The annual competition has become one of the most anticipated food events of the Fair, with concessionaires challenged to create entirely new menu items inspired by local San Diego flavors, social media-worthy innovation, and this year's storybook-themed "Once Upon a Fair" celebration.
"Our diverse and fun food selection is a top reason why people come to the Fair each year - and our concessionaires' artistry is a huge part of what makes the San Diego County Fair so unique," said Fair CEO Becky Bartling in a statement announcing the competition.
The entries are divided among three categories - So San Diego, Wow, and Theme - with both sweet and savory divisions. The full list of offerings and where they can be found at the fair is included at the end of this article.
The So San Diego category celebrates local flavors and regional influences. Savory contenders include Between The Buns' Gaslamp Birria Melt, Flaco's Mozzarella Stuffed Chorizo Sonoran Dog, Chicken Charlie's Crispy Chicken Shawarma Wrap, Pat's Pizza's Birria Pizza, the Paddock Club's Tailgatin' Taquito Bucket, Stizzy's Oyster House's Lobster Nachos, Bacon Nation's Baja Bacon Birria Bomb, West Coast Weenies' sweet-and-savory Churro Dog, Boba King's Pineapple Guava Spam Bao Bun, Corn Star & Hot Potato Club's Street Corn Baked Potato, and Australian Battered Potatoes' San Diego Spudwich.
Sweet entries in the So San Diego division include Candyland's A Date in Del Mar, Tasti Whip's Cherry Limeade Float, Boba King's Watermelon Mint Lemonade, Candy Me Up's Pulparindo Dole Whip, Chicken Charlie's Ube Funnel Cake, Dragon Street Eats' Tanghulu, and Fried Food Factory's Fabuloso Flan Funnel Cake.
The Wow category focuses on foods designed to generate conversation and social media buzz. Savory competitors include Taco Ramen's Kimchi Quesadilla, Flaco's Pozole Egg Rolls, Corn Star & Hot Potato Club's Sweet Mac n' Heat Crunch Potato, Disco Chicken's Peach Cobbler Heat Karaage Chicken, Magg's Mac Shack's Nashville Hot Chicken Fried Mac and Cheese Balls, Chicken Charlie's Zatar Fries, Ricky's California Corn Dog's Blueberry Brie Smash Dog, and Farmer in the Del's towering Umami Tsunami.
Sweet Wow entries push the creativity even further with TJ's Ice Cream's Cookie Butter Crunch Chocolate Strawberry Cup, Old West Cinnamon Rolls' Tiramisu Temptation, Chicken Charlie's Fried Mangonada, Bacon Nation's Bacon Wrapped Churros with Dulce de Leche, Mom's Bakeshoppe's Croffel Black & Tan Sundae, Dr Pepper Flavor Dippin' Dots, Farmer in the Del's Malasada Trio, Sticky Finger Treats' Cinnamon Crunch Cheesecake Rice Crispy Cone, Candy Me Up's Pistachio Dream Ice Cream Bar, Everybody Eats!' Lucky 13 Lavender Lemonade, and Dragon Street Eats' Japanese Fried Cream Sando.
The Wow category focuses on foods designed to generate conversation and social media buzz. Savory competitors include Taco Ramen's Kimchi Quesadilla, Flaco's Pozole Egg Rolls, Corn Star & Hot Potato Club's Sweet Mac n' Heat Crunch Potato, Disco Chicken's Peach Cobbler Heat Karaage Chicken, Magg's Mac Shack's Nashville Hot Chicken Fried Mac and Cheese Balls, Chicken Charlie's Zatar Fries, Ricky's California Corn Dog's Blueberry Brie Smash Dog, and Farmer in the Del's towering Umami Tsunami.
Sweet Wow entries push the creativity even further with TJ's Ice Cream's Cookie Butter Crunch Chocolate Strawberry Cup, Old West Cinnamon Rolls' Tiramisu Temptation, Chicken Charlie's Fried Mangonada, Bacon Nation's Bacon Wrapped Churros with Dulce de Leche, Mom's Bakeshoppe's Croffel Black & Tan Sundae, Dr Pepper Flavor Dippin' Dots, Farmer in the Del's Malasada Trio, Sticky Finger Treats' Cinnamon Crunch Cheesecake Rice Crispy Cone, Candy Me Up's Pistachio Dream Ice Cream Bar, Everybody Eats!' Lucky 13 Lavender Lemonade, and Dragon Street Eats' Japanese Fried Cream Sando.
