Wednesday, October 8, 2025

The 2025 Arkansas State Fair Food Guide.

The ultimate guide to everything edible at the Arkansas State Fair, by the one person crazy enough to document it all, year after year.

Check back throughout the fair for more entries added daily.

What new fair fare will cause tongues to wag and people to stare? This annual guide is why I am here. I spend time each year reaching out to vendors and prowling the Arkansas State Fairgrounds to determine the menu for each year's event. That means a lot of time watching, comparing, sampling, and photographing. I've been doing it since 2008.

For those of you new to the guide, I visit the Arkansas State Fairgrounds multiple times before and during the fair to compile an annual collection of all the dishes I can find, from alligator to yams and everything in-between. I also contact operators in advance to see what they're bringing to share with our hungry fairgoers.

Do note - most of the purveyors of state fair food are charging at 10.65% transactional sales tax and surcharge on credit and debit card sales. Many of those who aren't, are charging a buck or two per transaction. Save money, bring cash.

As always, if you're with a website, newspaper, magazine, television station, radio station, or just need some information to use for your website, please cite my efforts. If you need full resolution images, or you'd like to have me come talk about the fair on your show or in an interview, email me at kat@tiedyetravels.com.

NEW ITEMS


Egg Roll Love has returned with a couple of new flavors - the fabulous Blasian Roll with its Filipino and Soul combination - battered and fried orange chicken in a roll with Island Sauce, green onions and mozzarella cheese all in a wheat wrapper for a fabulous combination of flavors. Donny and Lisa also have the Asian Cajun Seafood Shrimp and Crab Roll, packed with seafood and with a spicy Cajun cream sauce, sure to satisfy.


There's also the Strawberry Shortcake Love, which I didn't know I needed in my life, but which Egg Roll Love happily provides.


The Roger Westmoreland funnel cake stand at the center of the Food Court has a new variety this year -Pumpkin Spice Funnel Cakes. Pumpkin pie filling, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, powdered sugar - the moment it comes across the counter you'll smell autumn. 


The first new thing I heard of this year came from a visit in August to the fairgrounds. L&M Concession plan to bring this monstrosity, the Cream Cheese Oreo Caramel Waffle. It's a waffle topped with cream cheese, crushed Oreo cookies and caramel sauce.


Larry also has a new Teriyaki Chicken on a Stick that's chicken fried without breading and doused with a sweet and tangy sauce.


Sue Sue's Concession (the Makin' Bacon Wagon) has the Yard Dog this year. It's a bacon-wrapped boneless fried chicken section on a bun.


The fabled Dragon's Breath candy is available at a stand just inside the front entrance of the Hall of Industry on the right.


Brandon's Concession is brand new to the Arkansas State Fair. They're bringing absolutely, ridiculously large stuffed baked potatoes and absurdly cheesy grilled cheese sandwiches. They're also offering a S'more Sandwich I'm looking forward to.

H2Que BBQ out of Jonesboro is offering a new take on smoked turkey legs by packing them full of Louisiana-style dirty rice. The popular mac-and-cheese stuffed legs will also be back this year. They also offer the Von Brisket BLT - a BRISKET, lettuce and tomato sandwich I am totally here for.


Paizi's has a new gluten-free Basmati Rice Bowl with rice, vegetables, and your choice of chicken or shrimp. You can also have it with lamb, but it's not gluten-free that way. Still, healthy eating is always part of our state fair.


Pickle bacon ranch pizza
. Served on a white sauce based pie with mozzarella, pickles, and a whole lot of bacon bits, this puckering combination is available by the slice at Swaim's Pizza on a Stick for $12. 


And McKinney Concession on the north side of the Food Court has the Flamin' Hot Cheetoes Footlong Corn Dog, for a hot version of the state fair classic.


You're also going to want to find the Corndog stand over by Crazy Mouse, the one on the west side of the roller coaster, and consider trying the Dubai Chocolate Corndog, which is an all-beef corndog dipped in corndog batter and then drizzled with Dubai chocolate. I kid you not.

Dirty drinks are here, too - not alcoholic drinks, but some of your favorite beverages like various Jarritos, sodas, and Monster Energy Drinks matched with cream. Find that stand right in front of the Big Show Diner.


You'll also find bubble tea on the Midway for the first time this year!

Note - some vendors are charging either a flat $1 fee or a percentage of each sale for credit or debit cards. As always, cash is welcome everywhere.

ALPHABETICAL LISTING OF ALL OF THE FOOD AT THE ARKANSAS STATE FAIR

Foods that have been confirmed are in black. 

All-Beef Corndogs. Unlike the pork versions, you'll find these on the Midway at the Hot Dog and Nacho Stand for $10. Get a foot long version for $12.

All-Beef Hot Dogs. An all-beef hot dog in a bun with condiments for $6. Chili cheese version two dollars more. Find them at the Hot Dog and Nacho booth between Crazy Mouse and the bumper cars.


Alligator and Bait.
Gator and shrimp in a basket for $17 at Gator's Cajun Food at the south end of the Food Court.


Alligator on a Stick.
This Gator-on-a-Stick is succulent pieces of gator battered and fried and served hot in a paper basket. Find it at Gator's Cajun Food at the south end of the Food Court for $19.

Alligator Swamp Dogs. A Cajun version of the hot dog that you'll find at Gator's Cajun Food at the south end of the Food Court for $10.

Angus beef in pita. Paizi's Gyros offers prime Angus beef seasoned, roasted and served with fresh vegetables in a pliant pita for $16.

Baby back ribs. You can find them at Gold's Boss Hog near Gate 5, and at the Boss Hog stand at the south end of the Midway. You can get them as half a rack or a whole rack, smoked or fried, or four bones in a dinner with two sides and hot water cornbread.

Bacon cheese French fries. At the Wings and Fries stand on the Midway, they're $10 small and $14 large.


Bacon cheese Krazy Fries.
Another variant of the just-cut potato chip fried right in front of you, this one with nacho cheese sauce, Ranch and bacon bits. Big plateful for $15.

Bacon funnel cake. Available at the yellow funnel cake trailer by the south end of the Midway for $12.

NEW! Bacon on a stick. A thick slab of bacon on a stick, deep fried, $10 from Sue Sue's Concessions on the west end of the Food Court.

Bacon ranch fries. At the Wings and Fries stand on the Midway, they're $10 a small and $14 for the large.

Bacon-wrapped chicken on a stick. $15 for thick cut bacon around a nice chunky skewer of chicken at Sue Sue's Concession on the west side of the Food Court. 


Bacon-wrapped hot dog.
An all-beef dog wrapped with thick-cut bacon, deep fried and served in a bun for $10 at Sue Sue's Concession on the west side of the Food Court.


Bacon-wrapped tenderloin kebab
. Miss Anna's at the Big Show Cafe has them for $12.

Baked beans. Saucy baked beans with a bit of pork in them, $7 a side or $10 a bowl at Cheryl's Famous/Boss Hog's near Gate 1.

Baked catfish. Miss Anna's has baked - not fried - catfish and seasoned rice offered with your choice of sides, including mashed potatoes, steamed cabbage, mixed greens, black eyed peas, pinto beans, green beans, or candied yams for $22 a plate.


Baked chicken.
Miss Anna's inside the Big Show Diner has plate meals - two sides and an entree - for $22. Baked chicken and dressing are one of the special entrees. You can get these with your choice of sides, including mashed potatoes, steamed cabbage, mixed greens, black eyed peas, pinto beans, green beans, or candied yams.

Baked potato. Get yours with your choice of butter, sour cream, cheese or spice blends at L and M Concessions in the Food Court. Or build-your-own stuffed potato at Brandon Concession on the west side of the Food Court for $10, with a base potato weighing three pounds or more with butter, salt and pepper, then adding whatever toppings you like for $2 more, including shredded cheese, nacho cheese, sour cream, chives, pico de gallo, onion straws, jalapenos, broccoli baked pork and beans, garlic parmesan, or chili. Adding ranch dressing or buffalo sauce is $1. You can also add bacon, guacamole or chorizo for $3 and pulled pork, chicken, or carne asada for $6.

Barbecue brisket sandwich. H2Que BBQ has them for $14 at its station on the Midway near the entrance to Barton Coliseum, and at the east side of the Food Court as well.


Barbecue chicken nachos.
 Find them at H2Que BBQ on the east side of the food court or next to the Midway entrance of Barton Coliseum for $13. Mickey's Grill in the Food Court also offers a version for $13.

Barbecue chicken sandwiches. Find them at H2Que BBQ on the east side of the food court or next to the Midway entrance of Barton Coliseum for $13. Mickey's Grill in the Food Court also offers them at this price - and $2 to add fries.


Barbecue Krazy Fries.
Paper-thin potatoes - a whole plateful! topped with pulled pork, nacho cheese, and barbecue sauce at the All-American Cafe for $15.


Barbecue nachos.
Get a tray of round tortilla chips topped with barbecue meat, nacho cheese sauce, and barbecue sauce at L and M Concession on the south side of the Food Court, or just inside the Hall of Industry at the counter on the right, for $15.

Barbecue pork dinners. Served with a couple of sides at Boss Hog's near Gate 5.

Barbecue pork nachos. Pulled pork barbecue on chips with nacho cheese can be found at H2Que BBQ at the east side of the food court or near the Midway by the entrance to Barton Coliseum for $13. They're also available at the Bud Light Pavilion for $15.

Barbecue pork sandwiches. Find it at Boss Hog's near Gate 5 and at the back of the Midway for $12. H2Que BBQ on the east side of the food court or next to the Midway entrance of Barton Coliseum for $13. They're $15 at the Bud Light Pavilion.

Barbecue sandwiches. Not sure the meat content - I'm so sorry, I forgot to ask, They're $9 at the counter just inside the Hall of Industry.

Bavarian cream funnel cake. A traditional funnel cake topped with Bavarian cream and chocolate sauce at Roger Westmoreland Concession in the middle of the Food Court for $13.

Beef barbecue sandwiches. Get yours at Mickey's Grill in the Food Court for $13, or in a combo for $3 more. 

Beef burritos. Don Elote off the Midway near the entrance to Barton Coliseum has them for $13. Authentic beef burritos wrapped in flour tortillas with choice of rice, beans, and other fillings at Ormic's Taco King for $17.

Beef fried rice. Get a plate for $17 at Chan's Chinese Foods on the west end of the Food Court.

Beef kebabs. Get them at Mickey's Grill in the Food Court for $12.

Beef lo mein. Chan's Chinese Foods on the west end of the Food Court has it for $17.

Beef on a stick. Asian-style, find it at Chan's Chinese Foods on the west end of the Food Court for $13, or with rice or lo mein for $18.

Beef quesadillas. Two big flour tortillas with cheese and beef in-between, served in wedges and sold at Ormic's Taco King for $13.

Beef tacos. Authentic beef tacos with onion and cilantro on corn tortillas at Ormic's Taco King for $13.

Beer. $7 at the Busch Light Cook Shack.

Beignets. Fried fresh at Gator's Cajun Food at the south end of the Food Court for $10.

Birria Tacos. Spicy, shredded beef melted together with cheese in fresh, puffy tacos at Don Elote's yellow Mexican Food stand near the entrance to Barton Colliseum, right off the Midway, three for $14.

Biscuits and gravy. Every morning, you can get yours at the Midway Cafe at he south end of the Midway for $6.

Black Angus burger. A half pound burger at the All American Cafe in the Food Court will run you $15 with fries.

Black Angus pita. This is a gyro made instead with black angus beef with those vegetables and taziki sauce on pita for $16 at Paizi's Green Foods.


Blooming onion
. A whole white onion, sliced through to its bottom, battered and deep fried, at the Blooming Onion stand near Gate 5 for $12.

Blue Plate Special. Daily meat-and-two plates offered at Miss Anna's at the Big Show Diner for $22.

