Apple Pie Lemonade: 8/10
A perfectly seasonal rendition of a beloved classic drink. The apple pie lemonade took sweetness to a new level with some particles of cinnamon sugar still in the texture of the drink. It ended up tasting mostly like cinnamon sugar with a hint of sour from the lemonade base. Would I recommend it? Yes! But maybe only half a glass.
Lavender Lemonade: 8/10
Typically a popular scent, lavender has made its way into becoming a lemonade flavor. At first sip, it tastes like ordinary lemonade. However, the aftertaste provided a unique and sweet flavor.
“That’s the best lemonade I’ve ever had in my entire life,” says Elijah Cook, Chapel Hill.
Tide Pod Gummies: 4.25/10 average
Quite the controversial concept following the late 2017 and early 2018 Tide Pod challenge, these gummies caught the attention of many. Disappointingly, they didn’t burst when bitten as you’d expect. With everything being the same, thick consistently, it was a struggle to get through in a bite. The orange had a tangy flavor while the blue was sweet. Overall, it tasted like a handful of gummy bears.
Fried Cookie Dough: 5/10
With one bite, gooey chocolate chip cookie dough oozed out and powdered sugar went everywhere. I hope it was the kind of cookie dough that can’t give you salmonella, but if it could, it’s not worth the risk. The consistencies didn’t match well and the melted chocolate chips made the fried treat overly chocolatey. However, if you love chocolate with your whole heart, this may be for you.
Corn on a Stick: 5/10
Many people walked around the fair as they bit into a cob of corn speared by a stick. There’s not much to say other than if you like corn, you’ll like this.
“It’s not worth $6, but it’s okay,” says Brenda Deets, High Point.
Fried Olive: 8/10
Similar to fried pickles, this snack was savory and crispy. Perhaps a more undercover concept, but if you like olives, you should give it a try.
Jumbo Smoked Turkey Leg: 7/10
Another common food to see people munching on while they walk, this turkey leg was a state fair staple. Although I struggled in getting a bite anywhere close to elegantly, the rich, smokey flavor made it worth the challenge. Even though I’m more a honey ham over turkey on Thanksgiving kind of person, this turkey leg isn’t one I’d skip over.
Hot Cheetos Korean Corn Dog: 6/10
A crazy concept that was surprisingly lacking flavor. The hot cheetos crumb coating didn’t add much spice but added a nice crunchy texture. There seemed to be too much mozzarella, taking away from the flavor of the rest of the corndog. Initially, I thought there ended up being no hotdog inside, but it turned up halfway down when the cheese had already become too distracting. If I were to recommend one of these Korean corndogs, I’d recommend the Fruity Pebbles rendition, just for the craziness of it.
Viral Dubai Chocolate Strawberries: 10/10
A viral treat that is worth the hype! Beyond the appetizing presentation, the juice of the strawberry mixed perfectly with the chocolate and pistachio flavors. The crispy kataifi added a nice crunch and helped ensure the treat wasn’t overly sweet. These were chocolate-covered strawberries but better!
