Beyond many tried and true tasty staples at the Kentucky State Fair, you can always count on trying something new.
That’s no exception for the 121st running of the State Fair, held Aug. 14-24 at the Kentucky Exposition Center, 937 Phillips Lane.
Along with the usual suspects of turkey legs, doughnut burgers, funnel cakes, and a fair share of deep-fried everything, it’s an annual goal for the Louisville-based Sivori Catering to toss a new concoction on the stand’s colorful menu.
Following up on a BBQ sundae from 2023 and 2024’s chili cheese corn dog, Sivori will debut a hot Cheetos corn dog at this year’s fair.
The corn dog is dipped in cheese sauce and rolled into a pile of crunchy Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, resulting in a fiery, orangey red dish. Sticking with fair legacy and convenience, it’s served on a stick.
“It actually looks exactly what it sounds like,” Aaron Sivori, the company’s vice president, told the Courier Journal.
Warm corn dogs ready for consumption at the 2023 Kentucky State Fair on Thursday evening. Aug. 17, 2023
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He was somewhat inspired by similar dishes circling around. In 2023, a different vendor served a hot Cheetos hot dog and pizza topped with Flamin’ Hot Cheetos at the Kentucky State Fair.
“It’s fast and easy to do and, you know, everybody likes Cheetos,” Sivori said. “In this industry, you try to think of different things to do. With Cheetos being a popular item anyway, you just kind of try to add stuff like that to your item. And it makes it more popular and more recognizable.”
In addition to the snack-covered corn dog, priced at around $12, Sivori Catering will offer a hot honey pepperoni pizza, served by the slice or as a whole pie.
“It’s just something for people to talk about,” Sivori said. “When they see stuff like that, it reminds them that, ‘Oh, it’s fair time.’”
Food-minded fairgoers can also look out for a new vendor this year.
American Farmboy Fare, based in Danville, is hoping to pay homage to the “original Kentucky State Fair pork chop,” according to owner Zach Gibbs.
Along with the thick-cut, bone-in pork chop, American Farmboy Fare may make a splash by offering an ostrich burger for a day or two at the fair.
Sourcing from a Danville ostrich farm, Gibbs plans to cook up ostrich burgers on Saturday, Aug. 23, and maybe another date as a suprise.
People stop at plenty of booths runs by Sivori at the Kentucky State Fair. Aug. 16, 2024
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“It’s going to be really unique and I think it’ll sell really well,” Gibbs told the Courier Journal.
While ostrich meat is “similar to a beef experience,” Gibbs describes it as having a richer flavor and more tender taste. He plans to assemble the burgers, with a price of around $25, and simple toppings such as cheese, lettuce, pickle, and onion.
“We think the burger will be really good on its own,” he said.
Gibbs, an Ohio native who moved to Danville from Arizona about four years ago, has attended the Kentucky State Fair in the past with his family.
“A lot of the experience is to try really cool fair food that you don’t get on a regular basis,” he said. “A lot of people stick a certain amount of money in their pocket for food when they go to the fair.”
For his business, he hopes 2025 is the start of a new tradition.
“We’re looking forward to it,” he said. “We hope to be back for years to come.”
Reach food and dining reporter Amanda Hancock at ahancock@courier-journal.com.
WHAT: The 121st Kentucky State Fair includes dozens of entertainment acts, including the Texas Roadhouse Free Concert featuring Blue Öyster Cult, Sawyer Brown, Sister Sledge and more. The 11-day event also features the best in Kentucky livestock, crowning the Five-Gaited World’s Grand Champion at the World’s Championship Horse Show, award winning blue ribbon exhibitions, loads of your favorite fair food, a Beerfest, a Latin Festival, Courier Journal Day at the State Fair on Aug. 15, social discount days and dozens of other iconic activities.
WHERE: Kentucky Exposition Center, 937 Phillips Lane
WHEN: Aug. 14-24
MORE INFORMATION: kystatefair.org
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: New food to try at 2025 Kentucky State Fair includes Cheetos corn dog