13 surprisingly good deals in this year’s State Fair coupon book

Sweet Martha has upped the price of her cookie pail to $20. And trying that new beer soft-serve will set you back $11 a cone.

But if you pick the right coupons from this year’s $5 Blue Ribbon Bargain Book, you can make up for your splurges by saving on other entertainment, food and merchandise. They’re sold at State FairWear gift shops and Bargain Book carts — there’s one right inside door #9 while supplies last.

The book offers 100 coupons for fair classics, including malts, corn dogs and ’Sota sweatshirts, and unexpected items such as beard oil, artisan glassware and dehydrated beef lung (for dogs). Here are some of the best deals we found this year.

One of the most popular reasons to pick up the book is coupon No. 1: A $9 discount on 33 ride and game tickets (regularly $30) for the Mighty Midway and/or Kidway.

The centenarian Steichen’s Grocery & Deli, on the quiet alley behind the Sheep & Poultry Barn, offers $2 off its $6 wrap, a soft pita bread wrapped around ham, scrambled egg and American cheese, from about 7-10:30 a.m. (The other coupon deal, $7 off a $22 to-go meal of deli sandwich, chips, potato salad, pickle and soda is available anytime.) But don’t cut it close. The shop’s clock is set 5 minutes fast and they can run out of wraps by 9 a.m. on busy mornings.

The coldest caffeine at the fair is the mocha frappé — a sweet but not cloying coffee-chocolate slushy — at the Minnesota Farmers Union. The coupon takes $2.50 off the 20-ounce, $8 drink.

The lines aren’t long at the Donut Family’s stand — likely because it’s located in the stomach-tossing Mighty Midway — where a jumbo bag of cinnamon-sugar-coated mini donuts is $3 off its $9 price.

The Blue Barn’s food critic-fave features Cajun-spiced fried chicken in a waffle cone, and is $4.50 off its $14.50 price.

Giggles’ Campfire Grill is known for putting a Minnesota spin on crabcakes by using our state fish and grain. Two foodie-pleasing cakes are lightly fried served with a zippy dipping sauce for $3 off their typical $10 price.

Last year, Quench’d started floating a scoop of lemonade sorbet in its thirst-quenching lemonade, to rave reviews. The coupon takes $2.50 off the $8 drink.

Another relative newcomer, Spinning Wylde’s 16-ounce summery sipper is a refreshing alternative to soda, discounted $3 from its usual $10. (Though if you’re craving pop, the RC Cola coupon gets you $1 off any $3, 20-ounce soft drink.)

Getting a soft-serve malt at the Dairy Building is a tradition as long as the lines to buy them. If you don’t want to wait, or spend $9, Al’s Subs & Malt Shop has creamy chocolate and vanilla malts for $3 off their $8 price. The Dairy Bar in the Food Building also has $2.50 off one-flavor milk shakes, which are regularly $7.50.

Paddle North offers a 50% discount on accessories for enjoying the outdoors: a soft cooler backpack, beach tote or waterproof phone pouch.

Minnesota-made Nordic Ware gives $10 off a three-pack of half-size aluminum baking sheets or a baking pan with a crisping/cooling rack.

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