The Big E is an annual event that takes place in West Springfield, Massachusetts every year. While the fair has several vendors, a carnival, live music, and a Mardi Gras parade, it is really known for its crazy, fried, and extremely filling foods! I have been going for four years in a row now and have compiled a list of the top foods you NEED to try at the Big E!
1. Fried Oreos
If there is anything I am dying to get when I go to the Big E, it is the fried oreos. Served in a paper bag and shaken up in powdered sugar, the fried oreos are absolutely mouth-watering and one of the best sweet treats you will find at the Big E.
2. Mini Donuts
Another one of my favorite dessert items are the mini donuts. You can get them in a small bag or you can get a bucket of donuts and they are to die for! The donuts are made fresh and are covered in sugar.
3. Maine Baked Potato
The Big E has state houses and at the Maine house, you can get a Maine baked potato. Once you have reached the front of the line, you can choose from several toppings to add on the potato such as cheese, sour cream, chives, bacon bits, and butter. The line can get pretty long but the wait is completely worth it.
4. Broccoli Cheddar Soup
This year was my first year getting soup since my mom and I went on a cooler day. Every time we went, it was always so hot out and I never wanted hot foods/drinks. There is a vendor that offers chili, broccoli cheddar soup, and New England clam chowder soup. All of these can be served in either a bread bowl or regular bowl. I tried the broccoli cheddar soup and it was absolutely amazing! The soup was so fresh and the chunks of broccoli in the soup were not too big or small. Definitely a food item that goes unnoticed but is definitely worth a try.
5. Corn Dog
The Big E seems to enlarge all of the food items it offers and one that is definitely worth the money is the corn dogs. At one vendor, they offer three different sized corn dogs and they are all HUGE! It will definitely fill you up quickly.
6. Empanadas
Another new thing I tried this year was an empanada. For those who do not know, an empanada is a flour tortilla that is filled with ground beef and spices and baked in the oven. My mom and I went to a vendor that specifically made Spanish food only. Everyone makes them differently so I was interested to see how they would be at a fair and they are delicious!
Of course, there are a million other things you can try from a donut burger to an apple cider slushy. The Big E offers so much that it makes it nearly impossible to not find something you like. While only open for a few weeks, the Big E comes and goes by quickly so be sure to plan a day to visit and try some great foods, walk around the fair, and see just what it has to offer!
