Mouth-Watering Foods From Carnival Eats That Will Have You Dreaming of Summer

Posted by Natalia Buia. Last updated on December 5, 2020 by Melissa Girimonte

Since the first season of Carnival Eats, host Noah Cappe has been taking us on a thrill ride of culinary delights across North America. From pizza on a stick and savoury churros to five-pound burgers and crazy funnel cakes, these treats have us drooling as we long for warm, sunny days.

Watch Carnival Eats and stream Live and On Demand on the new Global TV App, and on STACKTV. Food Network Canada is also available through all major TV service providers.

1 of 26

Rainbow Shrimp Fries

The last place you'd expect to see fruity cereal is sprinkled over a pile of shrimp and fries until you've met the Rainbow Fries at California's Big Fresno. Battered and deep-fried shrimp served on a bed of thick-cut fries get a pop of sweetness from the colourful crispy rice cereal. Looking for new ways to serve up your spuds? Try these <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/comfort-food/photos/sweet-savoury-french-fries/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">sweet and savoury fries that'll satisfy your carb cravings</a>.
2 of 26

Bacon-Cheddar Cake Burger

Who needs a burger bun when you have cake? With the Bacon-Cheddar Cake Burger at the Marion County Fair in Indianapolis, Indiana, you get two beef patties, smoky bacon, American cheese and onion straws served between large slices of vanilla Swiss roll.
3 of 26

Puerto Rican Potato Balls

Noah sampled these irresistible Puerto Rican treats during his visit to Valparaiso, Indiana's Porter County Fair. Ground beef-stuffed <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/comfort-food/photos/mouth-watering-mashed-potato-recipes/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">mashed potato</a> balls are deep fried until golden and served with a drizzle of tomato sauce for a delicious fairground snack.
4 of 26

Black Forest Funnel Cake

What happens when you combine a classic dessert with a fairground favourite? The Black Forest Funnel Cake, which Noah sampled at the Volusia County Fair in Florida. Dark cocoa is added to the funnel cake batter, and once fried to perfection, the cake is layered with whipped cream and tart cherries.
5 of 26

Street Corn Nachos

Wisconsin State Fair's Street Corn Nachos combines two midway treats into one drool-worthy delight. Tortilla chips are topped with a mixture of roasted corn, Mexican Cotija cheese and mayo along with a zesty queso cheese sauce. These nachos are made for sharing, but you might want to keep it all to yourself.
6 of 26

Pizza on a Stick

Yes, we know that a slice of pizza is portable, but Pizza on a Stick -- found at the Porter County Fair in Indiana -- is yummy and fun. The dough is topped with marinara sauce, shredded mozzarella and garlic butter and baked until the cheese is all melted and golden. If this sounds like something you could sink your teeth into, you should check out these <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/everyday-cooking/photos/recipes-make-with-pizza-dough/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">tasty ways to transform homemade pizza dough</a>.
7 of 26

The Brisket Beast

Why would anyone have a simple brisket sandwich when something like The Brisket Beast exists? This next-level sammy from the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines takes BBQ rub-infused fry bread and fills it with beef brisket and green cabbage slaw, then tops it with a zippy salsa cream sauce.
8 of 26

Loaded Churro Fries

On Noah's stop at the St. Lucie County Fair in Fort Pierce, Florida, he sampled these adventurous loaded fries that swapped out the usual potato for savoury churros. Topped with crumbled bacon, hot nacho cheese and jalapenos, these Loaded Churro Fries are an adventure for your tastebuds.
9 of 26

Deep Fried Old Fashioned

The Deep Fried Old Fashioned at the Wisconsin State Fair is unlike anything you've ever tried in your life. Made with orange pound cake, a brandied cream cheese filling, brandy-caramel drizzle and whipped cream, it's served with an orange slice and a maraschino cherry just like the iconic cocktail that inspired it. If you love desserts filled with lively orange, lemon or lime flavours, try these <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/in-season/photos/citrus-recipe-cold-winter-days/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">bright citrus recipes for cold winter days</a>.
10 of 26

Totcho Scrambler

If you happened to skip the most important meal of the day before heading to the Iowa State Fair, never fear ... the Totcho Scrambler is here. Tater tots are topped with scrambled egg, diced bacon, breakfast sausage, onion and peppers slathered in white sausage gravy for a breakfast you can enjoy any time of day on the midway.
11 of 26

Chocoberry Orie

The Chocoberry Orie is a new dimension of dessert found at the Florida State Fair. Two funnel cakes — one chocolate and one strawberry — sandwich classic vanilla icing make up this triple-decker treat.
12 of 26

