FAIR-Tastic Food Competition

A COMPETITION TO DROOL OVER

The San Diego County Fair is back with our tastiest competition, the Fair-tastic Food Competition! Featuring our collaborators in culinary creations, this competition is guaranteed to get your taste buds buzzing!

We've challenged our food concessionaires to enter culinary creations in three distinct categories, each with two classes: SWEET & SAVORY.

THEME

One of the stand-out things about the San Diego County Fair is the unique annual theme, which inspires our 20,000 square foot theme exhibit, and a myriad of contests, special events and activities centered around this theme. This year’s theme—Summer Pet-tacular—is a celebration of the animals we welcome into our homes and hearts as our best friends. Concessionaires can get creative with ingredients such as hot dogs, animal crackers, Goldfish crackers, Kit Kats, or even catnip!

WOW

In the words of Bonnie Raitt, “Let’s give them something to talk about!” We’ve all drooled over some awe-inspiring menu item we’ve seen on Instagram, TikTok or Facebook, amiright? These foods are often colorful, creative, ethnically-inspired, or over-the top in some crazy way.

SO SAN DIEGO

San Diego cuisine is inspired by the unique culture of America’s Finest County. That means ingredients sourced from the local land and sea—avocados, citrus and seafood. San Diegans love traditional south-of-the-border staples and Cali-Mex flavor combos. Carlsbad strawberries, “Cardiff Crack,” Fallbrook Avocados, and California Burritos are San Diego staples! How can San Diego flare fit into Fair fare?

FINALISTs ANNOUNCED

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11
By 11:59pm Opening Day of the Fair

fair-tastic finals live championship

FRIDAY, JUNE 13
11:30am • Paddock Stage

FOODIE FRIDAYS!

EVERY FRIDAY FROM 11AM-4PM Fair-tastic Food Competition finalists will offer their item for half price!

PAST WINNERS

2023 WINNERS

FAIR-TASTIC FOOD BEST OF SHOW (WOW Savory)
Hot Cheeto Chicken Sandwich • Biggie's

WOW Sweet
Maple Bacon Bomb • Country Fair Cinnamon Rolls

THEME Sweet
S'mores Caramel Apple • Candyland

THEME Savory
Bloomin' Campfire Onion • Bloomin' Onion

VALUE Sweet
Chocolate-Dipped Strawberry Shortcake Sundae • Crutchee's Cream

VALUE Savory
Ramen Burrito • Chicken Charlie

2024 WINNERS

FAIR-TASTIC BEST OF SHOW (THEME Sweet)
Disco Pop Shake • TJ's Ice Cream!

THEME Savory
SPAM® Fries • Boba King

NEW Sweet
Cap’n Crunch® Berry Chicken Sandwich • Biggy's

NEW Savory
Hot Honey Funnel Cake Chicken Sandwich • Chicken Charlie’s

WOW Sweet
Surfing USA Party Shake • Fruit Caboose.

WOW Savory
Spicy Korean Corn Dog • West Coast Weenies

People's Choice
Candied Bacon-Wrapped Pork Belly Bites • Bacon A Fair

2024 FAIR-TASTIC WINNERS

Who will be crowned Fair-tastic in 2025? Look for semi-finalists to be announced in May!

DISCO POP SHAKE

BEST OF SHOW
Theme — Sweet

TJs Ice Cream

You'll get Disco Fever when classic grape soda and vanilla ice cream, swirled with whipped cream and dancing grape Pop Rocks hit your tongue! Rimmed with Pop Rocks and adorned with Disco ball swirly straw souvenir!

SPAM FRIES

Theme — Savory

Boba King

SPAM creatively sliced into fry-like shapes and deep fried, resulting in a delectable culinary creation. This unique dish is artfully presented within its original can, accompanied by a trio of mouth watering sauces, sweet Thai chili, spicy mayo, and teriyaki sauce.

SPICY KOREAN CORNDOG
Wow — Savory

West Coast Weenies

Your favorite classic crispy Korean corndog rolled in hot Cheeto crumbs and drizzled with spicy mayo.

SURFIN' USA PARTY SHAKE
Wow — Sweet

Fruit Caboose

Totally far-out frozen lemonade blended with sweet homemade vanilla soft-serve with a graham cracker rimmed souvenir mug and finished off with a cherry on top!

HOT HONEY FUNNEL CAKE CHICKEN SANDWICH
New — Savory

Chicken Charlie's

Our Fresh hand dipped chicken breast deep-fried with secret spices, nestled between two small funnel cakes and drizzled with hot honey.

CAP'N CRUNCH BERRY CHICKEN SANDWICH
New — Sweet

Biggy's

Double-battered extra-crispy fried chicken dipped in a honey raspberry glaze and topped with crushed Cap'n Crunch Berry cereal. Served on a toasted buttered brioche bun encrusted with extra Cap'n Crunch cereal.