The Minnesota State Fair is 12 days of near-constant live music entertainment. Between the nightly Grandstand shows and free stages spread across the fairgrounds, music fans can fill their days with quality and quantity. To unlock peak enjoyment and minimize aimless wandering, get to know the best food and beverage options near the performance you’re checking out.

For the fourth year running – here’s what we said in 2022, 2023, and 2024 – The Current has set you up with menu suggestions near the fair’s stages where live music is a central factor. It’ll keep the energy high for all the belt-out singing and dancing to come.

Summit Stage at the Bazaar

Located at the corner of Judson Avenue and Underwood Street, the Summit Stage at the Bazaar resembles the open-air souks and markets found around the world, and the stage is centered right at the entrance. With acts ranging from The whimsical rock grooves of The Sounds of Santana Starring Joe Cruz (Aug. 21-22) and Pamela McNeill’s spirited revisitations of Janis Joplin, Dolly Parton, and Stevie Nicks (Aug. 30-31), to the global sounds from Cedar Cultural Center’s Global Get Together (Aug. 27-28), The Belfast Cowboys (Aug. 23-24), and Malamanya (Aug. 29-30), the sounds alone will draw you in. 

Appetizer: Something that always travels well from vendor to stage is anything on a stick, in a cone, or in a wax paper bag. A cone of beef or lentil sambusas from Oasis Grill & Hoyo Sambusa (Aug. 21-26) is a great way to whet one’s appetite before one (or several) main courses that can be consumed at the fair. 

Entree: There are several selections that are easily transportable and within the bazaar confines. Choose one: from El Burrito Mercado’s Flauta Dippers, the tandoori chicken quesaratha from Holy Land, or for something new, the Shrimp and Pork toast-on-a-stick from Union Hmong Kitchen. 

Dessert: For a sweet retreat, find some respite by acquiring the Ube Butter Banana French Toast Lumpia from new vendors Lumpia City. 

Beverage: To cool down on those scorcher days, or calm one’s mouth down from the flavorful items experience, procure a virgin bloody mary from St. Martin’s Olives.

Bandshell

On the fairgrounds’ southeast end, the Bandshell sits where Cooper and Cosgrove Streets meet, just north of the Space Tower. The outdoor stage has hosted countless local and national acts, and 2025 delivers a deep mix of musical styles. The Bandshell has a range of headliners in the evening like Arrested Development (Aug. 23-24), Los Lobos (Aug. 25-26), Karla Perez doing The Selena Show (Aug. 29-30), and local alt-pop sensation Ber, while the daytime acts boast a spectrum of genres including Davina & The Vagabonds (Aug. 21-22), Mariachi Campanas De America (Aug. 29-30), blues prodigy Dylan Salfer, and more. It also boasts a close proximity to the Food Building to grab your bites to eat accordingly.

Appetizer/Beverage: Set things off inside the food building with Soul Bowl’s Crab Boil Wings, or their newest arrival, Chicken-Fried Bacon Fries, to kick things off properly. For the plant-based or vegetarian/vegan homies that want to try a flip on those bacon fries, The Herbivorous Butcher has their take on it, known as Bacon to the Future.

Entree: The Spicy Thai Noodles at Oodles of Noodles or the selection of tortas from Manny’s Tortas will quell those hunger pangs with relative satisfaction and ease. 

Dessert: Swing by The Dairy Bar for your choice of dairy-based or oat-based soft serve ice cream, or get some lefse at Lynn’s Lefse.

West End Market Stage at Schilling Amphitheater

On West Dan Patch Avenue, not far from the Grandstand, Schilling Amphitheater is home to the indie pop, folk, and country acts that play the Great Minnesota Get-Together. Not only is it near the handmade goods and quirks at the West End Market, but it also has countless food options. Performers include local favorites Lady Midnight (Aug. 27-28), Joyann Parker (Aug. 31-Sept. 1), and the First Avenue Goes to the Fair shows featuring house band Al Church and the Congregation, and hosted by Jade, playing on Aug. 29 (Christy Costello, Dwynell Roland, Emma Jeanne and Hattie Peach of Yonder, Jacob Mullis and Purple Funk Metropolis) and Aug. 30 (Clare Doyle, Jack Klatt, Mary Cutrufello, Miloe, and P.O.S).

