With hundreds of food vendors, it can be hard to find new items to try at the State Fair but check out the list below for a few options.  

Hasbrouck holds the Defibrillator in his hand. (Emily Kenny/Spectrum News 1)

The Defibrillator from Deep Fried Specialties  

James Hasbrouck, owner of Deep Fried Specialties, has been attending the New York State Fair for 18 years. This year, he brought back a crowd favorite.

“It’s a deep-fried half-pound burger with deep-fried cheddar cheese, deep-fried pickles and deep-fried bacon between two grilled cheese sandwiches,” Hasbrouck said.  

Hasbrouck makes deep fried Biscoff cheesecake. (Emily Kenny/Spectrum News 1)

In addition to the giant burger, he has a deep fried Biscoff cheesecake.  

“It’s deep-fried, topped with cookie butter, whipped cream, a Biscoff cookie and more cookie butter,” he said.  

The Dubai Hawaiian roll from Fair Deli. (Emily Kenny/Spectrum News 1)

The Dubai Hawaiian Roll from Fair Deli  

Another popular vendor, Fair Deli, has returned with their Krunchy Dog and pickle Dr. Pepper, but they have a new item for fairgoers this year as well.  

“We’re taking three [Hawaiian rolls], skewering them on a stick, frying them, pouring sweetened condensed milk on top then dusting it with a cinnamon sugar, pistachio cream, phyllo dough and crushed pistachios. It’s sweet, it’s decadent and it’s a must-try,” said Zach Marji, owner of Fair Deli.

The Chocolate Taps booth in the Eatery. (Emily Kenny/Spectrum News 1)

Ube and matcha ice cream from Chocolate Taps

Chocolate Taps, which is operated by Marji and Lisa Zheng, also has some new items on tap.  

“We’re the only ones at the fair, that I know of, with matcha and ube ice cream that we are making from scratch in Chocolate Taps,” Marji said. “It has a beautiful color to it and it tastes even better.”  

Fair Deli is located near the poultry barn, and Chocolate Taps can be found in the Eatery.  

A cook grilling the squid at Captain Squid. (Emily Kenny/Spectrum News 1)

Grilled squid tentacles, and whole grilled squid from Captain Squid  

Located in the Asian Village, Captain Squid is serving up whole grilled squid inspired by the Asian street food.  

“I was born in China and in my childhood, grilled squid was always the most popular in the night markets, so we wanted to bring that kind of delicious food to the U.S.,” said owner Sherry Lou.  

Pickles being served at Tommy’s Pickles. (Emily Kenny/Spectrum News 1)

Pickle flights from Tommy’s Pickles

Fairgoers can visit the new vendor along the Restaurant Row, where they can sample a variety of pickle flavors.

“We treat pickles as if we’re a wine sommelier but with pickles. So we’re going to tell you, for instance, our garlic dill pickle that pairs well with a cheeseburger. If you get the bread and butter pickle, that’s also a good sandwich pickle, but the horseradish is just a good snacking pickle,” said owner Tommy Grimes.  

They offer samples of their pickle chips, whole pickles, both pints and quart containers, and pickle flights.  

“We’re going to have new flavors each day, whether it be Cajun, ranch, we have our pickled pineapple, which is out today. We’re going to have sweet heat, so we’re going to have about 20 different things in variety,” Grimes said.