5 new foods to try at State Fair

Menu includes Creepy Crawly Cupcakes filled with ants and topped with a scorpion and Gator Claw on a Stick.

The Wisconsin State Fair is back for the first time since 2019. With it comes a new menu of dishes that test the courage — and stomachs — of fairgoers, from Creepy Crawly Cupcakes filled with ants and topped with a scorpion to a Gator Claw On-A-Stick.

Here’s a brief exploration — along with our ratings — of five new, outthere foods the state fair offers this year:

Everything Brat-zel

Gertrude’s Pretzel Stand

This 10-inch Johnsonville Bratwurst, cooked inside a pretzel roll and brushed with plenty of melted butter and everything bagel seasoning, is a Wisconsinites’ dream. It comes with a side of mustard and enough butter and salt to clog an artery.

“It’s so huge,” said Sean O’Fagan of Brown Deer, who shared an Everything Brat-zel with his wife. “If I would have eaten the whole thing, I would have been done for the day.”

Rating: 5/10

Gator Claw On-A-Stick

Exotic Meat Grill

The Gator Claw On-A-Stick is a tough and chewy piece of meat, but the most off-putting part of the dish is the still-attached scaly alligator claw on the end of the leg. Fairgoers can expect a taste similar to dehydrated chicken.

This new on-a-stick item is not for the faint of heart. However, for the hardcore foodie, this snack could be an adventure.

Rating: 3/10

Glazy Boy

Miller Lite Sports Bar & Grill

The flavors in the Glazy Boy all complement each other, and no single flavor overpowers the others. In a perfect balance of sweet, salty and savory, this sandwich is a great choice for those looking to add some dessert into their lunch or dinner.

Rating: 9/10

4. Blue Ribbon Chocolate Bacon Cookies

Bud Pavilion

While Blue Ribbon brownies might not be on the menu this year, fairgoers can enjoy this new Blue Ribbon treat that comes with a plethora of flavors. It’s topped with bacon and filled with gooey chocolate chips, tangy dried cherry pieces, bourbon barrel-aged Goose Island Bourbon County Stout and spicy hints of cinnamon and cayenne.

This treat is perfect for those who enjoy the spice of ginger snap cookies mixed with a dark chocolate twist.

The only disappointment — the spice overpowered the flavor of the bacon sprinkled on top.

Rating: 5/10

5. Cinnamon Roll and Bacon Cheese Curds Slim’s Lakefront Brew Pub & Eatery

For years, cheese curds have been a Wisconsin delicacy, but you’ve never seen them quite like this. Drizzled with cream cheese and coated in cinnamon and powdered sugar, this Sporkies finalist dish is sure to have you drooling.

“It comes in waves. It took my taste buds on a journey,” said Daniel Robinson of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources as he took a bite of the curds.

Others were skeptical of the new state fair dish. O’Hagan said he read about the new curds online and just had to try them. However, he was disappointed after the first bite when they were not quite as soft as he expected, he said.

The curds could have done without the bacon sprinkled on top, which added a salty flavor that distracted the taste buds from the sweeter elements.

But don’t let that stop you from digging into a tray of these sweet, cheesy beer-battered curds.

Rating: 6/10 with the bacon, 8/10 without

For the full list of this year’s fair foods, visit the Wisconsin State Fair website.

RACHEL RYAN / MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL Fairgoers enjoy the opening day of the 2021 Wisconsin State Fair along Grandstand Avenue, the fair’s main roadway and a hot spot for many of the fair’s food options.

GRACE MCDERMOTT / MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL The Glazy Boy from Miller Lite Sports Bar & Grill is this year’s Sporkies winner. The sandwich comes with two grilled Grebe’s glazed doughnuts, pressed with two slices of BelGioioso Fontina cheese, brined and slow-smoked pork loin, raspberry whole grain mustard, and pickled jalapeños.

GRACE MCDERMOTT / MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL Rachel Ryan, a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel intern, holds up a Gator Claw On-A-Stick at the 2021 Wisconsin State Fair. This grilled alligator arm served with the claw still attached is available at Exotic Meat Grill.

RACHEL RYAN / MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL The Everything Brat-zel from Gertrude’s Fresh Pretzels consists of a 10-inch Johnsonville Bratwurst wrapped in fresh pretzel dough, baked to golden brown, brushed with real butter and topped with Roasted Garlic Everything Bagel Seasoning. It comes with a mustard dipping sauce.

RACHEL RYAN / MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL The Blue Ribbon Chocolate Bacon Cookies from the Bud Pavilion are made with bacon, chocolate, beer, cherries, and spice. They come in a two pack.

RACHEL RYAN / MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL Cinnamon Roll Bacon Cheese Curds are available at Slim’s Lakefront Brew Pub & Eatery. The beer-battered treat comes topped with bacon, cinnamon and powdered sugar, and cream cheese.