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We Ate 18 Foods In One Hour At The San Diego County Fair. Here Are Our Top 10 Picks.
It wasn't a dare, but it sure felt like one: Eat as many fair foods as you can in one hour — go!
That's exactly what we did Friday morning as part of the third annual Fair-Tastic Foods Competition, where we joined 25 other judges who chose the best of this year's culinary offerings at the San Diego County Fair, which opened Wednesday.
Earlier rounds winnowed down the list to 18 finalists, all of whom served their dishes to a new set of judges Friday. That means 18 dishes were served to each judge — 18!
Before we share the official results, let us adjust our belts and tell you about the 10 fair foods that topped our list.
Tres Leches Cinnamon Roll can be found at the Country Fair Cinnamon Rolls concession stand at the San Diego County Fair. (Fred Greaves / San Diego County Fair) Tres Leches Cinnamon RollThe folks at the Country Fair Cinnamon Rolls concession stand call this "pure pan dulce perfection." It comes fresh from the oven and drenched in tres leches sauce — "a sweet tribute to San Diego's vibrant Mexican culinary soul." ($14)
Jayne Yutig: This has all of your favorite things in the fair's famous cinnamon roll: crispy, caramelized sugar and cream cheese icing. This year, it was elevated with the flavors synonymous with tres leches cake. You have to try this.
Michael James Rocha: I agree, but when this landed in front of us, I thought, "Well, that is just a soggy mess." But I have to admit: one bite, and I was a believer. I've always been a huge fan of the Country Fair's cinnamon rolls, so I wondered, "Why mess with perfection?" This is why! It was sweet and crispy and any worries I had about sogginess quickly went out the window. I immediately scribbled four stars in my notebook.
Cajun Honey Dog can be found at the West Coast Weenies concession stand at the San Diego County Fair. (San Diego County Fair) Cajun Honey DogThis spicy-sweet dog, from West Coast Weenies, is a hot dog wrapped in cayenne batter, glazed in chili butter and topped with jalapeños and sea salt. "It's a hot dog gone wild," they say. ($15)
Jayne: This fair icon features a perfectly fried cornbread batter with spicy and sweet flavors. The corndog is glazed with a sweet chili butter and topped with jalapeños. It's perfect for those who enjoy sweet heat, but it may be too spicy for others.
Michael: I've always loved corndogs, and I've always loved spicy food. So when this arrived, my tastebuds definitely jumped for joy. It was juicy inside, with the batter fried just right — 30 more seconds in the fryer, and it would have been too well done. I did peel off a couple of jalapeños because I knew I had 16 more foods to try, and I didn't bring any antacid. But this was a winner.
Cherry Blossom Dubai Chocolate Strawberries can be found at the Ricky's concession stand at the San Diego County Fair. (San Diego County Fair) Cherry Blossom Dubai Chocolate StrawberriesRicky's Sweet Paradise is the brainchild behind this sophisticated fare food. They describe it as: "Belgian white chocolate-covered strawberries get a luxe twist with cherry blossom powder and pistachio creme, crispy kataifi pastry and a crumble of pistachios." ($18)
Jayne: This was a wonderful mixture of strawberries, crispy kataifi pastry and silky pistachio cream. This trendy dessert definitely kicks it up a notch, with the addition of Belgian white chocolate and cherry blossom powder.
Michael: I felt like such a loser because I didn't really know what Dubai chocolate was. A quick Google search took care of that. This seemed too sexy to be fair food. It looked and tasted like it belonged on a fancy dessert plate served on Valentine's Day. Fellow judges started tossing around the word "elevated," and I'd have to agree. It's delicious and decadent, and can I have more?
Super Volcano Fries can be found at the Farmer in the Del concession stand at the San Diego County Fair. (San Diego County Fair) Super Volcano FriesBrought to us by the folks at Farmer in the Del, this is "a full pound of golden fries topped with Kalua pork, beef bulgogi, sunny-side-up eggs, and a flavor blast of sauces, chili crunch, furikake and green onions. ($28)
Jayne: These fries are a summer showstopper. This plate is a visual feast of crispy fries, Kalua pork and bulgogi, topped with a fried egg and furikake. A bunch of other tasty additions are drizzled on top. Don't leave without trying this.