Beverage: For a refreshing glass of a libation of choice, visit West End Brews.

Appetizer: Fresh French Fries from the Fresh French Fries stand. So nice that it has got to be said twice. If one needs some variation from a fair staple and favorite, embrace your inner bougie by trying the Caprese Curds at LuLu’s Public House.

Entree: A Bison Meatball Sub from Minnesota Farmers Union Coffee Shop serves as a most excellent feast, and pairs well with any beverage.

Dessert: If the queues aren’t a thing while waiting for a fave to perform at the amphitheater, mosey on over to The Blue Barn for a sweeter take on cheese curds with their Sweet Squeakers.

Grandstand Stage

With a max capacity of about 17,000 people, the Grandstand is the sports-arena-sized State Fair music venue, and home to the biggest shows. Considering a diverse array of worthy headliner acts, that range from country and Americana’s shining icons to R&B/hip-hop royalty, there’s a little something for everyone. Being that the shows take place during the evening, it feels right to pair each show with either a dinner or dessert of choice.

Thursday, Aug. 21: Old Dominion with special guests Yam Haus

In a piece recollecting the noteworthy events of the Stagecoach Music Festival for 2023 for The Desert Sun, Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives’ own Guy Fieri teamed up with the band. They created and showcased trash-can nachos as part of an early cooking demo for Fieri’s Stagecoach Smokehouse before the band performed at the Mane Stage later that evening. While it might lack the wonder and amazement of a mammoth mountain of nachos, the Nachos Grande with Chorizo at Tejas Express is dressed to the nines to snack on for Old Dominion’s headlining set on day one of the Grandstand shows.

Friday, Aug. 22: Meghan Trainor with special guest ellis

According to an interview Trainor did with husband Daryl Sabara for BuzzFeed Celeb, Trainor expressed her love for pizza, but is now a vegetarian. To embrace both the pizza side and her respective vegetarian journey, a Nauti Bowl from Nautical Bowls can help with easing the cravings for [LA upscale grocer] Erewhon.

To embrace the pizza, the Megatronz (what Trainor superfans are called) can sample the great, yet elusive State Fair delicacy: the Pickle Pizza from Rick’s Pizza. And since opening artist ellis enjoys toppings like pineapple and ham on pizza, it makes for the perfect shareable food!

Saturday, Aug. 23: The Current’s Music On-A-Stick 2025: Atmosphere & Friends with Atmosphere, Cypress Hill, The Pharcyde, Lupe Fiasco, and DJ Abilities 

In 2012 for Bon Appetit, Lupe Fiasco mentioned an affinity for enjoying a good breakfast, and also made mention of something special that should be present with any breakfast dish. “I have to have apricot jam,” he said. “I don't mean as an accoutrement--not as a condiment--but as if it's bacon. Like it's a real part of the meal.” While not jam-specific, the PBJ Crepe over at French Creperie has a lovely strawberry jam that warrants a sampling.

Imani of The Pharcyde mentioned in a 2023 interview with Los Angeles Magazine that cheese pizza is one of his favorite munchies, whether hot or cold, so a quick no-frills slice of cheese pizza from Pizza Wagon seems like a perfect fix for said munchies, especially if said munchies come as a result of consuming…well, you know. RESPONSIBLY, of course.

In a couple of interviews, Slug of Atmosphere has always been an ardent supporter of giving the wisdom to grow one’s own vegetables. In the vegetable spirit, the Falafelicious hummus bowl from Baba’s packs plenty of vegetables: fried eggplant, pickled cabbage, Arabic pickles, and that’s all before you get to the herbs and veggies in Baba’s falafel! For those feeling adventurous, there’s also the Fawaffle, Baba’s waffle-based b-side of falafel, but in iron waffle form.

Sunday, Aug. 24: Melissa Etheridge & Indigo Girls: Yes We Are Tour

Back in 2014, Etheridge had mentioned to the Chicago Sun-Times she follows a strict no-sugar, gluten and dairy-free regiment, and it's something Etheridge takes seriously after having been diagnosed with breast cancer 20 years ago. Holy Land’s menu boasts a basil hummus with spicy walnut topping that is sure to provide plenty of flavor and portability while one sings passionately along to “Come to My Window.”

