The Great Minnesota Sweat Together

The Fair Food Fun Flog

Aug 27 through Labor Day

Forget about dieting for Thanksgiving. In Minnesota, you diet for the state fair. Every year, new vendors and foods are introduced to the hungry masses, who proceed to consume them in greater amounts than that turkey your relative (or maybe you) serve at Fatsgiving. I make it my mission to try to sample all the new foods, which I fail every year because there are so many, but never regret it because by the time I'm done, I'm not walking out, I'm rolling. This year was no different. DJ, spin that record, we're about to break it down up in this mo!

The Blue Barn

Ever since their opening last year, it has become a must for me. It's located in the West End Market, the shinny, new area that they added in 2014, right by the gate where the Park and Rides drop you off. It's the perfect start of you fair travel. What do I get? The blue cheese and corn fritters with their delicious green sauce (we were trying to figure out what it reminded us of, but couldn't quite put our fingers to it). Another great buy is the blueberry basil lemonade. I know, basil? In a lemonade? But trust me, they know what they are doing.

6 fritters are perfect for sharing!

New this year: The Cluck and Moo. Now, I did not try it this but it sounds delicious. Mashed potatoes with roasted beef and grilled chicken, smothered in beef gravy, crispy onions, and mustard BBQ sauce.

Java Jive

Next stop was Java Jive (located in front of the Grand Stand) for their new Espresso Float, just the pick-me-up we need for the long day ahead. Most definitely hit the spot.

With a hint of hazelnut

Now, if I was going to be honest, I did not expect the espresso to be anything to blog about, it is, after all, state fair coffee. How good can it REALLY be? Once I tried this, my doubts disappeared. This was GOOD coffee. And it made me think of Russia, where instead of creamer, we would put in ice cream to cool and flavor. It was gone in about 5 minutes.

Duke's Poutine

After we were hopped up on caffeine, I bee-lined for the poutine. Heh, that rhymes. Another fairly recent addition to the fair that has become my favorite. For those of you who are not Canadian, and have never heard of poutine, you're missing out. It is fries, with cheese curds (not fried) on top, drowned in gravy. The one at the MN state fair uses pepper fries and pepper gravy (I'm salivating just thinking about it), though there are variations of beef/brown gravy that are more common. Even if you're a finicky eater, these are perfect. After all, it's just fries, gravy, and cheese. They are located right next to the all you can drink milk, and should definitely be on your radar the next time you're in town for the Great Minnesota Get Together.

Boulevard Grill

Couldn't find a picture of the sign, so here is some food instead. Plain and taco tatchos

Because we didn't get enough of potatoes, the next stop on my list (oh yes, I make a list every year, with a corresponding map, of all the food places I wanna hit) was the Boulevard Grill, located on the west side in the Warner Coliseum, for some totchos. Another new food item this year, they are just what you would think they are. Tater tots with nacho toppings i.e. cheddar cheese sauce, seasoned sour cream, bacon bits, and green onion (with the option of adding chicken or taco meat). They were delicious! Reminded me of loaded baked potato. They went great with watching girls basically parallel park their horses in the actual coliseum (there was some sort of competition of precision riding).

Sara's Tipsy Pies

After we convalesced, walking around the agriculture/horticulture building (or rather, I walked around looking at the flowers and the boys decided to try beer), it was time for something sweet.  I knew we were close to my next stop at the food building. I was really exited for this new vendor because my aunt used her for the desserts for her daughter's wedding. 

2 gingers next to a ginger... Get it? :D

Special for the state fair, she made Rhubarb Blue Hunny Do Pie, hand pie with strawberry, rhubarb, blueberries, and Hunny Do Wheat Beer, which I HAD to try. We also got the 2 Gingers Irish pie, apple pie made with 2 Gingers Irish whiskey. The pies were great, a little tart and gooey, just the way pies should be. And ladies, she does weddings.

Hamline Church Dining Hall

With our bellies full, we were running out of steam so I figured it was time to head to the dining hall, north of The Garden (where I've never gotten anything before even though it's been around for forever) for some of their new Butter Queen Coffee ice cream. Wow was that good. Every bite I kept saying "Wow, this is delicious."

Almost forgot to take a picture, it was that good

They definitely got this one right. Chocolate espresso flakes in a browned butter and coffee ice cream. If my stomach could handle milk better, I would have gone for seconds, maybe even thirds.

The Track Out

There were a couple of stops that I had to make on the way out. Turkey to Go, located next to the all you can drink milk booth, was one of them. Every year, my boyfriend grabs one of their sandwiches when we get into the fair, and then one on the way out. Since work got in the way of fun, he couldn't make it this year so I wanted to get him his favorite bird to bring home.

It's moist, it's tender, it's to die for. Though they give you sauces and spices to put on it, the sandwich doesn't need any of that. I would have grabbed one for myself if I wasn't stuffed to my ears.

And, of course, what is the state fair without the obligatory Martha's cookies? We always get a bucket to bring home. They always load those suckers up sky high with those fresh baked chocolate chips, so you have to gorge on them just to get the lid on.

This is after several passes at the bucket

Though they have several locations, we usually go to the big one next to the Grand Stand and then grab the all you can drink milk to complete the combo.

Missed Opportunities

There were several foods that I wanted to try but didn't end up doing so, which I'm a little bummed about (because, you know, there is only so much stomach to go around). But mark my words, I may be able to squeeze them in next year (probably not though, because they'll have yet another list of new foods for 2016).

Cannoli at Al Fresco: Several years ago, there was a cannoli booth in the Heritage Square called Holy Cannoli, which is no more, so I was excited to see that they brought them back.

Chilled Bread Pudding at the Blue Moon Dine-In: This sounded interesting, especially the Old Fashioned Challah. I love challah, so combining that with pudding was definitely something I was interested in.

