Starting Thursday, all culinary roads lead to Springfield.
After asking readers to share must-eat food stops throughout Illinois in 2021, I started focusing on cuisine at the State Fair, which runs through Aug. 23.
StateFair.Illinois.gov cites 124 different places to buy food. Since 2023, the site has allowed visitors to create a spreadsheet where each row lists products, fairground locations, precise geographic information system coordinates and whether the stand participates in one of the signature discount opportunities: “Small Plates, Big Tastes,” in which every Village of Cultures vendor sells sample-size portions for only $3, and the 2 to 5 p.m. weekday Feeding Frenzy, heralded by the “Jaws” theme song.
This year the Reisch Pavilion is home to the $5 Fix, certain items that cost only that much all day, every day.
Although many vendors have multiple sites, they don’t all offer the same fare at each spot, so planning is important. The fair website lists all the new vendors (food or merchandise), at 44 and counting, and new in 2026, a digest of “50 Must Try Fair Foods.”
One that caught my eye is Twisted Pasta on Grandstand Avenue, with offerings including spaghetti or fettuccine grilled cheese, Alfredo cones/bowls/balls and loaded Alfredo fries. And on Coliseum Lane, Backdraft BBQ & Catering’s menu includes brisket nachos.
For adults, the Artisan Building’s Illinois Wine Experience offers a chance to sample products from more than a dozen of the state’s 100-plus wineries. There are additional locations by the Grandstand and in the Village of Cultures.
The Craft Beer Competition has expanded hours this year. It now starts at noon Thursday and is open until 9 p.m. that day, plus runs from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Purchase a full pint and enjoy 10 five-ounce samples from up to 16 participating breweries – three more than last year.
The Golden Abe’s Food Contest awards prizes for sweet, savory, new vendors, people’s choice and a grand champion every year, and this year will honor a best nonalcoholic drink item. Winners from 2025 included the ice cream horseshoe from Scoop DuJour (Grand Champion and Best Sweet treat), a pierogi burger from the Poland booth (Best Savory and Notable Newcomer) and the Dubai chocolate funnel cake from Paulette Food Services (Best Specialty).
If you’re more interested in the formal fair competitions, consider picking up a cookbook with recipes from 2025 blue ribbon winners in more than 160 categories. Available in person for $20 or online for $25 (statefair.illinois.gov/cookbook), these make excellent gifts for the makers in your life.
Apologies to vendors I didn’t list. There are more options than anyone could ingest over the fair’s 11 full days. If you’re visiting the fairgrounds, what’s on your personal menu?
• Scott T. Holland writes about state government issues for Shaw Local News Network. He can be reached at sholland@shawmedia.com.
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August 11, 2026 at 10:07AM
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