Carnival Eats - Season 12

First aired: 7/7/2024 13 episodes
← Back to Carnival Eats

Episodes

1. Parmageddon

Aired: 7/7/2024

Host Noah Cappe's taste buds are brought to life at the Día de los Muertos Festival in San Antonio. Noah does a deep dive into a Loaded Oaxacan Tamale -- a traditional tamale loaded with fried chicharron and sumptuous sauces -- and scarfs down the Elote Dog -- a house made bacon-wrapped wiener loaded with Mexican street corn -- that twist fair food staples together in the most satisfying way. The fantastic food fusion doesn't stop there as he tries the Smash Burger Taco -- seasoned beef pressed into a tortilla and loaded with burger toppings -- and the Breakfast de Muertos -- a sweet and savory breakfast sandwich on a traditional Pain de Muertos bun. Later on, Noah visits Florida for the Florida State Fair in Tampa, where series veteran Mama Jane serves up a Cubano sandwich on a funnel cake, and for the Brevard Renaissance Fair in Melbourne for the sweet, crunchy and fired up Dragon's Breath Brûlée.

2. Swai School Musical

Aired: 7/14/2024

Host Noah Cappe heads to Balboa Nights in San Diego, where the carnival eats are fresh and twisted -- just the way he likes them! There's the Carne Asada Yakisoba, which brings Mexican and Japanese flavors together in the most tantalizing way, and the Southern Swai Mac Rolls, crispy egg rolls stuffed with catfish, mac and cheese, and collard greens. Before that, Noah heads to Florida's Space Coast for the Key Lime Pie Festival, where a pair of off-the-wall burgers will get him ready for a key lime pie ice cream sandwich! Finally, Noah's off to the Coastal Carolina Fair in South Carolina for a dough-nutty take on banana pudding.

3. Brunch Drunk Love

Aired: 7/21/2024

Giddy up and tally ho! Host Noah Cappe is off to Rodeo Austin, one of Texas' premiere rodeo events! The vendors have to feed hundreds of thousands of hungry fairgoers, and their delectable midway meals do not disappoint. Noah stars the day off right with the Bacon Breakfast Fries before digging into the Surf and Turf-tato -- a steak and seafood loaded baked potato -- an Etouffee Parfait that layers sumptuous Cajun delights, and the Popcorn Frankendog -- a classic corn dog with an amped up popcorn-coated batter. Later, Noah heads to California for a pair of wildly different events! First up, the bright Balboa Park December Nights Festival in San Diego features Kenyan-inspired Rafikiz Fries and perfectly hued Pink Lady Dumplings. Then in Cathedral City, Noah hits up the Taste of Jalisco, a Mexican-inspired festival, where he samples the Sweet Potato Tornado -- a modern carnival classic.

4. Brûlée-dy and the Tramp

Aired: 7/28/2024

Host Noah Cappe heads to where Arkansas meets Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana for the Four States Fair in Texarkana, where everything really is bigger, including the mountainous Texas Tower, a BBQ-loaded sandwich, and La Cubana Huarache, a scrumptious take on the classic Mexican dish. From there, Noah heads back in time to The Viking Experience, a roleplaying festival highlighting Viking heritage, in North Carolina. On the menu is the Raleigh Bison Dog -- a locally sourced bison hot dog with a shmear of house-made pimento cheese -- and the Holy Bologna -- a breakfast sandwich loaded smoked bologna and all the fixin's. Finally, Noah heads to Katy, Texas, for a little Christmas in the summertime.

5. Any Given Shrimp and Grits Sunday

Aired: 8/4/2024

Host Noah Cappe heads to Ladson, South Carolina, for the Coastal Carolina Fair, where he dines on a three-course meal courtesy of the legendary Hagy family! First, oldest Ryan whips up their signature Fried Shrimp and Grits Sundae -- tender seasoned shrimp on a bed of fries and deep-fried grits. Then, Noah meets younger sister Megan for a crabby sandwich that doubles down on flavor before he hangs out with middle brother Dustin for the sweet and savory Hamburger Donut Dog. Plus, Noah stops by the Oak Mountain State Fair in Alabama for some carnival eats with wicked Southern twists: the Pecan Pie Bacon Burger and the Peach n' Pork Pie. Then, it's off to Rodeo Austin, where Noah starts his day with the Brunch Pop -- a breakfast sausage coated in pancake batter, deep fried and rolled in fruity cereal -- and chomps on some fiery hot Habanero Gator Wings.

6. The Eggs-Files

Aired: 8/11/2024

Hear ye, hear ye! Host Noah Cappe ventures to the Brevard Renaissance Fair in Melbourne, Florida, to sample masterful medieval dishes delicious enough to satiate the biggest giant. First, there's the Dragon's Egg -- a fiery red take on a scotch egg -- Her Majesty's Mac -- a macaroni and cheese made for a royal palate -- and Fluffy Trolls -- a cotton candy-wrapped pickle. Plus, Noah heads to Cathedral City, California, for the Taste of Jalicso Festival which celebrates Mexican heritage, culture and food! On the menu is the Chorizo Pina Smash Burger, a pineapple-injected chorizo burger, and the Poblano Popper Fried Chicken, a chicken sandwich with a creamy, spicy kick. Noah also visits the Coastal Carolina Fair for the Bacon Jalapeño Corn Puppies and the Chicken Mac Queso-rito.

