State Fair minus one day, but day three of service at The Peg

Even though it’s less than 24 hours until the Minnesota State Fair opens its doors to the masses, hundreds of workers have been trudging to the fairgrounds for days to get things ready. And they have to eat.

About 15 years ago, operators of The Peg, located on the west side of the Ag-Hort Building, decided to have their hamburgers, loaded fries, cole slaw, and breakfast muffins available for all those people.

“We are very busy for lunch, and usually dinner,” said Jamie Harrick, manager of The Peg. “It’s so popular because people can take a break during the day, sit down at the tables, enjoy eating a meal and then get back work.”

The late Greg Auge, who owned the old Kelly’s Square Peg Restaurant on the east side of St. Paul, opened the off-shoot eatery at the fairgrounds in forty years ago, offering sit-down meals that are not served on a stick.

Not exactly competition for those fancy-schmancy new fair foods.

“It isn’t,” said Harrick. “If you want a home-made, hearty meal, come on over and see us.”

There are a few other food stands open for pre-fair work crews, but Harrick said they are not The Peg.

“They’re not full-service where you can sit down and take that break,” she said. “It’s really a nice benefit.”

WCCO's Al Schoch always begins his state fair experience at The Peg, even though he has to get his birch beer from somewhere else.