The judges have eaten — and spoken — so we now know which three foods will compete for the People's Choice Best New Food title at the Iowa State Fair. Fair officials narrowed the list of 64 new foods for the 2023 State Fair down to 10 for Tuesday's contest, during which judges tasted each and voted for their favorites. The finalists for the People's Choice award are:The Bacon Box's grinder ball. A blend of bacon balls stuffed with mozzarella cheese, wrapped in bacon, rotisserie smoked and dipped in warm marinara sauce. The Grinder Ball is The Bacon Box’s new signature gluten-free take on the traditional State Fair Grinder. Watcha Smokin's Iowa Twinkie. Dubbed "a Texas staple with an Iowa twist," it's a smoked bacon-wrapped jalapeno stuffed with pulled pork, sweet corn, cream cheese and ranch seasoning. It is then glazed with Whatcha Smokin’ BBQ & Brew house-made Sweet + Sticky BBQ sauce and drizzled with house-made ranch dressing. What's Your Cheez's deep-fried bacon brisket mac and cheese grilled cheese. The Rib Shack’s signature Bacon Brisket Mac and Cheese is slathered between layers of American cheese and two slices of What’s Your Cheez Bacon Cheddar Bread. It is then deep-fried until golden brown and served with a signature raspberry chipotle BBQ sauce. Fairgoers will be able to try all three and vote for their favorite at the fair between Thursday, Aug. 10 and midnight Monday, Aug. 14. The winner will be announced Wednesday, Aug. 16.The 2023 Iowa State Fair runs 11 days, Aug. 10-20, with the annual parade kicking things off Aug. 9 in downtown Des Moines.WATCH: 64 new foods on the menu for 2023 Iowa State FairWatch a replay of the contest below: 10 2023 best new Iowa State Fair foods entriesThe Bacon Box – Grinder BallBrad & Harry's Cheese Curds – Dill Pickle Flavored Cheese CurdsDough Crazy – Dough Crazy Sweet StickGrater Tater – Crunchy Cool Ranch Pickle on a StickIowa Specialty Crop Growers Association – A-HootenannyOver the Top – Iowa Sweet Corn SundaeShrimp Shack – Shrimp Poke BowlSmith's – Deep-Fried Strawberry Shortcake on a StickWhatcha Smokin' BBQ & Brew – Iowa TwinkieWhat's Your Cheez – Deep-Fried Bacon Brisket Mac-n-Cheese Grilled CheesePrevious Iowa State Fair best new food contest winners2022: The Finisher from The Rib Shack.2021: The Chicken Egg Salad with Indian Fry Bread from Cluck'n Coop.2020: Fair canceled due to COVID-19.2019: The Georgie's Roast with the Most Wrap at G-Mig's.2018: Apple Eggroll from Applishus.2017: Steer N Stein's Pork-Almighty.2016: Iowa Turkey Federation Stand's Not Your Mamma’s Taco2015: The Rib Shack's Ultimate Bacon Brisket Bomb.2014: Funnel Cake on a Stick, multiple vendors2013: Shrimp Corn Dog from Zag's Po Boys
DES MOINES, Iowa —
The judges have eaten — and spoken — so we now know which three foods will compete for the People's Choice Best New Food title at the Iowa State Fair.
Fair officials narrowed the list of 64 new foods for the 2023 State Fair down to 10 for Tuesday's contest, during which judges tasted each and voted for their favorites.
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The finalists for the People's Choice award are:
The Bacon Box's grinder ball. A blend of bacon balls stuffed with mozzarella cheese, wrapped in bacon, rotisserie smoked and dipped in warm marinara sauce. The Grinder Ball is The Bacon Box’s new signature gluten-free take on the traditional State Fair Grinder.
Hearst OwnedEric Hanson
The Bacon Box’s grinder ball. A blend of bacon balls stuffed with mozzarella cheese, wrapped in bacon, rotisserie smoked and dipped in warm marinara sauce. The Grinder Ball is The Bacon Box’s new signature gluten-free take on the traditional State Fair Grinder.
Watcha Smokin's Iowa Twinkie. Dubbed "a Texas staple with an Iowa twist," it's a smoked bacon-wrapped jalapeno stuffed with pulled pork, sweet corn, cream cheese and ranch seasoning. It is then glazed with Whatcha Smokin’ BBQ & Brew house-made Sweet + Sticky BBQ sauce and drizzled with house-made ranch dressing.
Hearst OwnedEric Hanson
Watcha Smokin’s Iowa Twinkie. Dubbed "a Texas staple with an Iowa twist," it’s a smoked bacon-wrapped jalapeno stuffed with pulled pork, sweet corn, cream cheese and ranch seasoning. It is then glazed with Whatcha Smokin’ BBQ & Brew house-made Sweet + Sticky BBQ sauce and drizzled with house-made ranch dressing.
What's Your Cheez's deep-fried bacon brisket mac and cheese grilled cheese. The Rib Shack’s signature Bacon Brisket Mac and Cheese is slathered between layers of American cheese and two slices of What’s Your Cheez Bacon Cheddar Bread. It is then deep-fried until golden brown and served with a signature raspberry chipotle BBQ sauce.
Hearst OwnedEric Hanson
What’s Your Cheez’s deep-fried bacon brisket mac and cheese grilled cheese. The Rib Shack’s signature Bacon Brisket Mac and Cheese is slathered between layers of American cheese and two slices of What’s Your Cheez Bacon Cheddar Bread. It is then deep-fried until golden brown and served with a signature raspberry chipotle BBQ sauce.
Fairgoers will be able to try all three and vote for their favorite at the fair between Thursday, Aug. 10 and midnight Monday, Aug. 14. The winner will be announced Wednesday, Aug. 16.
The 2023 Iowa State Fair runs 11 days, Aug. 10-20, with the annual parade kicking things off Aug. 9 in downtown Des Moines.
WATCH: 64 new foods on the menu for 2023 Iowa State Fair