Cowboy Bites at the Frontier Bar: One of my co-workers said they were excellent. And from the description, I wouldn't doubt it. Sweet corn kernels, bacon, jalapeños, cream cheese, all blended together, breaded and (in the usual state fair fashion) deep fried.

Limerick Stix at O'Gara's: On the way back, I briefly considered grabbing them, damn the consequences and my stomach's capacity. But the more rational part of my brain won out so I missed out on all their pimento-cheese-and-cayenne-pepper-coated-in-corn-meal-mix-and-deep-fried goodness.

Mac and Cheese Cupcake at Lulu's Public House: Now this one I had on the list purely for the oddity of the food and because my friends and I have an inside joke about mac and cheese. Mac and cheese and breadcrumbs in a cupcake form? Sure, why not.

All these foods and more can be found on the State Fair's website:

MN State Fair

AK

O Beautiful, Delicious Skies

Dining in DC

As I type this sentence, I am looking over the snowy Washington landscape. "Why DC in winter?" you might ask. The circumstances don't really matter (Russian passport), what matters is this is my next stop on my world eating tour. You gotta start somewhere and staying only in Minnesota would be boring. I got 4 nights and no mini fridge to keep my own food. Lets get to eating!

Cafe Romeo

If you're in the DC area, they're hiring!

I got no history background for this place, but I do know that they are under a new management. This place is a small, hole in the wall with an outdoor patio upfront. When you come in, the first thing that you notice is an incense like smell. Well, this isn't just a restaurant, it's a hooka lounge as well (which my boyfriend assured me isn't that uncommon but this is the first time I'VE encountered one). With that said, if someone is using one of the hookas and you are sensitive to those types of smells, I would suggest take your food to go. Oh, and they deliver, so you don't even have to get off your couch, if you have a couch in Georgetown. Another reason why I would be hesitant to give them 4 stars is because of their wait staff. Maybe it's because they are transitioning to the new management, maybe it's family. One thing is for sure, they are pleasant but not very attentive. We had to come up to the counter and ask for our check.

Wine and hookas... and the not so attentive waiter.

Now to the good part, the food. To say it lightly, it was amazing. Not only is the menu extensive, from salads and pastas, to pizzas and sandwiches, and everything in between, it caters to everyone. In fact, as a person who doesn't like meat unless it's in a crispy pepperoni or bacon form, I really appreciated the variety of options for me in particular. Though don't get me wrong, any meat eater would get their fill here as well.

To start off, we got a couple of appetizers (of which I didn't take a picture because I was too busy eating). Baked eggplant was really good, though it got better towards the bottom because of the oil base. Definitely something to think about for next time. Mozzarella sticks were pretty good too. I'm not a fan of Buffalo sauce flavoring (which flavored the breading around the cheese) but even I enjoyed them. Anthony (my bf), got a raspberry lemonade which was super yummy. It was frothy and liquid at the same time. I'm not sure how to describe it but it was good. It was gooooood.

Raspberry Lemonade, Steak Calzone, and Custom Pasta with Cheese Bread

For the main course Anthony got one of their XL calzones, the steak one. And when they say XL, they MEAN XL. This thing (though doesn't look as big in the picture because of the angle) was as big as his head , though not quite as thick. I got a "make your own" pasta which included cheese manicotti, spicy red pepper sauce, feta cheese, and roasted garlic and onion veggies. That bubbling delicious mess was served with a side salad and a cheese bread wedge. I closed my eyes on my first bite... it was that good.

Overall, a great food experience. I loved the atmosphere, but it is not for everyone. I would recommend. Make sure to wear your loose pants.

Overall

Cafe Romeo Website

Z Burger

After some ogling at the sexy first edition shelves of the Library of Congress (300 some MILES of shelving, so many books, we can only dream), we were hungry and ready to try another Washington eatery, which was Z Burger, a 50's feel burger joint. While looking through the possible food places (pretty much the minute we checked in and figured out the free internet), we noticed Z Burger. Sure, according to their website they are a staple of DC and have been featured on numerous TV spots and newspapers, but what clinched it for us are the 75 varieties of shakes they offer.

The Shake Board

And though they were out of pistachio (boo), I got amaretto, which is the next best thing. On further inspection of the board, I should have gotten the tiramisu because that sounds delicious, but if I dwell on all the other shakes that sound good now, I'll never get to the end of this post. I digress. The amaretto and the caramel apple, which is the shake Anthony tried, were really good.

Unfortunately, the food was no different than any other burger diner. I got the veggie burger, which I'm pretty sure you can get in the Target frozen foods aisle, and Anthony got their bacon cheeseburger, which he enjoyed. What surprised me were the portions of the sides. We got large fries and onion rings. You pay for them separately, but I was expecting like a McD's large. What I got was a healthy, or in this case rather unhealthy (the bag of fries alone can give you a coronary), portion of both, most of which we took back to the hotel to munch on later. I love places that give you the most bang for your buck.

Veggie Burger and a Lunch Bag of Seasoned Fries

Overall, I liked the value and the shakes. There was no wait staff to speak of because it's one of those places you order at the counter and pick it up, so there were no issues there. However, I was disappointed in the food, it didn't wow me. I would still recommend it for the shakes alone, though. Those were fantastic.

Overall

Z Burger Website

I was really hoping to add to this post, however, after spending the whole day at the museums, our feet we falling off and there was no way we were going to walk to anymore restaurants. So this concludes my culinary journey through Washington DC, for now. I'm hoping to get back there and try some other stuff. There was a Turkish cafe that was a block away from our hotel that looked very promising, not to mention all the ethnic restaurants on the embassy row.

So long Washington, I'll taste you again!

AK