Your guide to Benton Franklin fair food. Cheap eats, vegetarian options, special deals

Karlee Van De Venter
·6 min read

The Benton Franklin Fair and Rodeo is back August 22 to 26. Between tickets, parking, games and performances, the price for a family trip to the fair can rack up quickly.

When mealtime comes during a fair outing, be prepared with a map and plan for food options. Try a “Taste of the Fair” this year to save money on all your classic fair cuisine at the Benton Franklin Fair and Rodeo.

Taste the Tri-Cities fair

In 2023, the Benton Franklin Fair and Rodeo is holding a “Taste of the Fair” special from 2 to 6 p.m. on August 24. During the special, many food vendors are offering a $2 bite-size option. For people with small appetites, those who want a sample of many things, or those who can’t decide between several options, the smaller portions are perfect.

Bite-size specials for $2 on Thursday, August 24:

  • Azar’s Gyros- Gyro meat with pita wedge

  • Bacon Wrapped Hot Dogs - Hot dog half with onions and peppers

  • Big Jim’s Slushee - Small slushee

  • Big Jim’s Churro - Churro bite

  • Beaver State Burrito - Plate of beans, rice and cheese

  • Boba King - Free boba with drink purchase

  • Flaco’s Tacos - One al pastor taco

  • Pacific Crest Funnel Cake - Mini funnel cake

  • Here’s the Scoop - Half scoop in a cup

  • Sahara Pizza - Dessert slice

  • J. Westmoreland Concessions - Mini corn dog

  • Knights of Columbus - Half scoop in a cup with a waffle chip

  • Miranda’s Sno Shack - Small frozen lemonade

  • Needham Concessions - Small frozen banana

  • Old Fashioned Kettle Corn - Mini bag of kettle corn

  • Old Timers Pork Rinds - Quarter-bag of pork rinds

  • Pasco-Kennewick Rotary - Mini elephant ear

  • Piggly Wiggly BBQ - BBQ slider

  • Pizza Hut - Small slice

  • Raspados Del Sur - Fruit water - Aguas frescas

  • Scotsman’s Espresso - Two mini donuts

  • Spud McVayes - Beer battered spuds

  • Stizzy’s Roasted Corn - Half an elote

  • West Coast Weenies - Mini corn dog

Budget-friendly value meals are available all week long:

  • Sahara Pizza: Slice of pizza and small drink - $10

  • Piggly Wiggly BBQ: Slider, fries, lemonade - $9.99

  • Oyster Bay: Catfish tender, fries, drink - $9.99

  • Old Timers Pork Rinds: Bag of pork rinds, soda - $10

  • Pizza Hut: Slice of pizza, breadstick, drink - $12

  • Stizzy’s Roasted Corn: Cotija elote, 32 oz. drink - $15

  • Flaco’s Tacos: Taco plate, 32 oz. drink - $15

  • Spuds McVayes: Corn dog, spuds, small drink - $18

  • West Coast Weenies: Small hot dog, drink - $9

Roast beef turns on a spit above an open flame for BBQ beef sandwiches at the Benton Franklin County Fair & Rodeo in Kennewick.
Roast beef turns on a spit above an open flame for BBQ beef sandwiches at the Benton Franklin County Fair & Rodeo in Kennewick.

Ways to save on fair food

There are other things beyond the food specials you can do at the fair to economize and find food that you can enjoy. The Benton Franklin Fair and Rodeo also offers inclusive food options for people with dietary restrictions and specific food preferences.

▪ Gluten-free

Both Hot Tamales and Old Fashioned Kettle Corn specify their offerings are gluten free.

▪ Water

No outside food or drink is allowed inside the fair, but you can bring in an empty reusable bottle, and fill up at the several water fountains throughout the fairgrounds. This option also produces less waste.

Alternatively, ice cold water and bottled water are available at various stands, with fluctuating prices. The lowest price for water that McClatchy could find was at Beaver State Burrito for $2 each. If you prefer water bottles, head to Old Fashioned Kettle Corn to get an Aquafina for $3.

▪ Refills

Trying to increase your fluid intake without breaking the bank? Get your fair drinks at these locations for the most bang for your buck.

  • Flaco’s Tacos: All drinks 32 oz. $8, refills $4

  • Monster Grill: Soda and lemonade $9, refills $4

  • Piggly Wiggly’s: Giant baby bottle novelty drinks $16

  • Slushee: Twisted cups $10, valid for $4 refills for remainder of the fair

▪ Vegetarian

There are several vegetarian snack and meal options available around the fair.

