CNE foods 2014: What you need to try

The beginning of the end of summer is upon us as the 136^th annual Canadian National Exhibition kicks off on August 15.

Part of the charms of the CNE is its ample offering of indulgent foods and outrageous culinary creations – and this year does not disappoint.

Food venders at this year’s CNE have incorporated several of the year’s food trends into their dishes, including coconut oil and sriracha. We were able to preview some of these items ahead of the Ex’s opening. Here’s what you need to try:

Elvis’ Grilled Cheese

This truly is The King of all grilled cheese sandwiches! Peanut butter, banana, bacon and cheese all perfectly melted between two slices of Texas-style toast. Forget hitting the hot dog cart on your way home from the bar/concert – there needs to be one of these stands on every street corner. We’d eat this sandwich from Coffee Zone for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Crowbar

Picking up on the popularity of the Cronut and trend of desserts baked within other desserts, the Crowbar by Hula Girl Espresso features a chocolate bar baked inside of a rich, buttery croissant. Get it in flavours of Mars Bar, Kit Kat, Caramilk or Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup. It’d make a perfect pick-me-up breakfast if you hit the Ex early. Pair it with the Butter Coffee (aka bulletproof, for those up on health trends) and you’re set.

Spicy Peanut Butter Sriracha Rolls

These crunchy, bite-sized treats from Fran’s Restaurant (a newbie to the CNE food scene) are every bit of delicious awesome you’d expect them to be. The combination of creamy, salty and spicy is just right and they’re the perfect size for on-the-go snacking.

Brownie Cheesecake Milkshake

Another Fran’s creation, these pie-shakes (pies, blended into milkshakes) have been getting a lot of buzz ahead of the CNE opening, and for good reason. There’s just SO delicious. Be careful though – they’re also pretty filling, and you want to save room for all the other treats.

S’more Bao

A new taste on this campfire classic sees a traditional Asian bun (bao) smothered with Nutella, sweet milk cream, Fluff, crushed graham crackers and topped with mini marshmallows. One bite of this treat from Far East Taco will send you buzzing. Diabetics beware.

Thanksgiving Waffle

The Thanksgiving Waffle from Fran’s is another out-of-this world dish we just couldn’t get enough of. All your Turkey day favourites sandwiched between a waffle made entirely out of stuffing! What could be better?

Other fair foods on our radar weren’t on sample at the preview include:

The “Fun-ana”

A marriage of corndog and funnel cake, the Fun-ana by Meester Mike’s is a banana dipped in chocolate and then coated in funnel cake batter before being deep fried and sprinkled with icing sugar.

Bacon-Wrapped Corn

A roasted corn is always on our rounds at any summer festival, but Meester Mike’s is kicking it up a notch at this year’s CNE by wrapping it in the ever-trendy bacon!

Nachos Libre

We’ll eat nachos any which way, and lucky for us Nachos Libre Mexican Eatery can cover any craving one might have. From Jamaican Jerk to Hawaii 5-0 and even Big Fat Greek Nachos, there’s a crunchy snack sure to please everyone.