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* I spent some time at the Illinois State Fair yesterday. I firmed up plans to stash my laptop at somebody’s motor home (in case we have a Blagojevich verdict tomorrow or Thursday), then stopped at Miller’s (no relation) for my favorite corn dog. I was heading over to the Butter Cow when a guy approached me and asked if I was Rich Miller. I said I was (with trepidation - one never knows what people want when they say that) and he asked if I would try one of his tacos and write about it today.

It was quite tasty. Real Mexican food. And the hot sauce was actually hot, producing a long, slow burn. Anyway, his stand is near the Dairy Building and it’s called “Taco Time.” I paid for my food, by the way.

I then walked across the street to view the Butter Cow…

* The Question: What’s your all-time favorite State Fair food booth? Just one, please.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 12:10 pm

Comments

I think it is called something like “Fried Everything on a Stick”

Comment by George Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 12:17 pm
Beer Tent

Comment by The Fair is Fair Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 12:18 pm
The Ribeye sandwich place by one of the big red buildings.

Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 12:19 pm
Tent where they sell heavenly Chocolate Covered Bacon on a stick.

Comment by Responsa Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 12:21 pm
I like the shake stand in the shape of a milk carton.

I went to the State Fair as a kid in 4-H and then skipped about 25 yrs. I’m pretty sure that shake stand was still in the same location.

That’s one thing I like about the State Fair. It’s an institution that really hasn’t changed much from its roots. About as much of a Norman Rockwell painting as you’ll find in this state.

Comment by just sayin' Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 12:22 pm
I appologize in advance. The question is which is the fairest fair fare?

Comment by Way Way Down Here Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 12:24 pm
First year they had the ‘Ethnic Village’ (30 years ago?!) there was an African booth that had peanut butter stew — a beef vegetable soup w/ peanut butter base that was out of this world. I’ve looked for it again the handful of times I’ve been back in recent years, but no luck.

Comment by vibes Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 12:25 pm
Taft’s has the best lemon shake-ups.

Comment by Doubtful Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 12:25 pm
just disappointed that the butter cow is sculpted by
someone not from Illinois and who sculpts for
other fairs.

Comment by Amalia Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 12:28 pm
Has to be any one of the vendors that sells funnel cakes - yummmm

Comment by Interested Observer Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 12:29 pm
The steamed broccoli stand - if there was one.

Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 12:29 pm
The cheesecurds from the booth across from the Emerson Building. I think the family is from Wisconsin and they are great. But, you do have stop by a local cardiac care unit after eating them.

Comment by Give Me A Break Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 12:30 pm
==The steamed broccoli stand==
figures!

Comment by Bill Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 12:34 pm
The chicago italian beef place thay was not down this year

Filia’s Greek booth in the Ethnic village this year.

Comment by Ghost Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 12:35 pm
Shrimp on a stick stand

Comment by Rudy Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 12:36 pm
Without a doubt “VOSE’S CORNDOGS”! I’ve eaten corndogs all around the country (where available) and all others pale in comparison. Have you tried them Rich?

Comment by Macoupin Observer Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 12:38 pm
Ice cream…..mmmmmm

Comment by Loop Lady Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 12:38 pm
MO, I’ve tried them. Much prefer Miller’s.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 12:39 pm
FAIR Enough Rich. Thanks.

Comment by Macoupin Observer Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 12:41 pm
Miller’s corndogs are the best, hands down.

Comment by Small Town Liberal Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 12:46 pm
Pork Chop on a stick, best $5 you’ll spend at he fair.

Comment by Gregor Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 12:49 pm
17th Street Pork Sandwich

Comment by Leroy Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 12:49 pm
Smoked lamb sandwich. Inconsistent through the years; when it is good, it is the best.

Comment by Ivory-billed Woodpecker Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 12:53 pm
I agree with Gregor. Pork Chop on a stick is the first thing I go for. Just had one. But it’s now up to 6 bucks.

Comment by Been There Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 12:55 pm
I have never had a smoked lamb sammich. Gonna try one today.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 12:59 pm
Damn, you all are making me hungry and I can’t make it up this year.

Comment by ArchPundit Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 1:04 pm
The stand next door to the Pork Pavilion that sells smoked Turkey Legs. MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM.

Comment by Springfield Sceptic Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 1:13 pm
I second Been There seconding Gregor: Pork Chop on a Stick.

Comment by No Peotone Airport Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 1:13 pm
I object to VMan’s attempts to have steamed broccoli at the State Fair.

It’s patently insensitive to the Illinois farmers who work hard raising pork, beef and dairy products. Broccoli is grown in California, which is full of vegetarians and vegans who hate our artery-clogging way of life (Charles Manson is from there, too — coincidence?).

A majority of fairgoers (70% in some polls) clearly want meat products, preferably deep fried and on a stick.

