25 best food vendors at the 2026 NC State Fair worth the trip to Raleigh
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
The upcoming North Carolina State Fair will be a hub for deep-fried and sugar-laden delights all within a three-hour drive from uptown Charlotte.
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But which fair foods are the best? To help your taste buds prepare for the signature Raleigh event, we’ve created a list of the Top 25 vendors that are worth the drive (or train trip) from the Charlotte area.
To determine the best places to eat on the fairgrounds, our friends at The News & Observer asked readers to nominate their favorites. Food experts in the newsroom and at the fair suggested other essential vendors before a group of about 40 businesses went up for a vote.
In the end, The Cheese Curd Shack was crowned the winner of our contest. Here’s a list that includes all Top 25 most-loved food vendors ahead of the fair, which runs Oct. 15 to 25 at 4285 Trinity Road in west Raleigh.
From the fair: “Pedro, Nancy and Nataly Garcia began sharing their unique taste of the Colombian cuisine six years ago at an international festival. The Garcias pride themselves on serving good quality products, like chicken and sirloin.”
Where to find them: Near Kiddieland
From the vendor: “Brazilian Bowls traveling the country serving Brazilian bbq, pineapples bowls and fresh fruit waters”
Where to find them: Near Orville end of State Fair Flyer and the big Midway
From the fair: “Bubba’s Bacon also still offers the Bacon-Wrapped Grilled Cheese Sandwich. It’s been around since 2016 when it also drew long lines.”
Where to find them: Near Kiddieland
From the vendor: “Authentic Korean BBQ with a yummy twist!”
Where to find them: Near Orville end of State Fair Flyer and Kiddieland
From the vendor: “You watch as someone grabs one of the giant mouthwatering steaks and places it on an automatic slicer where it is thinly sliced to a tender and hot perfection. The sliced steak is then piled on a freshly steamed steak roll and you are offered onions and peppers, cheese, bbq sauce or horseradish sauce.”
Where to find them: Near Marketplace tent and Casey’s Big Slide
From the vendor: “The Candi Queen has grown over the years and now offers a variety of flavored candy apples, delectable homemade caramel apples, unique candied fruits, gourmet popcorn, and handcrafted candy slushies!”
Where to find them: Near Orville end of State Fair Flyer and Kiddieland
From The N&O: “The Cheese Curd Shack is inspired by the rich cheese culture of Wisconsin, where cheddar reigns and curds are a ubiquitous snack. The Cheese Curd Shack makes white cheddar curds, deep-fried and coming in three standard flavors: buttery original, garlic and jalapeno, with ranch and marinara for dipping.”
Where to find them: Near Kiddieland
From the vendor: “Savor our famous jerk wings, ribs, and chicken bowls, made with love by Andrea and Stephen. From award-winning jerk pork wraps to classic rice and peas, every bite celebrates our heritage. Join us for a taste of Jamaica!”
Where to find them: Near the waterfall
From the fair: “When asked what was put on their famous brisket, the Scotts simply replied ‘salt, pepper, smoke and time.’”
Where to find them: Near Kiddieland
From the vendor: “North (America’s) only traveling donuts shop! We serve up a wide variety of yeast raised donuts at fairs around the United States.”
Where to find them: Near Marketplace tent and Casey’s Big Slide
From the vendor: “If you want to try a true, authentic Korean corn dog, we are it!”
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Where to find them: Near Orville end of State Fair Flyer and Kiddieland
From the vendor: “Three sons of the original three owners continue the 57 year legacy,” the business told The N&O via email. “Hill’s Corn on the Cob now serves roasted corn with butter and Mexican street corn they call ‘elotes.’”
Where to find them: Near the waterfall and Grandstand
From the vendor: “Hot Chix is a one-of-a-kind food concept born in the Raleigh-Durham area of North Carolina. Specializing in the perfect balance of sweet and savory, we serve up pancakes and fried chicken in a unique taco-style twist.”
Where to find them: Near Kiddieland
From the vendor: “John The Greek started by only selling the gyro sandwich, making it a popular choice among our customers and now our menu has grown to offer a variety of different foods.”
Where to find them: Near the Scott Building and the big Midway
From the vendor: “The Kono cone is pizza reinvented. Our cones were created to provide consumers with authentic Italian pizza made from only high-quality ingredients, with mobility in mind!”
Where to find them: Near Kiddieland and the Education Building
From the vendor: “We create our breads using our own natural levain (starter), also known as the ‘mother of the bakery’ — a sourdough base, and mix our signature, yeasted bread dough, daily.”
Where to find them: Near Gate 3, off Hillsborough Street
From the vendor: “Longtime friends and Warren County, NC natives Martin Lawrence and R.J. Perry joined forces in 2016 to establish Lawrence & Perry BBQ.”
Where to find them: Near Dorton Arena and Kiddieland
From the vendor: “Sweet dough spiraled around a wooden roll and baked rotisserie style over an open flame. The caramelized outside and light fluffy inside pairs perfectly with ice cream and confections.”
Where to find them: Near Kiddieland and Gate 1, off Hillsborough Street
From the vendor: “FROZEN DRINKS at the NC State Fair!”
Where to find them: Near Dorton Arena and Kiddieland
From the vendor: “We’re a family-owned bakeshop making homemade, handcrafted doughnuts & pretzels & now craft coffee.”
Where to find them: Near Gate 3, off Hillsborough Street
From the vendor: “Lil southern, lil creole, lots of lip smacking”
Where to find them: Near the Grandstand
From the vendor: “We have all of (your) mama’s favorites. As well as burgers, salads, etc”
Where to find them: Near Dorton Arena and Graham building
From the vendor: “S2 has been serving fairgoers for more than a decade and has become a fair tradition known for its fresh mini donuts, creative specialty flavors, and fan favorites like deep-fried Girl Scout Cookies,” the business told The N&O via email.
Where to find them: Near Kiddieland
From the vendor: “A mobile concession offering frozen fruit smoothies, Dole™ Whip and Nathan’s hotdogs.”
Where to find them: Near the waterfall
From The N&O: “Fried oysters, crab cakes, clam strips, deep fried lobster on a stick.”
Where to find them: Near the Graham Building and Agri Supply Expo Center
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