Southern Fairs Showcase New Food Offerings

The North Carolina State Fair is introducing more than 80 new foods, with vendors offering inventive sweet and savory combinations featuring Biscoff, Nashville hot flavors, pickles and other fairground favorites. Highlights include Biscoff banana pudding, a Dubai-inspired burger, Mexican-style ramen and an array of fried treats. At Media Day, reporters sampled and ranked 34 offerings, singling out items such as birria hot cheese balls, a jerk lobster roll, pork belly burnt ends and pimento cheese bombs while noting that some dishes can disappoint when they turn soggy.