Noshin': Jew on a Stick (A Mid-Fair Report)

So today marks the 8th day of the Great Minnesota Get Together and I wanted to share my experiences before the 2010 fair comes to an end on Labor Day. If you have already been out there by the time this posts, I’d love to hear your thoughts. If you haven’t yet gone, what are you waiting for???
I’ve made my way out to the fairgrounds twice (so far) – once with child and once without. Naturally, it’s a completely different fair when you bring the kid. If you have the luxury of going twice, I urge you to devote one day to some serious eating and the other for all the fun kid stuff.
The record crowds are definitely noticeable this year. It actually comforts me to a certain extent – reminding me of countless commutes through Penn Station during rush half-a-day (or rush hours if you will) and hikes through Times Square. Some will say it’s like bumper-to-bumper traffic, but with people. I like to call it tush-to-tush. It is the fair after all.
For the rookies, the indecisive (same people who paint all of their walls white) the natives who have returned from exile, and even for the regulars, I have come up with a few Top 5 lists to steer you in the right direction. Again, feel free to let me know what you think.
My wife’s Top 5 State Fair staples (TC Jew Folk, notice the lack of treyf here):
1. cheese curds – from the Food Building only
2. French fries – the yellow sign ones only
3. roasted corn – from the Corn Roast only
4. (tie) Sweet Martha’s cookies – a perfect way to end your visit
5. (tie) All-you-can-drink-milk – can’t have the cookies without the milk
My top 5 new additions (food):
1. Axel’s deep-fried cheeseburger on-a-stick – surprisingly not as greasy as it sounds
2. Big Fat Bacon’s bacon-on-a-stick – “The Arthur Fonzarelli of foods”
3. The Preferred Pickle’s crumb-coated deep-fried pickle slices – again, no grease
4. The Salty Tart’s peaches & cream parfait – refreshing, tasty, and actually good for you
5. Danielson & Daughters onion rings – simple, but delicious
My top 5 new additions (general):
1. Choo Choo Bob’s Train Store – a great respite from the heat for kids and big kids alike
2. A conscious balance between deep-fried foods and healthier options for the kids
3. O’Gara’s Bar – very tempting to actually sit down and have a civilized meal while watching the Twins and listening to Irish music
4. the “secret” entrance through the swine barn to avoid the lines and foot traffic (thanks to my father-in-law for that one)
5. the free lip balm from The Star Tribune building – butter flavor!
My top 5 goals for the 2011 fair:
1. check out a show at the Grandstand
2. go to a livestock show of some kind
3. not to fill up on French fries as soon as I get there
4. have a Pronto Pup/corn dog taste test
5. go on the Ye Old Mill ride