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Indianapolis Star
11-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Indianapolis Star
Why the simple pineapple whip is still a favorite: Your 2025 Kentucky State Fair food guide
Of all the many bites to find at the 121st Kentucky State Fair, the pineapple whip may be among the simplest. It was born that way. As the Frazier Museum showcases in the 'Tasty Kentucky' part of its Cool Kentucky exhibition, Libbertt Concessions' popular pineapple whip is one of the oldest items sold at the Kentucky State Fair. The light and fruity custard originated in 1932 out of a need for a cheap treat during the Great Depression. It was made to cost less than a quarter and could've gone for five cents. Even though the inventor hails from Indiana, the iconic dish has stood the test of time as a Kentucky State Fair favorite. In honor of the pineapple whip purveyor's 103rd year at the fair, every 103rd scoop per day will be free to customers, according to Libbertt Concessions co-owner Anita Carroll. And, though simple, the little dessert carries a mighty tradition that is still sweetening. More: Cheetos corn dog and ostrich burgers: new foods to try the 2025 Kentucky State Fair Take, for example, Carroll's view on things. 'So, funny story…' she told the Courier Journal, before launching into a fair love story of sorts. Her dad is said to be the inventor of the elephant ear, large, thin, and irregularly shaped fried dough that is another inescapable fair staple. She grew up around fair families, like the one belonging to Carl Wagoner, the grandson of the inventor of the pineapple whip. As kids, they played together around many fairgrounds. About three years ago, they started dating and, now, a couple in their early 50s, have combined forces under 'the same unique world,' Carroll said. 'His family is known for the pineapple whip, and my family is known for the elephant ear,' she said. 'It's kind of crazy.' Together, they're 'taking it over as a new generation.' And that means keeping the standards up and the fair food flowing. 'We want to keep the recipe like everybody remembers,' she said of the pineapple whip. 'And we want it to be consistent. I'm a firm believer of not changing something like that. If it's working, don't change it.' More: From concerts and rides to fried food & more, 10 things to do at the Kentucky State Fair The pineapple whip goes for $6 in a cup and $8 in a waffle cone these days, and is still made with real pineapple juice. And the fair staple attracts plenty of regular customers who say "they come here every year for this' or just wander over for a refreshing reprieve from hot days at the Kentucky State Fair. 'Everybody loves it,' Carroll said. 'The pineapple whip is really known at the Kentucky State Fair.' Read on for what other food to find at the Kentucky State Fair, from the Kentucky Cattlemen's Association's ribeye sandwich to mac-and-cheese balls and other dishes. The 2025 Kentucky State Fair will be held Aug. 14-24 at the Kentucky Exposition Center, 937 Phillips Lane, in Louisville. Hours and special discounts or promotion days can be found on its website. Tickets purchased during the State Fair are $12 for admission and $10 for parking. Visit for details. All vendors within this tent are Kentucky Proud members serving Kentucky products. It will be located outside South Wing C in Lot A. More: 2025 Kentucky State Fair: From animals to concerts & more, here's your complete guide The following vendors, presented in alphabetical, order can be found outside the Kentucky Exposition Center: More: Here are the past 5 'Your Favorite Cake' winners, recipes from the Kentucky State Fair Located inside South Wing C: Reach food and dining reporter Amanda Hancock at ahancock@ WHAT: The 121st Kentucky State Fair includes dozens of entertainment acts, including the Texas Roadhouse Free Concert featuring Blue Öyster Cult, Sawyer Brown, Sister Sledge and more. The 11-day event also features the best in Kentucky livestock, crowning the Five-Gaited World's Grand Champion at the World's Championship Horse Show, award winning blue ribbon exhibitions, loads of your favorite fair food, a Beerfest, a Latin Festival, Courier Journal Day at the State Fair on Aug. 15, social discount days and dozens of other iconic activities. WHERE: Kentucky Exposition Center, 937 Phillips Lane WHEN: Aug. 14-24