Boss Hog Burger. Big burger at Boss Hog's near Gate 5 for $12. Deluxify it for $2 more.


Boudin balls.
These marvelous sausage creations can be found at Gator's Cajun Food at the south end of the Food Court on the south end of the Food Court for $11.


Boudin eggrolls.
Gator's Cajun Food at the south end of the Food Court has these at the south end of the Food Court for $11.

Boudin links. For traditional boudin links, go to Gator's Cajun Food at the south end of the Food Court for $11.

Breakfast burrito. Get a sausage, egg, and cheese burrito or bacon, egg and cheese burrito for $5 at the yellow funnel cake stand near the south end of the Midway.

Breakfast Funnel Cake. Get funnel cake for breakfast at the yellow funnel cake stand near the south end of the Midway for $12 - cinnamon and honey, Oreo cookie, bacon, chocolate, caramel, strawberry, cherry, apple, or blueberry and cream cheese. 

Brittle. Juanita's peanut or pecan brittles can be found at Ozark Candy and Nuts in the Hall of Industry for $12.


NEW! Bubble tea! The tapioca-infused trendy beverage is available near the swings on the Midway in a bright pink trailer. Choose from brown sugar, cappuccino, Thai, taro, Oreo, pina colada, strawberry or macha for $10.


NEW! Bucket of bacon cheese fries. Plenty to share, exactly what it says in the title, Sue Sue's Concession on the west side of the Food Court has these buckets for $15.


NEW! Bucket of bacon cheese nachos. Exactly the same as above, except on tortilla chips. Also $15 at Sue Sue's Concession.

Buffalo chips. These are buffalo-seasoned potato chunks. They're $9 a side or $17 a bowl at Sweet T's Family Sub Shop at the Boss Hog's at the south end of the Midway

Bug Pizza.  Swaim's Pizza on a Stick in the Food Court offers pizza topped with crickets, scorpions or mealworms for $15.

NEW! Build-Your-Own Baked Potato. Set up your own massive build-your-own stuffed potato at Brandon Concession on the west side of the Food Court for $10, with a base potato weighing three pounds or more with butter, salt and pepper, then adding whatever toppings you like for $2 more, including shredded cheese, nacho cheese, sour cream, chives, pico de gallo, onion straws, jalapenos, broccoli baked pork and beans, garlic parmesan, or chili. Adding ranch dressing or buffalo sauce is $1. You can also add bacon, guacamole or chorizo for $3 and pulled pork, chicken, or carne asada for $6.

Burgers.  Cheapest burgers at the fair are at L and M Concession on the south side of the Food Court, where hamburgers are $7 and cheeseburgers are $8. The counter to the right when you first walk into the Hall of Industry has them for $8, with a cheeseburger being $9. Boss Hogg's offers half pound burgers. You can also get one at the Bud Light Pavilion for $8 ($9 with cheese), at Miss Anna's in the Big Show Cafe for $10 ($12 with cheese). And cheeseburgers are $14 at the Busch Light Cooking Shack at the south end of the Midway. They're $12 at the black Cheeseburger and Poutine stand by the funhouses midway through the Midway, a dollar more for cheese and $2 more for bacon.


Burritos.
Don Elote's Mexican Food is set up near the entrance to Barton Coliseum off the Midway, with a host of different dishes. Get chicken or beef burritos packed with meat, rice, and your choice of vegetables for $13. Ormic's Taco King offers a thick cylinder of fresh hand-rolled tortilla filled with your choice of rice, beans, cheese, lettuce and your choice of chicken, beef or pork for $17.

Cajun Asian Seafood Shrimp and Crab egg roll. Egg Roll Love by the Blue Ribbon Club has lots of different egg rolls, including this Asian Filipino fusion option that's crabmeat and mozzarella cheese in a wonton wrapper, served with Island sauce. $7 for one, $13 for two, $20 for three, $25 for four, $30 for five, and $5 each if you get six or more.

Cajun fried ribs. Cajun-spiced deep fried ribs have become a favorite at Boss Hog's near Gate 5, served with Cajun fries.

Cajun nachos. Gator's Cajun Food at the south end of the Food Court has a plate of these Louisiana-spiced nachos for $15.


Cajun shrimp on a stick.
Several Cajun spiced shrimp grilled over open flames and served on a stick at Boss Hog's near Gate 5 for $12,

Candy. The Busch Light Cooking Shack near the FFA Barn offers various candies for $3 a package, as does the Midway Cafe.


Candy apples.
The decades-old classic, it's an apple coated with cinnamon candy and it's available at Ozark Candy and Nuts in the Hall of Industry and on the Midway. Also $6 at the Cotton Candy Apple stand on the north end of the Midway. The Cotton Candy stand in front of Crazy Mouse on the Midway offers them for $7, $8 with additional toppings.

Caramel apple chips. $6 at the Cotton Candy Apple stand on the north end of the Kids Zone.

Caramel corn crunch waffle cones. A gluten-free waffle cone full of ice cream topped with caramel popcorn makes for one heck of a dessert. Try it from Wonderstick for $9, two locations in the Food Court.


Caramel covered apples.
At Ozark Candy and Nuts in the Hall of Industry, you can get an apple on a stick or sliced in a bowl, covered with caramel for $7. Add peanuts or M&Ms for $1 more.  Or pick up one at the Cotton Candy stand on the Midway by the ramp to Barton Coliseum. You can also get them for $6 at the Cotton Candy Apple stand on the north end of the Kid Zone.The Cotton Candy stand in front of Crazy Mouse on the Midway offers them for $8, $9 with additional toppings,


Caramel covered apples - but with sprinkles!
Find them at the Cotton Candy stand by Gate 1 for $8.

Catfish. Two pieces of fried catfish with hush puppies and tater tots will run you $14 at Gator's Cajun Shack at the south end of the Food Court.

NEW! Chamoy pickle. The spicy pickle is $4 at the Candyland stand between the Midway and Barton Coliseum.


NEW! Chamoy apples. Caramel apples sprinkled liberally with chamoy sauce and dusted with Tajin for a spicy, savory tak on caramel apples. Find it at the Cotton Candy Apple stand on the north end of the Kids Zone near Gate 1.

Chocolate milk. The very best deal at the Arkansas State Fair! You can get a half pint for 50 cents at the Hiland Dairy booth out front of the Hall of Industry.

Champurrado. Don Elote's Mexican Foods near the entrance to Barton Coliseum has this traditional hot chocolate beverage that's made from corn flour and cinnamon-infused water along with cocoa and vanilla. You can get a cup for $5.

Cheeseburgers. See Burgers.

Cheeseburger poutine. $16 at the black Cheeseburger and Poutine stand by the funhouses midway through the Midway.

Cheesecake. $10 a slice at the yellow funnel cake stand at the south end of the Midway,


Cheese curds.
Haack's Concessions, which offers blooming onions, nachos, and lemonade by Gate 5, has Wisconsin cheese curds served with ranch for $9.


Cheese fries.
Find them at the Candyland stand near the Midway and Barton Coliseum for $7. They're $9 and $13 at the Wings and Fries stand on the Midway.

Cheese on a stick. Think corn dog, but a chunk of cheese instead of a hot dog. That's what you'll get when you order this specialty at Westmoreland Concessions, like the one in front of the Bud Light Pavilion for $7 in either American or Pepper Jack cheeses.

Cheese pizza. Swain's Pizza on a Stick sells it as a large slice for $9, or as a 10" mini pizza for $15.

Cheesecake. With or without toppings like chocolate, caramel, or strawberry sauce for $8 at Granny's Kitchen Concession two trailers down from Gate 1.

Cheesesteak Egg Rolls. Egg Roll Love has these hearty, beefy filled wontons at its food truck near the Hall of Industry, $7 for one, $13 for two, $20 for three, $25 for four, $30 for five, and $5 each if you get six or more.

Cherry limeade. The popular drink is available at the All American Cafe at the northwest corner of the center of the Food Court or the Gyro stand near the south end of the Midway for $9, with refills for $5. The yellow-and-red striped Hot Dogs and Nacho stand west of Crazy Mouse has 32 ounce cups for $8 and 64 ounce cups for $12, with a $8 refill. Get yours for $9 at McKinney Concessions in the Food Court and at the end of the Midway. Roger Westmoreland Concessions also has cups for $9.


Chicken and Waffles on a Stick.
More than just pancake dipped chicken pieces, this is chicken  dipped in waffle batter and pressed in a waffle iron for a portable version of the classic. H2Que BBQ has them for $13.

Chicken barbecue sandwiches. At Mickey's Grill in the Food Court for $13.

Chicken corn empanadas. Three beautiful handheld seasoned chicken and corn hand pies for $12, offered at Don Elote's Mexican Food.

Chicken egg roll. Filled with chicken and vegetables and served up by the Cleveland-influenced Egg Roll Love concession by the Hall of Industry, $7 for one, $13 for two, $20 for three, $25 for four, $30 for five, and $5 each if you get six or more. You'll also find them at Chan's Chicken on a Stick for $4.

Chicken fries. $8 at Miss Anna's at the Big Show Diner.

Chicken gyros. Paizi's offers succulent roasted chicken in a pita with taziki sauce, tomatoes, onions and greens for a healthy bite for $16.


Chicken kebabs. Get them at Mickey's Grill in the Food Court for $12.



Chicken on a stick.
An Asian grilled version is available for $12 at Chan's Chinese Foods on the west end of the Food Court, or with rice or lo mein for $17.  Cheryl at Boss Hog/s near Gate 5 has them for $14, as does Sweet T's Family Sub Shop at the Boss Hog's at the south end of the Midway. Sweet-T's on the Midway by the Turkey Leg Tent charges $16 each.

Chicken pitas. Paizi's offers three different flavors of chicken - rosemary, garlic, and cajun - served up with vegetables and sauce in a fresh fluffy pita for $16.

Chicken salad sandwich. Find it at the concession just inside the door of the Hall of Industry.

Chicken strips or tenders. A basket at the Busch Light Cooking Shack near the FFA Barn is $14 for three strips with fries. 

Chicken wings. A basket of wings with fries is $14 at the Busch Light Cook Shack.

Chili cheese fries. At the Wings and Fries stand on the Midway, they're $10 small, $14 large.

Chili dogs. $8 at Miss Anna's at the Big Show Diner or at the yellow-and-red striped Hot Dogs and Nachos stand to the west of Crazy Mouse on the Midway.

Chipotle roasted cashews. Spicy, meaty cashews served by the coneful at Ozark Candy and Nuts in the Hall of Industry - $12, two for $20, three for $27, four for $36, five for $40.

Chips. A bag of chips is $3 at the Midway Cafe and the Busch Light Cook Shack. Chips are also available at the Bud Light Center Stage Pavilion for $3.

Chocolate covered bananas. Get one at Wonderstick for $6 or Granny's Cheesecake and More for $8.

Chocolate covered cheesecake. Wonderstick in the food court has chocolate covered cheesecake slices for $9. The funnel cake stand at the south end of the Midway offers slices for $10, as does Granny's Cheesecake and More.


NEW! Chocolate covered strawberries in a cup.
A new stand on the north side of the Food Court, right in front of Boss Hog's, offers these sweet delights, a full 12 ounce cup of strawberries in chocolate sauce with waffle cone shavings. There's a different version offered at Granny's Cheesecake and More near Gate 1 for $10.


Chocolate covered strawberries on a stick.
Find them at Granny's Cheesecake and More for $8, near Gate 1.

Chocolate dipped cheesecake on a stick. Exactly what it says it is, $10 at Granny's Cheesecake and Moore near Gate 1. They're $11 at the yellow funnel cake stand near the south end of the Midway.

Chocolate dipped ice cream. A block of ice cream frozen and covered with chocolate at Granny's Cheesecake and More near Gate 1 for $8.