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The Theme category challenges vendors to create foods inspired by books, storytelling, and fantasy. Savory entries include Corn Star & Hot Potato Club's Tot-zilla, Spud Ranch's Wizard of Asada Spud, Gino's Pizza's Bacon-Wrapped Pizza Wand, Farmer in the Del's Humpty Dumpty Ramen Deviled Eggs, and Pat's Pizza's Very Hungry Caterpillar Garden Pizza. Sweet contenders include Candyland's Good Witch Waffle Wand, TJ's Ice Cream's Once Upon a Rose Sundae, Sellin Melons' Princess Kaguya's Watermelon Mochi Ice Cream, Dragon Street Eats' K-Pop Dream Cloud Ice Cream, and Australian Battered Potatoes' Once Upon a Spud.
Among the most buzzworthy entries are the Lobster Nachos topped with garlic-butter lobster and Alfredo sauce, the Blueberry Brie Smash Dog served on a croissant, the Bacon-Wrapped Pizza Wand finished with hot honey glaze, the viral Dubai chocolate-inspired Pistachio Dream Ice Cream Bar, and Chicken Charlie's colorful Ube Funnel Cake and Fried Mangonada.
The field of 45 will be narrowed to 18 on Opening Day, June 10, with finalists announced that evening. Those finalists will then become part of one of the Fair's most popular promotions: Foodie Fridays, where all 18 finalist dishes will be offered at half price every Friday from 11am to 4pm.
Among the most buzzworthy entries are the Lobster Nachos topped with garlic-butter lobster and Alfredo sauce, the Blueberry Brie Smash Dog served on a croissant, the Bacon-Wrapped Pizza Wand finished with hot honey glaze, the viral Dubai chocolate-inspired Pistachio Dream Ice Cream Bar, and Chicken Charlie's colorful Ube Funnel Cake and Fried Mangonada.
The field of 45 will be narrowed to 18 on Opening Day, June 10, with finalists announced that evening. Those finalists will then become part of one of the Fair's most popular promotions: Foodie Fridays, where all 18 finalist dishes will be offered at half price every Friday from 11am to 4pm.
The championship round takes place June 12 on the Paddock Stage, where judges Troy Johnson of San Diego Magazine and MasterChef Season 6 winner Claudia Sandoval will join radio personality Rick Morton and a panel of People's Choice judges to crown the 2026 Fair-tastic Food Champion.
The 2026 San Diego County Fair runs June 10 through July 5 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds and is closed Mondays and Tuesdays. This year's theme, "Once Upon a Fair," celebrates books, storytelling, imagination, and magical summer memories.
The San Diego County Fair takes place at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, located at 2260 Jimmy Durante Boulevard in Del Mar. For more information and tickets, visit sdfair.com and check out the full list of the 45 finalist food items below.
SO SAN DIEGO - SAVORY
The 2026 San Diego County Fair runs June 10 through July 5 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds and is closed Mondays and Tuesdays. This year's theme, "Once Upon a Fair," celebrates books, storytelling, imagination, and magical summer memories.
The San Diego County Fair takes place at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, located at 2260 Jimmy Durante Boulevard in Del Mar. For more information and tickets, visit sdfair.com and check out the full list of the 45 finalist food items below.
SO SAN DIEGO - SAVORY
Gaslamp Birria Melt from Between the Buns: Slow-braised birria beef layered on a toasted bolillo roll with Oaxaca and Jack cheese, Baja cabbage, charred corn, avocado, chipotle-lime crema, roasted tomatillo salsa verde, and served with consommé for dipping.
Mozzarella Stuffed Chorizo Sonoran Dog from Flaco's: A bacon-wrapped Mexican chorizo sausage stuffed with mozzarella and served on a bolillo roll with beans, mayo, mustard, pico de gallo, and cotija cheese.
