Fisher scones are a state fair classic in Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Fisher scones are a state fair classic in Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Bloomin’ onions, giant corn dogs: Eat your way through the Evergreen State Fair

Food reporter Taylor Goebel faced a delicious dilemma with Evergreen State Fair’s 40 food vendors.

MONROE — Having only one stomach is really inconvenient sometimes, especially when you’re a food writer at the Evergreen State Fair.

This year, the 11-day fair in Monroe welcomed 40 food vendors serving up Indian tacos, supersized corn dogs, cinnamon-sugar elephant ears and more.

The fair opened last Thursday and will run again from Sept. 1-5.

I decided to check out the fair on its first day — that is, eat a bunch of food and little else, despite the myriad of games, rides, music, animals and more. It’s my job! I reasoned with myself.

But as soon as the first waft of caramelized onions and funnel cakes filled my nostrils, I knew I was in trouble. Then I saw the signs: loaded carne asada curly fries, woodfired pizza, fudge, Indian tacos.

I panicked. I only had two hours to scout out fair food, and I had no game plan. I naively thought speaking to the fair’s organizers would be enough prep. I learned from them that the longest-serving vendor, Lodge Concessions, has been slinging burgers, fries and other fair classics since 1948, a year before Evergreen State Fair opened under its current name.

Fisher employees mold scone dough during opening day of the Evergreen State Fair on Aug. 25. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Fisher employees mold scone dough during opening day of the Evergreen State Fair on Aug. 25. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

I learned that prior to Cinna-Rohls’ Evergreen debut this summer, the state fair hadn’t hosted a cinnamon roll vendor in 10 years. Owner Kyle Rohls opened the business in 2019. His cinnamon rolls were well-spiced, fluffy, not too sweet and just warm and gooey enough to melt the frosting to a perfect consistency. It turned out to be one of my favorite fair bites.

And I learned that last year, an Evergreen worker ate a grilled cheese from The Cheese Pit every day of the fair. The gourmet grilled cheese stand is back this year with its signature crusty sourdough bread and ultimate cheese pulls.

You can find the entire food vendor list here.

Luckily my coworkers helped guide me to old standbys like Fisher, a necessary fair stop. “Scones? At a fair? Really?” I asked. But as I watched the assembly line of workers rolling out and forming the dough for their butter- and raspberry jam-filled scones, this Washington newbie caught on to the hype quickly. You can buy a big bag of scones to go for $20, then enjoy a strawberry or peach shortcake right at the fair.

For lunch, my coworker, photographer Olivia Vanni, grabbed a beef and cheddar piroshky from the Kaleenka stand. This stuffed and fried hand pie is ideal fair food: The melty and meaty filling is self-contained, unlike a burger, meaning your arms are far less likely to experience beef juice leakage. I took a bite of hers, enjoying the fluffy fried dough, melty cheese and savory beef. Kaleenka also serves up their award-winning salmon and cream cheese piroshky. For dessert, enjoy their warm apple & cinnamon option.

Don’t go on a scary carnival ride after downing a plate of curly fries loaded with cheese (left) or chili. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Don’t go on a scary carnival ride after downing a plate of curly fries loaded with cheese (left) or chili. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Another coworker, reporter Jacqueline Allison, ordered a pork sausage roll with sauerkraut from Ziegler’s. It was juicy (read: messy), snappy and in her words, “solid.”

We watched nervously as a guy balanced two baby-sized baskets of curly fries from Ziegler’s, one topped with melty cheese, the other with chili. Down near the entrance to the beer garden (go here to get some shade), a customer ordered a Sweet Art cotton candy creation that I guessed was meant to resemble a chicken.

As for me, I wandered around aimlessly, struck by all the colorful signs and sizzling sounds and deep-fried temptations. I ended up grabbing my new favorite snack, samosa chaat, from the bright orange Indian Food Truck. Fair food is all about the frying, right? I got just that with the samosa. The stuffed veggie pastry was also swimming in saucy spiced chickpeas, cilantro, chutney and more — the perfect fair food when you’re craving a range of flavors and textures.

Then I stopped by a stand called “Road Dawg,” which sells veggie hot dogs, loaded tots, veggie corn dogs, onion rings and more. Hoping to avoid the meat sweats (I was already sweating through my shirt), I grabbed one of their veggie dogs with jalapeño, caramelized onions and mustard.

Craving something sweet? Try a mini cinnamon roll from Cinna-Rohls. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Craving something sweet? Try a mini cinnamon roll from Cinna-Rohls. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

“At other events, customers would order a veggie dog from us, then get bacon on it,” co-owner Annette Pettit said. “And they’d tell us it was the best hot dog they’ve ever had.”

“I think they’re gearing toward better choices, instead of eating just all meat,” she added.

Everything in moderation, right? Especially when your veggie dog is as smoky and savory as theirs.

Onion lovers will be happy at Evergreen this year: Try Am-2-Da-Ber Concessions’ Walla Walla stand for their trademarked Walla Walla burger, a quarter-pound beef patty smothered in grilled onions with barbecue sauce on a sesame seed bun. For an allium-centric experience, head to Aussie Onion Burst for their bloomin’ onions (that’s right: You don’t have to go to Outback for this fried-and-true classic). Entertain yourself by watching heaps of onions sizzle and brown on the large griddles throughout the fair.

