Ep 10. Illinois State Fair / Erie County Fair

In episode 10 of the first season of Carnival Eats, host Noah Cappe sets his sights on the Illinois State Fair and the Erie County Fair. The Illinois State Fair, held annually in Springfield, Illinois, is one of the oldest and largest state fairs in the country, while the Erie County Fair, held in Hamburg, New York, boasts a history of over 175 years.

At the Illinois State Fair, Noah kicks things off with a dish that combines two classic carnival foods: a corndog topped with crunchy kettle corn. Next, he samples a "gi-normous" deep-dish pizza, stuffed with sausage, peppers, and onions. Noah also visits a vendor selling what they call "Fry Dog," a hot dog stuffed with cheese, wrapped in bacon, and deep-fried until golden and crispy.

Noah's adventures at the Illinois State Fair continue with a stop at a food truck that serves up Mexican-style street corn, coated in a spicy cheese blend and sprinkled with chili powder. He then checks out a booth that specializes in "pancake tacos," fluffy pancakes stuffed with eggs, cheese, and bacon.

At the Erie County Fair, Noah starts with something sweet: a giant maple bacon donut, glazed with a sweet maple icing and topped with crispy bacon pieces. He then heads to a booth that offers a twist on a classic fair food: poutine, a Canadian dish consisting of french fries, cheese curds, and gravy. This vendor takes things up a notch by adding pulled pork and a spicy barbecue sauce to the mix.

Next up, Noah visits a stand that sells "tater tot nachos," crispy tater tots smothered in nacho cheese, tomatoes, onions, and jalapenos. He also gives in to his sweet tooth once again with a sampling of "peach melba," a dessert made with fresh peaches, vanilla ice cream, and raspberry sauce.

Noah wraps up his trip to the Erie County Fair with a visit to a food truck that serves up a unique twist on a classic burger: a "juicy Lucy," a beef patty stuffed with cheese and topped with all the classic burger fixings.

Throughout the episode, Noah delights in the wide range of unique and delicious foods that can be found at these iconic fairs. From deep-fried hot dogs to maple bacon donuts, Carnival Eats showcases the creative and satisfying fare that can be enjoyed at the carnival.