  • Azar’s Gyros: Veggie hummus $14, Greek salad $3, falafel meal $13, Greek salad with falafel $15

  • Beaver State Burrito: Classic burrito (Made-to-order vegetarian burrito with pinto beans and rice, plus your choice of toppings from cheese, onions, salsa, sour cream, olives and jalapenos) $12

  • Big Slice Pizza: Slice of cheese pizza $7, whole cheese pizza $40

  • Flaco’s Tacos: Loaded nachos $17, quesadilla grande $15, esquites $13

  • Giant Curly Fries: Curly fries $15, cheesy fries $18, extra cheesy fries $19

  • Hot Tamales: Hot Cheeto tamales $10 for two

  • Pizza Hut: Mega slice cheese pizza $5, breadsticks with sauce $5

  • Raspados del Sur: Duro chips $6, mixed fruit $14, mango cup $14, fresas con crema $15, tostilocos $16

  • Spuds McVayes: Beer battered spuds $10, beer battered cheezy spuds $12, beer battered onion rings $12, nachos $9

  • Stizzy’s Roasted Corn: Roasted corn $8, elote $12, corn in cup $13

Whole chickens are basted while cooking over hot coals at the Joe’s Famous Chicken Shack food booth at the Benton Franklin Fair & Rodeo at the fairgrounds in Kennewick.
Whole chickens are basted while cooking over hot coals at the Joe’s Famous Chicken Shack food booth at the Benton Franklin Fair & Rodeo at the fairgrounds in Kennewick.

▪ Options for picky eaters

Just because the fair is full of adventurous, sometimes outlandish foods, doesn’t mean you can’t stick to the tried-and-true for meals and treats. There are options for the pickiest of eaters at the Benton Franklin Fair and Rodeo.

  • Azar’s Gyros: Gyro with tahini or seziki $13, chicken gyro $13, veggie hummus $14, meat hummus $17, Greek salad $3, Greek nachos $17, Greek fries $17

  • Beaver State Burrito: Classic burrito (Made-to-order vegetarian burrito with pinto beans and rice, plus your choice of toppings from cheese, onions, salsa, sour cream, olives and jalapenos) $12, add chicken or beef for $3

  • Big Slice Pizza: Pizza slice (pepperoni, Hawaiian or cheese) $7, whole pizza (pepperoni, Hawaiian or cheese) $40

  • Flaco’s Tacos: Street taco plate (steak, chicken or al pastor) $17, one pound burrito grande (steak, chicken or al pastor) $18, loaded nachos $17 (add meat for $5), carne asada fries (steak, chicken or al pastor) $22, quesadilla grande $15 (add meat for $5), esquites $13 (add Hot Cheetos for $.99), side of beans or rice $8

  • Giant Curly Fries: Curly fries $15, cheesy fries $18, extra cheesy fries $19

  • Hot Tamales: Tamales (chicken, pork or Hot Cheeto) $10 for two

  • Joe’s Famous Chicken Ranch: Chicken sandwich $21 (add cheese or bacon or make it Joe’s way for an extra $3), chicken tender platter $21, rotisserie chicken meal $23, drumstick dinner $23

  • Joe Roaster: Mini donuts six for $9 or 12 for $16, loaded bucket of donuts $23, pretzel or pretzel bites $14

  • Monster Grill: Chicken kabob $18, BBQ beef-wich $12, Monster corn dog $18, Monster burger $15, Monster half-pound hot dog $13, half-pound bacon dog $18, curly fries with bacon $21

  • Pizza Hut: Mega slice (pepperoni, cheese or Hawaiian) $5, breadsticks with sauce $5

  • Raspados del Sur: Duro chips $6, mixed fruit $14, fresas con crema $15, tostilocos $16

  • Spuds McVayes: Beer battered corn dog $10, beer battered chicken and spuds $18, beef hot dog $8, Indian taco $16

Of course, classic fair foods like funnel cakes, elephant ears, churros and kettle corn are available across the fairgrounds. There are multiple options for each with comparable prices.

NOTE: These lists are not meant to be exhaustive. The Herald was unable to obtain price points for every single item offered, including menus at stands scheduled later in the week. Some stands might offer options that are not listed on the menu. The best way to scope out all fair food for any palate is to visit the fair.

Catalina Ramirez, 6, enjoys an extra long french fry covered in ketchup from a basket of curly fries she was sharing with her siblings and parents while at the Benton Franklin Fair & Rodeo at the fairgrounds in Kennewick. Her parents are Valerie & Roman Ramirez of Pasco.
Catalina Ramirez, 6, enjoys an extra long french fry covered in ketchup from a basket of curly fries she was sharing with her siblings and parents while at the Benton Franklin Fair & Rodeo at the fairgrounds in Kennewick. Her parents are Valerie & Roman Ramirez of Pasco.