The Best Food and Drinks at Wisconsin State Fair
The best food and drinks at Wisconsin State Fair
The Wisconsin State Fair returns August 6–16, 2026, and the Sporkies & Drinkies competition once again highlights the Fair’s most creative foods and beverages.
The 2026 contest includes 12 finalists. Look for the giant 13-foot Golden Spork and Straw statues outside finalist and winner locations across State Fair Park.
Official 2026 Sporkies & Drinkies guide
All finalist foods and drinks are available during the 2026 Wisconsin State Fair, although individual items may sell out or change based on availability.
2026 Sporkies & Drinkies Winners
1st Place Sporkies: Birria Flamin’ Bombs — Fiesta Grill & Cantina
Crispy breadcrumb-coated bombs filled with slow-cooked beef birria, cilantro, onion and mozzarella. They are served with birria consommé and chipotle aioli for dipping.
2nd Place Sporkies: Cream City Cone — WürstBar
A warm Milwaukee Pretzel Company cone dipped in dill-pickle mustard and filled with bratwurst, sautéed onions, mushrooms and cheddar, then topped with a breaded white cheddar cheese curd.
3rd Place Sporkies: Al Pastor Pizza — Charlie’s Pizza
Marinated al pastor pork, mozzarella, pineapple, cilantro, white onion, lime and a signature sauce create a sweet, savory and zesty pizza.
1st Place Drinkies: Tilt-a-Spritz — Old Fashioned Sipper Club
Ruby grapefruit, key lime and ginger beer are sealed in a smoke box with hickory and torched rosemary, creating a dramatic presentation before the first sip.
More 2026 Sporkies Finalists
Sweet Lemon Berry Cheese Curds — Saz’s BBQ
White cheddar curds are fried, tossed in cinnamon sugar and finished with raspberry sauce and sweet lemon-zest whipped cream.
Bayou Crunch Cup — Exotic Meat Grill
Sidewinder fries, Cajun slaw, alligator nuggets and crawfish bites are layered with comeback sauce, pickled okra and a whole crawfish.
More 2026 Drinkies Finalists
Cookie Butter Coffee Float — Fluffy’s Hand Cut Donuts
Vanilla ice cream and cookie-butter iced coffee are topped with a Biscoff crumble rim, cookie-butter drizzle and a Biscoff cookie.
Color-Changing Swamp Juice — All Things Jerky
Kids can inject a “swamp potion” and watch this blue-raspberry lemonade change color. Gummy gators, candy frogs and a Pop Rocks rim complete the effect.
Hot Honey Chicken Lemonade — Deep-Fried Mashed Potatoes On-a-Stick
Fresh lemonade is sweetened with Mike’s Hot Honey and served with honey popping pearls plus two hot-honey-battered chicken nuggets.
Note for families: Tilt-a-Spritz and other alcoholic entries are for adults age 21 and older. Check with vendors about ingredients and allergen concerns before ordering.
Blueberry Breakfast Brat – A fruity spin on the Wisconsin staple
Making It a Family Food Adventure
Share Strategically
Many finalist portions are substantial. Splitting a few items allows everyone to sample more without buying a full serving for each person.
Start Early
Popular entries can develop long lines or sell out on busy days. Visit priority vendors earlier, especially on weekends.
Use the Official Map
The 2026 Sporkies & Drinkies map marks finalist and winner locations. The giant Golden Spork and Straw statues also make the stops easier to spot.
Mix Familiar and Adventurous Choices
Pair a creative competition entry with a reliable family favorite such as cheese curds, corn or a Cream Puff. That gives cautious eaters something familiar while others try a new flavor.
Check Ingredients
Ask vendors directly about allergens, preparation methods and possible cross-contact. Menus and availability can change during the Fair.
Wisconsin State Fair Food Finder
Why the Competition Is Worth Exploring
The Sporkies & Drinkies turn lunch into a Fair activity of its own. Families can vote with their appetites, compare favorites and discover vendors they might otherwise walk past.
The 2026 Wisconsin State Fair runs August 6–16 at Wisconsin State Fair Park in West Allis.
Guide to discounted and free Wisconsin State Fair tickets
Arrive hungry, choose a few priorities and leave room for an unexpected find—that is usually where the best Fair food memories begin.
This guide organizes some of Wisconsin’s most memorable pizza destinations by style. It is not intended to declare one indisputable champion. Instead, think of it as a Wisconsin pizza bucket list built for families, road-trippers and anyone who knows that “What kind of pizza?” is a much more useful question than “Who has the best pizza?”