Food for all tastes being served at the Monroe County Fair through July 9.

They've got salty, sweet and sour. You want it fried? They can do that, too.

Bring your appetite to the Monroe County Fair this week. The grounds are peppered with over 20 vendors selling fair staples, including lemon shake-ups, corndogs and countless deep-fried goodies. We sampled four concessions Monday. Here's our food roundup for the 2023 Monroe County Fair.

Herald-Times reporter Maya Gray eats a ribeye sandwich from JD's Ribeye at the Monroe County Fair at the Monroe County Fairgrounds on Monday, July 3, 2023.
Herald-Times reporter Maya Gray eats a ribeye sandwich from JD's Ribeye at the Monroe County Fair at the Monroe County Fairgrounds on Monday, July 3, 2023.

Starting off strong with steak

JD's Ribeyes was the first stop. If the stand's name doesn't hint at its most popular menu item, the smell wafting from the grill does. For $10, you can get a ribeye sandwich grilled by JD Faulk himself. The food truck is based in Worthington, but it's Faulk's third year serving customers at the Monroe County Fair.

You can find JD's Ribeyes next to the grandstand, across from the goat barn. Take your pick from ribeye sandwiches, grilled pork tenderloins, baked potatoes and more.

JD Faulk makes a ribeye for a sandwich at JD's Ribeye at the Monroe County Fair at the Monroe County Fairgrounds on Monday, July 3, 2023.
JD Faulk makes a ribeye for a sandwich at JD's Ribeye at the Monroe County Fair at the Monroe County Fairgrounds on Monday, July 3, 2023.

Time for seconds — corndog, anyone?

The Sugar Shack is farther down, by the poultry barn. Though they've got all the fixings to satisfy your sweet tooth, we were told to try the corndogs. Crispy on the outside and piping hot, the corndogs are a quick and tasty $4 snack.

A corn dog from Sugar Shack at the Monroe County Fair at the Monroe County Fairgrounds on Monday, July 3, 2023.
A corn dog from Sugar Shack at the Monroe County Fair at the Monroe County Fairgrounds on Monday, July 3, 2023.

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Wash it down with a classic

It isn't the county fair without a lemon shake-up. More sweet than sour, and plenty refreshing, lemon shake-ups are found at several booths across the fairgrounds. We stopped by the stand attached to the Weenie Wagon to get one. The drink was $8, cool enough to combat the heat and big enough to share.

The Weenie Wagon also has food, so you can stop by and get a hot dog to go along with your drink.

Alex Garcia makes a lemon shake-up at the Weenie Wagon at the Monroe County Fair at the Monroe County Fairgrounds on Monday, July 3, 2023.
Alex Garcia makes a lemon shake-up at the Weenie Wagon at the Monroe County Fair at the Monroe County Fairgrounds on Monday, July 3, 2023.

Drinking dessert at Cup of Joy

One small stand caught stood out while walking around. Cup of Joy sells coffee, tea, fruity drinks and sodas. The choice: a strawberry-shortcake-flavored Italian cream soda for $5. This stand, like the ones mentioned above, takes card or cash.

The menu is long, so whether you want something bitter, creamy, cold — or all of the above — you can find what you're looking for.

Herald-Times reporter Maya Gray holds a strawberry shortcake Italian cream soda from Cup of Joy at the Monroe County Fair at the Monroe County Fairgrounds on Monday, July 3, 2023.
Herald-Times reporter Maya Gray holds a strawberry shortcake Italian cream soda from Cup of Joy at the Monroe County Fair at the Monroe County Fairgrounds on Monday, July 3, 2023.

But wait, there's so much more

After all that, if you still aren't satisfied, don't worry. Browse the fairgrounds until you find what you're craving, from a hand-breaded tenderloin from Holts Cafe's to pulled pork from Big D's BBQ. You can eat something different for breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert.

The Monroe County Fair continues through Sunday, July 9. Most vendors will accept credit/debit cards, but some are cash-only, so make sure you're prepared. Happy eating!

Herald-Times reporter Maya Gray holds a lemon shake-up from Weenie Wagon at the Monroe County Fair at the Monroe County Fairgrounds on Monday, July 3, 2023.
Herald-Times reporter Maya Gray holds a lemon shake-up from Weenie Wagon at the Monroe County Fair at the Monroe County Fairgrounds on Monday, July 3, 2023.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Monroe County Fair has salty, sweet and sour food and drinks to please