Chocolate dipped marshmallow. Granny's Cheesecake and More two trailers away from Gate 1 has them with or without nuts for $5.


Chocolate milk.
The very best deal at the Arkansas State Fair! Get your half-pint for 50 cents at the Hiland Dairy stand by Gate 5.

NEW! Chocolate pretzel caramel covered cheesecake. Another way to guild the proverbial lily that is cheesecake - at Granny's Cheesecake and More near Gate 1 for $12.

Churros. They're 2 for $7 at the Candyland stand near the Midway entrance to Barton Coliseum.

Cinnamon almonds. Served hot in a cone at Ozark Candy and Nuts in the Hall of Industry - $12, two for $20, three for $27, four for $36, five for $40.


Cinnamon apple funnel cake
. A hot and ready funnel cake topped with cinnamon apple pie filling makes for a great and hearty dessert. Share with friends. $13 at the Westmoreland Concession trailer in the middle of the Food Court.

Cinnamon pecans. Pecan halves roasted with cinnamon and sugar, served in a cone at Ozark Candy and Nuts inside the Hall of Industry - $12, two for $20, three for $27, four for $36, five for $40.

NEW! Cinnamon sugar pretzel. Get one for $7 at the Candyland stand near Barton Coliseum, or add caramel or chocolate for another $2.

Coffee. A cup is $3 at the funnel cake stand at the end of the Midway or at the Midway Cafe. The funnel cake stand also has flavored iced coffee for $5. You can also get a cup at the stand inside the fron entrance of the Hall of Industry.

NEW! Coffee beverages. Sip N' Sunshine is setting up atop the hill on the south end of the Food Court and offering medium ($7) and large ($9) coffees and lattes in flavors such as cookie butter, pistachio butter, pumpkin chai, pumpkin spice, pecan pie, caramel apple, and salted cinnamon roll flavors. 

Collard Greens. Get them aSweet T's Family Sub Shop at the Boss Hog's at the south end of the Midway for $8.

Cookies. Get a big cookie at the the Busch Light Cooking Shack near the FFA Barn for $3.

Cool Mint Crunch Dippin' Dots. The ice cream of the future in a refreshing mint ice cream pebble with a crunch to it! Find them at Dippin' Dots for $8 small, $9 medium, or $11 large, in the Food Court.

Corndogs. Chris's Corn Dogs on the south side of the Food Court (little yellow cart) has corndogs for $6. McKinney Concessions has several locations around the fairgrounds offering fresh batter dipped beef and pork corndogs on a stick. They're $10 for the footlong dogs.  And at Sweet-T's on the Midway by the Turkey Leg Tent, they're $14.

On the Midway, regular corndogs are $7 and jumbo corndogs are $10, at the stand by the Gravitron and the one in front of the Big Show Diner.

Corn in a cup. Get a cup of plain corn or Mexican-style corn in a cup with your choice of condiments at L and M Concessions in the Food Court.


Corn on the cob.
L and M Concessions has fresh hot roasted corn on the cob and spices to jazz up your cob.

Corn on the cup. Elote from Don Elote's in front of Barton Coliseum for $6 with crema, cheese, and paprika.


Cotton candy. While you can find it all over the fairgrounds, the local favorite is at Linda's Lemonade, traditional pink and blue cotton candy on paper cones exactly the same as we've enjoyed it for a lifetime. $7 a regular bag or $8 for a jumbo. It's $6 at the Cotton Candy Apple stand on the north end of the Kids Zone, with a Monster Bag for $9. The Cotton Candy stand in front of Crazy Mouse on the Midway has regular bags for $8 and large bags for $16. 


Cowboy burger.
A half pound Black Angus beef burger with swiss cheese, bacon, onion ring and barbecue sauce and fries, at the All-American Cafe in the Food Court for $15.

Crab and shrimp egg rolls. Egg Roll Love's Cleveland-style filled egg rolls include this seafood version, $7 for one, $13 for two, $20 for three, $25 for four, $30 for five, and $5 each if you get six or more.

NEW! Cream cheese Oreo waffle burger. A "burger" where the meat is cream cheese, Oreos and caramel sauce and the "bun" is two waffles. L and M Concessions has them for $10.

Curly fries. At the Wings and Fries stand on the Midway, they're $10 small and $14. Toppings extra.

Cutwater Spirits. $10 at the Busch Light Cook Shack and elsewhere across site.


Deep fried cheesecake.
A wonton wrapper makes this delectable dessert possible. Find it on the Midway near the bumper cars, or get yours from a local operation by going to Fried What? near Gate Five for $11. A smaller version is available at Granny's Kitchen near Gate 1 for $10. They're $11 at the yellow funnel cake stand near the south end of the Midway.

Deep fried German chocolate brownies. Delectable brownie bites filled with caramel coconut and chocolate frosting, battered and deep fried and glazed with caramel syrup and coconut - these may be the sweetest bite you can find at the fair. It's at the L and M Concession trailer on the south end of the Food Court.

Deep fried mac and cheese. Do you remember when the very idea of deep frying macaroni and cheese was just nuts? Though you can now get them at lots of brick-and-mortar shops, you can find them on the fairgrounds at Fried What? for $10

Deep fried Milky Way. Fried What? across from Gate 5 has them for $9.

Deep fried Nutella. The hazelnut chocolate sweet batter dipped and fried on a stick can be found at Granny's Cheesecake and More near Gate 1 for $9.

Deep fried peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Fried What? has become synonymous with crazy fried creations, having come up with everything from the Dough-Re-Oreo to the fried Key lime pie. This year's entry is even better, a crustless creamy peanut butter and grape jelly creation that's gilded with powdered sugar and a raspberry boysenberry couli called Razorback Sauce. It's the 2023 Tasty Tom winner for Most Creative. Get one for $10.

Deep fried pineapple rings. Caramelized by heat, these golden rings are similar in flavor to pineapple upside down cake at L and M Concessions.

Deep fried Snickers. Yes, they still exist, they're still good, and they're at the Candyland stand near the entrance to Barton Coliseum for $7. They're $8 at at the yellow funnel cake stand near the south end of the Midway. Fried What? near Gate 5 also has them for $9, as does Granny's Cheesecake and More near Gate 1.

Deep fried strawberry shortcake. Fried What? has it for $10.

Deli sandwiches. You'll find a stand selling deli cold cuts on bread at Sweet T's Family Sub Shop, set up within Boss Hog's at the south end of the Midway. You can get a Philly for $16, or a Polish or Italian for $14.

Dipped ice cream cone. The ice cream stand in front of the Big Show Diner has them for $7. You can get a dipped waffle cone for $9.


Dipped nutter butters.
Sold by the piece in the Hall of Industry at the Like Yo Mama's stand for $2.

Dippin' Dots. The ice cream of the future comes in 10 different flavors - vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, cool mint, banana split, cookies and cream, strawberry cheesecake yogurt, rainbow ice, cookie dough and cotton candy. Prices are $8 regular. $9 medium, $11 large, with $8 for a waffle cone. There's a Dippin' Dots in the Food Court next to Mickey's Grill and one on the Midway next to CrazyMouse. Prices are the same.


NEW! Dirty drinks are here, too - not alcoholic drinks, but some of your favorite beverages like various Jarritos, sodas, and Monster Energy Drinks matched with coconut cream, for $15. Find that stand right in front of the Big Show Diner.

NEW! Dirty Pickle Colada. Sweet, salty, and savory all together - this is a combination of pineapple energy drink, coconut, pickle brine, whipped coconut milk, and fresh dill. I'm not even sure I'm brave enough to try it. $15.

Dough-E-Oreos. Take the idea of a fried Oreo cookie, and add it to fried cookie dough. Wrap the Oreo in that cookie dough, and you get the Dough-E-Oreo, an award-winning specialty of Fried What?, 3 for $11.

NEW! Dragon's Breath candy. This is nitrogen frozen cereal which, when you put it in your mouth, causes you to breath out steam. Find the booth inside the Hall of Industry, just to the right when you enter the big room from the front entrance. It's served on ice cream, and it's $15 a shot.


NEW! Dubai Chocolate Corndog. Seriously, what? This is a traditional footlong corndog, except ribbon-clad with Dubai chocolate. Find it at the corndog stand to the west of Crazy Mouse.

NEW! Dubai Chocolate Covered Strawberries in a Cup. For $15, try Dubai Chocolate drizzled over strawberries in a cup at Granny's Cheesecake and More a couple of trailers down from Gate 1.

Elote. Don Elote's Mexican Food is offering the cups of corn with mayo and toppings for $8 at its stand in front of Barton Coliseum. You can also get it on a stick for $6.


Egg rolls.
Egg Roll Love out of Vicksburg, Mississippi is back this year with so many neat meals wrapped in wonton wrappers and deep fried. The Soul Food Roll, one of last year’s great surprises, was overlooked but deserves attention. It’s collard greens, mac and cheese and chicken, all staples of a good soul food meal, packaged in a way you can walk and eat them. Chipotle chicken, Cajun Asian crab, cheesesteak, and Pizza Love are other varieties offered at the food truck, and you can order batch mix-and-match orders to try them all. They are $7 for one, $13 for two, $20 for three, $25 for four, $30 for five, and $5 each if you get six or more - so go get some with your friends. Traditional egg rolls are available at Chan's Chinese Foods on the west end of the Food Court for $4.


Egg roll combo.
Get your egg roll with fries at Egg Roll Love.

Elephant ears. They're big, flat, crispy and an alternative to the traditional funnel cake, and they can come topped with cinnamon and sugar, cherry filling, apple filling and more. Find them at the elephant ear trailer in front of Barton Coliseum on the Midway side of the ramp. They're $9 each, plus $2 per topping (apple, strawberry, cherry, chocolate, caramel, whipped cream, Bavarian cream).  The Elephant Ear and Funnel Cake Stand near the center of the Midway charges $10, with toppings another $3.


Flaming Hot Cheetoes
 Footlong Corn Dog. Weiner dipped in corndog batter, buttered and encased in a Flaming Hot Cheetoes batter for a spicy version of the traditional corndog for $14.

Flaming Hot Corn Dog. This all-beef version is made at the Hot Dog and Nacho Stand to the west of the Crazy Mouse roller coaster for $12 - or get a footlong version for $14.

NEW! Flaming Hot Pickles and Cheese. These trays of fried pickles are covered in nacho cheese and hot Cheetoes and is sold at the Hot Dog and Nacho stand west of the Crazy Mouse roller coaster for $8,

Flautas. Three chicken flautas, covered with lettuce, tomato, and cheese, $11 at Ormic's Taco King in the Food Court. 

Flauta Cups. Ormic Taco King is offering three beef flautas in a cup with lettuce, sour cream and sauce, for an easy-to-carry snack for $11.

Flavor Burst Cones. $7 in the flavor you desire at the ice cream stand in front of the Big Show Diner. Same place in a waffle cone, $9. Same place in a fancy cone, $11.

Floats. Two Brothers Concession uphill from the Bubble Tea stand offers them for $7. Find them at Wonderstick in the Food Court for $8.  The Elephant Ear and Funnel Cake Stand near the center of the Midway charges $8 as well.


Footlong Corndogs.
The classic, available at the corner of the Food Court for $10 at McKinney Concession.

NEW! Frappes. Sip N' Sunshine is setting up atop the hill on the south end of the Food Court and offering medium ($7) and large ($9) frappes in various flavors.


French fries.
Miss Anna's at the Big Show Diner has them for $5, or you can get them at the Candyland Stand near Barton Coliseum off the Midway for $6, or $10 a bucket. At the Wings and Fries stand on the Midway, fries are $8 a small and $12 a large. $8 at the black Cheeseburger and Poutine stand by the funhouses midway through the Midway.


Fried bologna sandwich. A classic Arkansas favorite, $7 at the Midway Cafe at the south end of the Midway. This toasted-bread version includes your choice of condiments and selection of cheese, lettuce, tomato, or pickle.

