Birria Flamin’ Bombs from Fiesta Frill & Cantina was named the winner of Wisconsin State Fair’s annual Sporkies competition for new menu items at the 2026 festival. Tilt-a-Spritz from Old Fashioned Sipper Club was the winner of the fourth annual Drinkies competition for new beverages.
The winning food is made of slow-braised beef birria, cilantro, onion and melted mozzarella cheese. The cheesy-beef bombs are coated in seasoned breadcrumbs, fried until golden brown, and served with a side of birria consommé and creamy chipotle aioli.
The winning beverage is a mix of ruby grapefruit, key lime and ginger beer sealed in a smoke box with hickory and torched rosemary.
A panel of judges reviewed the 12 finalists – eight Sporkies and four Drinkies – on appearance, creativity, originality and taste at an Aug. 4 media event at the fair’s Bank Five Nine Amphitheater stage.
WürstBar’s Cream City Cone took second place in the Sporkies competition. Built in a warm, buttered pretzel cone dipped in dill pickle mustard, this handheld is filled with a mix of bratwurst, sautéed onions, sautéed mushrooms, melted cheddar and topped with a white cheddar cheese curd and more mustard.
Third place went to the Al Pastor Pizza from Charlie’s Pizza. It comes topped with marinated al pastor pork, mozzarella cheese, pineapple, cilantro onion and lime juice with a drizzle of zesty special sauce.
Lori Frederich, senior food writer and dining editor at OnMilwaukee, emceed the judging panel whose members included Visit Milwaukee CEO Peggy Williams-Smith, social media influencer Lillwaukee, FOX6 Wakeup News anchor Derica Williams, Commercial Real Estate Development Association CEO Jim Villa and Chicago-based freelance culinary author Jennifer Billock.
Wisconsin State Fair takes place Aug. 6-16 at State Fair Park, 640 S. 84th St. All Sporkies and Drinkies competitors will be on sale during the fair. All finalists are designated with a golden spork or straw outside their booth. To see a description of all the finalists, visit wistatefair.com.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin State Fair reveals 2026 Sporkies, Drinkies winners
Reporting by Joey Schamber, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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By Joey Schamber, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | USA TODAY Network
