Geno’s 10 Must Have Foods at the Florida Strawberry Festival

Author Geno

February 17th, 2020 11:13 AM

Before you head to Plant City, you have some work to do. It’s important that you plan ahead on what you’re going to pig out on at the Florida Strawberry Festival. Only amateurs stroll in and buy the first thing that they see. If you’re only making one trip this year, you need to coordinate a full day of hunting for these 10 best food picks. Space them out and don’t stray from your game plan or you’ll run out of room. I call The Florida Strawberry Festival that annual last lethal blow to your New Year’s Resolution for a reason. Let’s eat.

• #10: Strawberry Cookies

  Share

  I'm going to warn you. These are addictive. Buy these on your way OUT of the Florida Strawberry Festival. Do NOT buy them first or you'll eat the whole bag and not have any room for the next 9 gotta have foods.

• #9: Island Noodles

  Share

  An underrated offering. I've only spotted these once and tried them after a listener recommendation. You're going to have enough sugar today... this is a good way to start.

• #8: Fiske Fries

  Share

  We eat french fries all the time with our daily drive thru lives, but Fiske french fries are legendary for a reason. They are never frozen. Homemade makes a big difference.
• #7: Strawberry Pizza

  Share

  After years of visits to Plant City, last year I finally tried the strawberry pizza. I always thought it was a typical pizza with strawberries on top... which honestly sounds terrible to me. But this dessert pizza is excellent.

• #6: Amish Doughnuts

  Share

  Amish doughnuts were the first food I fell in love with at the Florida Strawberry Festival. Simple but oh so good.

• #6: Amish Doughnuts

  Share

  Just watching the glaze drip off the doughnuts is hypnotizing.
• #6: Amish Doughnuts

  Share

  The first of what would become many bites over the years. Notice how much thinner I was before I discovered these.

• #5: Chocolate Dipped Bacon

  Share

  It's not the most inventive bacon creation. That's coming up later on my #1 pick. But still worth a dip.

• #4: Fried Cheese Curds

  Share

  Seek these out. I LOVE cheese curds. If you've ever been to Canada, they're so fresh they sell them at room temperature where they have the nickname "squeaky cheese" because they squeak when you bite in to them. So so good.
• #4: Fried Cheese Curds

  Share

  The next best thing? Fried cheese curds. Be sure to get the dipping sauce too. We're not going for healthy here.

• #3: Strawberry Shortcake

  Share

  I know for many, strawberry shortcake is a must. To me, it's too easy to get great strawberry shortcake this time of year anywhere in Tampa Bay.

• #3: Strawberry Shortcake

  Share

  But nonetheless, it can be argued that a trip to Plant City without having strawberry shortcake is just plain wrong.
• #3: Strawberry Shortcake

  Share

  If you're going to go the strawberry shortcake route, it's best to make your own. Head to the Saint Clement's tent!

• #3: Strawberry Shortcake

  Share

  If you like more strawberries, pile 'em on!

• #3: Strawberry Shortcake

  Share

  But if you're like me and want to overdo it with whipped cream, have at it!
• #2: Doughnut Burger

  Share

  The sweetness of a freshly glazed doughnut enveloping a juicy salty off the grill burger? I'm so in.

• #2: Doughnut Burger

  Share

  There are a few spots that sell these, but I like the booth that's on the northeastern most part of the Festival.

• #2: Doughnut Burger

  Share

  And yes, you can have them put a strawberry on top.
• #2: Doughnut Burger

  Share

  But honestly, I'd rather have it accompanied by bacon!

• #2: Doughnut Burger

  Share

  Beautiful isn't it? My #2 pick is actually the last food on this list you can get at the Florida Strawberry Festival this year.

• HONORABLE MENTION: Funnel Bacon on a Stick

  Share

  Before we get to #1, the #1 item that WOULD be #1 on my list has been sadly retired. "Mama Jane" Harris created this several years ago for the Florida Strawberry Festival. She normally creates something new every year, but this was so good, my listeners and I forced her to bring it back for 5 straight years.
• HONORABLE MENTION: Funnel Bacon On A Stick

  Share

  I am far from Mama Jane's biggest funnel bacon on a stick celebrity fan. Country music stars have raved about it. It's even been featured on Carnival Eats.

• HONORABLE MENTION: Funnel Bacon on a Stick

  Share

  Look at all that glorious bacon! Mama Jane takes a piece of bacon and slides it on to a skewer stick. She then dips it in her secret funnel cake recipe batter and fries it to a beautiful golden brown. She then tops it with powdered sugar and your choice of either chocolate, caramel or maple butter glaze. She didn't give the choice the first time I tried it... she put the maple butter glaze on. And that's when I learned to trust the expert. It's probably my favorite food anywhere. It's breakfast on a stick.

• HONORABLE MENTION: Funnel Bacon on a Stick

  Share

  I am sad to say it won't be back this year. HOWEVER... Mama's NEW creation sounds like a fair foods masterpiece... are you ready for #1?
• #1: Funnel Bacon on a Stick

  Share

  Mama Jane takes a piece of bacon and slides it on to a skewer stick. She then dips it in her secret funnel cake recipe batter and fries it to a beautiful golden brown. She then tops it with powdered sugar and your choice of either chocolate, caramel or maple butter glaze. She didn't give the choice the first time I tried it... she put the maple butter glaze on. And that's when I learned to trust the expert. It's probably my favorite food anywhere. It's breakfast on a stick.

Seen this year’s list of Florida Strawberry Festival concerts?

• Thursday, February 27

  Share

  10:30 a.m. Jimmy Sturr & His Orchestra 3:30 p.m. The Oak Ridge Boys 7:30 p.m. Rascal Flatts

• Friday, February 28

  Share

  3:30 p.m. Tommy James & The Shondells 7:30 p.m. Michael Ray

• Saturday, February 29

  Share

  3:30 p.m. Roots & Boots-Aaron Tippin, Sammy Kershaw & Collin Raye 7:30 p.m. An Evening with 98 Degrees
• Sunday, March 1

  Share

  7:30 p.m.Reba McEntire

• Monday, March 2

  Share

  3:30 p.m.Neal McCoy 7:30 p.m.Patti LaBelle

• Tuesday, March 3

  Share

  3:30 p.m. Sara Evans 7:30 p.m. Skillet
• Wednesday, March 4

  Share

  3:30 p.m. Chubby Checker & the Wildcats 7:30 p.m. Josh Turner

• Thursday, March 5

  Share

  10:30 a.m. Ricky Nelson Remembered (The Nelson Brothers) 3:30 p.m. Dick Fox’s Golden Boys Starring Frankie Avalon, Fabian, Bobby Rydell 7:30 p.m. MercyMe

• Friday, March 6

  Share

  3:30 p.m. Jimmy Fortune with Dailey & Vincent 7:30 p.m. Darci Lynne & Friends LIVE
• Saturday, March 7

  Share

  3:30 p.m. Battle of the Bands Finals 7:30 p.m.Charlie Wilson

• Sunday, March 8

  Share

  3:30 p.m.Eli Young Band 7:30 p.m. Lynyrd Skynyrd

Get The Q Factor Newsletter Delivered To Your Inbox

Stay up to date on the latest from your favorite artists, Tampa/St. Pete happenings, exclusive contests, games, and more.

Email *

Subscribe

By clicking "Subscribe" I agree to the website's terms of Service and Privacy Policy. I understand I can unsubscribe at any time.

Author Geno

Category:

• Q105

Tags:

#GenoAteTampa... a collection of Geno's favorite places to eat in Tampa Bay!,Bacon,Fair Foods,Florida Strawberry Festival,Junk Food,Plant City