The annual Fair at the Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) kicked off August 16 and runs through Sept. 1, and that means a fresh slate of wild and creative new fair foods (and drinks) to check out.
While PNE Fair staples have always included things like hot dogs, perogies, and mini donuts, each year, vendors try to outdo themselves (and each other) with inventive new concoctions, pushing the boundaries of spice, fusion, and everything deep fried.
This year's PNE food lineup has heaps of familiar faves, from those twisty "tornado" potatoes to noodle bowls and poutines, but there is a Class of 2025 of noteworthy special items to check out.
Canadiana seems to be a dominant theme, with the Quebecois "sugar shack" and all things maple taking centre stage; it's not a surprise, given the political climate and the Canadian pride that's surged since January.
A drizzle of maple syrup kicks things up for Tochi's mochi French Toast and the Smoothie Shoppe's new apple-berry "Sugar Shack Shake." Maple and bacon dominate a new "Canadian Corndog" and a "Lumberjack Stack" waffle ice cream sandwich. Mini donuts also get a dose of Canadian culinary love, and B.C. gets its props with a blueberry crumble pizza.
For nostalgia, there's corn on the cob covered in KD cheese sauce, and heat-seekers with a sweet tooth might want to try the soft serve "Cowboy Candy."
Fear not: Not everything is fried or meaty. There are some vegetarian and vegan options, and fresh items like fruit smoothies, salads, and poke to offer some relief from all the grease.
I hit up the Fair on opening day (thanks to the free passes that came with the Summer Nights concert tickets I bought online) and made a beeline for the vendors with some of these specialty items.
Here's what I tried and what I thought:
BC Blueberry Mascarpone Crumble Pizza
The Cheeky Italian has slices of this sweet pizza pie that is actually just like a pizza and a pie. The dough is unmistakably unsweetened pizza dough, but the blueberry crumble topping is juicy enough to double as a kind of sauce. It works, although my bites of a shared single piece were more than enough before I was ready to move on; I don't think I could eat a whole piece.
Seattle Dog
For me, it's not a visit to the PNE without a hot dog, and while the regular condiments tend to suffice, I'm a sucker for a special and anything jalapeno. The Street Dogs crew said I was the first Seattle Dog order of the day (at around 4:30 p.m.) and I think that's because it wasn't up on their menu or as a sign on Saturday. I'm glad I asked! This was a good hot dog, but it got lost a bit in the soft bun and the jalapenos' heat was totally muted by the cream cheese. I'd get this again but ask for about a third of the cream cheese.
Cowboy Candy
When I say I love jalapenos...well, that's why I wanted to try this mango soft serve with Tajin and candied jalapenos (aka "cowboy candy"). I love fresh mango with Tajin, but this soft serve was a bit too icy and watery to carry juicy mango flavour. I wish they'd chopped the jalapenos up because the whole slivers were a bit much to chew all at once.
KD Mac and Cheese Corn
Be careful, because this corn comes out steaming hot! I've never had corn at the PNE before, so I appreciate that there is a vegetable that doesn't hit the deep fryer. The cheese sauce was cover-your-face messy, but overall the whole thing was on the unremarkable side. Maybe I'm just salty from spending $10 on a single cob of corn coated in boxed mac and cheese sauce.
Ube Corn dog
No shade to the Corn Dog King crew—they were super gracious—but since it was day one for both them and this new item, my ube corn dog (and its do-over) came out undercooked. The first few bites tasted good, but the batter wasn’t fully done, so no cheese pull on attempt one. Never made it to the hot dog as it was surrounded by raw dough. I ended up handing the dogs back, and the team immediately started troubleshooting. They swapped in a plain corn dog instead after two ube misses, which was good. I wouldn’t say skip the ube one (it’s fun, and they’ve likely perfected it by now) but just a heads-up: maybe hang near the stand in case you need a quick re-make.
Apple Crumble Perogies
Post-concert perogies are always a good idea. I will admit, I didn't read the whole description and thought they were apple-filled perogies, so you can imagine my surprise when I tasted potato and cheese. But then...I really liked it. The savoury filling keeps the novelty dish from being too sickly sweet, and for anyone who has enjoyed apple pie with a slice of cheddar, you know those flavours work. I ended the day's eating on a high note (with bonus fireworks). This was my favourite food of the Fair I tried.
