7 North Carolina Fair Foods That Bring Back Labor Day Memories
Labor Day weekend in North Carolina means one thing to me – fair season!
Growing up, my family’s annual pilgrimage to the state fair was the highlight of my summer’s end.
The midway lights, the carnival barkers, and most importantly, the mouthwatering aromas wafting from food stalls created memories that still make my stomach growl decades later.
These seven fair foods never fail to transport me back to those carefree days when sticky fingers and sugar rushes were badges of honor.
1. Peachey’s Donut Perfection
The moment that warm, hand-rolled Amish donut hits your tongue, time stands still. I’ll never forget watching the Peachey’s bakers at work, transforming simple dough into pillowy rings of heaven right before my eyes.
My cousin Danny once ate six in one sitting – a family record that stands uncontested to this day. The secret’s in their simplicity: fresh ingredients, traditional methods, and that magical glaze that somehow stays warm until the last bite.
Each year, I make a beeline for their stand, bypassing flashier treats. Nothing beats the joy of tearing into that first donut while strolling past the livestock exhibits, leaving a trail of glaze-covered napkins in my wake.
2. Fried Cheese Curds That Squeak
Cheese shouldn’t squeak between your teeth – unless it’s a perfectly fried cheese curd at the NC fair! These golden nuggets of dairy delight have been my guilty pleasure since Aunt Marge introduced me to them back in ’98.
Hot, crispy outsides giving way to molten, stretchy centers – they’re basically heaven in a paper boat. The trick is eating them while they’re scalding hot, despite the roof-of-mouth burns that inevitably follow.
Last year, I challenged my teenage son to a curd-eating contest. Twenty dollars and two antacids later, he learned why these treats deserve respect. The cheese pull on these babies is Instagram-worthy, stretching a foot before finally surrendering to gravity.
3. Korean Corn Dogs: The New Classic
Who knew a corn dog could get a glow-up? Korean-style corn dogs crashed the NC fair scene like taste bud revolutionaries about five years ago, and I’ve never looked back at their plain American cousins.
Half hot dog, half mozzarella, encased in sweet rice batter, then rolled in crispy potatoes and drizzled with sweet and spicy sauces – they’re culinary chaos in the best possible way! My first bite into one nearly made me drop my phone into the duck pond.
The line for these magnificent creations stretches longer than the Ferris wheel queue, but I’d happily miss the demolition derby before skipping this treat. Pro tip: ask for extra sugar on top for that mind-bending sweet-savory combo that’ll haunt your dreams.
4. Cookies And Milk Stand: Childhood In A Cup
Remember when Mom would set out warm cookies and cold milk after school? The cookies and milk stand at the fair captures that exact feeling – but with zero homework!
My daughter’s eyes lit up like the midway when she spotted this stand last year. Three chocolate chip cookies served with ice-cold milk in a plastic cow-shaped bottle – simple perfection in an overcomplicated world.
We’ve made it our tradition to grab these treats and find a bench near the pig races. Something about dunking those still-gooey cookies while cheering on ‘Hammy Faye Baker’ feels quintessentially American. The cookies themselves aren’t fancy – they’re exactly what a cookie should be: soft centers, crispy edges, and chocolate chips that haven’t fully melted.
5. Minneapple Pies: Portable Apple Orchard
Fall in North Carolina means apple season, and these hand-held pies capture autumn’s essence in one crispy, cinnamon-scented package. I stumbled upon these gems during a rainstorm when I ducked under the nearest tent for shelter.
Best accidental discovery ever! Picture this: a whole apple, cored and sliced, then wrapped in flaky pastry, deep-fried until golden, and dusted with cinnamon sugar. The vendor hands it to you in a paper sleeve that immediately develops satisfying grease spots.
My brother-in-law claims they’re ‘healthy’ because they contain fruit. While I question his nutritional reasoning, I appreciate his dedication to justifying our annual consumption of at least three apiece. The secret is eating them while they’re still hot enough to fog your glasses.
6. Seafood On A Stick: Coastal Carnival
North Carolina’s coastal heritage meets fair food ingenuity with these skewered treasures. Jumbo shrimp, scallops, and chunks of fresh fish, all threaded onto a wooden stake, battered, and fried to crispy perfection.
My first encounter with this maritime masterpiece happened after losing spectacularly at the ring toss. The vendor – a weathered man with forearms like Popeye – handed me the golden stick with a knowing wink: ‘Better luck with this than them rings.’ He wasn’t wrong!
The seafood remains impossibly juicy inside its crunchy armor, and the remoulade sauce they serve alongside could make cardboard taste gourmet. Unlike most fair foods that leave you questioning your life choices, this protein-packed option somehow feels almost responsible – at least that’s what I tell myself on my third helping.
7. Howling Cow Ice Cream: NC State’s Sweet Secret
Before Howling Cow became a grocery store staple, it was the hidden gem of the NC State Fair. Made by NC State University’s dairy program, this ice cream converted me from chocolate-only to a flavor adventurer.
My daughter’s first fair experience included a Howling Cow cone bigger than her head. The Wolf Tracks flavor – vanilla ice cream loaded with fudge swirls and mini peanut butter cups – is worth every minute spent in line under the September sun.
What makes this ice cream special isn’t just the creamy texture or farm-fresh taste – it’s the pride radiating from the agriculture students scooping it. They’ll happily explain how the ice cream journeyed from campus cows to your cone. The ultimate NC fair power move? Double-fisting a Howling Cow cone and a turkey leg while navigating the crowd.