SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The Great New York State Fair is known for food that can end up in a fryer, on a stick — or both. But for fairgoers with food allergies or intolerances, deciding what to eat can require a little more planning.
Melissa Oriole knows that challenge well. She said she was diagnosed with celiac disease about four years ago, changing what she can order when she comes to the fair.
“It’s still a challenge every time I come to the fair,” Oriole said. “There are good options. I really wish I could get a deep-fried Oreo. I really miss that. I really miss the pizza frite.”
Deep-fried Oreos and pizza frite may be off her menu, but they are not the only choices on the fairgrounds.
Several vendors offer foods that can fit different dietary needs, while others say they can help customers identify ingredients before ordering.
At Hot Roasted Corn, Blias Tadros said the stand’s corn provides a meat-free and dairy-free option.
“Here we have hot roasted corn, which is a good vegetarian option,” Tadros said. “We are meat-free. We are dairy-free.”
For fairgoers looking for gluten-free options, Baga Bowls on the Go is another stop. Tiana Bender said the granola served from the truck is gluten-free.
“We are very inclusive to allergies, I would say,” Bender said. “Our day-to-day granola is gluten-free, so any granola that comes from the truck is gluten-free.”
Bender said the bowls also give fairgoers another choice alongside the fried foods traditionally associated with the fair.
“When you come to the fair, it’s greasy and fried food,” Bender said. “We have to give that balance.”
For Tadros, offering choices for different dietary needs is part of making the fair accessible to the wide range of people who come through the gates.
“The fair is for the city of Syracuse and the state of New York and everyone around to enjoy themselves,” Tadros said. “Everyone [should] be able to enjoy foods that are suitable for their allergies.”
For people with food allergies or intolerances, finding something to eat at the fair may take an extra question or two. Asking vendors about ingredients and how food is prepared can help fairgoers determine which options fit their individual dietary needs.
The deep-fried Oreo might still be out — but fair food doesn’t necessarily have to be.