Wild bites and 2026 hall of famers for the ultimate CNE food run

UPDATE: The official 2026 CNE Food Hall of Fame inductees are in! Here is the latest lineup of fairground hits, fan favourites, and best bites to grab before the fair wraps.

An environment full of energy, colour, lights, fun, and festivity, the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) has always been the place for that final summer adventure. Over the last decade, the unique options served on the grounds have become an integral part of the experience.

It is no longer just about the sugar rush from standard candy apples, cotton candy, caramel popcorn, and simple corn dogs. The Ex has become a culinary cornucopia of flavours from around the globe, and many visitors show up strictly for the eats.

Among the Ferris wheels, merry-go-rounds, gravity-defying rides, concerts, and games of chance, people of all ages line up at counters in the expanded Food Building, wait outside food trucks, and visit local restaurant pop-ups — all adding extra sizzle to the atmosphere.

2026 CNE Food Hall of Fame Inductees

The official 2026 inductees taking top spot at the Exhibition this year have been favourites for decades. This year’s list of hall of famers celebrates the OGs:

The Perogy Chef Perogies – The Perogy Chef Perogies: This staple consistently sells more than three tonnes of perogies during the 18-day run of the CNE each year. The Cheddar & Potato Perogy with Onion-Dill Sauce uses the exact same recipe as when it debuted 40 years ago in the Food Building. Owner Neil Sarel took over in 2009 following the passing of founder Boris Hirniak, the original Perogy Chef.

Bouchard’s Poutine – Bouchard’s Poutinerie has been a favourite spot in the Food Building since 2008, serving variations on the foundational mix of fries, gravy, and cheese curds that makes this a classic. Two favourites are the Lumberjack Poutine — a hearty breakfast-type dish made with Canadian sourced ingredients including bacon strips and eggs — and the Cheeseburger Poutine with pickles, ketchup and mustard.

Roasted Corn – Freshly roasted corn bathed in butter remains a summertime favourite at the CNE. As many as eight outdoor vendors throughout the grounds feature roasted corn on the cob on their menu, offering the classic butter recipe and Cajun seasoning to the more adventurous Hot Cheetos, rainbow-coloured queso, and jerk seasoning.

A special category was created for obscure and ostentatious creations, or viral foods that were served for only one season but remained unforgettable.

24K Gold Burger – This special recognition goes to Bacon Nation for their 24K Gold Burger that debuted in 2018. They created a towering double-patty cheeseburger, loaded with maple bacon strips and peameal bacon, thick cut onion rings, and a crowning bun crusted in edible gold foil. People lined up around the block to get a taste despite the $100 price tag, yet a smaller Gold slider was made available at $24.

Deep-Fried Chicken Feet – Dipped in batter, deep-fried, and served on a stick, deep-fried chicken feet top the list as the most unexpected — and therefore memorable — dish in the Hall of Fame. Although chicken feet are commonly prepared and enjoyed as a delicacy in many cultures, the audacity to serve them as a carnival treat made a lasting impression on fairgoers.

The Colossal Onion

Last year, the CNE Food Hall of Fame inductees included the showy Colossal Onion. Visually appealing and tasty, the deep-fried bloom wafted its familiar aroma across the grounds. With battered slices springing out like chrysanthemum petals, many fairgoers simply refer to it as the Blooming Onion.

Some of the foods are considered strange. Who knew that putting chicken inside a cookie would be absolutely delicious? Craig’s Cookies did. Everything baked by this locally-founded cookie company is amazing. Their food truck quickly runs out of goods. The Chicken Nugget Cookie is usually the first to go. You have to arrive early to get one.

Taste Testing with @OneBiteNathan

There were plenty of other delectables on offer. Toronto actor, comedian, and foodie Nathan Taylor (known online as @OneBiteNathan) shared his feedback on last year’s lineup. Several of his top picks ended up in the 2025 CNE Food Hall of Fame.

Nathan explored the Exhibition Grounds with his family — a tradition 30 years in the making. Here he is making memories and taste-testing the Maki Sushi Corndog, Rainbow Grilled Cheese, Philly Cheese Steak Cone, and Grilled Chicken Cone:

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Smash Burger Taco

Is it a burger or a taco? Putting a patty in a soft taco shell with sauce isn’t revolutionary, but the execution makes it work. Nathan labeled Smash City’s Smash Burger Taco “hot and juicy,” praising the craftsmanship and giving it an 8 out of 10. Sometimes simple hits the spot.

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Biscoff Fried Chicken Crunch Ice Cream Sandwich

Served by the Los Vietnamita food truck, this treat balances savoury and sweet. It’s built on crispy, breaded chicken under a mound of ice cream, topped with a generous, crunchy Biscoff Lotus biscuit and braced by a lightly glazed bun. Fairgoers called it decadent. Nathan dubbed it the “Lotus cookie fried chicken ice cream sandwich,” noting the chicken was juicy, the ice cream was fresh, and giving it an 8.5 out of 10. That score makes it a must-try next time you’re at the Ex.