Bacon Chicken Ranch Egg Roll Named Best New Food at 2025 Iowa State Fair

The 2025 Iowa State Fair Best New Food Contest: A Taste of Innovation and Tradition

The Iowa State Fair is known for its vibrant atmosphere, thrilling rides, and, of course, its delicious food. Each year, the fair introduces new culinary creations that capture the imagination of visitors. In 2025, the spotlight was on three standout dishes in the Best New Food Contest, with fairgoers casting their votes to determine the winner.

The Finalists

This year’s finalists included:

• Bacon Chicken Ranch Egg Roll from Winn & Sara’s Kitchen
• Scotcheroo Shake from Over the Top
• Three Little Pigs, a trio of ham balls from Whatcha Smokin’ BBQ

Each dish brought a unique flavor profile and creative twist to the table, reflecting the diversity of Iowa’s food scene.

The Winner: Bacon Chicken Ranch Egg Roll

After an intense voting period from August 7 to August 13, the winner was announced on August 15. The Bacon Chicken Ranch Egg Roll from Winn & Sara’s Kitchen took the top spot, securing 44.7% of the votes. This marks the second consecutive win for the restaurant, which previously won the contest in 2024 with its Cheeseburger Egg Roll.

Winn & Sara’s Kitchen, located in Indianola and Norwalk, has become a favorite among fairgoers for its innovative take on classic dishes. The 2025 egg roll features chicken, bacon, and white cheddar cheese, all drizzled with the restaurant’s famous homemade ranch dressing. The dish is available on The Lawn by the Jacobson Building.

Second and Third Place

The Scotcheroo Shake from Over the Top came in second place with 32.3% of the votes. This rich and creamy shake combines peanut butter and butterscotch scotcheroo ice cream with swirled scotcheroo fudge and chunks of scotcheroos. It also features whipped cream, chocolate and caramel drizzles, and a slice of scotcheroo on top. The shake is available north of the Varied Industries Building, across from Barksdale’s.

The Three Little Pigs from Whatcha Smokin’ BBQ placed third with 23% of the votes. This dish offers three different renditions of ham balls: honey and mustard-glazed with cornbread crumbles, tangy cherry soda glaze with maraschino cherries, and a buttery vanilla glaze dusted with powdered sugar. Whatcha Smokin’ BBQ, a three-time finalist, continues to impress with its barbecue offerings.

Other Notable Winners

In addition to the Best New Food contest, several other categories were recognized at the fair:

• Best New Drink with Alcohol: JR's SouthPork Ranch for the Pink Pony Cooler, made with Pink Guava Sour and Cotton Candy Sour.
• Best New Drink without Alcohol: Jada Concessions for the Watermelon Lemonade, combining sweet watermelon with tart lemon.
• Choose Iowa Award: Dairy Zone for the Butter Cow Tornado, highlighting Iowa products.
• Best of Show: Bubbly Bar, which won for the second year in a row, offering a vineyard setting and views of downtown Des Moines.

A Legacy of Innovation

The Iowa State Fair has a long history of celebrating new and exciting food items. Some of the previous winners include:

• 2013: Zag's Po Boys — Shrimp Corn Dog
• 2014: Funnel Cake on a Stick
• 2015: The Rib Shack — Ultimate Bacon Brisket Bomb
• 2016: Iowa Turkey Federation — Not Your Mamma’s Taco
• 2017: Steer ‘N’ Stein — Pork Almighty
• 2018: Applishus — Apple Egg Roll
• 2019: G Mig’s Wrap Stand — Georgie’s Roast with the Most Wrap
• 2021: Cluckin’ Coop — Chicken Egg Salad with Fry Bread
• 2022: The Rib Shack — The Finisher
• 2023: What's Your Cheez — Deep-Fried Bacon Brisket Mac-n-Cheese Grilled Cheese
• 2024: Winn & Sara’s Kitchen — Bacon Cheeseburger Egg Roll

These past winners showcase the creativity and variety that define the Iowa State Fair experience.

Conclusion

The 2025 Iowa State Fair proved once again that it’s a hub for culinary innovation. From the winning Bacon Chicken Ranch Egg Roll to the sweet and savory Scotcheroo Shake, fairgoers had plenty to celebrate. As the fair continues to evolve, it remains a beloved tradition that brings communities together through food, fun, and friendly competition.