Must-Try Indiana State Fair Foods: Taste of the Fair & Classics
Let’s be honest: the food is half the reason we go. The 2026 Indiana State Fair runs August 7 through 23, and its Taste of the Fair competition (presented by Pepsi) unveiled nearly 50 brand-new items on July 8. Here’s what to eat, what it costs, and where the real value is.
Hungry yet? Don’t miss your chance to taste it all. Get your Indiana State Fair tickets here.
What Is “Taste of the Fair”?
Each summer, vendors across the fairgrounds enter their most creative dishes into Taste of the Fair, a fan-voted contest built around indulgence and pure fun.
Nearly 50 brand-new foods compete in 2026
Grab a Taste map at any info booth or on your phone
Vote for your favorite by scanning the QR codes at participating booths
Winners are chosen by fairgoers and announced during the final week
New for 2026: The Taste of the Fair Lineup
The Indiana State Fair revealed the 2026 field on July 8. A few standouts worth the calories:
Hot Cheeto Fried Oreo (The Cookie Jar), a golden Oreo dipped in Hot Cheeto batter, fried, dusted in Hot Cheeto powder, and drizzled with nacho cheese
Cookie Butter Biscoff Funnel Cake (R&W Concessions), fresh funnel cake with cookie-butter drizzle, vanilla icing, and crumbled Biscoff cookies
Corn Dog Beer (Sun King Brewery)
Junkyard SPAM Dog (SPAM)
Bacon Jalapeño HoneyBun Burger (McWaters Concessions)
Bananas Foster Cold Brew Float (Hook’s Drugstore Museum)
Cornbread and ‘Que (Indiana Pork Producers)
Grand Slam Mary and Craft Beer Soft Serve (Urick Concessions)
Iconic Classics You Can’t Skip
Not everything has to be new to be worth it. The reliable Hoosier winners return every year:
Dairy Bar milkshakes from the American Dairy Association of Indiana, $5 each (including the new Blue Raspberry flavor), alongside $5 grilled cheese and Hoosier custard
Hand-breaded pork tenderloins and bone-in pork chops from the Indiana Pork tent ($8 to $10 a plate)
Roasted sweet corn dipped in butter
Old-fashioned sodas and floats at the Hook’s Drugstore Museum fountain
Sun King craft beer, including fair-exclusive pours
Fair staples like elephant ears, corn dogs, and fried everything
Eating on a Budget: $2 Tuesdays & the Dairy Bar
Fair food adds up fast, so plan your value plays:
$2 Tuesdays (August 11 and 18): participating stands sell $2 samples like sliders, corn dogs, mini funnel cakes, and ice cream cones
The Dairy Bar is the best everyday value, with $5 shakes, $5 grilled cheese, and $6 ice cream bowls
The Foodie Family 4-Pack ($105 in advance) bundles four admissions, parking, and $50 in Fair Bucks food vouchers
Food Events & Contests
Bourbon & Baseball (July 31): a 21-plus preview night of tastings and St. Elmo shrimp cocktail
Taste from Indiana Farms (August 13 to 16): free samples of Hoosier farm goods at the Fall Creek Pavilion
Drafts & Draughts (August 14): a 21-plus craft-beer and draft-horse tasting
Baking and culinary competitions in the Grand Hall, including the King Arthur Baking contest (August 8) and World Food Championship cooking demos (August 11 and 12)
Pro Tips from Seasoned Fairgoers
Go early (before 1 PM) for the shortest food lines
Split dishes so you can taste more
Stay hydrated, especially after salty or fried food
Bring wet wipes. You’ll need them
Save room for dessert. It’s basically the point
More from the Fair
Hungry yet? Get your Indiana State Fair tickets here.
Grab a Bite & Cast Your Vote
Between the Hot Cheeto Fried Oreo, the Corn Dog Beer, and a dairy bar shake that hasn’t changed in decades, the 2026 fair food lineup has something for every kind of eater. Don’t forget to scan a QR code and vote for your favorite Taste of the Fair contender. Tag us in your best bites. Happy eating, Hoosiers.
