The deep-fried scoop on new food, rides at NC State Fair

Gates open at 3 p.m. Thursday, and the fair runs through Sunday, Oct. 25.

We got a chance to check out some of the new food available this year.

The much-talked-about deep fried peanut butter pickles from S2 Concessions were definitely interesting.Topped with bacon, chocolate sauce and powdered sugar, there are a lot of different flavors happening when you take a bite – salty, sour, sweet, chocolate, smoky bacon. It's almost overwhelming.

S2 Concessions is also introducing the deep fried bacon-wrapped Tootsie Roll, which comes with bacon bits on top. This was a much sweeter option. The Tootsie Rolls melt really nicely.

Another new food to check out: jalapeno pimento cheese and bacon hush puppies with Sriracha bang bang dipping sauce from Ragin Cajun. A little spicy but delicious.

Woody's Wings is serving up deep fried pimento cheese, while Ole Time Foods has deep fried Pop Tarts and s'mores.

Healthier options can be found at the Neomonde booth, which is serving up chickpea fries with a house-made harissa dipping sauce. A great gluten-free alternative, and it is yummy!

N&T Concessions has Carolina Crab Bites, which are basically crab cakes – and who doesn't love crab cakes?!

Sweet corn in a cup takes away the cob and lets you add parmesan cheese to your kernels.

My favorite item was the stuffed Moon Pies. They fill the pies with Oreos, Ho Ho's and a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup and then deep fry it. Then, it is topped with cream cheese icing and chocolate and powdered sugar.

Fans of N.C. State's Howling Cow ice cream will definitely need to check out the new flavor: Lemon Wafer. It is light and not overly sweet.

In addition to the food, there will be 100 rides at the fair. New rides include the Super Cyclone roller coaster, the Mighty Mouse Spinning Coaster and the Balloon Fiesta Wheel.