RALEIGH, N.C. (WPTF) — A North Carolina State Fair favorite just earned a national spotlight. The Food Network has named the Cheerwine Funnel Cake from Beaver Concessions the best fair food in the state—highlighting the sweet, fizzy Southern staple for its creative twist on a midway classic.
Made by longtime vendor Busy Beaver, the standout dessert is infused with Cheerwine soda in both the batter and the buttercream icing. Beth Tapp, co-owner of the Busy Beaver, says the recognition came as a surprise—and a huge honor.
Beth Tapp Co-owner of the Busy Beaver | RSS.com
“This is right up there,” said Tapp. “It was amazing. My husband said, ‘Look, read this!’ and we were so excited.”
The Cheerwine Funnel Cake debuted just in time to celebrate the iconic soda’s 100th anniversary. According to Tapp, it was her husband’s idea to mix the fizzy cherry cola directly into the cake and icing—then top it hot so the sugar melts right into every bite.
“It’s a funnel cake with Cheerwine, and the secret is in the icing—Cheerwine and powdered sugar,” she explained. “We top it while it’s hot so it melts and oozes right inside. It’s amazing.”
A fixture at the North Carolina State Fair since the 1950s, the Busy Beaver is a generational favorite, known for dishing out nostalgic classics alongside inventive, limited-time desserts. While the Cheerwine Funnel Cake is currently stealing the show, Tapp says it’s far from the only reason visitors line up.
“At the Raleigh State Fair and in Carolina, because Carolina and Cheerwine go together, of course people come for the funnel cake—and then the elephant ear,” said Tapp. “We have an amazing elephant ear also.”
Tapp says the honor is especially meaningful because of how closely tied Cheerwine is to North Carolina’s culture.
“People sometimes think it’s wine because of the name, but it’s such a great soda,” she said. “If you haven’t tried it, you need to. It’s part of Carolina.”
With more than 70 years of deep-fried tradition, Beaver Concessions continues to serve up sweet memories and surprising new hits—one sizzling dessert at a time.