I ate the weirdest new foods at the Arizona State Fair. Here's what to try and what to skip
It appears that Flamin' Hot Cheetos creations, which made their first State Fair appearance in 2017, have become a staple. This year, pickle was the trendy newcomer ingredient, thanks to TikTok. Both #pickle and #pickles received 5.2 and 5.1 billion views, respectively. And while there are undeniably some tasty, decadent bites at the Arizona State Fair this year, the most unusual offerings left me wondering why they were created in the first place.
Why put pickles and Hot Cheetos on pizza or cereal on top of a fried chicken sandwich? These are all things that are perfectly fine on their own and certainly less appetizing when eaten together.
From their names to seeking them out, the experience felt like a dare. Here's what I learned as I ate my way through the weirdest State Fair Foods of 2023.
Flamin' Hot Cheetos cheesy pickle pizza is for real pickle lovers only
Enzo's advertised two new pizzas this year: a cheese and pickle pizza and the Hot Cheeto Cheesy Pickle Pizza, which is the same exact thing with the addition of crushed Hot Cheetos on top.
I asked for Hot Cheetos on half the pizza and appreciated receiving the slice cut into two triangles, one with Cheetos and one without. The bite of pickle pizza tasted only of pickles. Adding the Hot Cheetos merely added a kick of spice at the end of the bite.
As I ate, I overheard a group of visitors from the Midwest enjoying the pizza and saying that pickle pizza is common in Ohio.
If you're going to mess with a tried and true pizza classic, like Margherita, I'm of the mind you should go the route of Chris Bianco's Pizza Rosa, made with pistachios, onions and parmesan. You know, flavors that make sense in any world.
Stand: Enzo's (32).
Price: $10 per slice.
The verdict: Unless you're an over-the-top pickle lover, this pie is not going to be for you. Stick to your favorite classic, like a slice of pepperoni.
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Get your dessert and main meal in one wrapper with a Cap'n Crunch Chicken sandwich
I had to try this one when I saw it on the menu. The sandwich is made of two fried chicken tenders and Cap'n Crunch cereal inside a bun that's drizzled with a honey raspberry sauce and topped with more Cap'n Crunch.
The chicken was crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside, but the concept was disjointed. Was it a meal or a dessert? If you take it apart, it can be both. As one of my dining companions did, dipping cereal in the raspberry sauce and eating the tender on its own.
Stand: Biggies (18).
Price: $15.
The verdict: This takes sweet-savory to unpleasant places. You're better off getting a regular chicken sandwich and a dessert.
Loco Elotes Ramen
Corn Shack has a few Hot Cheetos items on the menu and the Loco Elotes Ramen is one of them. A cup of ramen topped with corn, crema and crushed Hot Cheetos, it lacked flavor and the Cheetos just added a little heat to the back of the throat at the end of the bite. Even after adding a squirt of lime concentrate, it still didn't have much flavor.
Stand: The Corn Shack (37).
Price: $12.
The verdict: Not even interesting enough to be unpleasant. Skip it and get the corn instead.
Drink agua fresca from a barrel
The agua fresca pepino con limon at Michelaguas comes in a tajin and chamoy-rimmed, large, barrel-shaped cup and is topped with mango cubes and filled with crisp slices of cucumber. It's a unique new drink option and the best way to beat the heat and recover from all your wild fair food adventures.
Stand: Michelaguas (36).
Price: $15.
The verdict: This is a must-try.
Best bite: Eat these foods at the Arizona State Fair
Reach the reporter at BAnooshahr@azcentral.com. Follow @banooshahr on X, formerly Twitter.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona State Fair 2023: A taste test of the weirdest new foods
