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.

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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?

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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.

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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!

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live championship • FAIR-tastic finals

FRIDAY, JUNE 13
11:30am • Paddock Stage

A live championship production hosted by Z90.3's Rick Morton, and judges Troy Johnson of San Diego Magazine and the Food Network, Claudia Sandoval of Claudia's Cucina and MasterChef, and Rudy Acosta of Univision TV.

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2025 FAIR-TASTIC FOOD FINALISTS

Who will be crowned Fair-tastic in 2025? Check out the list of contenders below.

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mexican "la jolla" noodles

So San Diego — Savory

Ricos Manjares

Nacho cheese, Tostito chips, corn, sour cream, spicy Valentina, and buttery noodles — this savory snack hits all the right notes whether it's mid-day or midnight. A Fair twist on college cravings.

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SPAM wonton tacos

So San Diego — Savory

BOBA KING

Pan fried SPAM glazed in sweet soy sauce, tucked in wonton shells with slaw and spicy mayo. Sweet, salty, and crunchy with a kick — this handheld bite is pure SoCal innovation.

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loaded plantains

So San Diego — Savory

Rafikiz Foodz

Crispy fried plantains topped with kachumbari (East African veggie salsa) and your choice of chicken or vegan option. Light, flavorful, and globally inspired with a San Diego twist.

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tres leches cinnamon roll

So San Diego — Sweet

Country Fair Cinnamon Rolls

This roll is pure pan dulce perfection. Fresh from the oven and dripping in creamy Tres Leches sauce, this cinnamon roll is inspired by traditional Mexican desserts. Topped with a swirl of tangy Tres Leches cream cheese frosting for a melt-in-your-mouth finish. It’s bold, rich, and rooted in flavor—a sweet tribute to San Diego’s vibrant Mexican culinary soul.

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tajin me up dole

So San Diego — Sweet

Candy Me Up

Tropical meets tangy in this SoCal spin on Dole Soft Serve! Pineapple soft serve gets topped with fresh strawberries, pineapple chunks, and a sprinkle of Tajín. Sweet, citrusy, and just a little spicy—it’s sunshine in a cup.

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bacon churro fries

So San Diego — Sweet

Bacon Nation

Churro fries get a savory-sweet remix with vanilla frozen yogurt, crispy bacon, maple drizzle, and bacon mousse. It’s brunch vibes in dessert form—and it totally brings the fiesta to this party.

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pork Belly bao buns

Wow — Savory

Between the Buns

Sweet bao buns packed with soy-glazed pork belly, fresh cucumber, cilantro, chopped peanuts, and a drizzle of yakiniku sauce. Soft, savory, and snack sized perfection.

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super volcano fries

Wow — Savory

Farmer in the Del

A full pound of golden fries topped with Kalua pork, beef bulgogi, sunny side up eggs, and a flavor blast of sauces, chili crunch, furikake, and green onions. A flavor avalanche.

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Bò Né

Wow — Savory

Chan's Chicken on a Stick

Sizzling beef, butter-splashed drama! This Vietnamese dish is served to you hot from a cast iron pan with rich, savory flavors and eye-catching flair. It's breakfast — and a show!

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cheRry blossom dubai chocolate strawberries

Wow — Sweet

Ricky's Sweet Paradise

Belgian white chocolate-covered strawberries get a luxe twist with cherry blossom powder and pistachio creme, crispy kataifi pastry and a crumble of pistachios. Sophisticated, stunning and absolutely irresistible.

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biscoff milk tea

Wow — Sweet

Boba King

Cookie butter lovers, this one's for you! With chewy boba, rich Biscoff lining, creamy milk tea, salted foam, and a Biscoff cookie topper, it's smooth, sweet, and a total crowd-pleaser.

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hot honey ice cream chicken bowl

Wow — Sweet

Chicken Charlie's

Crisy waffle bowl, velvety ice cream, crunchy hot honey-glazed chicken tenders, and a cherry on top — because "Why not?". Wildly delicious and made to go viral.

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cajun honey dog

Theme— Savory

West Coast Weenies

This spicy-sweet dog’s got bite! Wrapped in cayenne batter, glazed in chili butter, and topped with jalapeños and sea salt—it’s a hot dog gone wild. One paw-some crunch and you’ll be begging for more!

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The d-o-double-g mac

Theme — Savory

Maggs Mac Shack

It’s the ulti-mutt comfort food! Creamy mac ‘n’ cheese packed with grilled hot dog bites, topped with a swirl of ketchup. Hot diggity dog, this bowl's got belly rubs of flavor.

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hot honey goat cheese pistachio pizza

Theme — Savory

Pat's Pizza

Meet the GOAT of pizza—literally! This crispy crust is topped with creamy goat cheese (from our favorite pet goat, of course!), drizzled with spicy honey, sprinkled with pistachios, and finished with fresh basil. It’s sweet, sassy, and totally baa-rilliant!

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purrfect gourmet apple

Theme — Sweet

Sugar Bear

A caramel dipped apple covered in white chocolate and sweet kitty cuteness — so good your whiskers might twitch!

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carnival fish

Theme — Sweet

Candyland

This blue raspberry candied apple is dipped in Nerds and topped with gummy fish — just like winning a carnival prize, but tastier!

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kit cat crunch sundae

Theme — Sweet

Crutchee's Cream

Purr-fection in a cup! Vanilla soft serve, Ghirardelli caramel, hot fudge, Kit Kat crumbles (vanilla & chocolate), whipped cream, and a whole Kit Kat bar to scoop up the yum!

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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

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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

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