Day One at the New York State Fair: A Stop at the Baked Potato Express
There’s nothing quite like opening day at the New York State Fair. The air is buzzing with energy, the midway lights shine bright, and the smell of fried dough, barbecue, and roasted corn follows you everywhere you go. But for me, day one was all about one place: the legendary Baked Potato Express Truck.
I’d heard plenty of talk about their potatoes being a “must-have,” but I didn’t just try one—I went all in and had three. And I can tell you right now, they were worth every single bite.
The Thanksgiving Potato
The first stop on my baked potato adventure was their Thanksgiving potato, and honestly, it felt like being wrapped in a warm, holiday hug. Each potato starts with a generous ladle of clarified butter that seeps into the skin and flesh, giving it that unmistakable warm, buttery flavor. The potato itself was perfectly cooked—fluffy, creamy, and steaming hot.
On top of that base came melted cheese, tender shreds of turkey, sweet corn, and a rich, savory gravy that tied everything together. Then, the finishing touch: a spoonful of tart cranberry sauce. The combination was hearty and comforting, a true balance of flavors where every bite felt like Thanksgiving dinner in one forkful. It wasn’t just food—it was nostalgia.
The Mac and Cheese Potato
Next up was the Mac and Cheese potato, and this one is pure comfort food overload. Again, it began with that silky clarified butter that melts right into the fluffy potato base, followed by a sprinkle of cheese. But then they went all out with a scoop of creamy, gooey mac and cheese piled on top.
This potato is the definition of indulgent—you might just get the biggest cheese pull at the Fair with this one. The sour cream on top cuts through the richness perfectly, giving you just enough tang to balance all that cheesy goodness. Every bite felt over-the-top, but in the best way possible.
The Sweet Potato Dream
Finally, I went for the sweet potato creation, and this one blurred the line between meal and dessert. The sweet potato itself was just as fluffy and soft as the russets, but with that natural sweetness that makes it a treat on its own. Add in the ladle of clarified butter, and you’ve already got something delicious.
But they don’t stop there—it gets topped with marshmallow cream, then extra marshmallows, followed by a dusting of brown sugar and cinnamon. What you end up with is the perfect cross between sweet and hearty: warm, spiced, gooey, and indulgent, but still substantial enough to count as a meal. It’s comfort food with a playful twist.
Final Thoughts
Each of these baked potatoes had its own personality, but what tied them all together was the quality. The potatoes themselves were fluffy with a creamy texture inside, rich from the clarified butter, and perfectly seasoned by the toppings layered on top.
The Thanksgiving potato was hearty and balanced, the Mac and Cheese potato was a gooey, cheesy showstopper, and the Sweet Potato was a sweet-and-savory masterpiece that worked as both meal and dessert.
If you’re heading to the New York State Fair this year, make sure you carve out time (and appetite) for the Baked Potato Express Truck.
