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Potatoes are a staple on many tables across the world, including at the N.C. State Fair. From French fries and mashed potatoes to loaded baked potatoes and tater tots, the N.C. State Fair features many delicious potato-based foods each year. We are so thankful for all the potato farmers that make these foods possible. Check out some of the items below that you can find at the fair this year and stay tuned for the New Foods list coming out soon on the N.C. State Fair pages for even more potato treats!
Barb Wilson Enterprises II LLC – aka Spudtastic Potatoes
Spudtastic Potatoes has been a vendor at the N.C. State Fair for over five years. Kelly Myers, owner and manager of the food truck, has been attending the fair since she was fifteen years old and takes great pride in being a vendor today. “The fair is a tradition for a lot of people across our state, myself included,” she said. “From my teenage years to now, the fair is something I look forward to each year.”
As the name would suggest, potatoes are the star attraction at Spudtastic Potatoes. Their baked potatoes can be loaded with a variety of toppings to match just about any flavor profile, including Buffalo Chicken, Sheperd’s Pie, Pulled Pork BBQ, All American and Mexican Street Corn. “You can’t go wrong with an old fashioned or all American baked potato,” Kelly said. “From savory baked potatoes to sweet potatoes loaded with cinnamon sugar and hot honey, we’ve got just about any flavor profile you’re looking for.” In addition to baked and sweet potatoes, the food truck also offers buffalo chips, potato wedges, and tater tots. “Our potato wedges and tater tots can both be loaded with any of the toppings including on our baked potatoes,” Kelly said. The buffalo chips, also known as ribbon fries, are served with buffalo sauce and blue cheese, or can be tailored to include any of the toppings from the baked potatoes as well. “I just love slinging potatoes,” Kelly said. “We take pride in bringing a product to the fair that people can enjoy in a variety of forms and flavors.” Although their best seller is often the All American baked potato, which includes butter, cheese, and bacon, their Mexican Street Corn Potato was a big hit last year for fairgoers.
The Spudtastic Potato stand can be found on the midway near Kiddie Land between gates 9 and 10 at the fairgrounds.
D&J Concessions
D&J Concessions has been a staple at the N.C. State Fair for over twenty years! Owner and operator, John Peterson, grew up attending the fair nearly every year with his friends and family. “We used to ride our bikes to the fairgrounds and watch the train pull in,” he said. “Not only did I spend my childhood at the fair, but I raised my kids going to the fair as well, so it’s been a part of my family for a long time.” When he started the concession business, the N.C. State Fair was a natural fit for John and his team.
A variety of potato items can be found at D&J Concessions, from ribbon fries to tornado fries. “The tornado fries, also known as 30’ twisted fries, were new last year and created quite the buzz around the fairgrounds,” John said. “One potato is run through a cut-fry machine and stretched to 25 inches. That spiral cut potato is then placed on a stick, like a corn dog, and loaded with ranch powder, chives, cheese, ketchup or barbeque sauce. It’s messy, but a lot of fun and great for pictures!” D&J Concessions also offers “Big Butt ‘BBQ’ Fries,” which are French fries loaded with barbeque, cole slaw and topped with their special BBQ sauce, and Steak N Cheese Fries, aka garbage fries, which are French fries loaded with steak, cheese, onions and peppers. Although their best-selling product is probably funnel cakes, all their fried food items are a hit each year at the fair, including the French fries. Keep an eye out this year for their new food item, which is Hawaiian Sweet Rolls fried on a stick and topped with cinnamon, sugar and icing. “It tastes a lot like a cinnamon roll and we are very excited for fairgoers to try it,” John said.
D&J Concessions has two booths on the fairgrounds: (1) At the entrance of the Grandstand and (2) By the Commercial and Education Buildings near Gate 1 on the fairgrounds.
Fun Time Foods – aka Mac & Tots
Fun Time Foods was started in the mid-40’s by current owner Michael Kramer’s grandfather and has been growing as a business ever since. “My grandfather was part of the group that crafted the original corndog,” Michael said. “He started the carnival business and eventually passed it down to me. It’s an honor to bring delicious food items to customers across the country.” Fun Time Foods has been a vendor at the N.C. State Fair for ten years.
Potatoes take the form of tater tots at Fun Time Foods, bringing a fun and unique twist to the popular vegetable. “I truly had no idea that tater tots would be as popular as they are with our business when we started,” Michael said. “However, they have continued to help us grow and expand the company since the first year we featured them on the menu.” The tater tots at Fun Time Foods can be loaded with a variety of toppings like Philly steak, pulled pork, brisket, bacon, sausage gravy and chili. “We cook all the pulled pork and brisket ourselves, so it’s fresh off the grill,” Michael said. “In fact, it’s probably our best seller because it’s so rich and flavorful.” The booth also offers Poutine Tots, which are loaded with gravy and melted cheese curds, much like the traditional dish with fries. “The N.C. State Fair is one of my favorite fairs to visit because of the great people and fun atmosphere,” Michael said. “We are excited to return this year and provide customers with fair foods that they enjoy.”
Fun Time Foods is located inside Kiddie Land during the N.C. State Fair.
Other items to mention
Many vendors across the grounds offer loaded French fries, including KB Foods, which is located in front of Gate 9 on the grounds. Their fries can include toppings like chili, bacon, cheese, ranch, sour cream, blue cheese crumbles and mac & cheese. Frazee Concessions, aka Jesse Jones, also offers French fries topped with chili and cheese. Their booth can be found on the midway strip in front of the Agri Supply Expo Center.
Colglazier Enterprises, aka Pickle Barrel Sirloin Tips, is well known for their sirloin tips served with mashed potatoes. Their stand can be found on the midway strip next to the Live & Local Waterfall Music Stage during the fair.
These are just a few of the vendors that will be offering potato-based food items on-site at the 2026 N.C. State Fair, taking place Oct. 15-25th. Many other vendors offer French fries, ribbon fries, tater tots, and more. Keep an eye on the N.C. State Fair social media pages for the new foods announcement and be sure to download the food and ride finder before attending the fair in October to help you find all your favorite fair foods across the grounds. We are so thankful for all the farmers that produce the ingredients used and the vendors who work hard to bring delicious items to the N.C. State Fair each year!
