Unpopular Opinion: State Fair Food Is the Worst | Eater

"A long-running September fixture dating back to 1886 that draws roughly 2 million visitors a year, this fair has evolved from an agricultural showcase into a carnival of gimmicky, deep-fried concessions and rides like the Tilt-A-Whirl. While there are beloved standbys—Fletcher’s Corny Dogs and hefty turkey legs among them—the scene is dominated by novelty items such as deep-fried Oreos, funnel-cake–flavored beer, Deep Fried Froot Loops, and the 2018 Big Tex Choice Awards winner, the cotton candy taco, many of which are overly greasy, too sweet or salty, served messily in flimsy paper boats, and often disappointingly priced (examples cited include a roughly $12 cotton candy taco, orders topping $20, and $28 turkey legs). Beyond culinary complaints about one-note, oil-soaked breading, reviewers also note the long lines, crushing crowds and attendant anxiety, and criticize the event’s labor practices—temporary, low-wage workers with no benefits who face difficult conditions while vendors and organizers profit. Critics urge a return to the event’s agricultural roots by showcasing locally raised beef and regional farmers and keeping the deep-fryers but putting better ingredients in them so attendees can get genuinely satisfying food at fair prices." - Amy McCarthy