The sights, the carnival ride frights, and the bites.
The annual Pima County Fair is a combination of all of these things and it’s happening from Thursday, April 21 – Sunday, May 1. So, when you’re not getting dazed by one of the dizzying fair rides, take a bite out of some of these festive meals that oughta keep your energy goin’ at 11300 S. Houghton Rd.
Prepare for a journey through the following list of deep-fried delights, meat wrapped around other pieces of meat, and wonky drinks like the Flaming Hot Cheeto Float.
The Candy Factory
Yes, you read that correctly. There’s a Flaming Hot Cheeto Float and it’s a lime soda infused with Hot Cheetos and topped with whipped cream and more Cheetos. The Candy Factory also has a handful of candy apples available, including a caramel apple that’s been dusted with Cheetos.
Dutchmen’s Funnel Cakes
There’s plenty to love about funnel cakes and Dutchmen’s should be a definite pit stop during your adventure at the fair. It’s a for sure cure for the grumblin’ tummy.
Nitro Treats
This is the place for Dole Whip Tacos. It’s basically a giant wedge of watermelon with its center carved out, and then it’s filled with pineapple Dole Whip ice cream, topped with Tajìn, and finished off with a chamoy straw.
If that taco isn’t for you, perhaps you should take a look at the Cotton Candy Taco.
Fried A ‘Fair
This is the spot for all things fried, like Fried Oreos, Fried Twinkies, and Fried Cheesecake. They’ve also got sweet treats and ice cream delights.
Texas Steak Out
Come to this place with an appetite. They’ll have signature dry-rubbed meats that are slow-smoked, featuring beefy cuts of brisket, pulled pork, Texas-sized turkey legs, turkey breast, sausage, and jumbo burgers. Heck, get your turkey legs wrapped in bacon, too.
Other food to discover at the Fair
- Hawaiian Teriyaki – Hawaiian Bento, noodles, and Teriyaki Rice Bowls
- Lisa’s Sonoran Hot Dogs – a local staple dish
- Big Dogs – corn dogs, hot dogs, and nachos
- Squeezers – lemonade galore
- Enzo’s Pizzeria – pizza, wings, sausage, salad, and drinks
- Carmelot – cotton candy, apples, and popcorn
- Biggy’s 2 – turkey Legs, onion rings, zucchini, burgers, fries, Big Rib, sausage, and corn
- Sweetie’s – cotton candy, popcorn, apples, and Icee drinks
- Cowboy Kettle Corn – all the popped corn you can handle
- Tommy D’s Burgers – a great meal between two buns
For a full list of food found at the Pima County Fair, visit pimacountyfair.com.
Article written by:
Matt Sterner
More about MattAt a very young age, Matt Sterner was gifted with the artistic ability to masterfully roll a burrito to the highest of standards, but the wrapped medley of delicious innards wasn’t his first love. Matt’s first true love was a combination of reading, writing, and creating. He grew up reading comics, the ingredients list of his shampoo and conditioner bottles, choose-your-own-adventure books, and the Scrabble dictionary — something he found useful when challenging his grandmother to a game.
He attended college at New Mexico State University and graduated with a degree in Digital Filmmaking. One of his favorite classes was screenwriting because he became responsible for the story’s birth before it came to life on-screen. After school, Matt took on numerous positions at a local television station in Tucson. From dealing out stories about heartbreak to producing “fluffier” content for a lifestyle broadcast, he learned what it takes to adapt to the many emotions the world of media can stir. Since 2017, Matt has dabbled in the culinary world of Tucson as well as San Diego, California from time to time.
If you’re in the mood for strange stories, head over to his pride and joy, wonkytimes.com. And in case you’re curious — yes, after all of this time, he still manages to roll a killer burrito.
