Amy Read

Statesman Journal

From staples to sinful, a sampling of food and drink from the Oregon State Fair.

1.

Name: Mashed Potato Balls

Location: Bud's Spuds

Price: $6

Size: Four deep-fried potato balls about four inches wide

Mess factor: Two napkins

Artery clogging scale: Did we say it was deep-fried? It's also loaded with cheese and bacon, so it's pretty high on the scale.

Comments from our SJ team: "The cheese and bacon were a nice surprise as they are not advertised as having either."

2.

Name: Hamburger

Location: Bob's Burgers

Price: $2.19

Size: Good for one person

Mess factor: 1 napkin should be sufficient

Artery clogging scale: It's fast food, so not the healthiest.

Comments from our SJ team: "A great value at $2.19. It's a pretty standard fast food burger, but it's all the about the nostalgia."

3.

Name: "The Duke" corndog.

Location: Monster Foods

Price: $6

Size: Good for two people.

Mess factor: 1 napkin should be sufficient

Artery clogging scale: It's deep fried meat, so it's pretty high on the scale.

Comments from our SJ team: As corndogs go, it's a pretty tasty one. Interesting toppings including wasabi mayo, cranberry mustard are offered along with the traditional toppings.

4.

Name: Funnel Cake

Location: Sinful Treats

Price: $7

Size: 2-4 people depending on your sweet tooth.

Mess factor: With the powdered sugar floating everywhere, you may need a shower afterwards.

Artery clogging scale: At the top of the scale. We're talking fried dough with sugar galore.

Comments from our SJ team: An all-around good and simple staple at the fair. Sweet, sugary goodness.

5.

Name: Deep-fried Oreos

Location: Sinful Treats

Price: $4.50

Size: Feeds 2

Mess factor: 3 napkins required

Artery clogging scale: You may need to see your cardiologist.

Comments from our SJ team: This was a big hit with the group. The powdered sugar and chocolate sauce topping was delicious. The one complaint was that the oreo seems like an afterthought because it's overpowered by the dough.

6.

Name: Frozen Lemonade

Location: Gino's

Price: $4

Size: 16 oz

Mess factor: No napkin needed.

Artery clogging scale: Nil.

Comments from our SJ team: Mixed comments: One thought it was cool, tart and refreshing on a hot day. One said it was too sugary, not authentically lemony and had no pith.

7.

Name: BBQ Pulled Pork sandwich

Location: Trail's End

Price: $8

Size: Main meal for one.

Mess factor: You'll need a napkin.

Artery clogging scale: Mild. It's better than a burger or a deep fried offering, but you're still not going to win points for healthy here.

Comments from our SJ team: It was just okay. In a world of do-it-yourself barbecuers, we expected more.

8.

Name: Roasted Corn

Location: Bud's Spuds

Price: $3.50

Size: Feeds one.

Mess factor: 2 napkins

Artery clogging scale: Pretty low on the scale.

Comments from our SJ team: An interesting array of spices and toppings were available: parmesan, lime juice, hot sauce and butter. We went for the butter and found it sweet and crunchy.

9.

Name: Chocolate/Vanilla Swirl Cone

Location: Oregon Dairy Women

Price: $2.50

Size: 1 person

Mess factor: Grap a napkin for drips.

Artery clogging scale: Medium on the scale, but with this kind of tradition, calories shouldn't count.

Comments from our SJ team: A trip to the fair is just not complete without this treat. It's creamy, cool and so good.

10.

Name: Bacon-wrapped deep fried peanut butter cups

Price: $4.50

Size: Feeds one.

Mess factor: 2 napkins required

Artery clogging scale: It's bacon. And deep-fried. And candy. Need we say more?

Comments from our SJ team: Separately all the ingredients are yummy and make sense. Together, they are almost vomit-inducing.