CNE 2019: Outrageous eats and rides! Oh my!

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It’s a place like no other.

The Canadian National Exhibition opened Friday and I was lucky enough to spend Friday night and Saturday experiencing everything the 2019 CNE has to offer.

From fabulous food to the Midway rides and games to all the vendors selling their wares, it’s easy to get lost in it all.

At night, the sounds and lights of the Midway fill the air, creating a dazzling display from the gondola or one of the many rides.

The Polar Express has always been my favourite going back to when I was a kid, followed by Mega Drop as a close second.

Naturally, no trip to the CNE is complete without going to the food building to try all the over the top creations.

Despite rainy weather on Saturday morning, the food building — celebrating its 65th anniversary — was full of people ready to try everything the vendors had to offer.

I decided to start with the Frozen Cookie Dough Spaghetti by vendor Eative.

You would think just by looking at it that you were about to eat a big spaghetti and meatball dinner.

But bite into the delicious dessert, made using liquid nitrogen, cookie dough based ice cream, a topping of strawberry sauce, and icing sugar instead of parmesan cheese, and it’s three courses of heavenly.

Next, I tried ‘The Colossal Onion’ which is exactly as advertised.

It’s a big onion that’s spliced, battered and deep-fried. Given it’s the CNE and it’s only here for a few weeks I opted for the loaded Colossal Onion.

The verdict? Mmmm, maybe not for everyone but if you have the nerve to attack it make sure you have a stack of napkins ready and waiting cause you’ll need them.

Starting to feel the food getting to me, I rounded out the gastronomic part of my trip to the CNE with a Funnel Cake Chicken Sandwich from vendor Deep Fried Chicken Sandwiches and a Pickle Lemonade from vendor Splash.

The Funnel Cake Chicken Sandwich is pretty good and is an interesting merger between two unlikely ingredients.

Make sure to eat it quickly though as it’s best when hot before the whipped cream has melted.

Admittedly, I wasn’t looking forward to the Pickle Lemonade but it turned out to be refreshing and something I will likely get next time I go.

But that’s all part of the CNE experience. You see, do and taste things few other places offer.

Where else can you go and eat a Rainbow Grilled Cheese, wash it down with mushroom coffee, and take your chances on a ride that flips you upside down or ring toss?

It’s that for first-timers and for those visiting the Ex after decades with their own families that make the CNE such a special place.

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