The complete list of new foods and drinks at this year's PNE
- Buffaloed: Mac and cheese with roasted chicken breast tossed in slightly spicy buffalo sauce and topped with a squiggle of blue cheese dressing and crispy onions. (Reel Mac & Cheese)
- Birria Hot Dog: Beef sausage, mozzarella cheese skirt, pulled pork, pico de gallo, cheese sauce, chipotle sauce finished with sour cream, tortilla chips and green onions. (Dos Amigos)
- The Lumberjack Stack: Two bacon waffles sandwiching a slab of ice cream, finished with a drizzle of maple syrup and a sprinkle of crispy bacon. (Waffle Wagon)
- Sugar Shack Shake: Apples, berries, a drizzle of maple and a sprinkle of cinnamon on top. (Smoothie Shoppe)
- PNE House Special Fusion Icy: A "one and only" treat. No other description available. (Fusion Icy)
- Lobster Tail Poutine: Poutine with lobster on top. (Rotato Potato)
- Tornado Poutine on a Stick: Mozzarella stick poutine on a stick. (Tornado Potato)
- White Cheddar Tornado: White cheddar "Tornado Potato" with honey garlic mayo. (Tornado Potato)
- PNE Wrap: The Mad Greek's chicken souvlaki wrapped in warm pita, loaded with fries, tomatoes, red onions and topped with an exclusive PNE sauce. (The Mad Greek)
- Sweet & Sour Chicken Asian Taco: Sweet & sour chicken bites are coated in tangy sauce served in a soft Asian-Taco shell with slaw and onions. (Dim Sum Express)
- Cheesy Corn JapaTaco: Melted cheese and sweet corn come together in a warm taco shell. (Teriyaki Express)
- Canadian Corndog: Maple bacon battered and deep-fried corndog topped with more bacon, drizzled with maple syrup. (Big Cocos)
- Fried Chicken Corn: Corn on the cob slathered in a smokey chipotle mayo, topped with crispy fried onions and deep fried chicken skin. (Roasted Revolution)
- KD Mac and Cheese Corn: Corn on the cob covered in that familiar orange KD chese sauce and topped with a sprinkle of extra cheese powder (Roasted Revolution)
- Chocolate Fountain: It's a chocolate fountain. (I Love Chocolate)
- Apple Crumble Perogies: Potato and cheddar filled bite sized perogies dusted with cinnamon sugar, topped with warm apple pie filling and drizzled with a smooth vanilla glaze, a sprinkle of apple crumble and Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal, and served with a side of sweet cream. (International Perogies)
- Tarte au Sucre Mini Donuts: Cinnamon-sugar donuts coated in Grade A maple syrup and spiced brown sugar crumble, drizzled with creamed honey. (Little Donut Bakery)
- "Lit" Lemonades: Light-up lemonades. (Lemonhaven Lemonade)
- Kinder Bueno Pretzel & Pretzel Bites: Soft pretzel with Kinder Bueno sauce, hazelnut chocolate sauce and crumbled Kinder Bueno bar. (Mr Pretzel)
- Maple Syrup Tochi: a special Maple Syrup version of a classic Tochi (mochi French Toast), so instead of condensed milk drizzled on top, it will be served with Maple Syrup (Tochi)
- Deep-fried Cinnamon Buns: Dusted with icing sugar and drizzled with caramel sauce (Funnel Cakes)
- Seattle Dog: Hot dog topped with cream cheese, sauerkraut, pickled jalapenos, and grilled onions. (Street Dogs)
- BC Blueberry Mascarpone Crumble Pizza: Blueberry ginger compote, cinnamon orange mascarpone cream. (Cheeky Italian)
- Bulgogi Chicken Dog: House-made chicken sausage, hoisin mayonnaise, kimchi and daikon slaw, gochujang sauce, crispy rice noodles. (Diggity Dogs)
- Deep Fried Spiral Pickle: Corn tortilla crust, chipotle ranch dressing. (Diggity Dogs)
- Pacific Shrimp Louie: Hard boiled egg, cherry tomato, romaine lettuce, scallions, cucumber, spicy Louie dressing. (Shrimp Boat)
- Westcoast BC Chowder Poutine: Sockeye Salmon, Pacific cod, clams, smoked salmon, fennel, peas, peppers, dill. (Unroutine Poutine)
- Cowboy Candy: Mango soft serve, rimmed with Tajin (chili/lime) and topped with candied jalapenos. (Summerland Soft Serve)
- Ube Corn dog: Half hot dog, half mozzarella cheese cooked in an batter, then rolled in ube panko and topped (optional) with Kewpie mayo (Corn Dog King)
- Dubai Chocolate Funnel Cake: A classic funnel cake topped with Dubai Chocolate, pistachio crumble , pistachio cream, strawberries and whipped cream (Funnel Cakes)
Video: What I ate on opening day of the PNE Fair
@forkingawesomevia The PNE Fair is known for some pretty wild food creations. I hit them up opening day and focused on the 2025 exclusives and new items listed online. This year’s theme seems to be Canadiana (maple all the things) and nostalgia. 🇨🇦🍁 All opinions my own! Not hosted (the fair will have its media tour this week, I’m skipping it). Spent $120 for two people (lunch and dinner, including drinks and an ice cream not shown here and tips). Read my full story online! #forkingawesome #vancouverbc ♬ You Make Me Feel So Good - Tonique & Man
Headed to the Fair? A few things to know before you go
The Fair at the PNE runs through Sept.1 but is closed on Mondays (except Labour Day) and is open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.
Fair gate admission does not include rides. There are several savings days/promos happening.
The Fair uses cashless procedures on site for PNE Food & Beverage, Bars and Games. You can buy a gift card with cash at the PNE to use at food vendors, but the gift cards cannot be used at the Forum Marketplace, Casino wheel games, or for Summer Night Concert ticket purchases.
A fair map and programming schedule is available online and in paper onsite.
Parking is limited; the PNE recommends taking public transit to the Fair.
🍽 Find more delicious Metro Vancouver food and drink video stories by following V.I.A's Forking Awesome on TikTok and Instagram, and signing up for our Forking Awesome newsletter 📬 delivered fresh to your inbox every Thursday.
