WEST ALLIS — The 175th Wisconsin State Fair will feature 80 new food and drink offerings when gates open this summer, organizers announced Friday, giving fairgoers dozens of fresh options alongside longtime favorites.
Many of the new items incorporate cheese curds: the fair named Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery the official cheese curds of the state fair, and curds will appear in several menu items. The announcement also notes a special use of Door County cheese curds in one new dish, though officials did not specify which Door County cheesemaker is supplying those curds.
What’s new — and what that means for visitors
The new selections mix traditional fair-style deep-fried offerings with international flavors, sweets and novelty drinks. Expect creative twists on cheese-curd dishes, new takes on sausage and brat options, and several frozen and specialty beverages.
Among the items listed by the fair are:
- Cheese-forward dishes — Caramel Apple Cheese Curd Tacos, Ellsworth Fresh Cheese Curds, Garlic Cheddar Longanisa Lumpia with Door County curds.
- New takes on classics — Chimi-Brat-Changa, Chicken Cordon Bleu Sausage, Cuban Fries, Circus Peanut Spritz.
- Novel sweets and treats — Big Pat's Pit Stop Punch, Cosmic Funnel Cake, Frozen Cheesecake On-a-Stick, Ice Cream Nachos.
The full list includes items with names such as Al Pastor Pizza, Bayou Crunch Cup, Bloody Mary Mac Daddy, Deep-Fried Horchata Balls, Lemon-Lime Spritz, and Nitro Cheesy Puffs. The announcement highlights a broad range intended to appeal to families, foodies and fair regulars alike.
"Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery cheese curds" — declared the official cheese curds of the state fair
Sampling the menu: examples and categories
To give a sense of variety, the new offerings can be grouped broadly by type:
| Category | Examples from the list |
|---|---|
| Cheese-forward | Caramel Apple Cheese Curd Tacos; Ellsworth Fresh Cheese Curds; Cheddar Garlic Longanisa Lumpia |
| Sausages & brats | Bunzel's Hungarian Sausage Sandwich; Cevapcici - Croatian Sausage Sandwich; Freedom Brat |
| Sweets & treats | Frozen Cheesecake On-a-Stick; Cosmic Funnel Cake; Ice Cream Nachos |
| Drinks & slushes | Blue Ribbon Watermelon Mint Julep; Monster Blue Hawaiian Dirty Soda; Pineapple Pop Paradise |
Fairgoers planning visits should expect longer lines at unusually popular new items, especially those featuring the officially designated cheese curds. The State Fair typically announces vendor locations and map placements closer to opening day; attendees should consult the fair’s official website or mobile app for vendor maps, hours and pricing.
Organizers released the new-item list Friday in West Allis. The expanded menu continues a long tradition of the fair serving inventive, often deep-fried, seasonal foods designed to draw attention and create social-media moments.
Stay tuned to the fair’s official channels for updates on vendor names, exact booth locations and any additions or last-minute changes to the menu.
Brooke Steiner is the Wisconsin correspondent at News Block.
