Thursday, August 20, 2015

A look at the Presidential Candidate's Favorite Iowa State Fair Food - the Pork Chop on a Stick

If you've been listening to the news over the last week you've probably noticed that every Presidential Candidate has had to get their hands on a Pork Chop on a Stick while attending the Iowa State Fair.  This is really no surprise to me.  The Pork Chop on a Stick is easy to eat (with no awkward photo opportunity - i.e. corn dogs), is a classic "stick" fair food, is one of the healthiest foods on the fairgrounds, showcases Iowa's #1 pork production in the country and it is delicious!

Iowa State Fair Pork Chop on a Stick
The Upper Chop Shop located
east of the Pork Tent
(The Lower Chop Shop is located across
the road from the Livestock Pavilion)



The Pork Chop on a Stick can be found at the Iowa Pork Producer Association's Chop Shops at the Iowa State Fair.  What is really neat is that the chops are cooked and served by pork producer volunteers from across the state.  My Farmer and I have been volunteering at the Chop Shops for the last 9 years we decided last weekend when we were volunteering at our shift this year.






Presidential Candidates and Regular Iowa State Fair Patrons alike can be served a Pork Chop on a Stick
This Iowa State Fair patron is all smiles
as she receives a Pork Chop on a Stick
So you might be asking, what is the Pork Chop on a Stick?  To simply put it, the Pork Chop on a Stick is a French Cut Pork Chop.  This pork chop is cut from the center of the pork loin and leaves the bone in, creating a stick to hold on to for eating on the go, or actually gives it an elegant look if served on a plate.  One question that I get every year serving Pork Chops on a Stick is, "where's the stick?".  It is the bone!  No additional wooden stick needed for this Iowa State Fair food staple.

The Iowa Pork Producers serve around 5,000-6,000 Pork Chops on a Stick daily at the Iowa State Fair.  The chops are put on long racks, that are then inserted into a rotisserie grill.  They cook for about an hour, or til they reach 145 degrees Fahrenheit.

Cooking Pork Chops on a Stick at the Iowa State Fair
Top Left: My Farmer and our friend Mike getting chops ready to go in the grill
Bottom Left: Pork Chops on a Stick cooking on the rotisserie grill
Right: My Farmer taking Pork Chops on a Stick off the grill and into serving pans

A look at the Presidential Candidate's (including Donalad Trump) Favorite Iowa State Fair Food - the Pork Chop on a Stick
Our friend Mike graciously let me use one of his
photos from his phone when Donald Trump stopped by
for his Chop on a Stick the day of our volunteer shift
Looking at these photos I'm getting hungry for a Pork Chop on a Stick!  It is no wonder that everyone comes by for one, including Donald Trump ;)  If you are headed to the Iowa State Fair be sure to get a Pork Chop on a Stick and check out my top Fair Food guide too (that includes the Pork Chop on a Stick).  And if you aren't able to make it to the fair, but are still hungry for a pork chop, check out this infographic on how to cook pork chops four different ways.


Our friend Mike, myself and My Farmer
during our Chop Shop volunteer shift
The Pork Tent is always a highlight for our family and friends every year, and this year it is turning out to be the place to go if you're running for President.  What are some of your favorite spots to visit at the Iowa State Fair?  What is your favorite Fair Food?  Remember to Comment for a Cause!

14 comments:

  1. They have delicious pork chop on a stick at the IL state fair too. I love getting a funnel cake once or twice a year, so that is always a fair highlight! One of my coworkers like to eat his way around the fair one night each year. He comes back bragging about how many things of Culler's fries he's had (is that at IL thing?!) and corn dogs, Tom thumb donuts, and the newest craziest thing on a stick.

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    1. What are Culler's fries? I do believe those are an Illinois thing. It is always fun to see what fairs come up with on a stick!

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  2. Yum! Can't wait to sink my teeth into one tomorrow!

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    1. Hope you enjoyed your Pork Chop on a Stick!

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  3. It's not technically a food, but I always have to have a lemonade from Birdies in Pioneer Hall! It's my absolute favorite!

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    1. Fair lemonade is the best! I've seen mock recipes on Pinterest but have never tried any of them. Have you?

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  4. JR's mini donuts is my favorite Iowa State Fair indulgence! I always make a point of eating a pork chop on a stick, a hot beef sundae and a turkey tenderloin, too.

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    1. I love the turkey tenderloin sandwiches too, with three pickles and mayo (from the tenderloin stand two spots south of the Turkey Grill) :)

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  5. Sad to miss the Iowa fair-enviously looking at photos of this treat. I just learned about a St. Louis food tradition called pork steaks-they're cuts of pork butt that looks like a steak that are smoked and drizzled with BBQ.

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    1. Have you tried them yet? I have a pork butt right now in the crock pot with teriyaki sauce and soy sauce that I'll let cook overnight and then shred for sandwiches tomorrow.

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  6. I saw a segment on the Pork Chop on the PBS News Hour last week. I am sad I didn't get one this year ( kids melting down)

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  7. I loved your photo on fb today! You have a beautiful smile.. and then I noticed the pork chop on the stick! Yum! Jan

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