Vegetarian at the California State Fair? See our picks for best eats
While the traditional fair experience may include a corn dog or something wrapped in bacon, those skipping animal products or just looking for a veggie-forward bite can also find ways to indulge in tasty foods at the California State Fair.
We skipped the turkey legs and went on a mission to find unique, flavorful meatless meals. From plates with all the food groups to a cheesy rainbow surprise, here’s what hit and what missed.
For those wanting a full meal on the healthier side, the Falafel Plate from Teze Grill is the way to go. Located closer to the exhibits and rides, in Water Row, this stop is also convenient. The plate comes with six pieces of falafel, hummus, pita bread, rice and salad for $18.
While the pita bread was thin and bland, the falafel, hummus and salad made up for it with their savory and fresh profiles.
For a vegetarian enjoying a long day at the fair, this meal will fuel you throughout the day. The falafel and hummus provide some protein while the rice and pita give you quick energy from carbohydrates.
Another meal option is the veggie burrito from Pepe’s Mexican Food, which is located in the main food court area to the left of the entrance. For $14, they offer a decently large burrito, overflowing with rice and beans, as well as some cheese, lettuce and tomato.
It wouldn’t be our first choice, though, as it had a low vegetable to carb ratio and the flavor was flat. For other options, Pepe’s also offers quesadillas or veggie tacos.
Wanting more of a snack than a meal? Next door, Eat at Joe’s has some great vegetarian, deep fried options. These items don’t constitute a meal but are reasonable portions that could be shared between a few people as a snack.
For $12, get four piping hot pickles (just give them a minute to cool off) in a crunchy deep fried batter. A pickle lover will definitely enjoy this dish, but even pickle skeptics can appreciate the salty snack. And for $10, Joe’s deep fried succulent zucchinis are doctored up with a light, crispy batter.
Both of these appetizers present a delightful combo of juicy vegetable, savory batter and a tangy ranch dressing. Hot foods on a boiling fair day can sometimes be too much, but we found these dishes to be quite refreshing.
For a whimsical twist on a classic, Maddy Moos Rainbow Grilled Cheese delivers both nostalgia and novelty. The sandwich tastes just as one would expect — white bread and gooey mozzarella — but the rainbow-dyed cheese adds visual flair that justifies the $13 price tag.
With a satisfying cheese pull and enough heft to last all day at the fair, it’s sure to hit the spot for all ages. Kids will especially love the legend behind it: the truck’s super-secret, Skittle-eating unicorn is the magical source of that rainbow cheese, the chef said.
But there’s more where that came from! Scattered about the fair are some more meatless options, for those who want to pave their own culinary path: tofu bowls from Island Fin Poke, fried rice at Thai Food, corn bowls, cheese on a stick — and of course, desserts.
This story was originally published July 15, 2025 at 7:00 AM.
