State fairs are known for selling a wide variety of foods — many of them deep-fried — and this year’s selection was no different. I arrived at the New Mexico State Fair with an appetite — especially after the notorious $1 day traffic — and the food did not disappoint.
The State Fair began again at EXPO New Mexico on Sept. 4, bringing back many beloved rides, experiences and best of all; fair foods.
My first stop was the Villa Hispana on a hunt for tacos, where I came across The Taco Guy, a locally-owned business.
Whether you’re craving a burrito, tacos, enchiladas or just a refreshing agua fresca, you’ll find all your heart desires and more from The Taco Guy. The carne asada tacos were delicious, with well-seasoned meat and green salsa.
With a $14 price tag, the tacos were a little expensive for Albuquerque cuisine, but pretty on-par for fair food costs overall. I thought they were worth the price, not only for the quality, but the service and kindness from the kitchen staff.
Next up was corn on the cob from one of the popular vendors along the main State Fair walkway. For $9, I received a crisp corn cob with butter. The corn was well-cooked throughout, and though corn isn’t necessarily my favorite staple food at the fair, this one was pretty good.
Another staple food, funnel cake, can be found around every corner as you walk through the Expo New Mexico grounds. The $15 price tag was a bit high in my opinion, especially for fried food that still had raw pancake batter in some parts, but was pretty similar to the price at other vendors. The funnel cake had a generous helping of powdered sugar on top, which saved it, but regardless, I think I’ve had my fill of funnel cake for the year.
To round off the night, I grabbed a chocolate and vanilla swirl ice cream in a waffle cone for $9 at the edge of the Midway area. Despite being a basic ice cream cone, the soft serve was delicious and had a very aesthetic and appetizing look. The evening chill was just enough to keep the ice cream from melting, and for the size and amount of ice cream, the price felt justified.
The variety of food offered at the New Mexico State Fair can satisfy a range of flavor palettes, with both the popular fried options as well as sweet treats and multiple types of cuisines. The four items I grabbed cost under $50, which I would consider pretty successful for a night at the fair.
Maria Fernandez is the copy editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at copy@dailylobo.com or on X @dailylobo
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