The Red Snapper Hot Dog: Maine’s Unrivaled Fair Food Champion

The dog days of summer have rolled into Maine, and not a minute too soon.

This is one of the best times of year to live in this great state or to visit. The weather is simply ideal for all the activities that Mainers love to enjoy: camping, hiking, swimming, boating, and consuming massive amounts of calories at state and local fairs.

Maine's Fair Season is one of the Highlights of Late Summer

That’s right—it's time for fairs and festivals to take over the spotlight. These events bring Mainers and tourists together to enjoy the state's incredible agriculture, local artisans, exciting games, and more.

Quite possibly the most popular part of any fair is the cuisine. Who doesn't love gorging on food that's breaded, fried, sauced, and probably on a stick? The diet takes a backseat during fair season. It’s a free pass to consume as many calories as possible.

With fair food season in full swing, I thought it would be fun to do a little digging to see if there’s one type of fair food that reigns supreme in Maine. Maybe I could even find an opinion from someone “from away” who fell in love with a Maine staple. And that’s where Delish.com comes in.

The popular culinary site posted an article earlier this year about fair food. In fact, delish.com listed the best from each state—including Maine.

The site’s selection for Maine is solid. However... is it fair food? I’d say absolutely not, but I can understand how an outsider might think so.

Maine's Best Fair Food is a Popular Dish for All Seasons

So, what is this mysterious meal? That would be the world-famous red snapper hot dog.

Found at fairs across the state, this authentic Maine sausage is the bee’s knees. It’s a perfect combination of well-seasoned meat, delicious juices, and a casing that only the angels could have invented. There’s nothing like that snap when you bite in.

Man, I love a red snapper. It absolutely destroys the rest of the competition. Fenway Frank? Nathan’s? Hebrew National? None of those should even be in the same hemisphere as the red snapper.

Maine's Red Snapper is More Than Just Fair Food

But is it fair food? I guess. You can probably find them at every fair in Maine. But that’s not really how Mainers associate this delicacy. Red snappers are a year-round staple. They're perfect for cookouts, birthdays, ballgames, funerals, graduations, weddings, work parties, breakfast, lunch, dinner… I think you get the point.

I understand why an outsider might suggest it's fair food. The red snapper is a regional delicacy. Most people are probably mesmerized when seeing them for the first time. But for us Mainers, they’re as common as a carton of milk, a loaf of bread, or a stick of butter.

READ MORE: Milly’s Market Opens in Portland, Maine, Featuring Local Products

All hail the mighty red snapper. It’s wonderful to see it listed as Maine’s best fair food. But maybe—it’s just Maine’s best food.

Now I’m hungry.