The fall is a busy time for all of us who work at the State Fair. While others get to take time off and go enjoy the autumn leaf season in the mountains, we typically don’t get a chance to take time off and get out of town. I’m not complaining because I really do love my job. However, by the end of October, I am ready for a vacation. I admit that I have spent considerable time daydreaming about what I’m going to do with with my time off. I spend most of that time dreaming about far-off, exotic places. (Cue the dream-sequence music.)
OK, wake up, Firecracker! Vacation is still in the distant future, so I will tour the world via food that is right here on the fairgrounds.
As a recently certified scuba diver, most of my daydreams take place in the warm, clear waters of the Caribbean, so my first stop will have to be Jamaica.
You can find Jamaican flavors at two places on the fairgrounds. Taco Tower and Lee’s Kitchen both have jerk chicken and curry chicken. At Lee’s, you can also get Brownstew chicken, rice and peas and plantains. The Taco Tower, located near Gate 11, adds Mexican cuisine to the menu, including tacos, burritos, taco salad and nachos. Yum! (I’m envisioning white sandy beaches and warm breezes already.) If you’re craving Mexican, Withers Concessions has fajitas, tacos and nachos.
Find Jamaican cuisine at Lee's Kitchen in the Midway area next to the Scott Building.
Mexican and Jamaican food can be found at Taco Tower.
If you want to get farther from home, Polish and Italian sausages are standard fare at the Fair. You can find either at plenty of booths around the fairgrounds. And of course, the Italian staple, pizza, can be found around the grounds as well.
The flavors of the Mediterranean are also available at several booths.
John the Greek serves gyros, shish-ka-bobs, Greek salads, stuffed grape leaves, baklava and more.
John the Greek offers a taste of the Mediterranean.
Party in A Pita has Lebanese and Greek cuisine.
Lebanese and Greek cuisine found near the Expo Center.
Neomonde Bakery & Deli, Strates Fine Foods and Mediterranean Grill have gyros, hummus, falafel, kebobs, salads and more.
The Mediterranean Grill is located on the east side of Dorton.
Neomonde is located across from the permanent lunch stands.
Take a trip to China at Chan’s Concessions, where you can find chicken on a stick, fried shrimp, rice and lomein noodles.
Find Chinese food near Kiddieland or the Expo Center.
If you want exotic cuisine without a passport, then stop by the Ragin’ Cajun joint near the Grandstand. Alligator, crawfish and shrimp gumbo are on the menu. They also have beignets if you have a sweet tooth.
Cajun cuisine near the grandstand.
If you’re in the mood for a trip around the world, come on out the the N.C. State Fair. No matter what type of food you’re looking for, you can find it by checking out the Food Finder on our website. If you have an Android or iPhone, you can take this info with you. Download the State Fair app and use your mobile device to tour the fairgrounds. Just search for “State Fair” in the Android Market or in iTunes.
Thought provoking and interesting, thank you. I was brought up in mexico but moved to england at such a young age I barely remember anything apart from the delicious food and fiery people. I finally found some authentic mexican food if you want to have a look, I thought I’d share it with you!