Geddes, N.Y. — The last Saturday of the Fair often goes down as the largest in the year’s attendance logs and the most lucrative for the vendors.
Not this year.
The on-and-off rainstorms shrunk those enormous crowds. Still, 48,426 dealt with the finicky weather. When it poured, they moved inside. When the rain stopped, they went outside and dodged puddles. The Eatery was full much of the day, the busiest it’s been in 2024.
Today’s Menu
I’m at the Fair every day and night, and hey, a guy’s gotta eat (and drink). I write about food and drinks for syracuse.com and The Post-Standard, so I might as well as pass suggestions onto you while I’m working here.
Lunch: One of the best culinary bargains can be found at the 1911 Established stand along State Fair Boulevard. The permanent stand run by Donny Dixie has a full kitchen and a big smoker used to make pulled pork, smoked wings and wagyu burgers.
The Nashville Hot Pickle Chicken Sandwich at 1911 stand at the New York State Fair. (Charlie Miller | cmiller@syracuse.com)(Charlie Miller | cmiller@syracuse.com)
A couple readers — Carl and Susan Masterpole — texted earlier in the week and recommended the Nashville Hot Pickle Chicken Sandwich. Before the chicken ever reaches the fryer, it spends some time bathing in a dill pickle brine. When it’s lifted from the hot oil, Donny dips it in Beak & Skiff’s apple barbecue sauce, spoons on some coleslaw and a few pickles.
It’s more than enough for lunch, and it’s only $12. It’s so good the Masterpoles returned Friday for another one.
Dinner: I wanted a nice sit-down pasta dinner and a glass of red wine to cap off another day at the Fair. Then I realized I was still on the clock. Too early to sit down.
So I grabbed a Riggie Sandwich from the Saucy Sandwich stand in the Eatery, new to the Fair this year. Joe Vassallo started Saucy Sandwich as a food truck last year and served in the Inner Harbor, the Syracuse Nationals, Taste of Syracuse and area food truck rodeos.
His Riggie Sandwich ($16) has been among the most popular of his specialty menu. It’s made to order with your choice of meatball, chicken or eggplant on an 8-inch not-too-soft roll. My chicken was covered with a creamy vodka sauce, rigatoni, roasted peppers, mozzarella and parmesan.
Years ago, Joe cooked at Stephen’s Greek Cuisine, located directly across from his booth. “My goal was to get a stand in the Fair,” he said. “I couldn’t be more happier.”
My abdomen said the same thing that mobile meal. Oh, and since he can’t serve wine, I enjoyed a red wine slushie at the Eatery Pub.
The Riggie Sandwich at the Saucy Sandwich at the New York State Fair. (Charlie Miller | cmiller@syracuse.com)(Charlie Miller | cmiller@syracuse.com)
Dessert: The Chocolate Taps stand in the Eatery Building is this year’s new darling. The line on Friday night to get a 16-ounce cup of jumbo strawberries drenched in Belgian chocolate extended out the door of the Eatery Building. During Saturday’s first rainstorm, the line never was fewer than 15 deep.
One of the specials Saturday was the Big Mama’s Cheesecake Cup ($16). In addition to the meaty berries cushioned by a whipped cream pillow, they stuff a wedge of Big Mama’s cheesecake into the cup before filling it with the fondue fountain chocolate and squirting it with even more whipped cream.
This is a shareable dessert. And because it’s full of fruit, it’s good for you and probably is low on calories.
The Cheesecake Cup from Chocolate Taps in the Eatery Building at the New York State Fair. (Charlie Miller | cmiller@syracuse.com)(Charlie Miller | cmiller@syracuse.com)
Beer of the day: We have to face the facts here. We have today, and we have tomorrow at the Fair. That’s it. Fall is trying to bang our door down. Best we embrace it with a 1911 Cider Donut flavored hard cider jacked up with a Cinnamon Sugar rim. That’s today’s $1-off special at the Beer Garden tent.
“Grab your flannel shirt and sip this gluten-free spin on one of fall’s favorite flavors,” said the Garden’s Sultan of Suds Erinn McDowell.
» Detailed daily schedule for Sunday, Sept. 1
Concerts
» Blippi: The Wonderful World Tour, 1 p.m. at Chevy Court
» Snow Tha Product, 6 p.m. at Chevy Court
» Rick Ross, 8 p.m. at Suburban Park
Today’s forecast: It could be a wet and stormy Sunday
Fair Basics
Hours: The Fair is open 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. each day. Buildings are open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. The Midway is open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., but it closes at 9 p.m. on Labor Day.
Tickets: Entry to the fair is $8 for an adult. Seniors 65 and older get in free. So do kids 12 and under. You can buy tickets online in advance. You won’t be able to pay cash for tickets at the gate — you’ll need to purchase them on your phone, or using a kiosk at the gate.
Parking: Parking will run you $12 per car this year, up from $10 last year. You can NOT pay with EZ Pass Plus, but you can pay with a credit card at entrance to the parking lot. You can also buy parking passes in advance online.
Other rules: Smoking is only allowed outside the gates in designated area. You can bring coolers with food and non-alcoholic drinks. No pets are allowed, unless they are working dogs or in a competition. Visitors must wear a shirt and footwear. Last call for booze is 10:30 p.m. each day.
State Fair newsletter: Stay up-to-date on all New York State Fair news, food, music, schedules and more with our free newsletter. It’s emailed to you each morning. Click here to sign up.
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Charlie Miller finds the best in food, drinks and fun across Central New York. Contact him at (315) 382-1984, or by email at cmiller@syracuse.com. (AND he pays for what he and his guests eat and drink, just so you know.) You can also find him under @HoosierCuse on Twitter and on Instagram. Sign up for his weekly Where Syracuse Eats newsletter here.
This article was originally published by a www.syracuse.com . Read the Original article here. .