Sahan Journal staff members ate their way through the best new ethnic foods at the Great Minnesota Get-Together, which starts today.

The fair drew large crowds for its first day Aug. 21, with plenty of new food, drinks, rides and entertainment to enjoy.

Reporters Sharyn Jackson and Joy Summers and the whole Taste crew spent the first day of the 2025 Minnesota State Fair trying all of the new State Fair foods — more than 80 bites. Now, they want to answer your questions about their rankings.

Of the 33 new foods at the 2024 Get-Together, 18 are returning, including last year's most-talked-about new food, Deep-Fried Ranch Dressing . Here are all the 2024 new foods that will be back for round two in 2025, along with the vendor's description and, for foods we tried last year, a bit on what we thought.

While the first day of the Great Get-Together brought in big bucks for vendors, some families say the price of participation is expensive.

The book offers 100 coupons for fair classics, including malts, corn dogs and ’Sota sweatshirts, and unexpected items such as beard oil, artisan glassware and dehydrated beef lung (for dogs). Here are some of the best deals we found this year.

Only Mr. Creosote could eat all the new State Fair foods on a single day, so divide and conquer is your best bet.

He’s one of our favorites! Chef Yia Vang is back at the Minnesota State Fair, this time with a new food. Shrimp & Pork Toast is already earning fans at the Fair. Wait until you hear about the family effort it takes to create all the delicious food at the Fairon.