Copyright Baton Rouge Advocate
A whole bucket of cheesy bacon fries? Oh my. Oh yes. The Greater Baton Rouge State Fair returns this year for 10 days from Oct. 23 to Nov. 2, and food vendors will bring over 100 menu items from fair classics to Cajun specialties to meat on a stick. Out of the 24 vendors, seven are from Baton Rouge and four are Louisiana-based. Fair director Cliff Barton has worked with the cause for 53 years since joining in 1973. Everybody who plans, organizes and operates the event is a volunteer, he said. All of the proceeds are donated to the state fair foundation, which creates scholarships and grants for local citizens and organizations. "When you come out and try all this great food and come to the fair, you're supporting the local community, because the money goes right back into the community itself," Barton said. Here's a roundup of the food that will be available at the Greater Baton Rouge State Fair. Proceed with caution if you're hungry. Louisiana specialties Mobile catering company Jambalaya by Shake will have two locations at the fair with jambalaya, gumbo, crawfish étouffée, red beans and rice and one of Barton's personal favorites: meat pies. The company will also serve several favorites rolled into a ball, including a pepperjack boudin ball, red bean ball, spinach and artichoke ball, shrimp au gratin ball, alligator ball and crawfish ball. Barbecue and smoked meats Baton Rouge restaurant and catering business Smoke Bayou will bring smoked turkey legs, which can come plain or topped with shrimp fettuccine or mac and cheese. Entrees include fried turkey legs, brisket cheese fries, shrimp fettuccine and mac and cheese.
