Eastern Idaho State Fair announces best fair food contest winners

BLACKFOOT, Idaho (KIFI) — The Eastern Idaho State Fair opens Friday, and one of the fair's most anticipated traditions is the food.

Ahead of opening day, local media representatives and other guests gathered Thursday to sample this year's entries in the Best Fair Food contest.

The competition included six categories, with dishes judged on both their appearance and taste.

The nine-day fair begins Friday, Sept. 4, and concludes Sept. 12.

Below is the list of winners.

Best New Entrée

A first-time savory item making its Fair debut this year, judged on creativity and flavor.

• First Place:  The Liberty Stack from Between the Buns
• Second Place:  Fiesta Fries from La Casita
• Third Place:  Hog on a Log Nachos from Blackhawk BBQ Pit

Best New Sweet

A first-time dessert or sweet treat new to the Fair this year, judged on creativity and flavor.

• First Place:  An All American Whoopie Cookie from Sweet Temptations
• Second Place:  Red, White & Butter from Creamy Creations
• Third Place:  Freedom Taco Delight from La Casita

Fairest Entrée of Them All

The standout among returning savory favorites, judged on presentation and taste.

• First Place:  Pulled Pork Nacho from Mexican Crazy Corn
• Second Place:  Rib-Eye Steak Sandwich from Billmans
• Third Place:  The Whole Dam Farm from Smokin’ Bs

Fairest Sweet of Them All

The standout among returning desserts and sweet treats, judged on presentation and taste.

• First Place:  The Campfire Secret from Sweet Temptations
• Second Place:  Dubai Cheesecake from Creamy Creations
• Third Place:  “Cookies & Cream” Funnel Cake from Winder’s Funnel Cakes

Most Patriotic Entry

New this year, honoring the item that best celebrates the Fair’s “Red, White and Blue Jeans” theme.

People’s Choice

• First Place:  Volcano from Volcano
• Second Place:  “ ” Funnel Cake from Winder’s Funnel Cakes
• Third Place:  American Berries from MD’s Dinky Donuts

Voted on by fairgoers, recognizing the crowd favorite among all entries.

• First Place:  The WarHawk from Blackhawk BBQ Pit

Contest Participants:

Best New Entrée Category:

A first-time savory item making its Fair debut this year, judged on creativity and flavor.

• Corn to be Wild (Corn Salsa) from Mexican Crazy Corn — Fire-roasted sweet corn in a bright, colorful salsa bursting with garden vegetables, a squeeze of fresh lime, and a blend of smoky spices — sweet, zesty, and just a little sassy.
• Blue Ribbon French Toast Breakfast from Twisted Tater — Thick-cut Texas toast dipped in a signature batter, grilled golden and crisp, then drizzled with homemade buttermilk syrup and served with thick, crispy bacon.
• Hog on a Log Nachos from Blackhawk BBQ Pit — Crispy tortilla chips loaded with queso, fresh toppings, and chopped pieces of the famous Hog on a Log smoked boneless pork steak.
• The Liberty Stack from Between the Buns — A sweet, smoky, and savory stack of two beef patties layered with white cheddar, bourbon bacon jam, and garlic aioli, garnished with tomatoes, pickles, and lettuce.
• Fiesta Fries from La Casita — Hand-cut fries piled high with slow-braised birria and seasoned carne asada, smothered in nacho cheese and topped with pico de gallo, guacamole, sour cream, and crushed blue tortilla chips.

Best New Sweet Category:

A first-time dessert or sweet treat new to the Fair this year, judged on creativity and flavor.

• Cocoa Cup from Camille’s Crepes — Fresh, juicy strawberries enveloped in rich milk chocolate and topped with whipped cream.
• Longboard Churro with Dipping Sauce from North Shore Shave Ice — A warm churro coated in cinnamon and sugar, served with an optional dipping sauce — the perfect treat for eating on the go.
• Patriot from Blend & Squeeze — A refreshing tropical smoothie blending coconut, pineapple, strawberries, and blueberries into a cold, fruity drink.
• American Berries from MD’s Dinky Donuts — Hot, fresh mini donuts with a homemade cream filling and fresh blueberries and strawberries, presented as an American flag.
• Red, White & Butter from Creamy Creations — A light lemon cream dessert layered with sweet raspberry-blueberry filling and a buttery graham cracker crumble, crafted to look like a cube of butter.
• Freedom Taco Delight from La Casita — A golden cake-battered taco shell fried crisp and filled with fresh strawberries and bananas, drizzled with white and milk chocolate and topped with whipped cream and blue sprinkles.
• An All American Whoopie Cookie from Sweet Temptations — Two chocolate chip cookie whoopie pies filled with cream cheese, drizzled with scratch-made caramel, and finished with crushed Oreos, strawberries, and blue sprinkles, served with vanilla soft serve.

Fairest Entrée of Them All Category:

The standout among returning savory favorites, judged on presentation and taste.