Michael: Yes, it's definitely a showstopper, but I was afraid when it arrived. Afraid because it looked so delicious I knew I'd have to eat it all. Fries? Mmm, good! Kalua pork? Mmm, good! Beef bulgogi? Mmm, good! I think I did linger a bit too long over this dish and had to say "No, I'm not done!" every time they tried to take it away from me. Hands off, buddy!
Carnival Fish can be found at the Candyland concession stand at the San Diego County Fair. (San Diego County Fair) Carnival FishThe confectioners at Candyland must have had a lot of fun coming up with this concoction: a blue raspberry candied apple dipped in Nerds and topped with gummy fish. ($9)
Jayne: This was made for gummy candy lovers, and I'm one of them! It's colorful and candy-coated — topped with Swedish Fish and Nerds.
Michael: I didn't love this as much as everyone else did at first, mainly because the blue-green coating worried me just a tad. "That's going to be too sweet," I thought to myself. That said, I did bite into it, and it was not that sweet. The tartness of the apple actually offset the sweetness of everything else. And I do love me some Nerds, so this was a fun treat.
Pork Belly Bao Buns can be found at the Between the Buns concession stand at the San Diego County Fair. (San Diego County Fair) Pork Belly Bao BunsThe chefs at Between the Buns came up with this dish, which they describe as "steamed bao buns packed with soy-glazed pork belly, fresh cucumber, cilantro, chopped peanuts and a drizzle of yakiniku sauce. Soft, savory and snack-sized perfection." ($18)
Jayne: These bao buns were fluffy and had big chunks of sweet pork belly. The pork was the star! Side note: the cucumber and veggies were over-sauced.
Michael: I'm such a bao snob that I had my doubts. But yes, you are correct, Jayne: the pork definitely was the star. It was perfectly cooked and packed so much smoky goodness.
Loaded Plantains can be found at the Rafikiz Foodz concession stand at the San Diego County Fair. (San Diego County Fair) Loaded PlantainsThe folks at Rafikiz Foodz describe their dish as "crispy fried plantains topped with kachumbari (East African veggie salsa) and your choice of chicken or vegan option. Light, flavorful and globally inspired with a San Diego twist." ($16)
Jayne: This plate is loaded with East African flavors, chicken and crispy plantains. A great option to stray out of your comfort zone.
Michael: If you want a burst of flavor, get this dish. I first tried the plantains, which were perfectly cooked. The vegetable salsa looked simple enough, but it brought so much freshness and just the right amount of acidity to the dish. But the chicken … well, I don't know how long it was marinated, but it took the dish to a whole other level.
Tajin Me Up Dole can be found at the Candy Me Up concession stand at the San Diego County Fair. (San Diego County Fair) Tajin Me Up Dole"Tropical meets tangy in this SoCal spin on Dole Whip," according to the folks at Candy Me Up. "Pineapple soft serve gets topped with fresh strawberries, pineapple chunks and a sprinkle of Tajín. Sweet, citrusy, and just a little spicy — it's sunshine in a cup." ($13)
Jayne: This is what you need during a trip to the fair on a hot day. Icy Dole Whip, topped with diced fruit and Tajin. This dessert encompasses the flavors of a fruit cup sold at a San Diego fruteria.
Michael: I love Dole Whip, and I love Tajin. How come I've never put these two things together? The addition of the fresh strawberries and pineapple chunks made this dessert feel a bit healthier. Yes, we'll just say it's healthier!
