Freaky Fare For Foodies To Try At This Year's Florida State Fair

TAMPA, FL — They may claim they go for the rides and entertainment, but everyone knows those attending the Florida State Fair are really there for the food.

And this year, the fair won't disappoint foodies seeking a new taste sensation. In fact, the state fair vendors keep topping themselves each year, thinking up deep-fried concoctions and bizarre taste combinations.

The fair, which kicked off Feb. 9 and continues through Feb. 20, features 12 days of the nation's largest midway with stomach-churning thrill rides, youth livestock competition, live bands, performing dogs, racing pigs along with fair food.

“Year after year, the Florida State Fair looks forward to introducing new and exciting food and beverage items to fairgoers,” said Chery Flood, executive director of the Florida State Fair. “Our state fair is the first to open across the country each year, so we are thrilled to set the standard with our unique and talented vendors.”

When Flood talks about "exciting food," she's not just referring to the ho-hum elephant ears and cotton candy, first introduced at the 1901 St. Louis World's Fair.

Each year, fair vendors go out of their way to introduce freaky foods that prove to be a lot more appetizing than they sound — we swear.

This year's options include three different takes on that state fair food staple — the funnel cake.

Tampa Cuban Funnel Cake Sandwich

The Best Around concessionaire is offering its take on the famous Tampa Cuban Sandwich. The vendors fills two traditional 4-inch funnel cakes with Spanish pork, smoked ham, Genoa salami, Swiss cheese, dill pickles and mustard, then presses it and tops it with a doughnut glaze.

Salted Caramel Turtle Funnel Cake

Paulette's Food Service is offering up a funnel cake topped with salted caramel, fudge and pecans.

Strawberry Shortcake Funnel Cake

Ryals Concessions Sweet Shop is serving up the ultimate strawberry-infused funnel cake topped with powdered sugar, strawberry topping, whipped cream and garnished with sprinkles.

Then there are the main courses:

Walking Nacho Dog

DeAnna's Diner combines a classic hot dog with nacho toppings like jalapeno peppers, chips and cheese sauce to satisfy all salty and savory cravings.

Mexican Street Corn Sundae

DeAnna's Steak Sundaes offers an unusual take on the sundae. This sundae features fresh-cut fries layered with warm chile con queso cheese, sweet corn, Mexican spices, crumbled cheese, cilantro lime crema and crushed corn chips, and tops it with Cajun shrimp or sirloinn steak.

Hot Cheeto Burger

Top Notch Concessions has covered a beef patty with gooey melted cheese and topped it with Flamin’ Hot Cheetos.

Mexican Street Corn Pizza

Angela's Pizza tops a thin pizza crust with with buttered sweet corn, mozzarella cheese, drizzled with mayo, Parmesan cheese and Tajin seasoning.

Mac Daddy

Low N Slow Catering combines barbecue pulled pork with mac'n' cheese and stuffs it between two waffles.

Nacho Mama

Rosie's Nachos has created the mother of all nachos. The vendor tops its homemade corn tortilla chips with tenderloin steak, homemade pico de gallo, jalapenos, green onions, sauteed onions and peppers and finished it off with sour cream, nacho cheese, shredded monterey Jack cheese and ranch dressing.

Pork Belly Pineapple Bowl

The brainchild of Brazilian Bowls, this dish combines pork belly grilled over a charcoal rotisserie, served over rice, beans and fresh-made sides.

Chicken Parm On A Stick

The state fair specializes on food on a stick and this year Captain Max's has outdone itself, putting bread crumb-battered chicken with hot homemade marinara sauce topped with melted mozzarella cheese on a stick with a side of marinara.

Side orders include:

Apple Fries

A light, crispy and sweet take on French fries, Apple Fries batters Granny Smith apples, deep fries them and coats them in cinnamon sugar.

Dillylicious Loaded Pickles

Chester’s Gators & Taters goes way beyond fried pickles. These are topped with bacon, ranch dressing and cheese.

Takis Tots

Totville takes its hot, crispy tator tots and tops them with warm queso, jalapeños, crushed Takis and Tajin sprinkles.

For dessert, you have to try:

Fried Key Lime Pie

DeAnna's piles Key lime pie filling, graham crackers and buttercream frosting on top of mini doughnuts.

Cookie Taco Supreme

Funky Flamingo has transformed a chocolate chip cookie into a taco shell filled with s’mores ice cream and topped with Oreos, whipped cream and a cherry on top.

Peanut Butter Cream Doughnut

Peachey's Baking Co. offers homemade vanilla pudding, peanut butter crumbles and whipped cream layered over a famous Amish doughnut.

And to wash it down:

Dill Pickle Lemonade

Miller & Company Concessions is serving up ice-cold lemonade with pickles in a pickle juice-infused drink garnished with a fresh-cut pickle.