• Pulled Pork Nacho from Mexican Crazy Corn — Crispy tortilla rounds smothered in white queso, fire-roasted sweet corn, and slow-smoked pulled pork, finished with cilantro-lime sauce, sweet cheese, and house-made hot honey.
• Peanut Butter Bacon Burger with Jalapeño Relish from Twisted Tater — A quarter-pound patty layered with thick bacon, a generous spread of peanut butter, and house-made jalapeño relish — a balance of sweet, smoky, salty, and spicy.
• Hog on a Log from Blackhawk BBQ Pit — An award-winning giant smoked boneless pork steak, flame-seared on a skewer and smothered in signature BBQ sauce.
• Rib-Eye Steak Sandwich from Billmans — Billman’s famous 12 oz rib-eye steak sandwich cooked to order, smothered with onions and grilled mushrooms.
• The Whole Dam Farm from Smokin’ Bs — A plate of battered fries topped with smoked mac & cheese, smoked chicken, smoked brisket, and pulled pork — enough to feed the whole family.

Fairest Sweet of Them All Category:

The standout among returning desserts and sweet treats, judged on presentation and taste.

• Dubai Cheesecake from Creamy Creations — New York cheesecake dipped in chocolate, drizzled with pistachio cream and chocolate ganache, and topped with toasted kataifi and chopped pistachios.
• Peachy Keen from Camille’s Crepes — Fresh passion peaches and sweet cream served over a bed of ribbon-cut crepe and topped with whipped cream.
• The Campfire Secret from Sweet Temptations — A signature chocolate whoopie pie drizzled with homemade caramel and crushed graham crackers, topped with mini chocolate chips, marshmallows, and strawberries, and paired with vanilla ice cream.
• Horchata Shave Ice Sundae from North Shore Shave Ice — A base of vanilla ice cream covered with sweet almond-vanilla shave ice, topped with sweetened condensed milk, whipped cream, and cinnamon sugar.
• “Cookies & Cream” Funnel Cake from Winder’s Funnel Cakes — A golden funnel cake dusted with powdered sugar and cinnamon, a rich cream cheese drizzle, crushed chocolate cookies, and a scoop of whipped cream.
• “Cookie Butter Crunch” Funnel Cake from Winder’s Funnel Cakes — A golden funnel cake dusted with powdered sugar and cinnamon, topped with cookie butter drizzle, crushed spiced butter cookies, and whipped cream.
• Strawberry Delight from MD’s Dinky Donuts — A layer of hot, fresh mini donuts with powdered sugar and fresh strawberries, topped with whipped cream and warm chocolate frosting.
• The Original Cinnamon Sugar from MD’s Dinky Donuts — The original hot and fresh mini donuts coated in cinnamon sugar.

Most Patriotic Entry Category:

New this year, honoring the item that best celebrates the Fair’s “Red, White and Blue Jeans” theme.

• Scone Nuggets from Shelley Kiwanis Club — Scone nuggets served with a scoop of honey butter, sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar.
• Freedom Freeze from Creamy Creations — An apple cider slush with creamy vanilla ice cream — a new twist on an American favorite.
• Sweet Freedom from Camille’s Crepes — A red velvet crepe with white chocolate filling and fresh blueberries in a cup, topped with whipped cream.
• An All American Whoopie Cookie from Sweet Temptations — Two chocolate chip cookie whoopie pies filled with cream cheese, drizzled with scratch-made caramel, and finished with crushed Oreos, strawberries, and blue sprinkles, served with vanilla soft serve.
• American Dream Shave Ice Sundae from North Shore Shave Ice — A base of vanilla ice cream sectioned with blue raspberry, cherry, and piña colada shave ice, topped with sweetened condensed milk, whipped cream, and stars-and-stripes sprinkles.
• “Berry Patriotic” Funnel Cake from Winder’s Funnel Cakes — A golden funnel cake dusted with powdered sugar and cinnamon, layered with strawberries and sauce, a cream cheese drizzle, whipped cream, and a red, white, and blue berry candy cluster.
• All-American BBQ Dog from Blackhawk BBQ Pit — An all-beef hot dog piled high with slow-smoked pulled pork, crispy onions, and signature BBQ sauce.
• Freedom Flame from Between the Buns — Crispy chicken tenders with smoky BBQ aioli, melted pepper jack, jalapeño, and apple slaw, drizzled with hot honey.
• American Berries from MD’s Dinky Donuts — Hot, fresh mini donuts with a homemade cream filling and fresh blueberries and strawberries, presented as an American flag.
• Volcano from Volcano — A customizable treat: a refreshing beverage base topped with an attachment bowl of assorted fruits and a choice of seasonings such as lemon, chili, sweet tangy sauce, nuts, or sprinkles.

Winners will receive recognition during the Fair and special signage at their booths. The contest highlights new offerings and celebrates the Fair’s diverse food scene.

For a complete schedule of events, entertainment lineup, and ticket information, visit www.funatthefair.com or follow the Eastern Idaho State Fair on social media.