Fried brownies. Two dipped and fried brownies with ice cream. Find them at Fried What? near Gate 5, two with ice cream for $10. Without ice cream, you can find fried brownie bites five for $8.

Fried Food Sampler. Get a tray with two fried Oreos, two fried brownie bites and two fried mini Snickers for $12.

Fried green tomatoes. Get a basket of the classic with ranch at the Fried What? stand near Gate 5 for $11.

Fried ice cream. Fried What? offers scoops of batter fried ice cream for $11.


Fried Key lime pie.
Frozen wedges of Key lime pie on a stick, dipped in batter and deep fried for a tangy treat. Get yours at Fried What? near Gate 5 for $11.


Fried Oreos.
Though these battered and deep fried filled cookies have become so ubiquitous you can find them at brick and mortar restaurants here and there, you can find them six for $10 or a bucketful for $18 at Fried What? near Gate 5; five for $8 at the yellow funnel cake stand at the south end of the Midway, five for $8, or $15 for a bucket of 10, at the Candyland stand near Barton Coliseum. They're also $10 for six at Granny's Cheesecake and More near Gate 1, and $10 for five at The Elephant Ear and Funnel Cake Stand near the center of the Midway. Two Brothers Concession up the hill from the Bubble Tea stand offers an unknown amount for $8.

Fried peanut butter and jelly. $7 at the yellow funnel cake stand near the south end of the Midway 

Fried pecan pie. Wedges of pecan pie on a stick, battered and deep fried, come out gooey and hot. You'll find them at Fried What? near Gate 5 for $11.

Fried pickles. Bernell Austin's creation from the Duchess Drive-In of Atkins, Arkansas has spread from coast to coast, and at our state's largest event, you can find them at Fried What? near Gate 5 served with ranch dressing for $11.

Fried pies. Like Yo Mama's sells all sorts of flavors of fried pies inside the Arts and Crafts Building. They're packed and ready to go, the perfect last minute grab and go thing to take with you when you're heading out.

Fried smoked BBQ ribs. H2Que BBQ is offering bones of fried ribs that are first hickory smoked, then fried, then dunked in a housemade sweet teriyaki sauce for an experience you won't soon forget for $15.

Fried S'mores. A marshmallow and chocolate sandwiched between two graham crackers, battered and deep fried, sold at Fried What? across from Gate 5 for $11. They're two for $8 at the yellow funnel cake stand near the south end of the Midway.

Fried Snickers bar. Battered, deep fried candy bar is molten when bitten into. The chocolate, caramel and pecan delight can be found at Fried What? near Gate 5 for $9, and at the Candyland stand near Barton Coliseum off the Midway for $8. Granny's Cheesecake and More near Gate 1 offers them for $9.

Fried Strawberry Shortcake. Vanilla sponge and strawberries in their own juice, dipped in batter, fried, and topped with whipped cream. Find it at Fried What? near Gate 5 for $10.

Fried Twinkies. It's been well over a decade since this sweet confection in this configuration first hit the scene. They're $7 at the yellow funnel cake stand at the south end of the Midway, and $7 at the Candyland stand near the Midway entrance to Barton Coliseum. Fried What? also offers the Hostess product battered and deep fried across from Gate 5 for $8. The Elephant Ear and Funnel Cake Stand near the center of the Midway charges $8. They're $9 at Granny's Cheesecake and More near Gate 1.

Fries.  See French Fries.

Frito chili pie. Frito corn chips, chili, and cheese available for $8 at the yellow-and-red striped Hot Dog and Nachos stand west of Crazy Mouse.


NEW! Frozen fruit punch slush. New at the Lipton Ice Tea Box in the Food Court, this is homemade lemonade put through the slush method for a nice, refreshing frozen beverage. $7 medium, $9 with a five dollar refill, or $19 a bucket with a $10 refill.

Frozen Lemonade. Swaim's Pizza on a Stick is offering frozen lemonade for $11 for 32 ounces and $20 for 64 ounces - refill not listed. The Cotton Candy stand in front of Crazy Mouse on the Midway offers them for $6 and $9.

NEW! Fruit tea! The Bubble Tea cart near the swings on the Midway has $10 cups of fruit tea in mango, dragonfruit, passion fruit, and strawberry flavors for $10.


Fruit punch.
You can get a really good fruit punch made from a family recipe at the Lipton Iced Tea Boxes at the south end of the Midway and in the food court for $5 a medium, $8 a large, and $4 a refill. The Midway version is offered at the corndog and lemonade stand in front of the Big Show Diner, 16 ounces for $5, 32 ounces for $8 with a $5 refill.


Fudge.
Served in a small rectangular tub with a small spoon in several flavors - chocolate, Snickers, chocolate salted caramel, peanut butter, turtle, and chocolate walnut - $5 a tub at Ozark Candy and Nuts in the Hall of Industry.


Funnel cakes.
The traditional funnel cakes we all known and love. The cheapest I've found is the Two Brothers Concession up the hill from where the Bubble Tea stand on the Midway. It's $8 there, with $1 for toppings. There's the yellow funnel cake stand at the south end of the Midway, which offers them for $10 each. For $12, you can also get those in flavors like cinnamon and honey, Oreo cookie, bacon, chocolate, caramel, strawberry, cherry, apple, or blueberry and cream cheese. You can also find them at the Elephant Ear and Funnel Cake stand near the center of the Midway, with toppings $3 more at the latter. And they're available in many different flavors at the Westmoreland stand in the Food Court.

Funnel cake sundae. It's back - $15 at the Elephant Ear and Funnel Cake Stand near the center of the Midway.

Gatorade. Get a bottle at the Busch Light Cooking Shack for $5.

Giant pecan rolls on a stick. A more than double sized portion of the traveler's classic, at Ozark Candy and Nuts in the Hall of Industry for $9.

Greek salad. The Gyro fry truck near the south end of the Midway sells these complete with lettuce, olives, Feta, black olives, tomatoes, onions, taziki sauce and your choice of meat for $16.


NEW! Grilled cheese sandwiches.
Mammoth versions offered this year by the folks at Brandon's Concession on the west side of the Food Court start at $10.

Gumbo. For the person who wants to make sure to be warm both inside and out as the temperatures drop, this Andouille and shrimp gumbo is from Gator's Cajun Food at the south end of the Food Court for $11, or a seafood version for $13.

Gyro fries. Hot French fries topped with gyro meat, feta cheese and cheddar cheese can be found at the Gyro Fry truck near the south end of the Midway for $16.


Gyros. Fort Smith's famed Paizi's has been bringing its excellent gyros to the Arkansas State Fair for a couple of decades. These fresh beef-and-lamb cone cuts are laid into fresh pita and topped with taziki, tomatoes, onions and are always made to order,. They're $15, with Feta an extra buck. You can also get one at the Bennett's Concession Gyro truck down towards the south end of the Midway with fries for $15 for lamb, beef, or chicken.

Gyro platter. A big platter with gyro meat, rice, vegetables and salad is $22 at Paizi's Greek Foods in the Food Court.

Hamburgers. See Burgers.


Hillbilly Bowl
. So, it starts with a bed of fries, then a mound of pulled pork barbecue. It's topped with barbecue sauce and macaroni and cheese, then jalapenos and cheddar cheese sauce, and then sauteed onions and peppers. It's a hearty bowl they'll be served up at Boss Hog's/Cheryl's Famous by Gate 5 for $18.

Horchata. Ormic's Taco King in the Food Court offers the popular Mexican beverage for $5 and $10.

Hot Cheetoes with cheese. Find them at the Candyland stand between the Midway and Barton Coliseum for $6.

Hot Cheetoes chili cheese dog. An all-beef hot dog, topped with chili, cheese, and hot Cheetoes, $8 at the Hot Dogs and Nachos stand (yellow and red striped) to the west of Crazy Mouse.

Hot Chocolate. When the weather is cool, hot chocolate's just right for sipping. It's $3 a cup at the funnel cake stand at the end of the Midway. It's also available in the Hall of Industry at the stand by the front entrance.

Hot dogs. The Hot Dog and Nacho stand (the big yellow and red striped one west of Crazy Mouse) has several different variations on hot dogs, starting with the base all-beef model at $6 and the footlong version for $8. Add chili, cheese, and hot Cheetos for $1 each. They're $6 at the counter just inside the Hall of Industry. $7 for a kid's dog at the black Cheeseburger and Poutine stand by the funhouses midway through the Midway.

Hot Mess Turkey Leg. A smoked, split turkey leg filled with macaroni and cheese, baked beans, tortilla chips, pulled pork, nacho cheese, and jalapenos at H2Que BBQ for $35. Feeds a family.

Hot water corn bread. Rounds of hot, buttery cornbread served on the side for one of the many dinners offered at Cheryl's Famous/Boss Hog's - or you can get a handful on their own for $5.

Hot wings. Boss Hog's does hot wings. Miss Anna's at the Big Show Diner has them for $10.

Ice cream - hand dipped. If you're looking for scoopable ice cream, go to the Hiland Kids Zone in front of the Hall of Industry and get Hiland Dairy pints - vanilla, chocolate, Moose Tracks, chocolate chip cookie dough, butter pecan, and Cookies Overload for $3 a pint. You can also get hand-dipped waffle cones at Dippin' Dots in the Food Court for $8 with vanilla, chocolate, butter pecan or cookies and cream.

Ice cream novelties. Get a chocolate covered vanilla ice cream popsicle, a Nutty Royale sundae cone, or an ice cream sandwich for $2 at the Hiland Dairy stand in front of the Hall of Industry.

Ice cream - soft serve. Two Brothers Concession by the Turkey Leg stand in the middle of the Midway offers soft serve chocolate, vanilla, and swirl ice cream for $5 a small or $6 for a large in a cone or a cup, CASH ONLY. Wonderstick in the Food Court sells ice cream in its iconic J shaped cones for $9. They also have waffle cones for $8 and $6 for a regular cone, $8 for a bowl or $6 for a cup, all in vanilla or chocolate soft-serve.  The Elephant Ear and Funnel Cake Stand near the center of the Midway and the Ice Cream stand across from the Big Show Diner both offer soft serve ice cream cones for $6.You can also get your ice cream in a flower cup for $6 at the Ice Cream stand there, or in a waffle cone for $8. A fancy cone will run you $10.

Ice cream sandwiches. Pick up an ice cream sandwich at the Hiland Dairy stand in front of the Hall of Industry for $2.

Iced coffee. The yellow funnel cake stand near the south end of the Midway has flavored ice coffee for $5 in hazelnut, coconut, French vanilla, zero sugar French vanilla, cookies and cream, white chocolate, chocolate peanut butter, peppermint mocha, and chocolate flavors.

Iced refreshers. The yellow funnel cake by the south end of the Midway has these flavored waters in strawberry acai, berry chill, pineapple passionfruit, and mango dragonfruit lemonade for $5.


Iced tea
. The Lipton Iced Tea Boxes are back, both in the Food Court and by the Swine Barn at the end of the Midway. They're $5 a regular, $8 a large, and $4 for refills. They also have Tea Buckets available for $18 with a $9 refill. You can also get sweet and unsweet tea at the Westmoreland Concession locations. Chan's Chinese Foods on the west end of the Food Court has iced tea for $8.

Hot tip (or cold tip): The Lipton Iced Tea Box by the Swine Barn has flavored syrups you can add to your iced tea or hot coffee! 

NEW! Icees. The popular carbonated crushed ice drink is available at a special Icee stand at the south end of the Food Court at the top of the hill. Medium is $7, large is $9, color changing is $12, and a sports bottle full is $15. Refills are $6. 


