SPRINGFIELD — Saying its making the “best out of a Wurst situation,” The Student Prince and The Fort Restaurant will add “Fort Fair Food” to its lunch and dinner menu outdoors under a Fort Street big top in place of the cancelled The Big E.
This would have been opening week for the Eastern States Exposition, but the 17-day fair was cancelled for 2020 because of restrictions in place during the pandemic.
The fair is selling food at its own drive-thru food events and the Log Cabin is hosting its own fair food event.
The events – the one at The Big E grounds, Fort Street and The Log Cabin – all also make money for The Big E which is missing out on revenue this year.
The Fort’s menu will be similar to its Wurst Haus stand at The Big E.
So for those who are craving the Biggi-E bratwurst on a bun, the messy magnus Atkins apple fritter with BBQ pork, or the king of the fair roasted turkey drumstick, those will be at the Fort.
The menu also includes pork belly reubens, blackened kielbasa, baby back ribs, appetizers such as Fort poutine and loaded tater tots, and popular fair drinks like The Fort’s famous beer boot and Pumpkin Beer-tini.
“We wanted to come up with a creative way to bring our delicious fair foods to our patrons who are missing them during the month of September,” said managing partner Andy Yee. “We decided to serve our delicious Wurst Haus menu on Fort Street for all those craving a taste of big fair food.”
There’s live music every Tuesday through Saturday throughout September. Reservations are suggested. Masks and social distancing are necessary.
Guests can also dine indoors or order Fort Fair Food to go online at studentprince.com.
The Big E’s estimated annual economic impact is $750 million. The event generates 85% of the Eastern States Exposition’s gross revenue of roughly $21 million each year.
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