7. Risky Biscuit

Aired: 8/18/2024

Host Noah Cappe steps back in time at The Viking Experience in Creedmoor, North Carolina, where he raises a glass of mead and celebrates the Swedish Meat Cone and Meemaw's Nachos -- pulled pork, apples and onions on crispy tortilla chips. Next, Noah visits the beautiful Oak Mountain State Fair in Pelham, Alabama, and starts his day with the 'Bama Breakfast Biscuit -- fresh eggs, local sausage and a corneal-coated fried green tomato -- before having the perfect afternoon snack with the PB&B Pudding Fingers, which brings together peanut butter and sweet Southern banana pudding. Finally, it's off to Katy, Texas, for the holiday-inspired Magical Winter Lights Festival, where Noah dines on the Eggs Benny Boudreaux, the Fried Eggplant Seafood Volcano and the festive Candy Apple Shake.

8. A Few Good Ramen

Aired: 8/25/2024

It's nothing but hot, hot heat for Noah Cappe, who makes stops in some of the country's most sweltering states. First, Noah checks out the Florida State Fair's Temperamental Hog -- a spicy and savory funnel cake-- plus Philly Pizza Curls that dress ribbon fries with a mashup of pepperoni pizza and Philly cheesesteak. In the deserts of Tucson, Arizona, at the Pima County Fair, Noah makes a pitstop for the Truck Stop Burger piled high with roasted peanuts, bacon jam and a pink snowball cake, served with the Strawberry Shake-Up -- a sweet strawberry boba milkshake with a toaster pastry surprise. Things really heat up when Noah comes face-to-face with the Loco Elote Ramen and its spicy cheese puff dust atop grilled corn ramen. Then, there's more to munch on at Rodeo Austin with the Cajun flavors of the seafood-stuffed Swamp P'Boy and The Sunday Special that packs all the comforts of a roast dinner stuffed into a turkey leg.

9. Pizza Mac and Me

Aired: 9/1/2024

Noah Cappe ventures to the Gulf Coast to check out the Florida State Fair. Dessert is served for breakfast with the Wake Up Waffle Pizza -- stacked with strawberries, waffles and whipped cream -- and Banana Cream Pie Nachos. For the savory savants, there's Conch Fritters drizzled with spicy lobster jerk sauce and the Seasoned Green Crunchadilla -- a grilled tortilla folded around cashew mac n' cheese, jerk vegan chicken and a crunchy tostada. Meanwhile on the other side of the country, Noah checks out the Washington Spring State Fair in Puyallup, where poké gets wrapped in seaweed cones and corn on the cob on-a-stick gets coated in sour popping candy. Lastly, Noah treks to New York state, where the Rochester Lilac Festival is in full bloom and creamy Pizza Mac is on the menu.

10. Banh Mi, Myself and Irene

Aired: 9/8/2024

Noah Cappe went on a culinary journey across the United States. He started in Omaha, Nebraska, where he tried a unique Elote Corn Dog topped with chorizo and corn salsa. Next, he traveled to Rochester, New York, to sample Birria Torta, Korean Tacos, and a reimagined version of Garbage Rolls. Finally, he ended his trip in West Virginia, where he enjoyed a Southern-style BBQ Lasagna and a Strawberry Cheesecake Calzone.

11. Crab Rangoonies

Aired: 9/15/2024

Noah Cappe makes a trip to New England for a wicked cool visit to the Newport Oyster and Chowder Festival! Nothing says Rhode Island more than this seafood-stacked menu with decadent Lobster Pizza and creamy Crab Rangoons. Noah sees a scallop get shucked before indulging in the Scallop Roll, but he saves room for New England Nachos that dress up pita chips with legendary seafood chowder, lobster and oyster crackers. Then, country roads take Noah on a trip to Buckhannon, West Virginia, where the Reuben Tot Taco mashes up the Reuben sandwich, tater tots and a taco, while fried chicken and waffles get a berry delicious spin with strawberries and a spicy maple syrup.

12. The Big Chili

Aired: 9/22/2024

Noah Cappe heads to Pacific Northwest for the Washington State Spring Fair to take in the seafood scene with the Seattle Crabby Dog loaded with cream cheese, sauteed onions and native Dungeness crab, plus Bowtie Prawn Pie -- an alfredo prawn pizza topped with farfalle pasta. Then, Noah stops and smells the flowers at the Meriden Daffodil Festival in Connecticut. Local Italian Americans carnival-fy family recipes to create perfect comfort foods like the Italian Chili Dog that tops a classic Italian sausage with pasta e fagioli and Lasagna Nachos that deep fry lasagna sheets covered in parmesan, mozzarella and marinara. For dessert, Noah grabs the Lemon Meringue Funnel Pie, a classic funnel cake loaded with tart lemon curd, buttery shortbread and crunchy meringues. Finally, it's off to the Four States Fair in Texarkana, Arkansas, for rocky road-ified fries and the Mud Bug Roll -- a sushi roll stuffed with local crawfish wrapped into spring roll and deep fried.

13. 2 Fast 2 Furikake

Aired: 9/29/2024

Noah Cappe heads to the Washington State Spring Fair in Puyallup for the Wake n' Bacon Fry Pie -- a breakfast bonanza of eggs, bacon and hash browns rolled into a hand pie -- and the Hapa Dog -- a Hawaiian-inspired Portuguese sausage topped with creamy coleslaw and furikake. In the cornhusker state of Nebraska, the Taste of Omaha makes good on the maize with The Firecracker -- a deep-fried corn on the cob rolled in hot cheese puffs and spicy blue tortilla chips. The heat gets turned up for the Fiery Frank Roll -- an egg-rolled sausage covered in queso and jalapenos -- and The Snoop -- a chicken and waffle-stuffed wrap with jalapeno-bacon jam and maple syrup. Then, it's off to Arizona for the Pima County Fair, where a savory cake surprises with layers of rice, seaweed, pineapple and canned meat, and a divisive dessert known as The Pickle Split tickles every taste bud with its giant dill pickle wrapped in fruit leather and topped with pineapple soft serve and tamarind candy string.