The Lutheran Apple dumplings and ice cream is a must stop at my hometown fair.
An d I aint Lutheran!
I think my favorite food stop at the MN fair in relatively recent times is the New Prague Hotel (don’t know if it’s still there — the actual hotel in New Prague, MN closed several years ago, but its food-only fair offshoot stayed on). They had a Czech sausage called Jternitze (sp?) that was terrific. Not on a stick, just on a bun, with kraut and/or mustard.
Worst newer-fangled thing: Deep-fried Twinkies. The batter throws the divinely ordained starch-to-creme ratio way off.
“... the Lutheran apple dumplings”
When I got to a state fair, I always look for the the church dinners. For one thing, church ladies are experts when making really good food. I don’t care how elaborate or simple... it is just good. Sad to see that they are being replaced by a wine tasting stop.