NOWCAST KCCI News at 5am Weekday Morning
Live Now
Advertisement

Votes are in: These 3 Iowa State Fair items will compete for title of best new food
By Aaron Marner
Votes are in: These 3 Iowa State Fair items will compete for title of best new food
STATE FAIR. AND OF COURSE, ONE OF THE BIGGEST DRAWS FOR THE FAIR IS THE FOOD. IT IS SO GOOD. SO GOOD. YES. KCCI IS ETHAN HUMBLE WAS AT THE FAIRGROUNDS TODAY AS TEN NEW FOODS WERE NARROWED DOWN TO THE TOP THREE. YOU KNOW WHAT’S GOOD? I DO KNOW I WAS THERE AND IT WAS AWESOME. THE NEW FAIR FOODS THAT MADE THE SEMI FINALS TODAY COULD BE DESCRIBED AS SWEET, SAVORY, MAYBE EVEN DOWNRIGHT STRANGE. BUT STACY, THEIR CREATORS WERE ALL AFTER ONE THING, AND THAT WOULD BE THE PEOPLE’S CHOICE. TOP NEW FOOD AWARD. THE JUDGES SELECTED FROM THE TOP TEN NEW FOODS TODAY, SEVERAL KCCI JOURNALISTS. YOU SEE ALEX THERE WERE ON THAT PANEL, INCLUDING YOU, STACY. YEAH. AT THE END OF THE VOTING PERIOD, THE GRINDER BALL, THE IOWA TWINKIE, AND THIS IS A MOUTHFUL. THE DEEP FRIED BACON BRISKET. MAC AND CHEESE, GRILLED CHEESE. WE’RE NAMED THE TOP THREE NEW FOODS COMING TO THE FAIR. HERE’S WHAT THE MAKERS OF THE GRINDER BALL SAID THAT THEY THOUGHT ABOUT THE BIG VICTORY. THIS IS OUR FIRST TIME MAKING THE TOP TEN, WHICH AGAIN, WAS A BIG DREAM COME TRUE. AND TO BE IN THE TOP THREE JUST SEEMS SURREAL. BUT WE’RE EXCITED FOR THIS. THIS WILL GIVE US A BETTER PLATFORM FOR MORE PEOPLE TO ENJOY OUR OUR BACON BALLS. AND WHEN YOU GO TO THE FAIR NOW, YOU CAN SAMPLE THOSE TOP THREE FINALISTS AND CAST YOUR VOTE THAT STARTS ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 10TH AND GOES THROUGH MONDAY, AUGUST 14TH AT MIDNIGHT. THE WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16TH DURING THE FAIR. BUT LIKE YOU SAID, I MEAN, SO MANY GOOD FOODS TODAY, SO MANY BOIES ARDON TOUGH. YOU YOU DIDN’T GET THE CALL. IT WAS A TOUGH BREAK. NO, I DIDN’T GET YOU. YOU KNOW, I WAS LOOKING AT THE LIST. THE TOP TEN. YOU GUYS TRIED. THERE ARE ONLY FOUR OF THEM THAT WERE DEEP FAT FRIED. WHAT’S UP WITH THAT? LOW TIMES ARE CHANGING. TIMES ARE CHANGING. THEY WERE ALL EXCELLENT. AND IT WAS SO FUN TO TALK TO ALL THE VENDORS WHO PREPARED AND CREATED THESE DISHES OF HOW THEY CAME TO BE AND WHAT ALL WENT INTO THE TO THE DISH. IT WAS JUST AWESOME. OH, YES. EVERYONE HAD THEIR OWN UNIQUE STORY. YEAH, YEAH. SO MUCH FUN. AND YOU’D LIKE TO DO THAT ASSIGNMENT AGAIN NEXT YEAR, RIGHT? I CAN’T WAIT. I’M HEADING FOR MY SECOND STATE FAIR. SO VERY EXCITED FOR THAT. I LOVE THAT. THANK YOU, ETHAN THAT WAS SO MUCH FUN. ZA
Advertisement
Votes are in: These 3 Iowa State Fair items will compete for title of best new food
By Aaron Marner
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.

Advertisement

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.

iowa state fair new food grinder ball
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.

iowa state fair new food iowa twinkie
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.

iowa state fair new food deep fried mac and cheese
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

      Watch a replay of the contest below:

      This content is imported from Facebook. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

      10 2023 best new Iowa State Fair foods entries

      • The Bacon Box – Grinder Ball
      • Brad & Harry's Cheese Curds – Dill Pickle Flavored Cheese Curds
      • Dough Crazy – Dough Crazy Sweet Stick
      • Grater Tater – Crunchy Cool Ranch Pickle on a Stick
      • Iowa Specialty Crop Growers Association – A-Hootenanny
      • Over the Top – Iowa Sweet Corn Sundae
      • Shrimp Shack – Shrimp Poke Bowl
      • Smith's – Deep-Fried Strawberry Shortcake on a Stick
      • Whatcha Smokin' BBQ & Brew – Iowa Twinkie
      • What's Your Cheez – Deep-Fried Bacon Brisket Mac-n-Cheese Grilled Cheese

      Previous Iowa State Fair best new food contest winners

      2022: 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 Taco

      2015: The Rib Shack's Ultimate Bacon Brisket Bomb.

      2014: Funnel Cake on a Stick, multiple vendors

      2013: Shrimp Corn Dog from Zag's Po Boys

      Good Housekeeping

      Here's Where to Watch and Stream the 'Barbie' Movie Starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling
      Amazon Shoppers Are Obsessed With Stasher Reusable Storage Bags (and They're Only $12)
      Saatva's Summer Mattress Sale Is Here: Score $500 off Our Top-Tested Mattress Pick
      Shop Our Editors' Favorite Amazon Sales in August: Up to 58% off Apple, Ninja and Samsung