This weekend, things start to wind down in Plant City. There’s no better eatin’ this time of year… and there’s much more than just strawberry shortcake! Here are my top 5 picks for the best fair foods this year at the Florida Strawberry Festival!

Sure there are the fair staples… cotton candy, popcorn, pizza, and those giant bags of kettle corn.  But I was on a mission for the best of the best.  For lots of us, it’s a haul to make it out to Plant City, so you need to plan your assault on your arteries carefully.

#5: Corn on the Cob

I know. It’s simple.  But you’ve gotta save room for the food on the rest of the list, so start your day with something that’s actually healthy… well that is until we slab butter and salt all over it!  And you know you can’t skip the butter and salt on corn on the cob. Crunchy, buttery, summery awesomeness.

#4: Krispy Kreme Bacon Cheeseburger

This got ‘em talking at the Florida State Fair last month and I had to see this legend in person. It’s a juicy burger sandwiched between a Krispy Kreme doughnut! This monstrosity may not be the ideal choice for a pre-ride snack. Enjoy one after you ride the ferris wheel!

#3: Strawberry Shortcake

Aw man, I know I’m going to get hate mail for this, but even though it’s the iconic symbol of the Florida Strawberry Festival, strawberry shortcake didn’t top my list. It’s delicious. It’s a must-eat in Plant City. But my top 2 really are what make the drive east worth it!  Here’s American Idol winner Scotty McCreery tackling some shortcake backstage with us before his performance.

#2: Wisconsin Fried Cheddar Bites

Ok we’ve all had fried cheese sticks, but these little morsels of awesome were a game changer. Be careful though… there are a few vendors who sell fried cheese. Look specifically for the Wisconsin cheddar vendor! These run you about $5-6. Be sure to grab a Pepsi to go along with this. Like pairing a steak at Bern’s with fine wine… Pepsi is the perfect accompaniment for that salty vs. sweet taste buds war.

#1: Amish Doughnuts

A listener told me to try these and my typical impatient self almost skipped this experience because of the line. Folks, there’s a reason for the line. The Amish Baking Co. of Sarasota will make your visit to Plant City complete. You can even get one of these bad boys stuffed with strawberries and whipped cream. It’s not often a doughnut comes along worth the $3 price tag. But these things are worth it! An honorable mention, by the way, goes to their soft pretzels!