The Hot Five: Chocolate at the Fair

A guide to the sweet side of the fair.

August 17, 2013 at 2:27PM

Allow chocolate to act as a palate cleanser at the deep-fried fest otherwise known as the Minnesota State Fair.

BRIDGEMAN'S

Thank you, Lampi family, owner of this iconic Minnesota name, for reviving the fizzy, old-fashioned ice cream soda. It's a tall glass filled with rich vanilla ice cream and topped with chocolate syrup, soda water, whipped cream and a cherry, and it's perfect.

Liggett St. at Judson Av., $5.50

COLONIAL NUT ROLL CO.

These blue ribbon-worthy, handmade goodies-on-a-stick feature a white nougat center surrounded by caramel and nuts (pecans, cashews or peanuts) and then dipped in dark, semisweet chocolate. Seriously, what's not to love?

Dan Patch Av. at Underwood St., $5

FAMOUS MOE & JOE'S ESPRESSO BAR

Bananas take the front seat, flavor-wise -- and marshmallow creme dials up the sweet factor -- in grilled-to-order sandwiches finished with a dash of chocolate.

Judson Av. at Clough St., $4

OVEN FRESH BROWNIES

The name says it all. These ridiculously chocolatey palm-sized treats sport a dense brownie base topped by a thick swipe of gooey chocolate icing. Buy them with or without walnuts.

Dan Patch Av. at Cooper St., $3

S'MORES

Relive countless camping trips with old-school ingredients (Hershey's chocolate, Jet-Puffed marshmallows) and a cheap (well, at least for the fair) price of just two bucks. The only thing missing is the campfire.

Dan Patch Av. at Underwood St., $2

RICK NELSON

about the writer

about the writer

Rick Nelson

Reporter

Rick Nelson joined the staff of the Star Tribune in 1998. He is a Twin Cities native, a University of Minnesota graduate and a James Beard Award winner. 

See Moreicon

More from No Section

See More
FILE -- A rent deposit slot at an apartment complex in Tucker, Ga., on July 21, 2020. As an eviction crisis has seemed increasingly likely this summer, everyone in the housing market has made the same plea to Washington: Send money — lots of it — that would keep renters in their homes and landlords afloat. (Melissa Golden/The New York Times) ORG XMIT: XNYT58
Melissa Golden/The New York Times

It’s too soon to tell how much the immigration crackdown is to blame.