Italian Sausage.
Long rolled sausages can be found here and there on the fairgrounds, usually cooked in a big skillet or on a hot griddle with onions. They differ from the red Polish sausage by spices - Polish are stronger on garlic and black pepper, Italian sausages have a strong fennel flavor. Get them on a stick or in a bun, depending on where you go.  Big sections are available at Gold's Skillet across from Boss Hog's.  
Sweet-T's on the Midway by the Turkey Leg Tent and in the Boss Hog's at the south end of the Midway has them for $14.

Jalapeno poppers. Fried and filled with cream cheese at Fried What? six for $10 with ranch dressing. See also Texas Twinkies.


Jumbo pickles.
You can get them for $3 at Mickey's Grill in the Food Court and at the Hot Dogs and Nachos stand over west of Crazy Mouse. They're also $3 at the Cotton Candy Apple stand on the north end of the Kids Zone. You can also find a big pickle at the Lipton Iced Tea Boxes or at the counter inside the Hall of Industry for $4.


Jumbo pretzels.
Swain's Pizza on a Stick offers huge pretzels studded with large grain salt. You can even get them covered in cheese or sesame seeds for $11 and pepperoni or jalapenos for $12.


Jungle punch.
Get a bottle of this kiddie drink in lemon, orange or fruit punch for $2.


Kettle corn.
Get sweetened just-popped popcorn from the Michener concession by the Hall of Industry (look for the red and blue trailer). $6 for a regular and $10 a large.

Kids Meal Specials.  The All-American Cafe in the Food Court has a kid's meal with hot dog and fries for $15.

Kool-Aid. H2Que BBQ has red and grape Kool-Aid for $5 a 32 ounce cup - that's cheaper than the squeezed lemonade everywhere around the fairgrounds.

Krazy Fries. An entire plate of fresh-sliced paper-thin skin-on potato slices, covered with bacon and cheese at the All-American Cafe in the Food Court for $15.

Lemonade/Lemon Shake-Ups. Prices around the fair:

Chen's Concessions on the west end of the Food Court has cups for $8 with no additional charge for cherry, blueberry, or strawberry flavor. Refills are $5.

Miss Anna's at the Big Show Diner has 20 ounce cups for $4.

Sip N' Sunshine has lemonade for $5 a medium and $7 a large with dozens of add-in flavors.

Mickey's Grill has lemonade $5 for a regular cup or $8 a large.

The corndog and lemonade stand in front of the Big Show Diner on the Midway has them $5 regular and $9 large with $5 refills and a dollar extra to add strawberry.

The lemon-shaped concessions west of the spinning swings has $6 small and $10 souvenir, with $5 refills and $1 shots of strawberry, cherry, lime, or blue raspberry.

Gator's has fresh squeezed by the cup for $10.

The yellow-and-red striped Hot Dogs and Nacho stand west of Crazy Mouse has 32 ounce cups for $8 and 64 ounce cups for $12, with a $8 refill.

Corky Westmoreland Concessions in front of the Bud Light Pavilion: $9 fresh squeezed in souvenir cup.

Swaim's Pizza on a Stick: $9 for 32 ounces with a $5 refill, $18 for 64 ounces, $2 for added flavors.

The Candyland stand near the entrance to Barton Coliseum has them for $9 for 32 ounces, in a strawberry cup for $10, and $5 for a refill.  64 ounce pails are $18 and 64 ounce tankers are $25, each with a $9 refill.

Limeade. Find it at Swaim's Pizza on a Stick in the Food Court.


Loaded baked potato.
New upstart Brandon Concession, just west of Paizi's in the Food Court, has massive 3-5 pound baked potatoes loaded with a number of different items, from pepperoni and cheese to pulled pork. Look at the loaded fries listing below for all the things you can add. These Barry's Baked Potatoes are going to get a lot of notice this year. You can also get a more traditional baked potato at L and M Concession in the Food Court with butter, cheese, sour cream, bacon bits, and other toppings.

NEW! Loaded fries. Brandon Concession on the west side of the Food Court offers a large serving of fries with French fry salt for $10 - to which you can add whatever toppings you like for $2 more, including shredded cheese, nacho cheese, sour cream, chives, pico de gallo, onion straws, jalapenos, broccoli baked pork and beans, garlic parmesan, or chili. Adding ranch dressing or buffalo sauce is $1. You can also add bacon, guacamole or chorizo for $3 and pulled pork, chicken, or carne asada for $6.

Loaded tater tots. Grab a tray for $10 at the Blooming Onion stand near Gate 5.

Lotus Energy. These new energy beverages come in a host of different flavors and are offered by Sip N' Sunshine at the top of the hill on the south end of the Food Court for $8 and $10.

Mac and Cheese. $7 small, $10 large at Cheryl's Famous/Boss Hog's near Gate 5.

Mac and cheese loaded baked potato. Get yours at L and M Concessions in the Food Court.

NEW! Maple bacon cheesecake burger. Okay, this may be too much. They're $17 at the Cheeseburgers and Poutine trailer by the funhouses.

Meatballs. They're offered by Sweet-T's, the Pork Tenderloin stand on the Midway, next to the turkey leg guy. They're $14. That may also be the price for a meatball sandwich.

Meat the Mac. H2Que's epic meal-in-a-cup layers pulled pork barbecue, baked beans and barbecue sauce along with its creamy macaroni and cheese to give you a complete and portable barbecue feast, all in a cup for $13.

Mexican Street Corn Pizza. Swaim's Pizza on a Stick offers this creation, which is kernels of corn, cilantro leaves, and cheese on a homemade white sauce base, for $12 a slice.

Milkshakes. You can find them at Two Brothers Concession at the intersection of the Midway and Marine Hill or at the south end of the Midway fir $7. They're $10 at the ice cream stand across from the Big Show Diner in vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry.

Mini pizzas. Personal pan pizzas are available at Swaim's Pizza on a Stick for $15.


Mixed non-alcoholic beverages.
There's a stand in front of the Big Show Diner with different sorts of flavors you can mix up in a variety of beverages - traditional soft drinks, Jarritos, Monster Energy, you name it. The flavors range from blue coconut to blue raspberry, pina colada, orange juice, raspberry, vanilla, so many... they're $10 each, $15 if they're dirty (with coconut cream). 


Mustard greens. 
Served with bacon at Boss Hog's near Gate 5, $7 as a side, $10 as its own thing.


Nachos.
You can find all sorts of varieties of nachos across site:

Mickey's Grill in the Food Court: $7, or $8 with chili.

Hot Dog and Nachos west of Crazy Mouse: $7; $8 with chili and cheese.

L and M Concession: $8, or $15 for barbecue nachos.

Inside the Hall of Industry: $8.

Miss Anna's at the Big Show Diner: $8 for cheese, $10 for meat.

Candyland Stand by Barton Coliseum: $8, or a bucket for $10.

Nerds Frozen Lemonade. Swaim's Pizza on a Stick offers this frozen lemon variation for $14 for a 32 ounce cup.

Nutty Royal Cone. A vanilla, peanut, and chocolate ice cream cone novelty offered for $2 at the Hiland booth outside of the Hall of Industry.

Onion rings. A tray will run you $8 at the Blooming Onion stand near Gate 5.


Oreo funnel cake.
Get a big funnel cake topped with Oreo cookie topping and frosting at the Roger Westmoreland concession in the center of the Food Court. They're also at at the yellow funnel cake stand near the south end of the Midway for $12.

Peach Apple Cobbler Love. Handmade egg rolls filled with peach-apple cobbler. Simple, sweet, easy to eat from Egg Roll Love near Gate 5, $7 each or get them for $5 if you get six or more egg rolls, mix and match.

Pecan brittle. Juanita's lovely praline-like pecan patties are available at Ozark Candy and Nuts in the Hall of Industry for $12 a package.

Pecan rolls. The classic automobile travel snack once popularized by Stuckey's and other gas station chains have been refined and are created with fresh pecans by Ozark Candy and Nuts, which sells them in the Hall of Industry - $4 regular or $9 giant.


Pepperoni pretzel.
Big, fat, doughy, crisp, and topped with mozzarella and pepperoni, these oversized pretzels are sure to delight. Find them at Swain's Pizza on a Stick for $12.

Pepsi products. The Arkansas State Fair has a contract for Pepsi products, so Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Mountain Dew and Starry are available site-wide. 


Philly bowls
. Boss Hog by Gate 5 offers one with shaved ribeye, fries, Monterrey jack cheese, peppers and onions for $18. Sweet T's Family Sub Shop at the Boss Hog's at the south end of the Midway has them for $16, as does Sweet-T's on the Midway by the Turkey Leg Tent.

Philly steak sandwich. You'll get a bun full of hot beef, sauteed peppers and onions, and Swiss cheese at Gold's Skillet at the corner of the Food Court. You can also get one for $16 at Sweet T's Family Sub Shop at the Boss Hog's at the south end of the Midway or at the Sweet-T's on the Midway by the Turkey Leg Tent.


Pickle pizza
. Served on a white sauce based pie with mozzarella, this puckering combination is available by the slice at Swaim's Pizza on a Stick for $12. 

NEW! Pickle bacon ranch pizza. Served on a white sauce based pie with mozzarella, pickles, and a whole lot of bacon bits, this puckering combination is available by the slice at Swaim's Pizza on a Stick for $12. 

Pickles. Lipton Ice Boxes sell them for $4 each. Mickey's Grill has big pickles for sale for $5 each.

Pickle Pops. $2 at the yellow funnel cake stand near the south end of the Midway.


Pineapple Whip.
Pineapple and soft serve, highly sought after. Just one place selling it on the fairgrounds this year, Two Brothers Concessions, the white trailer by the Busch Light Cook Shack at the end of the Midway. It's $5 a regular cone, $6 a large, and $7 for a waffle cone.

Pizza. You can get it by the slice at Swain's Pizza on a Stick - $9 for a big slice of pepperoni or cheese, $12 for pickle pizza, $15 for a stuffed slice and $15 for a bug pizza slice.  The pizza stand amidst all the carnival games on the Midway carries slices for $6 for cheese or pepperoni and $7 for specialty - or a whole pie, cheese or one topping for $40 or 3 meat for $45 - once again, the most expensive dish at the entire Arkansas State Fair.

Pizza bread. This is bread similar to cheese sticks, either with just cheese or with pepperoni. $11 at Swaim's Pizza on a Stick.

Pizza on a stick. It's what Swaim's has become known for - big paddles of pizza dough with sauce, cheese and your choice of toppings. Pepperoni sticks are always ready to go, but you can choose your own toppings for an additional wait time. Each stick $18.

Polish Boy eggrolls. Egg Roll Love has these polish sausage and mozzarella filled eggrolls - $7 for one, $13 for two, $20 for three, $25 for four, $30 for five, and $5 each if you get six or more,


Polish sausage.
These heavily spiced pork sausages are cooked with peppers and onions and served on a bun. L and M Concession offers theirs for $10. You can also get a polish on a bun at the counter inside the front entry of the Hall of Industry for $10. Get them at Gold's Skillet, the huge skillet behind the All-American Cafe in the Food Court. They're $12 at the Bud Light Pavilion. Sweet-T's on the Midway by the Turkey Leg Tent and in the Boss Hog's at the south end of the Midway has them for $14.

Popcorn. $5 a bag at the Cotton Candy Apple stand on the north end of the Kids Zone. The Cotton Candy stand in front of Crazy Mouse on the Midway offers them for $6 and $8.


Pork chops.
Boss Hog's near Gate 5 offers whole pork chops grilled over flames. They run $14, $16 and $16, depending on size. You can get the whole pork chop dinner with two sides and hot water cornbread for $12 more. Sweet-T's Deli Shop in the Boss Hog spot at the south end of the Midway has theirs $16-18 each and $28 for a dinner.


Pork rinds/pork skins.
Michener's concession next to the Hall of Industry has fresh fried pork skins for $7 for plain, barbecue, or Cajun flavors.

