Top picks from the Fair Food Drive-Thru
Cars line up bumper to bumper for pretzel-wrapped brats, turkey legs
WEST ALLIS - Even COVID-19 can’t stop Wisconsinites from getting their fried fair foods.
Although the Wisconsin State Fair was canceled for the first time in 75 years due to the coronavirus pandemic, you can still enjoy some of your favorites on-astick — but you’ll have to do it from your car, as you inch around the Milwaukee Mile racetrack.
Officials launched the Fair Food Drive-Thru this week, offering people a chance to go from stand-tostand in the comfort of your car and pick up everything from cotton candy to turkey legs, though you’ll have to wait for cream puffs.
The famous state delicacy will not be sold until Aug. 6, the original start date of the fair. The drive through will run the next four weekends, ending Aug. 16.
The biggest difference: No sweaty crowds to wade through.
On Thursday, opening day, the fair grounds were ominously quiet, instead filled with sounds of idling engines. Hundreds of cars lined up bumper to bumper on their way to popular destinations, such as the Pork Schoppe, the Big Cheese, Waffle Chix and Gertrude’s Fresh Pretzels.
In an apron and mask, Luke Westrum, a staff member at Waffle Chix, hustled from car to car under the beating sun, taking orders and delivering waffles on sticks. The line leading up to the tiny shack looped around the racetrack, a seemingly endless parade of vehicles full of hungry people.
“It’s the first time for everyone. It’s going to be a long wait,” said Westrum, echoing sentiments from other vendors who were surprised by the large crowds.
Indeed, considering the opening day demand, the total trip took up to three hours for some, an hour of which was spent waiting to get into the gates.
So, as if you were on a road trip, come with a full tank of gas, good company, and an empty bladder and stomach. Whether you stop at one or all of the 11 vendors, it’s one way in and one way out.
For Monica Macleod and her two young kids, even the long wait was a welcome adventure out of the house. They looked longingly, yet patiently, out the window of their car as they waited for their waffles.
“I think it’s worth it. It’s something fun and different to do,” she said.
James St. Arnold said he wasn’t so sure if the wait was worth it, but he still enjoyed his corn dog and pickle pizza.
For safety and to maintain social distancing, fair-goers are directed to stay in their cars at all times and take their food to-go.
Eat and drive at your own risk — the funnel cake with powdered sugar might be the riskiest.
The participating vendors will rotate week to week.
Here is a look at four Fair food favorites, all available this weekend:
Pork chop sandwich at The Pork Schoppe (stop no. 2)
This State Fair staple, courtesy of the Wisconsin Pork Association, is early in the route with several sandwich options for the pork lover.
The butterfly pork chop sandwich, $7, and the pork burger, $5, with some BBQ sauce will provide some energy for the rest of your journey. Julia Nunes, 73rd Alice in Dairyland, might even deliver your food.
Deep fried cheese curds at The Big Cheese (stop no. 3)
It doesn’t get more Wisconsin than fried cheese curds. A regular serving is $8, but if you’re feeling hungry or sharing, a bucket is $18. And if you get thirsty, freshly squeezed lemonade in souvenir cups is $7.
Brownie waffle on-a-stick at Waffle Chix (stop no. 7)
It’s always time for dessert at the State Fair, and midway through the drive-thru route is as good a time as any to try a brownie waffle on-a-stick, a 2019 Sporkies Finalist.
If gooey brownie inside of a waffle isn’t for you, they also offer chicken and breakfast sausage in waffles on sticks.
10-inch pretzel-wrapped Johnsonville Brat at Gertrude’s Fresh Pretzels (stop no. 8)
Perhaps one of the more decadent and unique foods at the drive-thru is a brat wrapped in a thick pretzel blanket — oh, and it’s probably taller than your face. Take on this dog, and add sauerkraut, cheese or bacon for a $1 extra.
Other vendors include Island Noodles, Rick’s Pizza, Charlie’s Great Food, Kora’s Cookie Dough, Funnel Cakes by G&G, Sweets & Treats and 3B Corn Dogs and Dippin’ Dots. For a full menu that’s updated every Monday until the last weekend of the drive-through, see the Wisconsin State Fair website.