Spending a full day at the 2025 LA County Fair? Here’s your meal plan

With dozens of options for entertainment, it’s easy enough to explore the Los Angeles County Fair from open to close — meaning visitors also have a chance to eat their way through the fair.

Starting with a light breakfast may be the best idea — a full day at the fair is best tackled as a food-eating marathon and not a sprint.

After passing through the fair gates when they open at 11 a.m., grab a mochi doughnut for $7 and ube iced coffee for $9 from Chan’s Eats for a solid sweet start to the day. Prefer something savory and maybe a bit more substantial? Try the Krispy Kreme chicken sandwich from Chicken Charlie’s for $15.95.

With breakfast handled, a trip to The Farm early in the day may help you beat the afternoon rush of visitors, giving you more time to pet the baby animals. After washing up, a drinkable snack might be a good idea. Try the fruit-topped agua fresca “michelaguas” from Riccos for $16, a refreshing option you can carry with you as you make your way to the Garden Railroad, where you can wander through the impressive collection of model trains while working up an appetite for lunch.

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For lunch, the cauliflower wings for $14.47 and Chik’N tacos for $7.69 from The Veggie Box are a lighter, vegetarian option. Looking for something a bit meatier? Try the Jamaican fried chicken box for $18 and the lobster mac and cheese from The Jerk.

For a midafternoon pick-me-up, an Oreo mocha for $12 from Joe Roaster will give you a caffeine jolt to power you through the air-conditioned Marketplace where you can also taste award-winning wines, spirits and olive oils from around the world.

As the sun sets and the neon glow from the carnival rides takes over, so does the desire for dinner. If you’re looking for something with a bit of spice, try puffy tacos or tacos vampires for $14.48 and loco fries for $17.19 from Papi’s Puffy Tacos. Craving Southern classics? Check out Harold & Bells to Geaux for its fried catfish nuggets for $15.95, oysters for $22.50 and crawfish etouffee for $18.95, or a bowl of gumbo for $18.25.

If you dared to tackle a thrill ride after a satisfying dinner, maybe it’s time to end your day on a sweet, comforting note. Head over to Old Tyme Ice Cream for sundaes for $13, shakes for $15, a bag of mini doughnuts for $12, cheesecake on a stick for $10 and other fair-time favorites to round out your day.

About the LA County Fair

Where: Fairplex, 1101 W. McKinley Ave., Pomona

When: Thursday-Sunday through May 25, and Memorial Day, May 26

Hours: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Cost: $18.50 to $27.50 for adults; $15.50 for children ages 6 to 12 and seniors 60 and older. Parking starts at $22.50. Parking, admission, and concert box office payments are cashless. Advance online purchases cost less than gate prices.

Information: lacountyfair.com