Pork tenderloin. The All-American Cafe operated by Bennett Concessions in the Food Court offers a massively huge pork tenderloin on a rather normal sized bun, with fries, for $15. 

Pork waffle. You've heard about chicken and waffles, for sure. How about pork waffles? The great folks from Jonesboro's popular H2Que BBQ are serving up a Belgian waffle with pulled pork in the batter, topped with pulled pork and a bourbon-infused syrup on top for an easy to share, slightly messy turn on the classic that's sure to cause lots of commotion on the Midway, for $13.

NEW! Potato on a Stick! An oversized baked potato on a stick for $13 at Brandon Concessions on the west side of the Food Court, with one topping - salt and pepper, malt vinegar, lemon pepper, garlic parmesan, or French fry salt. A second topping is $2 more.

Poutine. Authentic poutine - cheese curds over fries covered with gravy, available for $12 a tray at the black Cheeseburger and Poutine stand by the funhouses midway through the Midway.


Pralines.
Pam's Homemade Pralines are available at Ozark Candy and Nuts in the Hall of Industry for $5.

Praline pecans. Sweet, roasted pecans flavored just like the traditional New Orleans confection, served up by Ozark Candy and Nuts in the Hall of Industry - $12, two for $20, three for $27, four for $36, five for $40.

Pretzels. Get a soft pretzel at the Bud Light Center Stage Pavilion for $6. You can also find them for $6 at the Candyland stand by Barton Coliseum uphill from the Midway, with cheese on them a buck more. Swain's Pizza on a Stick has large, doughy, soft pretzels for $11. Get one with pepperoni for $12.


Pumpkin Bread.
Loaves of fresh homemade pumpkin bread are available at Like Yo Mama's inside the Hall of Industry for $10.


NEW! Pumpkin spice funnel cakes, The Roger Westmoreland funnel cake stand at the center of the Food Court has a new variety this year - with pumpkin pie filling, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, powdered sugar - the moment it comes across the counter you'll smell autumn. UPDATE - I don't know why, but when the pumpkin spice mix runs out, Westmoreland's stand doesn't plan to make more, so get these early in the fair if you want to try them. As of Sunday, they're almost out. They're $13.

Quesabirria Tacos. Spicy, shredded beef melted together with cheese in fresh, puffy tacos. You'll find them at Don Elote's yellow Mexican Food stand near the entrance to Barton Colliseum, right off the Midway, three for $14.

Quesadillas. At Ormic's Taco King, you can get an oversized tortilla filled with cheese and chicken, beef or pork for $13.  Don Elote's Mexican Food by the entrance of Barton Coliseum has chicken and steak quesadillas for $13 each with salsa and sour cream.

NEW! Raspberry Cream Cheese Love. Raspberry couli and sweetened cream cheese in a made-to-order hand-rolled egg roll from Egg Roll Love near Gate 5, $7 each or get them for $5 if you get six or more egg rolls, mix and match.

Rattlesnake Rattlers. L & M Concessions takes corn on the cob, steams it, splits it in four, then dusts and dunks the corn quarters into spice mixes to serve up hot.

Red or Green Chicken Tamales. Don Elote's handmade tamales packed with chicken peppers and cheese are just $3 each. Find them at the little yellow house near the entrance to Barton Coliseum off the Midway.

Red beans and rice. Get a bowl at Gator's Cajun Food at the south end of the Food Court for $10.


Red velvet funnel cake.
Find yours at Westmoreland Concession at the center of the Food Court for $12.


Reuben sandwiches.
Massively large Reubens served on rye bread can be found at the Sweet T's concession with the Gold's gigantic skillets behind the All-American Cafe for $20.


NEW! Reuben wrap
. This year, Gold's Skillet is making a more compact version of its famed Reuben sandwiches, wrapping that corned beef, dressing, and kraut tightly in a tortilla and giving it a nice grilled finish. Convenient!

Ribeye steaks. Get a fresh, hot, flame-grilled ribeye at Boss Hog's near Gate 5 with mushrooms for $18.

Ribs. Smoked or fried, you can find them at Boss Hog's near Gate 5. The full rack will run you $38, a half rack is $22, and an order of three bones with fries is $15. Get a full dinner with two sides and hot water cornbread for $15 more. At Sweet-T's Deli Sandwich Shop at the Boss Hog's near the south end of the Midway has whole racks for $35, half for $20, and dinners are $45 and $20.

Rice bowls. Looking for a complete meal that's not bacon-wrapped or deep fried? Paizi's offers golden rice topped with both sauteed and fresh vegetables, your choice of protein and a slather of taziki sauce for $17.


NEW! Rolled ice cream. 
 You can also get several varieties, including Oreos Cookies and Cream, Mint Oreo, Nutella Banana, Coffee Break, Strawberry Shortcake, Strawberry Banana Blueberry, Pina Colada, Mango Smoothie, Green Tea, S'mores, Brownies, and Reece's Peanut Butter, all at the ice cream stand three trailers down from Gate 1 for $10.

Salted caramel cashews. Fresh cashews with a lovely sweet and salty coating, served up in a cone at Ozark Candy and Nuts in the Hall of Industry - $12, two for $20, three for $27, four for $36, five for $40.

Salted caramel pecans. Same as above, but with pecans - $12, two for $20, three for $27, four for $36, five for $40.

Sausage with onions and peppers. L&M Concession still offers these for $10 on a bun.

Scorpion pizza. Yes, it's still available. A slice at Swain's Pizza on a Stick runs you $16.

Seafood gumbo. Get it at Gator's Cajun Food at the south end of the Food Court for $11 a bowl.

Shaved Ice. $5 a cup at the yellow funnel cake stand near the south end of the Midway  - flavors are grape, wedding cake, Tiger's Blood, blue raspberry, pina colada, banana, strawberry, pink bubble gum, blue bubble gum, and sugar-free.

Shrimp fried rice. $17 at Chan's Chinese Foods on the west end of the Food Court.

Shrimp lo mein. Get yours for $17 at Chan's Chinese Foods on the west end of the Food Court.

Shrimp on a Stick. Boss Hog's has the Cajun seasoned and battered deep fried shrimp on a stick for $12.

Shrimp pitas. Love gyros but want something lighter? Paizi's has seasoned and seared shrimp served with vegetables in a pita waiting for you for $16.

Salisbury steak. Get it with two sides for lunch or dinner at Miss Anna's in the Big Show Diner, for $22.


Slushes.
Screamers Slush Zone is located near the south end of the Midway. There, you can get a slush cup for $5, a Screamer cup for $6, or a bottle for $12. Refills are $3 and $4. Super Slush Lab is back, this time in front of the entrance to the Crazy Mouse roller coaster. You can also find them at the Icee stand atop the hill south of the Food Court - m
edium is $7, large is $9, color changing is $12, and a sports bottle full is $15. Refills are $6. 

Smoked sausage on a stick. You can find a lot of vendors around the fair with smoked sausage, but H2Que's version takes prime sausage and smokes it over hickory for extraordinary flavor for $10.

NEW! S'mores sandwich. A new menu item at Brandon Concessions on the west side of the Food Court. Ask for them - they're on the special secret menu.

NEW! Smothered pork chops. They're one of the many dishes available in the $22 plate lunch, entree and two sides, at Miss Anna's in the Big Show Diner.

Snocones.  $5 each at the Cotton Candy Apple stand on the north end of the Kids Zone. Various flavors available - cherry, grape, strawberry, blue raspberry, lime). The Cotton Candy stand in front of Crazy Mouse on the Midway offers them for $7 and $8, with the choice of lime, blue raspberry, and cherry.

Soda prices - bottles (Pepsi products)

Busch Light Cooking Shack: $4

Michener Concession: $4 (Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Mug Root Beer)

The yellow-and-red striped Hot Dogs and Nacho stand west of Crazy Mouse has 32 ounce cups for $8 and 64 ounce cups for $12, with a $8 refill.

Soda prices - fountain drinks (Pepsi products)

The Wings and Fries stand on the Midway offers a small for $4 with a $2 refill. Regular size is $8 with a $5 refill.

Busch Light Cooking Shack: $4 for 24 ounces (Dr. Pepper and Diet Dr. Pepper only)

Miss Anna's at the Big Show Diner: $4 for 20 ounces.

Chen's Concession has soda for $5.

The Icee stand at the top of the hill south of the Food Court is $5 for 32 ounces with $4 refills.

Mickey's Grill has Pepsi products $5 for a regular cup or $8 a large with $5 refills.

Cotton Candy Apple stand in the Kids Zone has souvenir cups for $9, $10 for strawberry cups and $5 for refills. 

Soul Food Roll. This egg roll from the Egg Roll Love concession is filled with collard greens, mac and cheese and barbecue chicken. Truly an unusual way to experience these three flavors. $7 for one, $13 for two, $20 for three, $25 for four, $30 for five, and $5 each if you get six or more.


Sour ropes
. These are long candy ropes that are both sweet and sour. They are one for $5, three for $12 and six for $20 at the stand straight back from the front entrance in the Hall of Industry.

NEW! Southwest Chicken Chipotle Egg Roll. Chicken, corn, black beans, and Island sauce all packed in an egg roll at Egg Roll Love near Gate 5, $7 for one, $13 for two, $20 for three, $25 for four, $30 for five, and $5 each if you get six or more.

Spiral spuds. At the Wings and Fries stand on the Midway, they're $8 small, $12 large.

Steak burrito. Don Elote off the Midway near the entrance to Barton Coliseum has them for $13.

Steak sandwich. Traditional breaded beef patty at Miss Anna's at the Big Show Cafe runs $10.

Strawberries and cream. $12 a cup at Don Elote's off the Midway near the entrance of Barton Coliseum.


Strawberry funnel cake.
$13 at the Westmoreland Concession in the Food Court.

Strawberry lemonade. Chan's Chinese Foods has strawberry lemonade, $8 for 32 ounces with a $5 refill.


NEW! Strawberry Shortcake Love. A handmade eggroll filled with strawberries and cream cheese and topped with a berry melange. Satisfying and amazing - $7 each or $5 each if you buy 6 or more. And you might. Find it at Egg Roll Love near Gate 5.

Street corn. Get your shuck on with corn on the cob dipped in crema and rolled in quesa fresca at Don Elote's for $6.

Street Tacos. Three chicken or steak tacos in corn tortillas with onions and cilantro for $11 at Don Elote Mexican Foods near the entrance to Barton Coliseum. You can also get a set of three in al pastor, beef, or chicken with fries for $15 at the Bennett's Concession Gyro trailer at the south end of the Midway.

Stuffed pizza. Get a hearty slice of three meat stuffed pizza at Swain's Pizza on a Stick for $15.

Stuffed smoked turkey leg. H2Que BBQ has them packed with spicy rice or mac and cheese for $25.

Sundaes. They're at the Funnel Cake and Elephant Ear stand near Crazy Mouse and Guest Services for $8. For $10, you can get them at the ice cream stand in front of the Big Show Diner with caramel, hot fudge, or strawberry with whipped cream and sprinkles included.

Sweet and unsweet tea. Cheryl's Famous/Boss Hog's near Gate 5 has the best price, $3 regular and $7 large. Miss Anna's at the Big Show Diner offers 20 ounce cups for $4. All American Cafe and the Gyro stand near the south end of the Midway offers theirs for $8, with refills for $4. Chen's Concession has tea for $8. And the Lipton Ice Tea Boxes have them $6 for a medium, $8 a large, $4 a refill, or $18 a bucket with a $9 refill, a dollar extra for frozen.


Tacos. Authentic Mexican street tacos can be found at Ormic's Taco King at the heart of the Food Court. They're offered in chicken, beef and pork and are $13 for three tacos plus cilantro, lime and onions. Miss Anna's at the Big Show Diner has two crispy tacos for $10.