Berry Brûlée Waffle

One of the most popular items at the Magical Winter Lights Fair in Houston, Texas is the Berry Brûlée Waffle, which features crème brûlée inside a waffle. Irish Cream liqueur is mixed into the custard for an added layer of flavour. If you need more waffles in your life, <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/everyday-cooking/photos/easy-waffle-recipes/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">these waffle recipes will make you jump right out of bed</a>.
13 of 26

Massive Marshmallow Crunch

Found only at the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto, Ontario, these pillowy sweets are dipped in batter and fried until golden brown, and then topped with icing sugar, chocolate chunks, vanilla ice cream, caramel and chocolate sauce.
14 of 26

The Blue Balsamic

This "high-end sammie" at the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto, Ontario has Noah Cappe saying, "Yes, cheese!" Made with Cheddar, goat cheese, muddled blueberries, basil and balsamic reduction, it's the perfect balance between salty and sweet.
15 of 26

Deep Fried Root Beer Float

One of the vendors at the Magical Winter Lights Fair in Houston, Texas, came up with the genius idea of mixing root beer with funnel cake batter to create this drool-worthy dish, complete with a cherry on top.
16 of 26

Cheesesteak Donut Burger

Down at the South Florida Fair, Noah took a bite out of the Cheesesteak Donut Burger. Two ounces of beef sirloin with Montreal steak seasoning plus a 4-ounce beef patty, are placed between two sugar-glazed doughnuts. The combination is mind-blowing.
17 of 26

Zanado Fries

These aren't your average potato swirls. Tornado potatoes originated in South Korea, but one vendor at the South Florida Fair is putting his own Italian twist on the tasty dish. Zanadao Fries include homemade pizza sauce, pepperoni and mozzarella cheese that's melted using a blow-torch.
18 of 26

Bacon Burger Bomb

The Triple B at the Florida State Fair is sure to get your heart pumping. The award-winning burger is woven using strips of bacon, before being smoked for three hours. If a burger, a filet mignon and a <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/comfort-food/photos/mouth-watering-meatloaf-recipes/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">meatloaf</a> had a baby, it would be this sandwich.
19 of 26

The Five Pounder

Noah Cappe headed down south to the State Fair of Louisiana where he attempted to eat the Five Pounder; a burger so enormous it takes four hands just to hold it. Boasting a beef patty, potato swirls and one pound of onion rings, it's safe to say this burger is best for sharing!
20 of 26

The F-Bomb

Noah Cappe says this is the perfect way to start your day. The F-Bomb, found at the National Western Stock Show Rodeo in Denver, Colorado, places a hot dog and bacon strips on thick, crunchy pieces of <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/entertaining/photos/easy-breakfast-casserole-recipes/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">French toast</a>. There's also eggs, cheese and buttered caramel sauce, of course!
21 of 26

Inside Out Caramel Apple

Only at the National Western Stock Show Rodeo in Denver, Colorado would you find a deconstructed caramel apple with ice cream beads. This delicious dessert incorporates a Granny Smith apple and roasted candied pecans for a stand-out carnival treat.
22 of 26

Tad's Bodacious Burrito

People are buzzing about this burrito found at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo in Texas. With limited veggie options at most rodeos, Tad satisfies appetites with Monterrey Jack cheese, fresh spinach and black beans. stuffed inside a grilled spinach tortilla. The star of the show is the creamy, spicy burrito sauce made of ranch dressing and salsa, hidden under a healthy serving of pico de gallo.
23 of 26

PB and J Ice Cream

PB and J Ice Cream — essentially a peanut butter and jelly sandwich in a cone — is a big seller at the Great New York State Fair. "Why waste your time having lunch and dessert when you can combine it?" Noah asks.
24 of 26

Cheeseburger Egg Roll

Why have an egg roll and then a cheeseburger, when you can have both at the same time? This fusion creation from the Norfolk County Fair in Simcoe, Ontario is topped with a signature bacon ranch sauce and fried onions.
25 of 26

Gator Nuggets with Swamp Sauce

Down at the Columbia County Fair in South Carolina, you'll find nuggets made not from chicken, but from alligator. Low in fat and high in protein, gator is one of the healthiest meats out there.
26 of 26

Angel and Devil Dogs

The Angel and Devil Dogs at the Columbia County Fair in South Carolina are dinner and dessert in one heavenly dish. The devil sausage is dipped in batter and sprinkled with spicy "devil dust," while the Angel sausage is coated in a sweet, sugary sauce. Customers can enjoy the best of both worlds!
Start Over

Next Gallery
Our Editors Reveal Their Bucket List Restaurants Across Canada
More Galleries