Our Favorite Fair Food Fixes

Living in New England is a unique experience; we take pride in the quaint cities rich in history, the natural surroundings offering mountains, lakes and beaches, and the east coast culture that is completely its own. 

Aside from the outstanding coastal views and historical sites, another category to add to the list of things New England is known for, is fairs. From demolition derbies in Vermont to New England’s largest traveling roller coaster in Rhode Island, participants and vendors come from all over the eastern seaboard-  and even from all over the country- to take advantage of the one-of-a-kind fairs here in New England. 

Now that we are in the heart of summer, we can’t help but think of all our favorite fair foods, from lobster rolls and loaded potato chips nachos to fried dough and blueberry pie. 

Here’s our list of our favorite fair food fixes: 

  1. Deep-fried Whoopie Pies: We’re skipping dinner and heading straight to dessert with one the “Big E”’s (New England’s largest agricultural fair) most popular fair food classics. A close sister to the deep-fried oreo, we love the soft texture of the chocolate cake rounds that are then dipped in sweet dough. Sandwich the cakes with a thick layer of buttercream frosting and you have one of the most deliciously indulgent treats there is at a fair! 

2. Fried Dough: Speaking of dough, we cannot exclude one of New England’s classic fair foods, fried dough. This popular fair treat is specifically unique to New England. Elsewhere in the country, such as California for example, funnel cake is offered. While funnel cake is made up of multiple pieces of fried dough and has a fluffy, lumpy texture, New England’s fried dough is flat and smooth. It is the opinion of many east coast and west coast natives that New England’s fried dough, with its crispy yet tender texture, is the more tasty option.

3. Clam Chowder: When you need a break from all the treats and fried food, New England’s famous clam chowder offers a hearty and delicious meal. The addition of heavy cream and whole milk, giving the soup it's thick and unmistakably white color, is what separates New England’s clam chowder from all the rest. The dish is such a favorite of the east coast that it is considered a classic in Boston’s historic neighborhood- and we will be looking for it at every fair.  

4. Kettle Corn:  No fair in New England is complete without a kettle corn stand, the buttery aroma alone is part of the ambiance of the classic fair. The tasty snack is traditionally popped in an iron kettle with oil, salt and sugar for a noticeably sweeter flavor than regular popcorn. We love this classic fair food, perfect for snacking on inbetween fair rides, satisfying both sweet and savory cravings. 

Do you agree with our list? What are some of your favorite must-have fair food fixes?