Taffy.
The old fashioned confection comes in more than a dozen flavors. You can take home a big bag from Ozark Candy and Nuts inside the Hall of Industry. Traditional and sugar-free taffy is $3.75 for a quarter pound bag.

NEW! The Big Cleveland Egg Roll. A chopped cheesesteak eggroll from Egg Roll Love near Gate 5, $7 for one, $13 for two, $20 for three, $25 for four, $30 for five, and $5 each if you get six or more.

TamalesDon Elote's handmade tamales packed with chicken peppers and cheese are just $3 each. Find them at the little yellow house near the entrance to Barton Coliseum off the Midway.


NEW! Teriyaki Chicken on a Stick. $10 at L and M Concession on the south side of the Food Court.

Twinkie Sundae. The Candyland Elephant Ear stand between the Midway and Barton Coliseum offers this dish for $9.


Turkey legs.
Mickey's Grill in the Food Court has them for $18 $20 (they made a change between 5 p.m. Thursday and opening Friday). Boss Hog's at the north end of the Food Court and at the south end of the Midway sells them for $20. H2Que in the Food Court offers them for $20. Sweet T's Family Sub Shop at the Boss Hog's at the south end of the Midway also has them for $20.

Vegetable fried rice. A plate is $13 at Chan's Chinese Foods on the west end of the Food Court

Vegetable lo mein. Get a plate at Chan's Chinese Foods on the west end of the Food Court for $13.

Veggie pita. Looking for meat-free eats? Paizi's offers its vegetable pita with or without taziki sauce in fresh, pliant pita bread for $13.

Von Brisket BLT. A BLT, but with hickory smoked brisket, $14 from H2Que BBQ.

Waffle Cheeseburger. L and M Concessions offers their burger with lettuce, tomato, and onion with a little syrup drizzle between two waffles. It's $11.

Walking taco. A large snack bag of Dorito's nacho cheese chips with all the fillings you'd expect in a taco -lettuce, sour cream, tomato, sauce and your choice of protein at Ormic's Taco King for $8. Don Elote Mexican Foods offers this as well for $14.

Water. Prices at various stands:

Mickey's Grill in the Food Court: $3 a bottle

Lipton Ice Tea Boxes: $3 a bottle

Cotton Candy Apple stand in the Kids Zone: $3 a bottle

Cheryl's Famous/Boss Hog's near Gate 5: $3 a bottle

Busch Light Cooking Shack - $4 a bottle

Miss Anna's at the Big Show Diner - $4 a bottle

Michener Concession: $4 a bottle

The Cotton Candy stand by Crazy Mouse on the Midway: $4.

Candyland stand - $5 a bottle

Watermelon lemonade. Swaim's Pizza on a Stick carries watermelon flavoring for its lemonade at its stand in the center of the Food Court.


Wonderstick.
It's back - the gluten-free J shaped corn tubes filled with soft serve ice cream for $9.

Yams. Cheryl's Famous at Boss Hog's offers sweet candied yams as a side or on their own, $7 or $10.


NEW! Yard Dog.
A bacon-wrapped fried chicken filet on a bun served by the folks at Sue Sue's Concession.








Tuesday, October 7, 2025

On the subject of plastic straws and paper straw wrappers.

 So, straw wrappers are going to eventually get me into trouble. 

See, someone, probably Jerry, taught me years ago about blowing a wrapper across the room. This lesson was learned after getting said wrappers often blown into my face at unexpected moments, not that I shouldn't have at least some clue after the fourth, fifth, even eighth time. We'd open our 59-79-99 Taco Bell meals and here one would go, sailing right up in my face. 

Off to college I went, and I learned the secrets of the trade. An evening sitting in the 4th Street Sonic while a friend was working, perched on a stool inside the doorway, pressed hard against the wall every time a carhop went sailing out, I watched and learned. She too knew of the trick, and found the best way to prevent getting a wrapper blown into her face was to pinch the condensation on the front of one of the shake machines, then gently pinch the ends of the straws she was about to deliver, applying just enough dampness to lightly adhere the papers to the plastic beneath, just enough so when a guy taking that combo into the car and grasping the proffered straw from said carhop, quickly twisting off the paper on one end of the straw, would blow through the other paper endpiece in frustration rather than have it land daintily or even forcefully where he had aimed it. Thus, many a cleavage was spared the indignity of the paper missile, breath-propelled, and its unwanted entry.

Indeed, I picked it up as first a party trick, betting friends at gatherings at local institutions of fast food where straws came wrapped in paper on how far we could "shoot" our wrappers, knowing to dampen my finger in condensation before grabbing the straw I'd hand to them. This afforded me no additional friendships, but did wow the kids I challenged, and became a bit of a dad joke or talent.

I would go on, of course, to have a kid of my own. And yes, by the time Hunter could talk, I was doing it again, this time with a captive participant. We would go to a drive-thru, and when those drinks were handed out and the straws delivered, I would quietly tear the paper from the end of the straw, aim it across the tip of my kid's nose, and let fly. Laughter usually ensued, and Hunter would try to replicate my efforts. I didn't bother to wet or dampen the end; I wanted my child to figure out the secret. 

It happened one day when Hunter was eight. I had passed over the drink and the straw while sitting at a Sonic, scrolling through my phone, checking my email. A quick zip in the air, and I caught the edge of the end of the straw passing right in front of my eyes. The dawn had come.

It became a challenge. We'd get our beverages, whether seated in a car or side-by-side at a Waffle House, or across from each other in a restaurant at a booth, maybe a table. Hunter quickly learned not to touch a drink before tearing the paper, especially when the drinks were in glasses. Wait staff would catch us, giggling madly at each other. A woman working at Chuy's once caught Hunter aiming and made the kid go pick up the wrapper where it had flown.

My progeny has become quite adept at making that paper wrapper fly, knowing the most startling place to aim is not directly at the opposite party but along the profile between the nose and brow, just inside the scoop of the eye socket, never touching, always streaking through the view. When we happen to dine together these days, we both know to watch for the other - and for waiters - and do our best to catch each other off-guard.

Yet I do find myself often riding solo, out and about in whatever direction from home my work has taken me. I will keep a brown paper bag in the passenger floorboard and, when I skid through a drive-thru, grabbing a beverage on my way hither and non, I still tear the end and blow the wrapper, aiming for the sack in the floorboard. I hit it more times than not.

But sometimes, when I'm weary from hours on the road, or the hour is late, or really early, I can make mistakes. I find myself seeking the company of coffee, another of those miracle contrivances that sets me right as rain. I know all the black coffee tricks, like if you order a large cup of ice at Sonic, it will perfectly fit a hot regular black coffee with no room to spare, and that even an ice cold cup of water can be enough to bring you to a better sense of alertness in an instant, particularly when paired with Cinnamon Mentos.

That gap in reason before the caffeine hits, before the cold invigorates the bloodstream, that gap can be the difference between victory and defeat. As it was, of recent memory, I ventured through the drive-thru at a Wendy's, taking advantage of their two for three special with the egg and cheese English muffins. Usually it's hot coffee I choose, but this morning I ached for something sweet, so a Coke Zero was on my mind.

I awaited my turn in the drive-thru line, trying to grasp what the announcers on the radio were conversing about, wondering if Coke Zero would be enough to get me down the road to my next appearance. The car ahead of me pulled out, I pulled in, and the sweet older lady at the window handed me the beverage and straw.

She turned, ever so briefly, to ask if my order was ready. Usually it's not an instant ready-to-go situation with the egg and cheese English muffins, because most people want theirs with bacon or sausage. They have to make them fresh, because you can't get away with just pulling the bacon off a sandwich, there's too much risk of cross-contamination and, after all, bacon is relatively expensive per the ounce. She handed out my cold beverage, and I sat it in the center console, my fingers quickly pressing around the entirety of the lid in a circle, making sure every edge was sealed, a sign of a woman who has taken way more than her share of meals in the car.

The hostess at the window shook an empty bag, dropping napkins inside it and saying something to the cook just beyond my point of view. I twisted and tore the paper from the end of the straw, looked down the barrel the plastic made, and aimed it at the brown paper sack on the passenger's side floorboard.

I heard from the back, "we're out of English muffins. Could we do a biscuit?"

The sweet older woman at the window turned to ask me the question, which I had already heard and prepared to answer in the affirmative. I was easy. It wasn't that big a deal to sub out a biscuit for that English muffin, this one time.

But my words were wrapped around the cloudiness in my yet to focus mental state. What came out was not a response, but the simple instinct that came with the plastic of that straw pressed between my lips, that decision never made but organically conjured, not to answer, but to blow.

The wrapper sailed free from the end of the straw, arching high and quick out the window, over the car sill, over the drive-thru window sill, a perfect misintended shot, not quite this "miss" intended but indeed subconsciously plotted in a way I had not cleared with my mental synapses, across the space between and directly between her eyes.

This older lady, perhaps worn down by time and the hum of the fountain dispenser behind her, who had heard and half-heard muttered utterings from drivers both drowsy and drunk, clear-headed and focused, passing through on their way to their places that day in the world, barely passed a blink. Perhaps before this time, she had been a captain of industry with steel in her veins. Perhaps she had spent time negotiating for hostage releases. Perhaps, and I suspect this is most likely, she had endured decades in the public school system, building a thickened skin and a talent for ensuring each errant student who had openly mocked her or disrupted her class, met their intended fate of a lowered grade or humiliation before their classmates.

Whatever her background had been, she leaned forward, the top of her head in its ball-capped splendor, over towards me with a tired but firm voice.

"Ma'am, you need to pull up to the next door for your order."

At that very moment, I was an eight year old child being punished for my first and only time being caught by the substitute teacher with a straw in my hand, as if I had blown a spitball through its hollow, with the dread of the principal's office looming in my head. I hastily muttered an apology and hit the gas, not squealing my tires but decidedly departing the premises swiftly, Coke Zero in the center console, the now naked straw between my fingers as I rolled away in my shame. 

It was a good thirty minutes before I realized I had left without my breakfast. And to date, I haven't returned, my embarrassment over what I did still strong in my thoughts. No Coke Zeros for me; the beverages I have chosen to consume on the road have, for the most part, been hot black coffee, which no straw should ever see. 

That is, until this very night, when my kid and I hit a Taco Bell for a quick meal that will likely bring my disappointment in my own gastronomic choices to light before the evening is done. I realized, moments after the drinks were handed out to us, a fraction of a second after I had torn and twisted the wrapper on my straw, the moment the paper was in the air, that I would never look at this activity without the shame of the perfect strike, between the eyes, I had wrought that one morning, surfacing once again.

Wednesday, October 9, 2024

The 2024 Arkansas State Fair Food Guide.

The ultimate guide to everything edible at the Arkansas State Fair by the expert.

Check back throughout the fair for more entries added daily.

Good food, so neat, right now, let's eat! So many new dishes are coming to this year's Arkansas State Fair. It could be called the year of chicken.

Chicken is definitely involved in this year's Tasty Tom Awards - where members of the media and staff and volunteers from the Arkansas State Fair voted on their favorites from fair vendors to determine who had the tastiest and the who had the most creative fair foods of the year. Tastiest went to Sticks N' Things, the purveyors of so many types of chicken on a stick. In particular, folks were raving over the Lemon Thang, a skewer of chicken with slices of potato, onion, and pickle in-between, seasoned with lemon pepper and doused with a not-too-sweet lemon syrup and little sweet crunchy lemon bit. So fabulous.

The winner for most original was Egg Roll Love's fabulous Soul Food Rolls, filled with grilled chicken, collard greens, and creamy mac and cheese. I loved these when I first encountered them last year and I am really glad others are getting to know these fantastic folks and their marvelous egg roll creations.

Egg rolls are just a THING at this year's fair, not just with Egg Roll Love but with the boudin egg rolls at Gator's Cajun Foods and traditional Asian versions at Chen's Chinese Kitchen. It's great to see all the new dishes.

