Heather LangIt is no surprise which massive movie’s coattails the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) is jumping on with this year’s culinary theme. Food vendors are going all out with pink tinged confections and mouth puckering sour creations. Sometimes at the same time! But trust me; it doesn’t stop there. While I wanted to separate the foods into savory and sweet categories the imaginations of this years culinary masterpieces refused to stay in one lane.
In addition to the food, I could also go about all the cool activities and exhibits at this year CNE (immersive Pink Floyd, Air Show, ice skating. drag queens, water fountain show), however we all know what you came for. So let’s get to it!
Watermelon Hamburger
(Sam’s Grill, On the midway)
If you haven’t been on a social media platform in the last ten years you may be new to watermelon being really good with savory things. Like this burger with mint, feta and spinach; finished with a balsamic glaze.
Deep Fried O’Henry
(Cookie Dough Me, In the food building)
Not to leave out all the other chocolate bars that have enjoyed a deep fried dunk; this is by far the best.
Butter Tart and Cotton Candy Funnel Cakes
(Carnival Eats, On the Midway)
Word on the street is there is a secret menu item at Carnival Eats ….just ask for the mystery stick…..
Fruity Pebbles Deep Fried Cheese Curds
(The King of Curds, On the midway)
Don’t worry, the cream glaze and puff cereal does not take away from the classic cheesy squeak. Shockingly one of my favorites.
Sweet and Spicy Caramel Nuts in Frozen Yogurt
(Yogen Fruz, In the food building)
Vanilla yogurt with Cajun Snack mix and salted caramel made with Tabasco™ Scorpion Sauce. Perfect combo of sweet and spicy.
Cookie Stuffed Chimney Cones
(Eva’s Original Chimneys, In the food building)
The pinkest of pinks! A strawberry Wafer Cookie Chimney cone, strawberry coulis center topped with a strawberry wafer and strawberry sugar cookies.
Bacon Wrapped Chicken Wings
(Bacon Nation + Wing’s & Tenders, In the food building)
Who doesn’t love bacon and wings? Try them in Hot Lime Sriracha or Sweet Honey Thai.
Peanut Butter Chocolate Corn Dog
(Peanut Butter Chocolate Corn Dog, On the midway)
People love corndogs and people love things on a stick. Give this sweet and savory version a try.
Footlong Freakk Fries
(Footlong Freakk Fries, On the midway)
Your friends won’t be able to easily steal a French fry when they are this long. But sprinkled with parmesan and garlic aioli you may still want to keep an eye on them.
The Puffs: Luv Pebbles
(Toasties and Puffs, On the midway)
20 fresh mini pancakes loaded with pineapple, condensed milk and Fruity Pebbles.
Street Corn Lemonade
(Real Fruit Splash, On the midway)
Remember the Mac & Cheese and Spicy Pickle Lemonades? Check out 2023’s Lemonade concoction.
Street Corn Ice Cream
(So Cute Ice Cream, On the midway)
From the creators of the Ketchup and Mustard Ice cream, you can now get your ice cream topped with lime, cotija cheese and Chile seasoning. They are also offering a cheeseburger ice cream (not pictured) served in a cheese coated waffle cone topped with pretzel and a fresh pickle.
Thanksgiving Poutine
(Sam’s Grill, On the midway)
Golden, crispy fries topped with mushroom gravy, cheese curds, cranberry mayo and stuffing. Carbs on carbs!
The Hang Ten
(Eat My Bowls, In the food building)
Seared ahi tuna on rice with fresh avocado, jalapenos, pineapple salsa, pickled ginger, cucumbers, scallions, sesame seeds and sriracha aioli. Who doesn’t like eating out of a pineapple?
Malibu Mac and Cheese
(Eat My Bowls, In the Food building)
Pink champagne, aged white cheddar, Gruyere and Parmesan cheese are combined to make the most bouchie Mac and Cheese around. Served in a bread bowl and topped with caviar. (Barbie Car not included)
Pickle Fries
(Mr. Vegetable, On the midway)
Mr. Vegetable sure knows how to help us get our 8-10 servings a day. Served with a creamy ranch dip on the side. (No these are not deep friend pickle spears. They are pickled French fries).
The Pickleback Hotdog
(Frankie’s Hotdogs, On the midway)
Winner of the best hot dog at the 2023 Calgary Stampede this hot dog has pickles, bacon, bbg sauce, cheese cause and potato chips. All the flavors of summer! And hands down my favorite item of the day.
Peanut Butter and Pickle Corndog
(Coco’s Corndogs, On the midway)
A hot dog wrapped in a pickle, coated with peanut butter, battered and deep fried and drizzled with jam. Is it breakfast? Is it lunch? Does it matter?
Holy Moly Cannoli
(San Francescos, In the food building)
Try to keep up. Breaded veal cutlet rolled with provolone cheese and topped with more cheese and Pomodoro sauce. Then the cutlet is stuffed inside a jumbo cinnamon cannoli. (Not done yet) This is then drizzled with garlic aioli, rainbow sprinkles and hickory sticks. Phew!
Krispy Kreme Blueberry Chicken Sandwich
(Epic Burgers, In the food building)
Fried chicken sandwiched between two soft vanilla glazed donuts and topped with sweet and spicy blueberry cream cheese. And ‘Epic’ burger for sure!
Mac and Triple Cheese Chimichanga
(Farm to Fryer, In the food building)
A deep fried tortilla stuffed with mac and cheese and topped with Doritos and more cheese sauce.
Quarter Pound Cheese Stuffed Doritos
(Farm to Fryer, In the food building)
The ultimate cheese stick. Deep fried and coated in a crunchy Dorito’s crust.
Dill Pickle Cotton Candy
(Candy Time, On the midway)
Tastes like a hand full of dill pickle potato chips. With some added sweetness. Very addictive. And the color…amazing!
4 Pound Taco
(Machette, In the food building)
Cheese, tomatoes, sour cream, pico de gallo, avocado tomatillo salsa, pineapple, chorizo and French fries.
I dare you!
Deep Fried Pizza
(Pizza Pizza, In the Galleria and Enercare Centre)
Our friends at Pizza Pizza have joined the fun with slices of cheese pizza battered and deep fried. Choose from Classic/Plain, Hot Honey with Pickles, Creamy Garlic and Doritos (pictured) or Buffalo sauced.
Pink Dragon Fruit Fluffy Pancakes
(Fuwa Fuwa, In the food building)
The perfect chance to have a Japanese “souffle” pancake if you never have before. So light, jiggly and fluffy. (Hence the name)
Biscoff Croffle
(Fuwa Fuwa, In the food building)
What is a croffle you ask? Why its the love child of a waffle and croissant.
Korean Fried Frog Legs
(Farm to Fryer, In the food building)
If you have never tried frog legs these crispy sweet chili ones are your perfect gateway.
Anthing catch your eye? This list is only a fraction of the food you can try at the CNE. Let us know what you are looking forward to.
CNE 2023
When: August 18 to September 4, 2023
Time: The grounds are open August 18 to September 4, from 10 am to midnight, except on Labour Day. On Labour Day (September 4) the grounds are open from 10 am to 9 pm, and the gates close at 5 pm.
Where: Exhibition Place, Toronto
Tickets: $20 (advance tickets purchased before August 17). $25 general admission for ages 14 to 64 years, $20 for adults 65 and better and children ages 5 to 13. Free admission for children 4 and under. Family passes and ride passes also available. Additional cost for Pink Floyd Exhibit. Purchase online.