The Canadian National Exhibition (CNE), held in Toronto from August 21 to September 7, features over 30 unique specialty food and drink items this year. Since its inception in 1879, the CNE has continuously increased the creativity of its food offerings. Attendees eagerly anticipate a mix of new flavor combinations and classic favorites such as Tiny Tom Donuts, waffle ice cream sandwiches, and blooming onions.
While fried foods, meats, and sweets are a staple at the CNE, food vendors also stay on top of current trends. This year, pickles have made a comeback in various forms, including in coffee, cheesecake, pierogi-spring rolls, and on sticks.
For those with an adventurous palate and a hearty appetite, here are our top eight food picks at the CNE this year:
1. **Szechuan Sizzle Spice Cream**
– Location: Caf-eh TO, Booth 419, Food Building
– Description: Experience the unique blend of chili crisp topping on soft-serve ice cream, combining spice, crunch, and umami flavors for a delightful treat.
2. **Lobster on a Stick**
– Location: Lobster on a Stick/Deep Fried Curd Corner, booths 701 and 728, Food Building
– Description: Enjoy tempura Canadian lobster served with garlic butter, herb white sauce, and a lemon wedge, all conveniently served on a stick for easy snacking.
3. **Foot-long Butter Chicken Taquito**
– Location: Rick’s Good Eats, Food Truck Frenzy
– Description: Indulge in a 12-inch taquito filled with butter chicken, basmati rice, and cheese, complemented by a butter-chicken aioli for a satisfyingly rich snack.
4. **S’more Deep-Fried Slice**
– Location: Pizza Pizza, booths 436, 437, 438, and 439, Food Building
– Description: A surprising combination of deep-fried cheese pizza topped with graham cracker crumbs, marshmallow whip, and chocolate sauce, offering a perfect balance of savory and sweet flavors.
5. **Smash Burger Dumplings**
– Location: Smash City – Smash Burgers and Curly Fries, booths 720, 721, and 722, Food Building
– Description: Innovative dumplings filled with seared meat, cheese, pickles, and griddled onions, finished with burger sauce and sesame seeds for a unique twist on classic flavors.
6. **Biscoff Cookie-Butter Cheesecake**
– Location: Sugar Pops, BMO Field and Horse Palace
– Description: Enjoy New York cheesecake dipped in hot cookie butter and coated with Biscoff crumble on a stick, offering a deliciously messy yet irresistible dessert.
7. **Strawberry Toast Crunch Chicken and Funnel Cake**
– Location: Twisted Gourmet & Co., Food Truck Frenzy
– Description: A decadent creation featuring fried chicken coated in strawberry-flavored Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal, served with ice cream, cotton candy, and a signature Sweet Heat hot sauce for a carnival-inspired treat.
8. **KD Smoothie**
– Location: Booster Juice, Booth 220, Food Building
– Description: Try the unexpected combination of a Kraft Dinner-inspired smoothie, featuring cheese powder, pineapple, mango, and vanilla fro-yo flavors for a surprisingly refreshing beverage option at the CNE.
Experience these culinary delights and more at this year’s CNE, where food innovation and tradition come together to offer a unique gastronomic experience.