Print edition: 
Just when you think Kansas State Fair food vendors can’t come up with creations any crazier than the deep fried Twinkies, frozen pickle pops and Krispy Kreme burgers of years gone by, they up the ante — and the calorie count.
The list of oh-no-they-didn’t foods at this year’s fair is longer than it’s been in years and includes such delicacies as deep fried Kool-Aid to corndog cupcakes. Food fans also will find several less outrageous vendors this year, including some that are replacing old favorites.
This year’s event will have more new food vendors than any year in recent memory, said Sue Stoecklein, the director of commercial exhibits at the Kansas State Fair. Among the culinary highlights:
Wonderfully weird
Krispy Kreme burger a la mode: Russ Silvey famously served last year’s Krispy Kreme burger featuring burger guts sandwiched between Krispy Kreme doughnuts. This year, he’s taking the decadent invention one step further, allowing diners to add a scoop of fried ice cream to the top of the Krispy Kreme burger. His booth is called Carousel Cafe and is at 306 Fort Riley Blvd.
Deep fried Kool-Aid: Silvey also will offer deep fried Kool-Aid out of his booth. It’ll feature Kool-Aid-infused balls of funnel cake batter that emerge, Stoecklein said, looking and tasting like the sweetest, fruitiest hush puppies ever served.
Corndog cupcakes: C/J Griffin Concessions at 302 Grandstand Ave. is offering a new booth that will feature offbeat cupcakes, including an ode to Pronto Pups made with cornmealy cake, cut up hot dogs and mustard-infused icing. They’ll be sold in the booth just to the west of Ye Old Mill that previously sold mini-doughnuts and coffee.
Deep fried cookie dough: Brackett Concessions on at 305 Fort Riley Blvd. plans to serve deep fried cookie dough, made by dipping frozen cookie dough rounds in funnel cake batter, then frying. They’ll also have deep fried fruit. The pineapple, Stoecklein says, tastes just like pineapple upside down cake.
Red velvet funnel cakes: Westmoreland Concessions at 407 Pride of Kansas Ave. found success last year with chocolate funnel cakes, so this year, they’re trying red velvet with cream cheese icing.
Moo-oink balls: A new vendor, Smoke Stack BBQ, is serving a creation it calls “moo-oink balls,” which are bacon-wrapped meatballs smoked in a special sauce and served on a stick. The booth is at 300 Fort Larned Blvd., just south of Bretz Law Arena.
Comings and goings
Ye Old Grill: The building at 405 Grandstand Ave. right across from the Ye Old Mill that has for years housed barbecue restaurant Danny Boy’s has been remodeled and this year will offer a Mongolian grill, where customers can choose from a variety of meats and veggies and have it stir fried while they wait. The new vendor has completely remodeled the inside of the building and will call his operation Ye Old Grill, an ode to its proximity to the famous ride.
Girst’s Deli and Bakery: Central Christian Church, which traditionally has offered a buffet line in the southwest corner of Cottonwood Court, has decided not to return this year, but a new vendor will serve ladies-who-lunch fare such as wrap sandwiches, chicken salad croissants and Oriental chicken salads.
Also new this year
Joe’s Redneck Grill: This new vendor has a grill that’s fitted into a 1950s pickup truck painted with flames. The owner is personality plus, Stoecklein said, and he’ll be smoking and barbecuing chicken, briskets and more from his grill truck. “He’s going to be as fun to see as he is to eat at,” she said. He’ll be at 614 20th St., across from the sheep and swine building.
Chan’s Concessions: The popular Wichita River Festival vendor will add more Chinese food to the fair’s list of offerings. Look for Chan’s at 305 Cottonwood Ave.
Old favorites
For traditionalists: Longtime fair staples also will still be available this year, including Pronto Pups, Jaffle sandwiches, church lady chicken and noodles, church lady tacos and enchiladas, roasted corn, saltwater taffy, alligator on a stick, fresh squeezed lemonade and more.
All the food
For a complete guide to this year’s Kansas State Fair food offerings, visit kansasstatefair.com and search for “2011 Kansas State Fair Directories.”
