Some people go to the PNE for the festival, the attractions, the rides, or the games; I go for the food. I love the weird and wacky and how creative the vendors get, in order to bring something new and exciting. All to have people visiting and purchasing.
This is what you can expect this year, as highlighted by the PNE’s marketing team during this year’s PNE media food presser. In the order that we visited them, starring with REEL Mac and Cheese.
This food truck is a staple at The Fair, spanning a history of 25 years. During our most recent visit we tried their best selling Kevin Bacon Mac and Cheese, and today we would be having their 2026 PNE exclusive: the Spamalot Mac And Cheese.
As is the case for all their offerings, this too is named after a movie and uses “The Holy Grail” of canned meats on top of their gourmet macaroni and cheese. The Spam is grilled and finished with a squiggle of mustard and their house made Panko Parmesan crunch topping. I am a fan of spam, as it pulls on nostalgic strings for me. New is the addition of mustard, I never thought to add this zesty condiment, which gives things a ball park frank feel. This is their Fair exclusive for 2026.
Unroutine Poutine lived up to its name with their new Smash Burger Poutine. At its base it is deep fried French fries topped with smashed beef crumbles, crispy bacon bits, cheese curds, and diced pickles. All dressed with a smash sauce and rich gravy. This brings together two comfort-food favourites: burger and fries side, all in one box.
Turning the Korean corn dog game on its head is this sweet cookies and cream version and a to-go pizza one. The latter is fondly referred to as the Twista-Roni. This is a swirling stack of pepperoni and melty mozzarella skewered on a stick and dipped in corn dog batter to be deep fried. The crispy shelled dog is then brushed with a rich, garlicky butter, and a generous drizzle of marinara.
The concept behind this was to make pizza more portable and the street food accessible. Although it was thick and saucy with drips, making it a mess waiting to happen. As for the way it tastes, this was on the saltier side, between the cheese and meat filling, and all the sauces.
I actually liked the Cookies and Cream Korean style Corndog more. Not only is the stick longer with more food, but this was a unique blend of salty and sweet, bringing two famously flavours together to make something so whacky that it works. Icing sugar and crushed Oreo bites, plus plenty of mozzarella and a hot dog wiener. Both version came with some of the most amazing cheese pulls I have had the pleasure of doing for myself.
The next two vendors have an interesting back story. Two brothers, two separate stands, positioned across from one another. New is the younger brother with Bomb Nachos. Today they were featuring their Hot Honey Chicken Tacos, but made more portable as a box of nachos. Fresh made tortilla chips smothered in a melted cheese and queso blend, layered with their signature Nashville Hot seasoned grilled chicken. Then garnished with dill pickles, green onion, lettuce, and a drizzle of hot honey and sour cream to balance the heat. This was another creamy and saucy one in all the right ways. Also sweet and spicy, you want to eat this one quickly to keep the chips crunchy and the lettuce crisp.
Big brother is International Perogies. This is their 10th year at the PNE and they are a fan favourite. This year their Fair special is their Crispy Ginger Beef Perogies. Their same golden, bite-sized potato-and-cheddar-filled perogies they use for all their creations, but loaded with sautéed onions and crispy ginger beet, then topped with fresh green onions, cilantro, sesame seeds and a drizzle of chipotle mango mayo. Finished with crunchy wonton strips and served with a side of sour cream. Each individual element was tasty on its own, together it felt like two different dishes that worked alone and together. I especially enjoyed the chewy caramelized beef and the airy wonton chips.
But what really sets this one apart is that you can upgrade the order with more perogies, a souvenir box, and a mini perogy plushie. I thought this a great idea and a fun marketing ploy.
Another PNE staple is the mini donut, there are many vendors and versions to consider, but The Little Donut Bakery is the only one doing chocolate donuts. And this year they are celebrating their 55th anniversary. They have come up with their own batter to have their mini donuts flavoured with 1005 real European cocoa for a fudgey flavour. But at its core this is still their original signature recipe batter blend, known for being fluffy and fresh-made.
You can either get it as is with a generous coating of icing sugar and any of their free classic toppings. Or you can have it with their new Salted Caramel drizzle or with a cherry compote for their BC Black Forest Brownie Donuts. The latter is a PNE Exclusive with a vanilla and chocolate drizzle, icing sugar and real sweet cherry pie filling.
If looking for not your regular hot dog, Diggity Dogs has a Lamb Merguez Dog. This is the brain child of PNE’s executive chefs, who is always looking to push The Fair food envelope, by catering to and offering more to their seasonal customers.
This is a lamb sausage topped with roasted red pepper and mint relish, creamy hummus, peppery arugula and a bright lemon Parmesan drizzle. Middle Eastern and Mediterranean flavours with sumac, garlic, and red peppers notes. I liked the idea and the flavour, but I found the execution dry. The meat was ashy and could have used a gravy or syrup to soften. This mouth-feel was only furthered by the cluster of fresh greens.
A new family owned vendor to the PNE is Wing Addiction. They are actually the only dedicated wing food truck in Western Canada. As their name suggests they focus on wings, nothing unexpectedly or unique on to them. Their wings are available either in saucy or a dry rub, with flavour options for each. All of which are gluten-free, making them one of the only gluten-free options this year. I recommend having them as is.
But for the PNE season they are doing a Maple Bacon Wing Waffle Stack. Described as crispy waffles stacked with their chicken wings, then topped with maple syrup, bacon bits, and a dollop of whipped cream. This is a tried and true combo, I just wish the waffles were homemade like their wings and not store bought.
And for a “Taste of Canoe Cultures”, guests can head to the tented area where indigenous owners and vendors are offering a diverse range of Indigenous culinary delights. Like Hype Chocolate, Vancouver’s favourite chocolatier that is indigenously owned. At the PNE they are doing a berry lemonade, and chocolate dipped fresh berries. You can also sample their chocolate and purchase a handful of their creative bar flavours.
Coast to Coast Traditional Foods has Buffalo Sausage and Bison Jerky that make for a delicious charcuterie alongside Indigenous artisanal jam from Tradish The Ancestor Cafe. These jams showcase traditional plant medicine and were available for sampling. They also have 100% Indigenous coffee. To do this they have partnered with indigenous groups in Mexico to grow the beans and then roast them here in Canada themselves.
Familiar faces from Salmon and Bannock, Vancouver’s oldest and only indigenous bistro had their own booth with a variety of bannock flavours in both sweet and savoury. Similar flavours like you would find with scones, but with their unique yeast-free baked bread. They also now have their own bannock mix that they teach many local restaurants how to properly bake with, so that you can get quality bannock and more places. They are also doing homemade natural freezies to help beat the heat with.
In short there is so much to see, do, and eat at The Fair. And this is but a short list of some to consider.
Pacific National Exhibition
2901 E Hastings St, Vancouver, BC V5K 5J1
(604) 253-2311
pne.ca/fair2026