Hot Honey Goat Cheese Pistachio Pizza can be found at the Pat's Pizza concession stand at the San Diego County Fair. (San Diego County Fair) Hot Honey Goat Cheese Pistachio PizzaOver at Pat's Pizza, they've been busy coming up with this dish. "Meet the GOAT of pizza — literally! This crispy crust is topped with creamy goat cheese (from our favorite pet goat, of course!), drizzled with spicy honey, sprinkled with pistachios, and finished with fresh basil." ($12)
Jayne: You'll see hot honey a lot at the fair, including on pizza. This slice is a hot honey goat cheese pistachio pizza with too many mismatched combinations. The hot honey doesn't complement the other flavors.
Michael: OK, Jayne, you're allowed to not like one thing! You've met your quota. I actually loved this pizza. OK, I love pizza, period. So loving this pizza wasn't much of a stretch for me. But I do think the mix of flavors — as odd as they sound — made for a tasty dish.
Biscoff Milk Tea can be found at the Boba King concession stand at the San Diego County Fair. (San Diego County Fair) Biscoff Milk TeaIf you love Biscoff cookies, Boba King knows you'll love this drink: "With chewy boba, rich Biscoff lining, creamy milk tea, salted foam and a Biscoff cookie topper, it's smooth, sweet and a total crowdpleaser." ($16)
Jayne: This is one of the most surprising and delicious sweet treats at the fair. This combines a creamy Biscoff-flavored milk tea with chewy and perfectly cooked boba. Biscoff cookies are crumbled on top. It's not too sweet, and a must-try treat to enjoy while walking around the fairgrounds.
Michael: You had me at boba! I'll admit that when this arrived, I immediately pushed the straw deeper into the glass so I could get right to the boba. But this drink has a lot more to offer than that. And yes, Jayne, you're right: It wasn't too sweet, which was a plus for me. It looked like it would be too sweet, but I was pleasantly surprised. Props to you, Boba King, props to you!
The winnersIf you're still with us and haven't rushed out to go to the fair, here are the winners of Friday's food competition. Pro tip: From 11 a.M. To 4 p.M. On Fridays in June, fairgoers can enjoy all of the 18 finalist entries for 50% off.
BEST OF SHOWTres Leches Cinnamon Roll by Country Fair Cinnamon Rolls, which entered its newest dessert treat in the "So San Diego" sweet category, took home the top prize. The entry consists of one of their classic warm cinnamon rolls, made with their proprietary flour blend, and topped with tres leches milks, whipped cream, caramel, piloncillo and cinnamon sugar.
"I'm absolutely overwhelmed with joy," said Willie Madaus, owner of Country Fair Cinnamon Rolls. "It's so fulfilling to have this recognition after 48 years of being on these fairgrounds."
SO SAN DIEGO CATEGORYThe fair's criteria: This category includes cuisine inspired by the unique culture of America's Finest County. This includes ingredients sourced from the local land and sea—avocados, citrus and seafood, or items featuring traditional south-of-the border staples and Cali-Mex flavor combos. Carlsbad strawberries, "Cardiff Crack," Fallbrook avocados and California burritos are San Diego staples!
SavoryWinner: SPAM Wonton Tacos by Boba King
Finalists: Loaded Plantains by Rafikiz Foodz, Mexican "La Jolla" Noodles by Ricos Manjares
SweetWinner: Tres Leches Cinnamon Roll by Country Fair Cinnamon Rolls
Finalists: Bacon Churro Fries by Bacon Nation, Tajin Me Up Dole by Candy Me Up
WOW CATEGORYThe fair's criteria: In the words of Bonnie Raitt, "Let's give them something to talk about!" We've all drooled over some awe-inspiring menu item we've seen on Instagram, TikTok or Facebook, amiright? These foods are often colorful, creative, ethnically inspired, or over-the-top in some crazy way.