VMan holds a minority view. HE is not like US. I don’t think WE should allow HIM at the fair. Because he’s in the minority. And different. And would eat steamed broccoli at the state fair (must have something to do with those girded loins he was telling us about earlier).

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 1:15 pm
Ethnic village. Jamaican Pork. Unfreakin’ real.

Comment by unspun Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 1:16 pm
The new ‘Cuban’ booth at the Ethnic Village. Give the Pork Wrap a try. It’s AWESOME. Pork shoulder, swiss cheese, chipolte mayo…steaming hot in a HUGE tortilla. It’s stuffed, and well worth the $6.

Comment by How Ironic Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 1:23 pm
Spies Fries

Comment by in absentia Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 1:23 pm
Mehan’s lemon shake ups and The Billy Goat was fun a few years back.

Comment by 13 Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 1:31 pm
My favorite is shrimp on a stick. I must say that the nastiest looking fair food has got to be the photo in yesterdays SJR. The bratwurst wrapped inside American cheese wrapped inside a hamburger patty wrapped inside bacon and served on a bun. It made me gag the minute I saw the photo. Who eats this stuff???

http://blogs.sj-r.com/isf/index.php/2010/08/16/the-meat-eater-are-you-up-for-the-challenge/

Comment by pes123 Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 1:34 pm
Sam the Fudge Man, making fudge on his marble tombstone outside of the Dairy Building….he’s no longer there, so he must be using the tombstone for its intended purpose. Very good fudge, however!

Comment by Former state employee Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 1:37 pm
Wordslinger, at the State Fair I always gravitate toward the meat and dairy products, too. So I understand where you are coming from. But your essay aimed at VM shows a distinct lack of respect for the proud history of Illinois vegetable and produce growers (specifically those of Dutch heritage). Check out Edna Ferber’s Pulitzer Prize winning novel “So Big” on this subject.

Comment by Responsa Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 1:40 pm
The Prairie Farms stand next to the Milk-A-Cow exhibit. Ice cream bars and such under a buck. Best deal on the fairgrounds.

Comment by Joe from Joliet Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 1:41 pm
I really have no problem with VM’s penchant for steamed brocolli…as long as it’s dipped in thick, rich cheese.

Comment by Springfield Sceptic Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 1:58 pm
Miller’s or any other stand that serves the Cozy Dog vs. the Corn Dog. Corn Dog’s (like Vose’s) have too much corn meal for my taste and are sometimes gritty. I much prefer the Cozy Dog variety. Fair stand trivia: Prior to being Miller’s, I believe that the stand was for the Beardstown Band Boosters.

Comment by observation Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 2:06 pm
Speis French Fries
Note to Wordslinger - Manson was born in Ohio.

Comment by Just the Facts Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 3:03 pm
Since I don’t go to Springfield unless I absolutely have to. (Something in the water, I think, or maybe it’s the rarified air in some of the Govm’nt buildings) I have to say back some 30 years when I was at the fair last it was the lemon shake-ups.

Comment by Irish Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 3:04 pm
“Taco Time” is absolutely awesome. Best burrito I have eaten! The three amigos are very personable. They would probably sell more tacos if the one that looks like Homer Simpson would quite down just a bit.

Comment by Toast Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 3:18 pm
Has to be the mini donut stand. Loved watching those little puppies float in the hot oil and then doused with sugar and cinnamon. Even though I now know how bad they are for me, they are still the most awesome!!

Comment by Jdub Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 3:32 pm
Fries with cider vinegar. Never tastes the same at home.

Comment by zatoichi Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 5:01 pm
Again, from yesterday- Culler’s French Fries, yes with salt & vinegar. Broccoli? At the State Fair?? (or anywhere else, for that matter)Eeeech.

Comment by Downstate Commissioner Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 5:11 pm
17th Street Pork BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich or 1/2 chicken. I still can’t decide which I like better, so I get the sandwich for myself and chicken for my kids and poach from their plates. LOL

Comment by Pot calling kettle Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 5:25 pm
Culler’s fries

Comment by 4 percent Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 6:07 pm
It used to be the cream puffs in the dairy building, but this year, they stuffed a CROISSANT of all things, with sugary whipped cream and called it a cream puff. Oh the humanity! So I consoled myself with an Italian sausage sandwich loaded with peppers and onions. Then waddled on down the Midway. I love the fair!

Comment by Cindy Tuesday, Aug 17, 10 @ 9:02 pm
Homer and Jesus run the Taco place and are employed by the Capital Development Board as managers. They moved their stand from down by 9th st enterance to over by the dairy bldg. on sunday night because the other location was not busy. Wonder how they pulled that off!

Comment by George Wednesday, Aug 18, 10 @ 8:06 pm