[category]
[title]
If you're going to a state fair, odds are the food is a big draw. Now, Yelp has weighed in to provide a handy list of state fair food destinations for the curious and the masochistic.
The review platform released a ranking of the best state fairs in the U.S. for food, based on the volume and ratings of reviews mentioning fair eats. While over-the-top fried creations have become a nationwide craze, one region clearly has bragging rights: the Midwest claimed four of the top five spots.
RECOMMENDED: The best burgers in America to sink your teeth into
Topping the list is the Minnesota State Fair, a.k.a. "The Great Minnesota Get-Together." With more than 500 food vendors, it's famous for Sweet Martha's chocolate chip cookies, cheese curds, fried chicken waffle cones and an ever-growing collection of foods served on sticks—including spaghetti and meatballs and even alligator.
Wisconsin followed at No. 2, with legendary cream puffs, deep-fried cheese curds and root beer milk remaining perennial favorites in America's Dairyland, while Iowa landed at No. 3 thanks to giant pork chops, hot beef sundaes and hundreds of food stands serving everything from classic comfort food to inventive new creations.
Rounding out the top five are the New York State Fair, known for specialties like Pizze Fritte and wine slushies, and the Indiana State Fair, where fried dough and creative savory snacks like the famous breaded pork tenderloin sandwich keep visitors coming back year after year.
The rest of Yelp's top 10 showcases regional specialties from across the country, including Texas' famous deep-fried butter, New England's Big E fair, Florida's key lime funnel cake and Alaska's seafood-forward offerings.
According to Yelp, the rankings were compiled using the volume and quality of user reviews that specifically mention fair food, highlighting destinations where eating has become just as much of an attraction as carnival rides, concerts and livestock competitions. Check out the full rundown below.
The 10 best state fairs for food in America, according to Yelp:
1. Minnesota State Fair
2. Wisconsin State Fair
3. Iowa State Fair
4. New York State Fair
5. Indiana State Fair
6. State Fair of Texas
7. The Big E (Eastern States Exposition for six New England states)
8. Florida State Fair
9. Alaska State Fair
10. North Carolina State Fair