Karl's 2025 State Fair Food Faves
One Roseville resident eating his way through the new Fair foods
Hello Roseville! My name is Karl Stenborg and I have worked at the State Fair for over 20 years. I’ve eaten almost everything that’s been made there.
After the first eight days of the Minnesota State Fair, I’ve made some progress in my goal to eat all the official new foods listed this year. I’ve also discovered, with a little help from my favorite Info Booth Ladies, that there’s a whole list of twenty-something unofficial new foods, too!
Challenge accepted!
Here's my list of favorite new foods (so far) at the 2025 Minnesota State Fair:
Green Apple Sucker Ice Cream - Granny’s Apples + Lemonade
Food Building
This is a delicious sour apple ice cream with caramel swirls. It’s a small serving so you don’t have to share!
Sweet Squeakers - Blue Barn
West End Market
These cheese curds taste more like a decadent cheesecake topped with lemon whipped cream and a berry sauce. It deliciously blurs the line between a savory snack and dessert.
Shrimp and Pork Toast on a Stick - Union Hmong Kitchen
International Bazaar
This has a salty and garlicky toasty goodness with a fruity, spicy dipping sauce. The crunchy toast juxtaposed with the savory spread topping is delightful!
Timber Twists - Giggles' Campfire Grill
Lee Avenue & Cooper Street
You can’t go wrong with meaty, cheesy pasta wrapped in bacon! Don’t forget to dip it in barbeque sauce!
Somali Street Fries - Midtown Global Market's Oasis Grill & Hoyo Sambusa
International Bazaar
Only available for the first half of the fair, this pile of fries was topped with beef, cheese, and garlic sauce. Also pictured are the Mini Beef Sambusas with tamarind date sauce.
Reuben Pizza - Spaghetti Eddies
Cooper Street and Dan Patch Avenue
This one comes from the unofficial new foods list. I think they really nailed the Reuben flavor. The only way to make it better would be to feature it on a pumpernickel crust!
Hickory Grilled Pork Belly Tacos - Tejas Express
In the Garden, north wall
This is another unofficial new food. These tacos are an amazing combination of smoky and spicy with a hint of sweetness.
Caprese Curds - Lulu's Public House
West End Market
These cheesy Italian delights can be enjoyed on their own or with the tomatoes and the crusty bread like a little bruschetta.
Jerk Oxtail - Midtown Global Market's Irie Jamaican
Bazaar, east wall
This slow-cooked, tender oxtail meat started off with a smokey barbeque flavor and eventually left a lingering spicy burn.
Lumpia - Lumpia City
North side of Judson Ave between Liggett and Clough streets
Think of a crispy fried egg roll, but instead of egg roll it's filled with either cheesy pepperoni pizza or exotic ube butter banana French toast.
Karl Stenborg has lived in Roseville since some time in the late 1980s and has worked as a ticket taker at the MN State Fair for over twenty years. When he's not hanging out at the Fairgrounds, he spends his time disc golfing and supporting the local craft breweries. He can also be found attending the Minnesota United soccer games and going to concerts all over the Twin Cities.
Contributing Writer
We hope you enjoyed this Roseville at the Minnesota State Fair series! Catch up on what you missed here. We'll be back to our usual coverage of city council, school board, and community life next week. Until then, enjoy the last few days of summer!