Crispy Chicken Shawarma Wrap from Chicken Charlie's: Traditional shawarma-spiced chicken wrapped with garlic sauce, tahini, pickled turnips, and fresh toppings in a crispy griddled wrap.
Birria Pizza from Pat's Pizza: Hand-tossed pizza topped with birria, Oaxaca and Monterey Jack cheese, charred corn, pickled onions, cilantro, chipotle crema, and served with consommé.
Tailgatin' Taquito Bucket from Paddock Club: A shareable bucket filled with taquitos, guacamole, pico de gallo, lettuce, cilantro, cotija cheese, and spicy chicharrones.
Lobster Nachos from Stizzy's Oyster House: Fresh tortilla chips covered in Alfredo sauce, garlic-butter lobster chunks, onions, and sriracha aioli.
Baja Bacon Birria Bomb from Bacon Nation: Bacon-wrapped mini quesadilla stuffed with birria and Oaxaca cheese, topped with Baja slaw and chipotle honey.
Churro Dog from West Coast Weenies: A sweet-and-savory hot dog or cheese-filled battered roll fried golden, coated in cinnamon sugar, and finished with glaze.
Pineapple Guava Spam Bao Bun from Boba King: Fried Spam glazed with pineapple guava sauce and topped with daikon slaw and pickled cucumbers on a steamed bao bun.
Street Corn Baked Potato from Corn Star & Hot Potato Club: Loaded baked potato topped with sweet corn, bacon, chipotle mayo, jalapeños, and Tajín- and cotija-coated fried corn ribs.
San Diego Spudwich from Australian Battered Potatoes: Crispy battered potatoes served sandwich-style on an artisan bun with chipotle sauce.
SO SAN DIEGO - SWEET
WOW - SWEET
Croffel Black & Tan Sundae from Mom's Bakeshoppe: Pressed croissant waffle topped with vanilla ice cream.
THEME - SAVORY
THEME - SWEET
SO SAN DIEGO - SWEET
A Date in Del Mar from Candyland: Apple wrapped in dates and pecans, finished with dark chocolate and peanut butter drizzle.
Cherry Limeade Float from Tasti Whip: Cherry and lime float topped with soft serve, maraschino cherry, and fresh lime.
Watermelon Mint Lemonade from Boba King: Watermelon juice, lemonade, fresh mint, and watermelon popping boba.
Pulparindo Dole Whip from Candy Me Up: Pineapple Dole Whip topped with tamarind-mango Pulparindo sauce, watermelon Salsaghetti, and Pulparindo candy.
Ube Funnel Cake from Chicken Charlie's: Funnel cake topped with ube ice cream, ube powdered sugar, whipped cream, and ube sauce.
Tanghulu from Dragon Street Eats: Fresh fruit coated in a crackly candy shell inspired by the popular Chinese street snack.
Fabuloso Flan Funnel Cake from Fried Food Factory: Funnel cake topped with flan, caramel, dulce de leche, strawberries, whipped cream, and sprinkles.
WOW - SAVORY
Kimchi Quesadilla from Taco Ramen: Cheese quesadilla stuffed with spicy fermented kimchi.
Pozole Egg Rolls from Flaco's: Pozole-inspired egg rolls filled with hominy, meat, cabbage, onions, and chile flavors, served with consommé.
Sweet Mac n' Heat Crunch Potato from Corn Star & Hot Potato Club: Sweet potato loaded with caramel, mac and cheese, jalapeños, and brûléed sugar crust.
Peach Cobbler Heat Karaage Chicken from Disco Chicken: Japanese-style fried chicken coated in sweet peach cobbler glaze with a spicy finish.
Nashville Hot Chicken Fried Mac & Cheese Balls from Magg's Mac Shack: Deep-fried mac and cheese balls with chicken, Nashville hot sauce, pickles, and white bread.
Zatar Fries from Chicken Charlie's: Fries topped with feta, za'atar seasoning, olive oil, mint, and pickled turnips.
