Five Wild New New York State Fair Foods Include a Deep-Fried Defibrillator, Squid Tentacles and a Pickle Flight

SYRACUSE, NY — Fairgoers heading to the New York State Fair have plenty of familiar snacks to choose from, but this year’s lineup also includes some especially eye-catching newcomers. Among them are a half-pound burger called the Defibrillator, whole grilled squid, a pickle flight and colorful ice cream made from scratch.

With hundreds of vendors spread across the grounds, the fair can feel like a giant tasting challenge. These new items lean into that spirit, offering everything from fried sweets to savory street-food favorites and a few combinations that sound almost impossible until you read the ingredients list.

How the most over-the-top bites come together

Deep Fried Specialties brought back the Defibrillator, a sandwich built for big appetites. Owner James Hasbrouck described it as a deep-fried half-pound burger layered with deep-fried cheddar cheese, deep-fried pickles and deep-fried bacon, all tucked between two grilled cheese sandwiches.

The same stand also has deep-fried Biscoff cheesecake, finished with cookie butter, whipped cream, a Biscoff cookie and more cookie butter. Nearby, Fair Deli is serving the Dubai Hawaiian Roll, which starts with three Hawaiian rolls skewered on a stick, fried, and topped with sweetened condensed milk, cinnamon sugar, pistachio cream, phyllo dough and crushed pistachios.

Both items are aimed squarely at fairgoers who like their treats rich, crunchy and extra-indulgent.

Sweet colors and savory surprises

Chocolate Taps, operated by Zach Marji and Lisa Zheng, is mixing things up with matcha and ube ice cream made from scratch. Marji said the fair is the only place where he knows of that is serving both flavors this way, and he pointed to the bright color as part of the appeal.

Fair Deli, which is near the poultry barn, is also returning crowd favorites like the Krunchy Dog and pickle Dr. Pepper. That gives visitors a mix of familiar options and one new dessert-like item that pushes the fair’s reputation for playful food combinations even further.

For families walking the midway, the stand offers an easy stop between rides and bigger meals.

Seafood and pickles round out the lineup

In the Asian Village, Captain Squid is serving whole grilled squid and grilled squid tentacles inspired by street food found in night markets. Owner Sherry Lou said she wanted to bring a dish she grew up with in China to the U.S. fair scene.

Elsewhere, Tommy’s Pickles is offering a different kind of tasting experience along Restaurant Row. Owner Tommy Grimes says the stand treats pickles like a wine pairing menu, with samples such as garlic dill, bread and butter and horseradish, plus pickle chips, whole pickles and containers to take home.

Grimes said new flavors will rotate daily, including Cajun, ranch, pickled pineapple and sweet heat, giving fairgoers a reason to stop by more than once.

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