And without further ado....

Wednesday, June 12, 2024

The Barbecue Diary, June 8, 2024.

I think I have finally found my physical limits.

Fifth day on the road, 2:30 in the morning, sitting in the lobby of Hampton Inn in Marion quietly staring at a green banana on the table while sipping a Vitamin Water and trying to get my feet to stop cramping, I think I found it.

Five days in the Delta, 80+ degrees, and at that point 24 restaurants already photographed for the trip. And here I was, unable to sleep because everything hurt.

Sunday, June 2, 2024

Comforting Bites at Eunice's Country Cookin' in Fort Smith.

The era of the country lunchroom may be dwindling away, but in Fort Smith, it's being revitalized for the next decade at Eunice's. This long-standing eatery, originally opened in 1976, is still putting out goulash, beef over rice, homemade meatloaf and a beautiful selection of pies every weekday at lunch.

Saturday, June 1, 2024

A Couple of Quick Dishes at Russellville's Wildflower Cafe.

This adorable breakfast and lunchroom along Arkansas Avenue is neat as a pin, and it may have some of the most reasonably priced breakfast options in town. Wildflower Cafe is open weekdays and specializes in sandwiches, soups, sandwiches and quiche.

Friday, January 19, 2024

My 18 Favorite Arkansas Soups.

Tasked with providing a list of the soups I adore the absolute most by THV's The Vine, I'm thrilled to share some of my favorite heartwarming cups and bowls from around The Natural State.

Wednesday, October 25, 2023

Gigantic Samosas and Oversized Mixed Grill at R and R Curry in Fort Smith.

The little spot that popped up in the back end of a gas station over a decade ago just outside of downtown Fort Smith has really blossomed over time. Let's see how R and R Curry Express in Fort Smith continues to serve.

Monday, October 23, 2023

Recipe: Bourbon Chocolate Chunk Pecan Pie.

A recipe from The Great Arkansas Pie Book by Kat Robinson, now available nationwide
.

Wednesday, October 11, 2023

The 2023 Arkansas State Fair Food Guide.

The ultimate guide to everything there is to eat at the Arkansas State Fair by the expert on the subject . Kat Robinson lays out what's new and what's good all over the fairgrounds. Check back throughout the fair for more entries added daily.

Monday, October 9, 2023

Take a Stroll Down to the Memory Lane Cafe in Belleville.

Classic country diner food and a case full of magnificent desserts - what more can you ask for? You'll find it all at this longstanding restaurant that's 88 years old and thriving in downtown Belleville.

Friday, October 6, 2023

Good Eats Abound at Ceci's Chicken and Waffles and Friends Food Truck Festival.

More than 20 Arkansas food trucks will be on hand for a Sunday afternoon event where you can try some of the best mobile food in the region - in Little Rock's Little Harlem. 

Thursday, October 5, 2023

Punjabi Dhaba Serves Fantastic Indian Food to Locals and Travelers Alike.

Operating out of what, years ago, was a Waffle House, Punjabi Dhaba has brought excellent Indian food to Morrilton with flair, pakora, and a bottomless cup of chai.

Wednesday, October 4, 2023

What a Half Century Can Bring.

Are you up for a little navel gazing? Well, I have some for you, right here.

Because today is my 50th birthday.

Tuesday, October 3, 2023

Van Buren's Butcher Boys Offer Far More Than Meat.

Superb sandwiches, select smoked meats, and take-and-make dinners are also offered at this market full of delights in the heart of Van Buren.

Monday, October 2, 2023

Sunday, October 1, 2023

Ice Cream Delights and Serious Sandwiches at Delavare Deli.

Hand scooped ice cream in a variety of wonderful flavors and a consistently good sandwich menu make Delaware Deli a must-stop when you're hanging around Lake Dardanelle.

Friday, September 29, 2023

Homestyle Cooking? Let's Eat in Alma.

Pie any day of the week? Homemade bread? Dining at Let's Eat in Alma is just like sitting in a favorite aunt's kitchen, enjoying good homestyle food.

Thursday, September 28, 2023

Railroad Afficianados Love Stoby's of Russellville.

Russellville's longstanding cheese dip champ is also a railroad aficionado's dining destination. Stoby's, housed in a depot-style building with an actual Rock Island Rail car attached and its running model train overhead, is as steady and wonderful as it was in the 1980s and 90s. 

Wednesday, September 27, 2023

Coy's Steakhouse, Satellite Cafe Set To Return In New Hot Springs Development.

Two classic Arkansas restaurants are coming back, much to the joy of food lovers throughout The Natural State. Find out how Coy's Steakhouse and the Satellite Cafe are being revived in new digs.

Tuesday, September 26, 2023

Green Papaya Offers Great Vietnamese Fare - And Ducks, Too.

Fort Smith's vast culinary landscape is dotted with all sorts of great, reasonably priced eateries. There are many Asian houses featuring Thai, Japanese, Vietnamese, and Chinese cuisine. Green Papaya stands out for its steadfast service, its deep menu and its fine collection of duck-related memorabilia.

Monday, September 25, 2023

That's a Big Burger There at the Morrilton Drive Inn Restaurant!

It's hard for any restaurant to please everyone, but your chances are greater when you offer a little bit of everything. Morrilton Drive Inn Restaurant offers a LOT of everything, almost an overwhelming amount of options for family dining in or take-out, and it does things in a classic family restaurant style.

And if you like big burgers, you're in luck.

Sunday, September 24, 2023

Quick Bites: B Street Bistro in Russellville.

Baked handpies, great coffee, and charcuterie - excellent things to share at this sweet little shop along Russellville's revitalized B Street make this a great destination to visit with friends.

Saturday, September 23, 2023

The Tallest Meringue on a Pie at Any Arkansas Restaurant is at Sweet Treats in Lamar.

Where can you find the state's tallest meringue on a pie? It's in Lamar, and it's not the only reason to grab lunch at Sweet Treats.

Marie and Greg Heiser's once diminutive lunchroom along US Highway 64 in Lamar grew to new digs not long ago, a cavernous space filled with tables, booths and more than 450 teapots. And yet most lunchtimes the parking lot overflows to the surrounding lots with hungry customers seeking a dependable plate lunch and the tallest meringue pie in all of Arkansas.

Tuesday, July 18, 2023

South Park Restaurant in Clarksville: A Classic Country Diner.

This unassuming spot on the south side of Interstate 40 offers its lunch specials pre-cast with a selection of side items and dessert to boot.

Saturday, May 6, 2023

Quick Bites: Asian Cafe in Fort Smith.

Fort Smith's diverse ethnic food culture gives lots of epicurean gifts to eaters, at really reasonable prices. Asian Cafe on Rogers offers a lovely span of Thai, Vietnamese and Chinese dishes in its tiny space, delivered in large portions and beautiful dishes.

Wednesday, October 12, 2022

The 2022 Arkansas State Fair Food Guide.

Everything you need to know about dining at the Arkansas State Fair, but were hesitant to ask, can be found in my annual guide to all the fair fare - fantastic, favorites and the just plain freaky. Bookmark this page to find the best midway meals and extraordinary eats during the ten days of Arkansas's largest food event.

More items have been added since the last time you visited!

Wednesday, September 7, 2022

Taking the Waters: A Morning at the Buckstaff Bathhouse in Hot Springs.


An experience guests a hundred years ago could enjoy is still available to you today, in the original building (and tubs!) where folks have been enjoying a soak in the pure thermal waters of Hot Springs National Park since 1912. The Buckstaff Bathhouse's offerings will leave you relaxed and ready for more adventure in the Spa City.

Tuesday, June 7, 2022

With Crazy Fresh Oysters, Shrimp, Crab and Crawfish, Bozo's Ain't Clowning Around.

Fried oysters at Bozo's in Pascagoula, MS.
What started out as a little bait-and-grocery on Pascagoula's south side has grown into an establishment that draws crowds, food lovers and journalists - a dependable spot for fantastic locally-caught and harvested seafood, po'boy sandwiches and such. We drop in at Bozo's Grocery and Seafood for a Sunday morning bite.

Friday, November 26, 2021

Wednesday, October 27, 2021

Home of the Love Burger: Troy's Drive In in DeWitt.

There's nothing like a flame-broiled burger - and when the flames get this high, you know you're getting something special. Let's visit DeWitt's classic dairy bar.

Wednesday, October 13, 2021

The 2021 Arkansas State Fair Food Guide.

After the 2020 hiatus, the Arkansas State Fair is back with panache in 2021, with so much amazing and delightful fair eats to enjoy. Here's the definitive list of what's back, what's new and what's awesome - from the singular expert on our state fair food bounty.

Monday, September 20, 2021

Arkansas Dairy Bars: Neat Eats and Cool Treats, ready for pre-order now.

Coming October 5th, you'll be able to order your own copy of Arkansas Dairy Bars: Neat Eats and Cool Treats, the culinary travel guide to all 94 of The Natural State's currently operating homegrown dairy bar establishments. Here's how to order your copy.

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

The Day The Beatles Came to Town - Jack Allison's Polar Freeze.

Jack Allison passed in 2019. I'm sharing this bit of history in advance of my new book, Arkansas Dairy Bars: Neat Eats and Cool Treats, which will be released September 28th, 2021. Please check out the accompanying documentary of the same name on Arkansas PBS.


Jack Allison has it made.  Every day he wants to, he goes in to work at a restaurant he founded in 1958.  He gets to sit down with his friends, who come by for coffee or a morning milkshake, and he gets to chew the fat with them.  He smokes hams and makes burgers and when he wants to take off for a day or a week, he can do that.

Sunday, August 1, 2021

A New Film: Arkansas Dairy Bars

Ice cream, and something more - a delightful, nostalgic array of restaurants all over Arkansas keep a tradition going, safely, during a pandemic age. A business model that already allows social separation while feeding into the need for comfort food, continues to thrive here. Come join me as I explore our state, seeking out the stories of our local dairy bars and sharing them with you. You'll certainly get hungry watching what's to come.

Thursday, April 22, 2021

Strawberries in Arkansas - Ponderings and 11 Recipes for Strawberry Pie.

The first fulfilled promise of an Arkansas spring is the bright, tart bite of strawberries. Even when frost complicates our willy-nilly vernal awakening season, the promise of the sweet, sumptuous berries brings even the most deeply hibernated food lover out from under coats and blankets to rejoice in the beginnings of a beautiful, bountiful Natural State harvest.

Thursday, December 31, 2020

Five Picnics and Parks in DeSoto County, Mississippi.

Looking for a great place to enjoy a good meal outdoors at the top of Mississippi? Here are five parks to consider - along with great eats you can easily and safely pick up and enjoy.

Monday, November 30, 2020

A Bite of Arkansas: A Cookbook of Natural State Delights - A New Book.

When the pandemic response took me off the road and off the job of covering Arkansas's highways, byways and pieways in March, I was lost. Every assignment, speaking engagement and appearance evaporated in the course of a week. In my worry, I turned to cooking. The memories evoked in a white tile kitchen in Little Rock brought me back around to another facet of my life I could share - dishes I grew up on and discovered throughout my life, right here in The Natural State.

Here's the foreword for my new book, A Bite of Arkansas: A Cookbook of Natural State Delights, plus ordering information.

Sunday, November 29, 2020

43 Tables: An Internet Community Cooks During Quarantine.

What happens when a pandemic forces food lovers to stay home for a while? Cooking commences. And when it happens to my internet community, books happen. Come take a look inside this unusual cookbook created with recipes from 43 contributors.

Wednesday, September 16, 2020

Delectable, Authentic Dishes at La Media Luna in Johnson.

A marvelous stand-out in a land bursting with Mexican restaurants, La Media Luna adapts to this uncertain era while serving up incredible, excellent and fresh fare in northwest Arkansas.