The start of the CNE in Toronto is always bittersweet. Arguably the best foodie festival in the city, the smorgasbord of over-the-top carnival bites has everything I could possibly want. Street food? Check. Unfamiliar flavours? Check. Innovation? Check. A food memory that will stay with me forever (either because of how it went in or how it came out)? Definite check.
But while I love to see the outrageous eats all over my feed, it also signals that it's time to squeeze in my last reservations on Toronto's best patios, get my fill of slushy drinks and frozen treats before the cold weather comes and use up the seasonal bottles on my bar cart in summer cocktail recipes.
It's OK if you didn't make it out for that annual trip to the Toronto Islands. Summer is fleeting, but the CNE is just getting started, and I've scoured Instagram to find the best (read: most shocking) bites and sips to try this year. Be courageous, enjoy and don't forget your Pepto.
The ultimate CNE food bucket list
1. Spicy Habanero Bacon Cotton Candy
Greekery Café
2. UFO Burger (Deep-Fried Meatball with Mozzarella)
Bacon Nation
3. Matcha Funnel Cake
Eat Sugar Pops
4. Deep Fried Frozen Watermelon
Deep Fried Pickles
5. Hashbrown Ice Cream Sandwich
Ice Cream Sandwiches
6. Biscoff Fried Chicken Crunch Ice Cream Sandwich
Los Vietnamita
7. Fruity Pebbles Korean Corn Dog
Korean Dogs
8. Ice Kreamchi Dumpling
Twisted Gourmet Co.
9. Churro Pizza
Pancho’s
10. Maki Sushi Corn Dog
Two-Foot-Long Hot Dog
Sam’s Grill
11. Butter Soda
Dirty Soda
12. Chicken Nugget Cookie
Craig’s Cookies
13. Butter Chicken & Waffles
Rick’s Good Eats
14. Macaron Labubu Cheese Curds
The King of Curds
15. Hot Honey Lemonade
Tiki Hut
16. Lox Pickle Boat
Pickle Bar
17. Sushi Crêpes
D-Spot
18. Mexican Street Corn Pizza & Deep Fried Pizza Slices
Pizza Pizza
18. Pasta Bolognese Pizza
Pizza Nova
19. Poutine Dumplings
Super Noodle
20. Chicken tenders coated in cereal and popcorn
Lucky Chicken
21. Smashburger Tacos
Smash City
22. Shimmering Galaxy Teas
Früz Tea
