TACOMA—May everyone in your party find something they want to eat (or drink!) at the Washington State Fair, which kicked off Friday in Puyallup.
If you missed Krusty Pups and Fisher Scones, you’ll find those mainstays among the dozens of food vendors scheduled to feed the crowds over the three-week run. New options this year include Southern bites, antojitos, mini doughnuts, Hawaiian poke and glow tea.
It’s the first full-fledged fall edition since 2019. In 2020, the Fair set up a drive-thru for food on-the-go, and though it returned to in-person last year, it was all a bit smaller than usual.
“We’re so excited to be back this year, with more great food than ever,” said Fair spokesperson Stacy Van Horne.
Following Labor Day weekend, the event takes a break Sept. 6-7, returning on Thursday, Sept. 9. It is always closed on Tuesdays.
All told, there are four weekends to visit, though weekday admission will save you a few bucks. Here’s how to save money and avoid lines at the Washington State Fair.
Below is a guide to new food vendors and a breakdown of food vendor highlights based on their location inside the Fairgrounds.
New food vendors
- Glow Tea: Have you always wanted to drink liquid out of a light bulb? Let the beam of boba lure you to Glow Tea at Arena Ave. There you can order bubble tea served in a plastic vessel shaped like an old-school light bulb, compliments of a Seattle brand that began at the farmers market. Located at Arena Ave.
- Raspados del Sur: This is not another taco stand. Visitors to The Taste Northwest in July might recognize Raspados del Sur, making its official Fair debut. Refreshers on offer here focus on fruit, from the fresas con crema (a fruit sundae of sorts), mango en vago (sliced mango sprinkled with Tajin and chamoy), and Clamato preparado (a spicy tomato juice situation packed with goodies). Ok, there are tacos — walking tacos, Doritos bag as vehicle. Located at Centennial Plaza.
- Big Island Poke: If you’ve visited other festivals this summer, you might already be familiar with Big Island Poke. Dig into a deep-fried musubi (rice and SPAM delightfully wrapped in seaweed) and of course the namesake poke bowls, sauced with sriracha, sesame seeds and scallions. Located at Showplace Way.
- Extreme Carnival Eats: At this new booth, get your heart un-pumped for everything from a waffle sandwich with Nashville hot-style fried chicken, Korean corn dogs coated with a ramen-noodle crunch, a cotton candy ice cream sandwich doused with Pop Rocks, a donut burger (!!) and whatever the heck a fried mac and cheese ball is doing inside a waffle cone. Located at the Coca-Cola Plaza.
- Hattie Mae’s Southern Food: Impact Concessions, one of the most prolific Fair food vendors, has a new concept this year in Hattie Mae’s Southern Food. The menu includes fried catfish and po’boys. Located at the Showplex.
- What The Fries: Also from Impact, this fry-crazy stand will offer fries in myriad ways. Located at Showplace Way.