SavoryWinner: Super Volcano Fries by Farmer in the Del
Finalists: Bò Né by Chan's Chicken on a Stick, Pork Belly Bao Buns by Between the Buns
SweetWinner: Cherry Blossom Dubai Chocolate Strawberries by Ricky's Sweet Paradise
Finalists: Biscoff Milk Tea by Boba King, Hot Honey Ice Cream Chicken Bowl by Chicken Charlie's
THEME CATEGORYThe fair's criteria: This year's theme is "Summer Pet-tacular" — a celebration of the animals we welcome into our homes and hearts as our best friends. Concessionaires can get creative with ingredients such as hot dogs or Kit Kats, decorate food with ears and whiskers, or be inspired by "Kibbles and Bits" or "Catnip"!
SavoryWinner: Cajun Honey Dog by West Coast Weenies
Finalists: Hot Honey Goat Cheese Pistachio Pizza by Pat's Pizza, The D-O-Double-G Mac by Maggs Mac Shack
SweetWinner: Carnival Fish by Candyland
Finalists: Kit Cat Crunch Sundae by Crutchee's Cream, Purrfect Gourmet Apple by Sugar Bear
Originally Published: June 13, 2025 at 6:09 PM PDT
I Tried The Viral Canned Cinnamon Rolls On A Stick And They Were A Huge Hit
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I Tried the Viral Canned Cinnamon Rolls on a Stick and They Were a Huge Hit originally appeared on Parade.
Scrolling through Instagram on a weekend morning, I stumbled across something delightfully unhinged (in the best way)—grilled cinnamon rolls on a stick! Shared by content creator Lora McLaughlin Peterson (@lorafied), this recipe stopped me in my tracks. It was part fair food, part summer grilling hack and 100% something my kids would flip for. And they did!
We gave it a try and now we're hooked. It's ridiculously simple, kid-friendly and honestly just a whole lot of fun. You take canned cinnamon rolls, unroll each one, wrap it around a skewer, and grill it. That's it!
Top it with the included frosting (and we dusted ours with powdered sugar for extra flair), and you've got a handheld dessert that tastes like something straight from the fairgrounds without the lines, ticket prices or deep fryer.
We did manage to burn a couple on our first go, though. It turns out, those little swirls caramelize quickly over direct heat, but even the burned parts got eaten. They had that campfire s'mores quality—a little crispy, a little gooey, totally nostalgic. We've already planned to make them again, but next time, we'll turn the heat down a notch.
If you'd like to give this fun summer treat a try, read on to see how it went for me, plus my advice for making these fun cinnamon rolls at your house.
Related:This Rice Krispies Treat Hack is Pure Summer Bliss
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How to Make Cinnamon Rolls on a StickBe sure to use the refrigerated canned cinnamon rolls that come with icing. After unrolling each cinnamon roll, wrap the dough in a loose spiral around a wooden skewer. (We made sure to leave some space between the dough so it could expand and cook evenly.) If your dough is super sticky, a quick dusting of flour on your hands helps keep things manageable.
Then came the grilling. In the video, Peterson suggests cooking them "like a hot dog," by which she means to turn them frequently over the grill. She says that it took 5 to 8 minutes to cook the cinnamon rolls over her grill.
At my house, we quickly learned that low and slow is your friend for this recipe. Our first batch went on over high heat, and within a minute, the outer layer was scorched while the inside was still doughy. The trick is to use medium to low heat and turn them constantly. Think marshmallow-toasting level attention. You want that even browning all around, golden, not blackened.
Once they're off the grill, brush on the icing while they're still warm so it melts into all the crevices. Adding a dusting of powdered sugar took it up a notch and made it look like something you'd buy at a food truck, minus the $8 price tag.
The kids loved the novelty of them, and so did I! There were no forks required and they were ready in minutes. It's the perfect treat!
Related: The Viral Pillsbury Cinnamon Roll Hack That Made Me Look Like a Rockstar Baker
How to Make These Grilled Cinnamon Rolls Your OwnThese cinnamon rolls burned a little on the grill, but they were still delicious and my kids ate them all.
One of the best parts of this recipe is how easily you can make it your own.
Skip the included frosting and drizzle with cream cheese glaze, maple syrup or even a quick glaze made with powdered sugar and milk. You could also dip or drizzle the finished twists with Nutella or your favorite jam—just warm it up in the microwave to loosen it up. After grilling and frosting, roll the cinnamon rolls in chopped nuts, crushed graham crackers or mini chocolate chips.
