The Sporkies & Drinkies
The Sporkies and Drinkies have encouraged our State Fair vendors to create next-level foods and drinks worthy of mouth-watering Instagram pics with refreshing options for Fairgoers of all ages.
The Sporkies and Drinkies winners will be announced prior to opening day of the State Fair to give you even more time to prioritize how you’re going to try all 12 items!
Look for the giant 13 ft. Golden Spork and Straw Statues outside of each finalist and winner locations during your visit.
2026 Sporkies Finalists
Al Pastor Pizza
The Al Pastor Pizza is loaded with tender, marinated al pastor pork, melty mozzarella cheese, and juicy pineapple for the perfect balance of savory and sweet. It’s finished with fresh cilantro, white onion, lime and a signature special sauce, bringing a bright, zesty kick to every bite. Available at Charlie's Pizza.
Bayou Crunch Cup
Bayou Crunch Cup is a towering cup of southern comfort, stacked with crispy sidewinder fries, Cajun slaw and tender alligator nuggets. Breaded crawfish bites and a rich comeback sauce add a bold, zesty kick in every layer. Finish this dish off with pickled okra and a whole crawfish on top for big bayou flavor and a true Fair wow factor. Available at Exotic Meat Grill.
Birria Flamin’ Bombs
The Birria Flamin’ Bombs were created as a crazy twist on a fan-favorite meal that showcases rich, delicious flavors! These crispy bombs are filled with slow-cooked beef birria, cilantro, onion, and melted mozzarella cheese, then coated in a savory seasoned breadcrumb blend and served with a birria consommé for dipping with a side of creamy chipotle aioli. Available at Fiesta Grill & Cantina.
Cream City Cone
The Cream City Cone is a handheld creation that delivers a flavorful, fully loaded bite from the top down. This warm, buttery pretzel cone is dipped in Milwaukee Pretzel Company Dill Pickle Mustard, packed with a savory mix of bratwurst, sautéed onions, sautéed mushrooms, and melted cheddar, and then topped with a breaded white cheddar cheese curd and more mustard. Available at WurstBar.
Deep-Fried Horchata Balls
Deep-Fried Horchata Balls are an indulgent, sweet luxury! These bites are dusted in cinnamon sugar, drizzled with rich dulce de leche sauce, chocolate sauce, then topped with mini chocolate chips, toasted coconut and sweet fried plantain chips for the ultimate dessert! Available at Badger Bites.
Porky Puff
The Porky Puff is a golden, flaky puff pastry filled with tender pulled pork, house-made zesty peach filling, layered with creamy garlic and herb cheese for a rich, savory bite. Baked until light and crispy, finished with a drizzle of hot honey, and a sprinkle of mustard seeds, this Puff delivers the perfect balance of sweet heat and tang. Available at Bud Pavilion.
Sweet Lemon Berry Cheese Curds
Sweet Lemon Berry Cheese Curds feature Ellsworth Creamery white cheddar cheese curds fried to crispy, cheesy perfection then tossed in a cinnamon-sugar mix. Add a sweet raspberry sauce over the cheese curds and finish the dish with a side of homemade sweet lemon zest cream whip for a dish that is somehow sweet, salty and crisp, but also so refreshing. Available at Saz's BBQ.
Tinga Tango Chicharrones
Tinga Tango Chicharrones is a dish created to be the ultimate sweet-heat showstopper. A savory stack of house-made crispy honey-habanero pork rinds topped with smoky chicken tinga, tangy pickled red onions, creamy queso fresco, cotija cheese, sweet and spicy candied jalapeños, and fresh cilantro. Finished with a drizzle of silky cilantro-lime crema and served with vibrant salsa verde. Available at Blue Moon Tavern at the Park.
2026 Drinkies Finalists
Color-Changing Swamp Juice
Color-Changing Swamp Juice brings a splash of fun as Fairgoers inject the “swamp potion” into the blue raspberry lemonade and watch it change colors right before their eyes! Gummy gators lurk below while candy frogs hop on top for a wildly playful treat as the swamp comes alive with a crackling Pop Rocks rim. Available at All Things Jerky.
Cookie Butter Coffee Float
Follow the cookie butter craze to the Cookie Butter Coffee Float! This float blends delicious vanilla ice cream and cookie butter-infused iced coffee to create a refreshing, indulgent drink. Topped with a Biscoff cookie crumble rim, drizzled with cookie butter drizzle and garnished with a Biscoff cookie – yum! Available at Fluffy's Hand Cut Donuts.
Hot Honey Chicken Lemonade
Sip on fresh-squeezed lemonade, sweetened with Mike’s Hot Honey and garnished with two sweet hot honey battered chicken nuggets. Did we mention that the iced Hot Honey Chicken Lemonade is served with honey popping juice pearls, too? The mix of hot, sweet and cold has never tasted better! Available at Deep-Fried Mashed Potatoes On-a-Stick.
Tilt-a-Spritz
Tilt-a-Spritz is a playful nod to the State Fair’s iconic SpinCity! And like the ride itself, it’s designed to be an experience from the very first moment. The bright ruby grapefruit and key lime juices deliver a vibrant citrus flavor with ginger beer effervescence for a crisp finish. Sealed in a smoke box with hickory and torched rosemary, open the door to reveal a dramatic cloud before the first sip. Available at Old Fashioned Sipper Club.