Plenty of self-operated lemonade jugs will help wash all that down. I ordered a prickly pear lemonade from the lemon-shaped DH Concessions stand. Super sweet, super pink and super refreshing. Bubble tea lovers should check out Ray’s Food, which also sells teriyaki, katsu chicken and more.

The aroma of grilled onions beckons fairgoers to the Walla Walla Burger booth. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

The aroma of grilled onions beckons fairgoers to the Walla Walla Burger booth. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

The beauty of fair food lies partially in its simplicity (fried, salty, naughty), but mostly in its ability to make you lay down for a long, long time. Not before you get dessert, though.

Snohomish County Dairy Women’s The Purple Cow is strategically placed near a fair exit: As my coworkers and I were walking back to our car, we spotted the ice cream stand, immediately turned into little kids and made a beeline. Jacqueline got chocolate and huckleberry ice cream, while I ordered their namesake: An Evergreen State Fair exclusive since 1960, The Purple Cow is like a root beer float in berry form, with a scoop of blackberry ice cream over blackberry syrup-infused lemon-lime soda.

By the way, they give away every 13th Purple Cow for free.

“One of the 4-H kids will sit there and monitor the line,” said Brenda Granstrom, the fair’s operations supervisor.

If you’re at Evergreen State Fair all day, pace yourself. Don’t hop on a stomach-churning ride if you just downed a footlong corn dog. Let your nose guide you to the right choice. And bring a crew along for the ultimate sample party.

I wrote this story to help you plan out an Evergreen food strategy, but reading it back I probably — hopefully — did just the opposite.

To see the full list of food vendors, visit: www.evergreenfair.org/212/Food-Drinks.

If you go

The Evergreen State Fair continues Sept. 1-5 at Evergreen State Fairgrounds, 14405 179th Ave. SE, Monroe. Live music, food, carnival rides, fireworks, monster trucks, auto races, equestrian and livestock shows and more.

Fair admission is $16 for adults on weekdays, $18 on weekends and $14 on Labor Day. It’s $12 any day and $10 on Labor Day for youth, seniors 62 and older, and active military with ID. Free entry for those younger than 6 or older than 89.

Parking is $10 on weekdays and $15 on weekends.

Fair hours are 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sept. 1-4 and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sept. 5. Carnival hours are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. The carnival closes at 7 p.m. on Labor Day, Sept. 5.

More information at evergreenfair.org.

Taylor Goebel: 425-339-3046; taylor.goebel@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @TaylorGoebel.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Food & Drink

Image from Pexels.com
Ready to indulge in the best bakeries in Snohomish County?

From flaky pastries to decadent cakes, these local gems are a must-try!

Asian noodles and sauce (Image from Pexels.com).
Three asian food spots that will take your taste buds on an adventure

From sizzling woks to savory broths; discover the places that serve up the best bites!

Curtson Distillery owners Robert Thompson, right, Malinda Curtis, center, and employee Sarah Trocano, left, at the distillery in Sultan. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Sultan’s Curtson Distillery turns bad beer into beautiful whiskey

Robert Thompson and Malinda Curtis use an innovative method to make moonshine and umber.

Bruce Hallenbeck, 4, picks out Honeycrisp apples for his family at Swans Trail Farms on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022 in Snohomish, Washington.
Where farms become festive wonderlands—seasonal events, holiday magic, and more!

Which local farms offer the freshest picks and most memorable experiences? Let’s find out.

Everett business shares a cookie recipe sure to sweeten your holidays

South Fork Baking Co. shares the details for making Ginger Molasses Cookies for yourselves.

(Getty Images)
Stacked and packed: Best sub sandwich spots in town

Craving a delicious sub sandwich? Where will you go first? Let’s find out.

Bothell
3 Bothell restaurant ideas for a soul-warming meal

Now’s the time to go to Bothell for some steamy soups.

Outside of the Hollywood Tavern on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024 in Woodinville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Order a double shot of fun at this corner of Woodinville

Hollywood Tavern and Woodinville Whiskey Co. share a parking lot for a two-fer of food and spirits.

Photo courtesy of Tulalip Resort Casino
Smoked Gouda Cheese Kielbasa will be featured at the Tulalip Resort Casino restaurant The Draft during the holiday season.
Adding ‘old country’ flair to the holiday lineup

Try the limited-edition Smoked Gouda Cheese Kielbasa at Tulalip Resort Casino restaurant The Draft.

Mimosa Salad, Lasagna Potato Cheddar Soup at Cristiano’s Pizza.
Snohomish County’s fresh and flavorful top salad spots to savor

Where can you find the most delicious salads in town? Let’s find out.

At J&L BBQ in Snohomish, owner Joel Sexton (left) talks with customer Tony Cecsarini and Austin Eisenhuth (right) after hanging banners announcing the restaurant’s ability to accept takeout orders. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
Smokin’ good eats: The top three BBQ spots in town

Where can you find the most mouthwatering barbecue around? Let’s find out.

Teresa Godfrey and Sandra Reichstetter, married 22 years, work at their new restaurant, Cup & Crepe on Everett Mall Way in Everett. (Ryan Berry / The Herald).
Sweet escapes: Discover the best dessert spots in Snohomish County

Which place will satisfy your next sugar craving? Herald readers answered for you.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.