Serve with a little cup of icing or caramel sauce for dipping, or dust them with extra cinnamon or a pumpkin spice blend before grilling for an added burst of flavor. You could also sprinkle them with cinnamon sugar (or pumpkin spice sugar) as soon as they're off the grill.
No matter how you tweak them, cinnamon rolls on a stick are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. They're ideal for backyard BBQs or a mid-week "we need something fun" dessert. We'll definitely be making these again, but next time with a little more patience and a lot less flame.
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Related: Roll Models: The 12 Best Store-Bought Cinnamon Rolls, Ranked
I Tried the Viral Canned Cinnamon Rolls on a Stick and They Were a Huge Hit first appeared on Parade on Jun 7, 2025
This story was originally reported by Parade on Jun 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
Cinnaholic Gourmet Cinnamon Rolls Opens First Louisiana Location
NEW ORLEANS (press release) — Cinnaholic, a Gourmet Cinnamon Roll business, has announced that its newest location will open on June 27 in New Orleans. Recently reaching 90 locations nationwide, Cinnaholic continues to grow and share its delicious treats at 4921 Freret St, New Orleans.
The newest gourmet vegan bakery will be locally owned by Keiyanah and Matthew Ratleff, who are bringing their dream to life through this new venture. Keiyanah and Matthew discovered Cinnaholic during the COVID-19 pandemic and instantly fell in love with the brand's craveable sweet treats. What started as a fascination with the customizability and uniqueness of the rolls, has now become a New Orleans family business.
"We were immediately drawn to Cinnaholic because it's completely customizable–it's a sweet treat you can make entirely your own," said Keiyanah.
"There's nothing like it in our community, and we believe that New Orleans is going to fall in love with Cinnaholic's 'designer cinnamon rolls,'" added Matthew.
Cinnaholic New Orleans with Owners Keiyanah and Matthew RatleffCinnaholic's Director of Marketing, Daniel Aldrich, added, "We are excited to continue expanding throughout the U.S. And open our first location in Louisiana. Our team is dedicated to sharing sweet treats made with the highest quality ingredients and are 100% vegan, dairy & lactose-free, egg-free and cholesterol-free."
To celebrate the opening on June 27th, members of the New Orleans community can enjoy one of Cinnaholic's delicious signature rolls for only $2.00 on Grand Opening Day—a limit of one per guest. In addition to cinnamon rolls, Cinnaholic offers other delectable treats, including bite-sized baby buns, cookies, brownies and even customized cinnamon roll cakes called "Cinnacakes."
With over 20 frosting flavors and over 20 topping choices, Cinnaholic is the only gourmet bakery allowing customers to customize their cinnamon rolls completely.
Each Cinnaholic cinnamon roll is 100% plant-based and free of dairy, lactose, eggs, or cholesterol, allowing guests to enjoy their mouthwatering creations without worrying about certain dietary or allergy restrictions. Cinnaholic also provides catering for all events, large and small, including weddings, conferences and conventions.
Cinnaholic New Orleans is located at 4921 Freret St. For more information, visit cinnaholic.Com, email cinnaholicnola@gmail.Com or follow along on Instagram @cinnaholic.
About CinnaholicBased out of Atlanta, Georgia, Cinnaholic is the only gourmet bakery allowing customers to customize cinnamon rolls completely with over 20 frosting flavors and over 20 topping choices. Cinnaholic specializes in unique, limited-time cinnamon rolls corresponding with the flavors of each season.
Each Cinnaholic cinnamon roll is 100% plant-based and free of dairy, lactose, eggs or cholesterol, allowing guests to enjoy their mouthwatering creations without worrying about certain dietary or allergy restrictions. To learn more about Cinnaholic franchise opportunities, call (404)844-8661. For more information about Cinnaholic bakeries, visit www.Cinnaholic.Com.
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