Congratulations to Past Sporkies Winners!
2025:
- First Sporkies Place: Ube Butter Banana French Toast Lumpia – Lumpia City
- Second Sporkies Place: Brat Rangoon – WurstBar
- Third Sporkies Place: Mexican Street Corn Pizza – Charlie’s Pizza
- First Drinkies Place: Purple Rain Refresher – Rock & Roll Beer Garden
- Fairgoer Fave Winner: Smore’s Churro Fries – Saz’s BBQ
2024:
- First Sporkies Place: Deep-Fried Lemonade Bites – Saz’s BBQ
- Second Sporkies Place: Hot Ham & Glazers – Bud Pavilion
- Third Sporkies Place: Rise & Swine – Camp Bar
- First Drinkies Place: Fairway Fusion – Old Fashioned Sipper Club
- Fairgoer Fave Winner: Deep-Fried Lemonade Bites – Saz’s BBQ
2023:
- First Sporkies Place: Beer Cheese Wisconsin Lava Cake – WürstBar
- Second Sporkies Place: The Porkie – Camp Bar
- Third Sporkies Place: Deep-Fried Apple Pie – Saz’s BBQ
- First Drinkies Place: The Ferris Mule – Old Fashioned Sipper Club
- Fairgoer Fave Winner: Deep-Fried Apple Pie – Saz’s BBQ
2022:
- First Place: Peño Pretzel Popper Brat- Gertrude’s Pretzels
- Second Place: The Sconnie Slugger – Miller Lite Sports Bar & Grill
- Third Place: Brandy Old Fashioned S’more On-a-Stick – Freese’s Candy Shoppe
- Fairgoer Fave Winner: Flamin’ Hot Cheetos Chicken On-a-Stick – Bud Pavilion
2021:
- First Place: The Glazy Boy – Miller Lite Sports Bar & Grill
- Second Place: Deep-Fried Wisconsin Fish Fry – Water Street Brewery
- Third Place: Paradise Po’ Boy – Tropics
- Fairgoer Fave Winner: Deep-Fried Wisconsin Fish Fry – Water Street Brewery
2020 Sporkies: Fairgoer Edition:
- First Place: Deep Fried Bloody Mary with Beer Ranch Chaser – Stena M.
- Second Place: Bratzarella Sticks – James S.
- Third Place: Wisconsin Hot Bacon Bourbon Pulled Pork Cornbread Twinkie – Eric S.
- Fairgoer Fave Winner: Wisconsin Hot Bacon Bourbon Pulled Pork Cornbread Twinkie – Eric S.
2019:
- First Place: Buffalo Chicken Cheese Curd Tacos – Poncho Dog
- Second Place: Deep-Fried Italian Stallion – Water Street Brewery
- Third Place: Deep-Fried Milk with Cookie Dip – Slim’s Lakefront Brew Pub & Eatery
- Fairgoer Fave Winner: Deep-Fried Italian Stallion – Water Street Brewery
2018:
- First Place: Deep-Fried Spinach Lasagna Bites – Albanese’s Roadhouse
- Second Place: French Onion Soup On-a-Stick – Slim’s PBR Park
- Third Place: The PORKstackular – Bud Pavilion
- Fairgoer Fave Winner: Deep-Fried Spinach Lasagna Bites – Albanese’s Roadhouse
2017:
- First Place: Spaghetti and Meatballs Mozzarella Sticks – Albanese’s Roadhouse
- Second Place: Chocomela Nachos – La Coppa Artisan Gelato
- Third Place: Budweiser Pavilion Triple Threat – Bud Pavilion
- Fairgoer Fave Winner: Monkey Business – Saz’s BBQ
2016:
- First Place: Root Beer Float Cake – Sprecher Landing & Sprecher Root Beer Everything
- Second Place: Klement’s Famous Racing Sausages Corn Dog – Saz’s Bavarian Haus
- Third Place: Deep Fried Ol’ Fashioned – Water Street Brewery
- Fairgoer Fave Winner: Klement’s Famous Racing Sausages Corn Dog – Saz’s Bavarian Haus
2015:
- First Place: Wis-Cone-Sin – Water Street Brewery
- Second Place: Bacon Bottom Porker Pizza – Brew City
- Third Place: Cheesy Smoked Gouda Sidewinder Fries – Tropics at the Fair
- Fairgoer Fave Winner: Deep Fried Pretzel Crusted Brownies On-a-Stick – Saz’s Ribs
2014:
- Best Tasting: Dolce Panino – La Coppa Gelato
- Most Creative: Dolca Panino – La Coppa Gelato
- Grand Champion: Dolce Panino – La Coppa Gelato
- Fairgoer Fave Winner: Bacon Wrapped Cherrywood Smoked Pork Belly On-a-Stick – Saz’s Ribs
2013:
- Best Tasting: Island Slaw – Island Noodles
- Most Creative: Mela Fritta Gelato On-A-Stick – La Coppa Gelato
- Grand Champion: Mela Fritta Gelato On-A-Stick – La Coppa Gelato