For the Indigo Girls, Amy Ray mentioned in an interview with Twangville that the whole band enjoys Mexican fare whenever they’re on the road, so quesabirra taquitos with esquites on the side from El Burrito Mercado will quell any hunger pangs and keep the vibe “Closer to Fine.”

Tuesday, Aug. 26: Def Leppard with special guest Brother Cane

Guitarist Phil Collen of Def Leppard has not minced words about one of their favorite backstage vices: vegan fried chicken. The group had the delicacy catered in from a vegan restaurant in Newcastle back in 2018 according to Chronicle Live. For their State Fair appearance, Collen and fans with similar inclinations can take part in enjoying The Herbivorous Butcher’s hilariously titled Dude Where’s My Strips, consisting of bacon-fried chicken strips with one’s own choice of toppings, all of which are vegan.

Singer and guitarist Damon Johnson, who came up through groups such as Thin Lizzy and Lynyrd Skynryd before taking the reins of Brother Cane, represents Alabama properly. A food synonymous with Alabama? Fried Green Tomatoes from the Original Corn Fritters & Fried Green Tomatoes stand to give a little taste of home in the Midwest.

Wednesday, Aug. 27: Hank Williams, Jr. with special guest Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives

Being that Hank Williams, Jr. is a native son of Shreveport, Louisiana, the nearby Ragin’ Cajun can provide a welcome respite through dishes such as its Shrimp Po’Boy, Jambalaya, and some beignets for a sweet treat.

Country Music Hall of Famer Marty Stuart on the other hand, by word of an unofficial fan site, allegedly lists his own recipe for chicken enchiladas. Having served at the fair for more than a whopping 50 years, the Enchiladas found at Mexican Hat, which is in close proximity to the Grandstand, are sure to satisfy.

Thursday, Aug. 28: Daryl Hall with special guest The Rascals

While many may know his iconic voice from such bops as “Method of Modern Love,” “Maneater,” and “Rich Girl,” Daryl Hall also is known for Daryl’s House, the restaurant and music club he opened in 2014 in Pawling, New York. The menu features salmon avocado toast, grilled mahi mahi, and a little something for everyone. It is inspired by the food Hall has experienced while on tour.

For Hall’s first time at the Minnesota State Fair, and being the worldly connoisseur of entrees he is, the chicken chorizo paella at Paella Depot is a sure-fire winner. Recommending something outlandish for a first time at the Grandstand? Can’t go for that, no can do.

Friday, Aug. 29: The Avett Brothers with special guest The Milk Carton Kids

For an interview with Lynn Rosetto-Kasper on The Splendid Table back in 2016, Avetts cellist Joe Kwon was asked about what he craves whenever he is on the road. “I would have to say, more than anything, any sort of comfort Asian foods, noodle soups, or traditional Asian dishes that my mom made me (when I was) growing up,” he told Kasper. 

While corn dogs first appeared in South Korea in the 1980s, the Korean corn dog gained popularity in the mid-2000s, and has only heightened in popularity in the 2010s. Chan’s Eatery has three different varieties of Korean corn dogs to choose from, as well as mochi donuts and milk teas to select, too.

Saturday, Aug. 30: Nelly with special guests Ja Rule, Mya, and the Ying Yang Twins

Nelly is planning to make things hot “herre.” Given his love of turkey burgers, while there are no turkey burgers present at the State Fair, the pulled turkey sandwich at Turkey To Go is just as flavorful as a turkey burger ever would be.

If you can’t tell already, there are a lot of multi-tiered billings across the Grandstand offerings, and a lot of food offerings at the State Fair that could be aligned to, well, any act. Ja Rule has been a hilarious spokesperson for the recently shuttered Papa Christo’s, so he could learn to love the Midwest’s equivalent in Dino’s Gyros. The gyros are so good that you might let a couple of four-letter words fly, too.

With the Ying Yang Twins making their first State Fair stop, perhaps the PR folks can get them to do wonders for the various new and classic food offerings, like they did for the Pima County Fair in Tucson, Arizona? Gotta get Ying Yang in this thang.

For R&B’s legendary songstress, Mya, who enjoys vegan takes on seafood offerings as she revealed in an interview with Billboard, the shroomy calamari at French Meadow Bakery & Cafe is right up her alley.