New foods at the N.C. State Fair always get lots of attention and for good reason. New foods are fun and exciting, and many become instant hits. To add to the attention new foods get, the “Media’s Choice Best New Fair Food” is awarded days before the fair begins, and the “People’s Choice” is awarded during the fair once fairgoers have had a chance to weigh-in.
But wait. What about previous winners and other attention-getting new foods?
Some of those new and attention-getting foods fade away, but many of those popular items remain on fair vendors’ menus.
For example, Oak City Fish and Chips introduced swordfish pops this year after debuting other attention-getting options over the years. Some of those offerings have fallen off their fair menu, but Lobster Pops and Salmon Pops are still offered.
“Sometimes either one of those pops will outsell our newest item that year,” said Oak City’s Isaac Horton. “[When we travel across the state] we have customers ask us all the time about the lobster pops and salmon pops, but we only sell them at the fair. This is the only place you can get them, so we’re happy to tell people they’re still on the menu at the fair.”
The Candied Apple Hushpuppies with Cheerwine Glaze that Ragin’ Cajun debuted in 2019 are also still offered. So is the Slop Bucket that Lawrence and Perry BBQ introduced when they became a State Fair vendor in 2023. Their food truck in the edge of the fairground’s Cotton Park has drawn longs lines ever since. Although they won this year’s “Media’s Choice” with their new Deep-Fried Lamb Chop, it won’t push the Slop Bucket off their menu.
Bubba’s Bacon also still offers the Bacon-Wrapped Grilled Cheese Sandwich. It’s been around since 2016 when it also drew long lines.
“We use American Swiss cheese, make a grilled cheese with it, wrap it in eight to ten pieces of bacon and put it in the oven,” explained Devin Falcon who’s behind the Bubba’s Bacon. “Then we fry it in bacon fat. It’s really good.”
However, not everything – no matter how popular or unique – can stay on food vendors’ menus.
“You run out of room,” said Tara Foreman at Waypoint Oyster Bar’s food truck.
That’s the simple reason the Cajun Shrimp Macaroni and Cheese Egg Rolls or Pimento Cheese Crab Balls are no longer on her menu although they got a lot of attention. Like many vendors, she’s always looking for something new and interesting to offer fairgoers. Simple Carolina shrimp are still a popular offering for her, and the Crab Dip is another item she’s kept on the menu even years after it first made a big splash.
Cool Runnings Jamaican has introduced several new things over the years as well. Not all of them remain on the menu, but some do. The original Jerk Chicken Wrap remains a staple of the menu.
“We still offer that Jerk Chicken Wrap with lettuce and tomato, and people still come for it,” said Andrea Millington. “On the other hand, we used to do tacos, and this year we finally dropped the tacos because it’s no longer as popular.”
Millington said she and her family always analyze their offerings. They bring in new items and take away some others. Her three sons, who she describes as foodies, give her suggestions about what to try and change. While she’d like to offer more things, she also says there’s only so much that can remain on the menu and still offer good food and service to fairgoers.
“You have to come up with new items to be relevant,” Millington said. “Our three boys have been coming to the fair since they were 3, 7 and 9, and now they’re into it. They get it, and they’re always making suggestions. I think you have to bring in something new for people and change things up.”
Some vendors also change altogether. While many vendors return for many years, there are a few spots that turnover each year. Sometimes they just change locations. So just because they’re not in the same spot, doesn’t mean they’re no longer at the State Fair.
The vendors of the former lunch stands or “restaurant row” building are an example.
Looking for old “Restaurant Row” or “Lunch Stand” vendors?
The Restaurant Row building was last standing and in use for the 2023 N.C. State Fair. After that fair, the building was torn down to clear space for the new Midway Events Center, which is expected to be complete in time for the 2026 N.C. State Fair.
Some of the previous vendors in that building, including some traditional church favorites, had already decided not to return to the fair in previous years. By 2023, only one church – Westover UMC – was still operating a booth. Cary United Methodist Church and White Plains United Methodist church chose not to operate a booth in 2021. They returned in 2022 but announced before that year’s fair even began that it would be their last year.
In 2023, the vendors who operated in the final year of restaurant row were offered options for ways to return to the fair after the building was torn down. Here are the last vendors to operate in that building and where you can find them now:
Hunnicutt’s – relocated to a space in the area in front of the Agri Supply Expo Center. After a temporary tent in 2024, they have a yellow food truck in 2025.
Jack’s Seafood and Soul Food – operated a temporary booth in 2024 in the same area as Restaurant Row. Moved to a spot between Cotton Park and Dorton Arena (east side) in 2025 – not far from the Field of Dreams.
1853 Grille – did not return
Americana Grille (Sunshine Seniors) – operated a temporary booth in 2024 in the same area as Restaurant Row. In 2025, relocated to another fairgrounds spot along the hill going down to the midway near the southeast end (Orville Terminus) of the Fair Flyer.
Apex Lion’s Club – did not return
State Farmer’s Market Restaurant – did not return
Howling Cow – relocated to an area near the Marketplace between the grandstand and Village of Yesteryear/Holshouser Building
Westover UMC – chose not to return
Ultimately, whether it’s an old favorite food or favorite vendor, keep in mind that you may still be able to find them even it they aren’t grabbing headline attention.
If you have a favorite that you’re wondering about, and you want to know if it’s still available, email me at brandon.herring@ncagr.gov, and I’ll try to find out if it’s still being offered at the fair.