Fried Alligator Is The Unusual Treat You Can Find At One Midwest State Fair

If you thought Chicago's tavern style pizza was as adventurous as you would get with Illinois food, think again. The Illinois State Fair is a veritable smorgasbord of delectable treats, and amidst some more common state fair favorites like funnel cakes and cheese curds, you'll also find unique treats like alligator meat. While it's been consumed in the U.S. since at least the 1800s and is now relatively popular in the American South and beyond, alligator meat can still be quite a novelty for many. If you don't yet feel up to ordering it at a restaurant, then the Illinois State Fair is the perfect environment to take part in this new culinary experience.

While opinions differ on how best to describe alligator meat, it is a versatile, mild-flavored protein that can be cooked in several ways. In fact, given its fish-adjacent nature, some even consider alligator acceptable to eat during Lent's meat-free days. The Illinois State Fair's long roster of food vendors features fresh names every year including local favorites like Chicago's Potbelly sandwich shop; many of them have alligator meat on offer. Vendors often use state fairs as a destination for more adventurous food offerings, where they can exercise their culinary creativity. Look around for some reptile meat at the fair, and you will find several offerings. However, the offbeat treat that should be at the top of your list for dining at the Illinois State Fair is fried alligator on a stick.

While it's not as widely available as in Louisiana and Florida, alligator meat is set to be relatively common at the Illinois State Fair. Its most popular iteration here is on a stick and slathered in teriyaki sauce. This is great for first-timers as the flavors are well disguised and it can almost feel like you're eating chicken skewers. Some also describe the texture of alligator meat akin to veal, while its flavor is perhaps closer to that of pork. If you feel like exploring alligator meat in more substantial forms, check out the alligator tacos and alligator balls, which are both Southern classics on deck for the 2024 fair. And finally, there are alligator burger for those who want to experience the meat in all its juicy glory.

While the original state fair is based in Springfield, the state of Illinois also has a second state fair every year. This takes place in Du Quoin and features a similar spread of eclectic eats — alligator-based and otherwise. And as far as State Fair favorites on a stick are concerned, corndogs from Vose's Korndogs and the unique sweet-savory Korean corn dogs also deserve a special mention. So, make sure you leave some room for these and more in between snacking on those gator delicacies.