Everyone has their own reasons for visiting the Iowa State Fair! For some its the livestock, for others its the grandstand shows, but for me, it is definitely, the Iowa State Fair FOOD!
Visiting the Iowa State Fair
It’s a tradition for T and I to attend the Iowa State Fair at least one day each year! It’s our date day or weekend and something we look forward to sharing with each other! We often do the same things at the fair…see the same things, and even eat the same fair foods, our favorites of course We’re creatures of habit and honestly ok with that!
The Varied Industries Building, Pioneer Hall, and the Shoppers Mart underneath the Grandstand are always a must for us. We also enjoy watching the FFA Parade of Champions and the Governor’s Charity Steer Show.
But, really…the Iowa State Fair is all about the food, right?! So, what do we eat? Well, it’s usually a lot of the classics, but I also try to taste one new item each year. It’s usually new to me, but not necessarily the fair. So, what do we love?!
Grab our Tips for Visiting the Iowa State Fair!
Dairy Barn Milkshakes
One of our must stops is the Dairy Barn for a chocolate shake! In fact, we split almost every year!! They are one of the Iowa State Fair foods that we both love! I love ice cream and T loves milkshakes, so it works out well! These are so delicious, rich and creamy!
A TIP: Pay attention to the signs! They have lines specifically for shakes and some for the other items!
Cattlemen Beef Quarters
One of T’s favorites is the Cattlemen Beef Quarters! The Beef Quarters is a staple at the Iowa State Fair and has been for decades and with Iowa Cattlemen doing the sponsoring, cooking, etc. you know you are bound to get a good meal! You can choose from a traditional beef meal like a bacon cheeseburger (DELISH) and French fries! T loves the roast beef sandwich or the hot beef sundae! One of the other things we enjoy about the Beef Quarters is having a place to sit down. They have lots of tables to relax at and refills of pop are only 50 cents, so you can beat it!!
A TIP: Follow them on Facebook for coupons each year!
Dipped In Chocolate
Another great stop for a sweet treat is Dipped in Chocolate! Everything is better when it’s dipped in Chocolate, right?! That’s why I like to head to Dipped in Chocolate! You can select anything from ice cream to candy bars to fruit and have it dipped in chocolate, sprinkled in nuts, and more! I usually pick a Monkey Tail, which is a frozen banana dipped in chocolate! YUM! So refreshing and good! They freeze an entire banana on a stick and right in front of you, they dip it in melted chocolate! It hardens almost immediately and you get to enjoy this “ice pop” of sorts.
TIP: Dipped in Chocolate is located beneath the Livestock Show Ring, so grab a treat and take in the Governor’s Steer Show or Parade of Champions!
The Minnesota State Fair is a MUST visit!
Iowa Pork Producers
No Iowa State Fair food tour is complete without supporting our local pig farmers! The line can get long, but they are efficient, you get a lot of quality food for your dollar, and they have lots of places to sit down! For only $8, you get the pork loin dinner, which is complete with pork loin sandwich, baked beans, apple sauce, and a bag of chips! It is all so good and so much that I usually can’t finish all of mine. A stop at the Pork Tent will not disappoint!
Bauder’s Ice Cream
Typically located on the Grand Concourse, you might walk right past Bauder’s Ice Cream stand, but the line will probably catch your eye. They offer a large variety of ice cream treats, but the absolute MUST is a Bauder Bar. A HUGE, THICK bar of crushed Oreos, fudge, and peppermint stick ice cream is worth every bite and every calorie, and every step that you’ll need to take to wear it off! It’s a meal in itself, but its definitely a treat I never miss.
Berdie’s Cafe
Located in Pioneer Hall at the top of the hill, you’ll find Berdie’s Café. It’s a pretty simple, no frills café, but I promise you that they will serve up the very best homemade lemonade that you’ve ever had. This is another “don’t miss” for me each year! Plus, Pioneer Hall is full of fun contests like the chicken throwing contest, cow chip throwing contest, and husband calling contest. Grab a glass and enjoy these fun displays!
We don’t usually eat anything too crazy, we don’t typically try new bizarre foods, but what we do eat is delicious! We like places that support our Iowa farmers and have places to sit, so the Dairy Barn, Cattlemen Beef Quarters, and Iowa Pork Producers will always be first in our book!
I hope this guide to Iowa State Fair food is helpful and that you find something delicious that you love!
Looks like you tried a LOT of good food!
We did! I wasn’t disappointed by anything!!
We always go for the bucket of warm chocolate chips cookies in the Varied Industries building. Mark and I are heading back this weekend, and I’m planning to try the “Not Your Mama’s Tacos”. They won this year’s award for Best new Fair Food, so I’m dying to try them!
We’ve done the bucket of cookies before too! They are delicious and they were actually on our list for after the concert, but we were too tired to stand in line! That taco does look delish!
Dairy Barn milkshakes are always a must for me too! I can’t believe you’ve never been to the Pork Tent before! I love going up the hill to the Chop Shop and having a Pork Chop on a Stick. I do love their shredded bbq pork sandwiches at the Pork Tent though too.
Love the milkshakes! We loved the Pork Tent too! I don’t think anything would be too bad there!!
Ahhhh it looks amazing!!! I think I’d just pig out on EVERYTHING!!!!
It takes a lot of self-restraint not too!! Hope you make it this year!!
I couldn’t agree more with the Dairy Barn Milkshake and I would add going to a Chop Shop stand to get a Pork Chop on a Stick!
We actually have never done the pork chop on a stick, so I’ll have to add that to my list! Thanks!
Two years ago the fair squares were no longer available🙁. We always eat at the turkey federation stand for a turkey leg.
Well, shoot! Good to know! Now I’ll have to find another sweet treat! We’ve never had a turkey leg, but I might have to add it to my list! Thanks!