LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — Fair food is a staple at the Allen County Fair, with dozens of vendors offering everything from classic favorites to new food trends.
Lee’s Concessions, located on the south side of the fairgrounds, is known for its secret-recipe giant breaded tenderloin sandwiches, corn dogs, pretzels and other fair favorites.
Owner Misty Lee said the stand tries to source as much as possible locally, including the beef used for its loaded French fries and giant chili dogs.
“I localize anything I possibly can. I feel that's important. Even my ground beef for my loaded French fries. And for my giant chili dog, that is also delicious, I usually purchase most of that beef from Stites Market. And it's all local. I do really try to see all the grocery stores and keep things local for about anything I sell,” Lee said.
Poeppelman Concessions has been serving fair food since 1965. Now in its third generation, the family stand specializes in sugar waffles and lemon shake-ups.
Deb Poeppelman describes the sugar waffles as crispy, light and sweet, with powdered sugar on top.
Deb’s son, Jeff, has worked at the stand since he was 7. He makes the stand’s lemon shake-ups using freshly squeezed lemons, sugar, water and ice. Strawberry and blue raspberry flavors are also available.
For fairgoers looking to try something different, Circle U Waffle Company, located next to the grandstand, offers several variations of the Dubai chocolate trend.
Owner Cindy Ulrey said she gives customers samples to introduce them to the trend, including strawberries or bananas.
“I love to give out samples and I do that all the time because people will walk over, and I'm like, do you know what it is? And they're like, no, so I say, come over here. And I give them a little skewer of strawberry or banana, what ever they like, and they say, okay, yeah, I get it now. And actually, that's how I've gotten a bit busier each day of the fair.”
With dozens of vendors across the fairgrounds, fairgoers have plenty of options to satisfy their cravings.
Thursday, Aug. 27, from noon to 8 p.m., is “Taste of the Fair,” when vendors will offer smaller, bite-sized portions of their food so fairgoers can sample different options.
Click here for a full list of participating vendors.
