situations. It is probably not a case of being black or white it is more like any possiblity to generate revenue is their priority. They lose in the long run because I used to use the Theater and other local businesses. Same as the 150.00 -250.00 a year my family spent at State Fair will never return. Races, sales and the State Fair itself were my usual expenses there.

jerry mislang July 15, 2012 at 05:56 pm

Great comment, especially about the Vernon County Fair. I've never been there, but maybe Patch contributers can suggest other County Fairs and what makes them so good.

Michael July 15, 2012 at 06:42 pm

Most normal people attend state fair and eat unhealthy food.

Bren July 15, 2012 at 07:10 pm

The Vernon County Fair is much like what the State Fair used to be. Harness racing! Kids with buckets run through the grandstands collecting chits-watching that is half the fun! There's a Demo Derby, too. http://www.vernoncountyfair.com/.
Fairs are a great time!

Concerned Shorewood Resident July 15, 2012 at 07:45 pm

None of the above. All disgusting!

alt ideas needed July 15, 2012 at 07:55 pm

most people in the US are obese, according to statistics

Tonto July 15, 2012 at 08:05 pm

especially the ones on food stamps, according to statistics :)

Heather Asiyanbi (Editor) July 15, 2012 at 08:37 pm

We went to the fair last year and I made sure to have fried cheese curds because it's the only time each year that I eat them. What I love most about the fair, though, are the animals. I could spend all day in the barns with the cows, horses, goats, etc.
What is your favorite part of the fair?

Gregory Kluck July 15, 2012 at 09:14 pm

All this talk on un healthy food at the fair is making me hungry for it. I don't go particularly for that reason. It's hard to find unfried, unsugared, unfat stuff at the fair. Nothing against it, because if you are normally healthy, not diabetic or fat (like me) the once a year trip to the fair won't kill you or give you a heart attack. Our car club has a once a year event and we have fried chicken and roast corn in a three day event with copious amounts of beer. I get one beer, one cob and two pcs of chicken.

Bren July 15, 2012 at 09:40 pm

Johnny, I hope you'll change your mind and give the State Fair a try! Get off the freeway at Greenfield Avenue, turn right (west) onto Greenfield, the right at the first intersection (between a Mexican restaurant and a union hall). Follow that Street (S. 100th) to Schlinger and turn right. If you don't mind a bit of walking you can usually find street parking around 91st/92nd Street or lower if you're lucky! There's also a number of residents who sell parking spaces. Head down to 84th & Schlinger and there's an entrance right there.
Hope to see you there! ; )

Bren July 15, 2012 at 09:45 pm

We eat before we go, that way there's less inclination to chow down on the really "bad" stuff. Splitting an order gives everyone a taste.

Michael July 15, 2012 at 11:37 pm

I checked out the new food section on the state fair website and I am extremely excited to go and try out some new stuff. For my family of 4 every year we generally spend around 300 dollars at the fair, including admission, rides, food of all types and usually a couple useless kitchen gadgets. To me, it's worth every penny. All 4 of us leave full, tan and who can forget. the door a balloon on a stick for 8 dollars

Michael July 15, 2012 at 11:39 pm

I meant Dora balloon.

Joyce Block July 16, 2012 at 03:40 am

Gosh folks, it's just a poll about really unusual deep fried food combinations on a stick that you would never have tried at home and will likely never eat again, but may enjoy once or twice for the experience. Bacon, cheese and a hot dog sounds like a delightful treat! And Thank You to all the positive poster-ers!! Looking forward to State Fair and other local Fairs as well!

Midwest George July 16, 2012 at 04:20 am

Our favorite part of the fair is watching the Belgian and Percheron draft horse hitch classes. Going through every barn - a must - as well as looking at the exhibits. The quilts are fantastic. For those wanting healthy choices, check out the fair's website for a list of vendors and food choices, but splurging on something not so healthy at the fair once a year won't kill you!

Midwest George July 16, 2012 at 04:29 am

We heard the Walworth county fair was pretty nice. Anyone go to that one?

North Shore Newbie July 16, 2012 at 07:59 am

Did I look at the wrong list? Because I saw lots of things that weren't the deep-fried, unhealthy things most people are complaining about (shrimp fried rice, apple raisin-stuffed pork chop, chicken patty, pot roast sandwich, chicken salad...just to name a few). To be honest, I expected there to be worse food based on the way people here are reacting, but I may actually go this year to try it out.
If there IS a complaint about fair food, in general, it would be that the portions are usually small relative to the price. But it sounds to me like we've go a lot of great choices this year.

Matt Schroeder (Editor) July 16, 2012 at 12:55 pm

As the creator of this poll, I tried to pick a mix of different sorts of things from the list of new foods. Personally, a pork donut is borderline blasphemy. A donut should have sweet frosting, or sweet filling such as lemon or chocolate creme. Pork is for sandwiches. But I'd do the Elvis on a Stick.

Midwest George July 16, 2012 at 02:25 pm

I saw the poll on my computer, but was redirected to the fair website on my phone - may be why some are seeing the healthy choices as well. But a pork donut? Why not pair that with some chocolate covered cheese? I don't think a dog would even eat those combos. Elvis on a stick reminds me of chocolate chip pancakes with banana slices and a side of bacon. Hope they have some maple syrup to dip it in! Sounds good to me too.

Dirk July 16, 2012 at 02:49 pm

I agree. Gluttony in MKE County is on the increase.

Margaret Steinhafel July 16, 2012 at 05:14 pm

YES! The Cranberry Crunch On A Stick sounds absolutely delicious! So does the Cran-Cookie On A Stick! I will likely be stopping by the Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers Association booth every day! :)

CowDung July 16, 2012 at 05:33 pm

State fair (or any fair for that matter) is all about excess. We should be embracing the high fat foods rather than turning to the cranberry laden healthy alternatives...