Blueberry Brie Smash Dog from Ricky's California Corn Dog: Smashed hot dog served with brie and blueberry jam on a buttery croissant.
Umami Tsunami from Farmer in the Del: Massive platter featuring udon noodles, vegetables, Korean BBQ short rib, shrimp, shumai, pot stickers, and chili crunch.
WOW - SWEET
Cookie Butter Crunch Chocolate Strawberry Cup from TJ's Ice Cream: Chocolate-covered strawberries topped with cookie butter, Biscoff crumbles, and a Lotus cookie.
Tiramisu Temptation from Old West Cinnamon Rolls: Coffee-soaked cinnamon roll topped with coffee cream cheese frosting and cocoa.
Fried Mangonada from Chicken Charlie's: Fried mango finished with chamoy and Tajín.
Bacon Wrapped Churros with Dulce de Leche from Bacon Nation: Cinnamon-sugar churros wrapped in bacon and served with dulce de leche.
Dr Pepper Flavor Dippin' Dots from Dippin' Dots: Dr Pepper-flavored frozen bead ice cream.
Malasada Trio from Farmer in the Del: Three Hawaiian-style filled donuts featuring chocolate-coconut, ube, and pineapple-yuzu fillings.
Cinnamon Crunch Cheesecake Rice Crispy Cone from Sticky Finger Treats: Rice Krispies cone filled with cinnamon cereal cheesecake.
Pistachio Dream Ice Cream Bar from Candy Me Up: Dubai chocolate-inspired ice cream bar topped with pistachio cream, kataifi, Nutella, and pistachios.
Lucky 13 Lavender Lemonade from Everybody Eats!: Fresh lemonade infused with lavender.
Japanese Fried Cream Sando from Dragon Street Eats: Deep-fried milk bread stuffed with whipped cream and strawberries.
THEME - SAVORY
Tot-zilla from Corn Star & Hot Potato Club: Tater tots loaded with mac and cheese, bacon, jalapeños, and Flamin' Hot Cheetos.
The Wizard of Asada Spud from Spud Ranch: Carne asada-loaded baked potato with avocado, corn, pickled onions, cotija, and chipotle crema.
Bacon-Wrapped Pizza Wand from Gino's Pizza: Cheesy pizza core wrapped in bacon and glazed with hot honey.
Humpty Dumpty Ramen Deviled Eggs from Farmer in the Del: Soy-marinated eggs topped with whipped yolk filling, ramen crunch, scallions, and togarashi.
Very Hungry Caterpillar Garden Pizza from Pat's Pizza: Garden-themed pizza featuring pesto, heirloom tomatoes, zucchini, mozzarella, and olives.
THEME - SWEET
Good Witch Waffle Wand from Candyland: Waffle wand filled with whipped cream, frosting, and cotton candy.
Once Upon a Rose Sundae from TJ's Ice Cream: Strawberry sundae topped with a chocolate-covered strawberry rose.
Princess Kaguya's Watermelon Mochi Ice Cream from Sellin Melons: Watermelon-strawberry ice cream wrapped in soft mochi.
K-Pop Dream Cloud Ice Cream from Dragon Street Eats: Ice cream sandwich wrapped in marshmallow and toasted.
Once Upon a Spud from Australian Battered Potatoes: Cinnamon-sugar battered potatoes drizzled with condensed milk.
Based on buzz potential and social media appeal, the dishes most likely to make the Top 18 finalists include:
Based on buzz potential and social media appeal, the dishes most likely to make the Top 18 finalists include:
- Lobster Nachos (Stizzy's Oyster House)
- Ube Funnel Cake (Chicken Charlie's)
- Blueberry Brie Smash Dog (Ricky's California Corn Dog)
- Bacon-Wrapped Pizza Wand (Gino's Pizza)
- Pistachio Dream Ice Cream Bar (Candy Me Up)
- Fried Mangonada (Chicken Charlie's)
- Baja Bacon Birria Bomb (Bacon Nation)
- Kimchi Quesadilla (Taco Ramen)
- Tot-zilla (Corn Star & Hot Potato Club)
- Wizard of Asada Spud (Spud Ranch)
