The New York State Fair stand hosted by Strong Hearts Café has solidified its standing among Fair vendors with a creative menu featuring vegan specialties. It’s quite a coup at our Fair, an event that has long catered to the carnivore population, but Strong Hearts has made converts by selling burgers, entrees and shakes that patrons enjoy, never missing the meat and dairy.
That one corner of the Horticulture Building isn’t the only place where hungry Fair fans can enjoy vegetarian food. There are dozens of delicious dishes for eaters who avoid meat.
Though Daniella’s is an offshoot of a steakhouse, their fried green tomato sliders and tomato parm sandwiches are terrific.
Ethnic specialties are a good jumping off point as the menus of many countries often include meatless favorites. Middle Eastern chow like grape leaves or falafel are full of exotic flavor and very satisfying. Look for them at King David’s and several other vendors.
Asian food, including vegetable tempura and veggie rolls are commonly found in the Eatery, a/k/a the International Pavilion, and at other stands.
Stop by the Pan African Village for Omanii’s veggie sandwich or Creole Soul’s Cajun potatoes. Las Delicias’ lightly-fried empanadas come with various vegetable fillings, so they’re very tasty and inexpensive.
Italian food fans have made the eggplant parm at Eatery mainstay Emmi’s a perennial best-seller.
If you want to keep veggie while observing the carnival food tradition of gorging on deep-fried food, you can get pickles, cauliflower and many other battered plant foods at several stands.
Not to be overlooked are the cinnamon-dusted apple fritters from Log Cabin, the Wrap It Up stand’s veggie wrap and, of course, the famous baked potatoes.
Even the popular Butcher Boys steak trailer will build you a salad, your choice of in a bowl or wrapped in a warm pita. You could certainly say that the State Fair is a great event for every hungry patron.