Forbes
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Feasting In Louisville Begins Long Before The Running Of The Kentucky Derby
The Kentucky Derby lasts all of two minutes but in Louisville it begins days before with a series of parties that can last all day and half the night. Of course, the city always has a vibrant nightlife in the bars and restaurants around town, and, once you've clinched a tough-to-get hotel room, joining the festivities is just a question of showing up. During the preceding week in Louisville, which is promoted as Bourbon City, hordes of people will be joining the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, which begins at the Welcome Center within the Frazier Museum and takes buses out to visit distilleries like Angel's Envy, Michter's, Evan Williams and Old Forester, while the city's own Urban Bourbon Trail heads down Whiskey Row on Main Street, which is now dotted with distilleries and restaurants. At any time of year eating Kentuckians' favorite foods is easy but requisite during Derby Week, not least pimento cheese and country ham and biscuits, which will be found at every party, with puffy split buttermilk biscuits with a thin slice of rosy, salty, thinly sliced country ham on the table. With this you drink a mint julep, a cocktail made from bourbon, sugar, and mint, traditionally served at the running of the Derby. The cocktail dates back to before 1800. Historian Frances Parkinson Keyes observed that 'The last instructions which a Virginia gentleman murmurs on his deathbed are, 'Never insult a decent woman, never bring a horse in the house, and never crush the mint in a julep!'' The other famous local cocktail is the Old Fashioned, made with whiskey (bourbon or rye), sugar, and bitters, served in a squat Old Fashioned glass. It was created around 1881, possibly at the Pendennis Club that opened that year. Another signature Louisville dish is the created at the Brown Hotel in the 1920ss when one night guests at its dinner dance went to the restaurant for a late bite, and chef Fred Schmidt came up with an open-faced turkey sandwich with bacon and a delicate Mornay sauce. It is still the featured dish at the hotel, though not easily found outside of it. But no dish is more specific trace day than the Derby pie, a trademark name of the Kerns Bakery in town, for a very thick, rich chocolate-chip pecan pie. You can find dishes like these at Churchill Downs's nine food and drink venues, including Starting Gate Pavilion Balcony, the Skye Terrace, Millionaire's Row and Stakes Dining Room. One of my favorite places in town, dating back to 1958 is Pat's Steakhouse, set on two floors of a 150-year-old coach house with décor of dark woods, brass chandeliers, Waterford crystal, hundreds of old photos and white tablecloths, along with a wall of more than 60 bourbons. Begin with a platter of oysters, maybe the frogs' legs in garlic butter and then the 16-ounce strip steak or Pat's fried chicken. Jack Fry's pre-dates Pat's by a quarter century in business, decked out in decades of sports and gambling memorabilia. Here's where to get shrimp and grits with redeye gravy or the pork chop with smoked bacon and roast potatoes and the angel's food cake. Kentucky has a string barbecue culture, and one of the best I found in Louisville is Pork ribs BBQ at Backdeck. John Mariani owned by Chan Nelson, who insists you don't drown his succulent ribs in sauce. Best bargain is the three-meat platter with beans, smoked mac and cheese, and yams. Red Hog is a butcher shop that also purveys terrific sandwiches, soups and charcuterie. The Fat Tony sandwich ($16), mounted with mortadella, salami cotto, city ham, provolone, mayo, hot pepper tapenade, lettuce and onion, is terrific. There's first-rate Italian food at ROC, owned by chef Rocco Cadolini, for sumptuous pastas. Try for an outdoor patio table. For the big, brash splurge––and it's sure to be packed every night––make a reservation in advance at Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse, which does indeed have 14 cuts of steak, as well as 15 variations of sushi, wagyu meatballs, a massive pork porterhouse with polenta cakes and heady black pepper jus and for dessert a three-layer carrot cake with warm caramel cream cheese icing. The restaurant's wine list deserves its many awards for great breadth and depth.
