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Let’s Talk About Food: State Fairs ‘26 – Part 2

Summer has been in full force for a bit and once again the STATE FAIRS are active. For 2026, we’ve got a new batch of foods to consider as we return to one of our faves, Minnesota! Minnesota State Fair: Aug 27 – September 7 ’26.  Let’s take a look at which items this year we’d consider trying, sharing, or buying this time. 

First up, SAVORY STUFF!

• • Chorizo Manchego Croquettes – Paella Depot: Spanish-style potato croquettes filled with manchego cheese and Spanish chorizo. Lightly breaded, fried and garnished with chives. Drizzled with homemade lemon garlic aioli. (Gluten-free)
  • Cracklin’ Corn Ribs – The Blue Barn: corn cob quarters dipped in tempura batter, then fried. Brushed with seasoned butter and topped with bacon ranch, green onion and candied jalapeños. Served on a bed of pork rinds.
  • The Fried and the Furious: Cubano Drift – The Herbivorous Butcher: a deep-fried Cubano-style sandwich made with a crunchy tortilla filled with vegan Cuban pork, vegan Swiss cheese, dill pickle relish, vegan garlic mayo and mustard. Served with a side of jalapeño citrus sauce. (Vegan)
  • Elote Tots – Tot Boss: Deep-fried tater tots tossed in Tajín and topped with an elote-style sauce made with roasted corn, diced peppers, cheddar cheese, crema and cream cheese. Finished with cotija cheese and more Tajín. (Vegetarian)
  • Honey Brisket Battered Potatoes – Australian Battered Potatoes: deep-fried Australian Battered Potatoes topped with beef brisket, smothered in nacho cheese and drizzled with hot honey. 
  • Jamaican Jerk Chicken Loaded Fries – Midtown Global Market’s Irie Jamaican Express: battered french fries topped with Jamaican jerk chicken, melted cheese and green onions. Drizzled with ranch and jerk sauce. (Aug. 27 to Sept. 1 only)
  • Sligo Slider Bites On-A-Stick – O’Gara’s at the Fair: handmade dumplings stuffed with a cheeseburger blend made of beef, cheddar, pickle and onion. Skewered on-a-stick and deep-fried. Served with homemade Thousand Island dressing.

Secondly, SWEET THINGS!

• • Brandy Old Fashioned Cookie Dough – Kora & Mila’s Cookie Dough: an edible cookie dough infused with nonalcoholic brandy flavor and combined with orange zest, cinnamon, dark chocolate chips and tart dried cherries. Served on-a-stick, hand dipped in brandy-flavored bittersweet chocolate, and rolled in Biscoff® cookie crumbs. (Vegetarian)
  • Butter Brew Mustache Pretzel – Blue moon Dine-In Theater: a handmade soft pretzel dough rolled in the shape of a mustache and baked. Coated in melted butter and tossed in a butter brew sugar mixture flavored with caramel, vanilla and butterscotch. Served with a side of vanilla soft-serve dip. (Vegetarian)
  • Dubai Whoopie Pie – Dino’s Gyros: a Dubai chocolate-inspired whoopie pie made with pistachio cream sandwiched between two dark chocolate cakes. Rolled in Dino’s Dubai crunch topping of shredded filo, crushed pistachios, honey and brown sugar. (Vegetarian)
  • French Chouxnut Sundae – Bridgeman’s Ice cream: a  Salted Caramel Espresso ice cream piled atop a choux pastry donut filled with milk chocolate mousse and topped with dark chocolate fondant icing and chocolate curls. Finished with caramel drizzle, whipped cream and a cherry. (Vegetarian)
  • Pickle Pie – LuLu’s Public House: a pie crust filled with a blend of chopped pickles, pickle juice and cream cheese. Topped with homemade savory whipped frosting made with ranch and Cholula Hot Sauce. Garnished with a gherkin and a sprinkle of dill. (Vegetarian)
  • Strawberry Ube Sundae Tart – Sara’s Tipsy Pies: a swirled strawberry and ube marshmallow cream mixed with chocolate chips, chilled and scooped into a fudge-filled gluten-friendly shortbread crust. Topped with whipped cream, strawberry sauce and edible glitter sprinkles. (Gluten-friendly)

Show Topic

Let’s Talk About Food: State Fairs ‘26 – Part 1 

It’s summer time and once again the STATE FAIRS are coming back around. In 2026, there are new foods to consider as we return to one of our faves, Wisconsin! Wisconsin State Fair: Aug 6-16 ’26  Let’s see which delectable delights we’re willing to pry open our wallets for this time. 

First up, DRINKS!

• Big Pat’s Pit Stop Punch – a nostalgic party punch made with bright and fruity pineapple juice, fizzy lemon lime soda, and a generous scoop of rainbow sherbet. This delicious and refreshing drink, all dressed up for a day at the races, is sure to rev your engine!  
• Chocolate Covered Strawberry Sipper – a crisp, refreshing blend of creamy strawberry oat milk, rich chocolate, and Wisconsin honey. Served over ice and garnished with an Olympia Granola Strawberry Chocolate Granola Bar Dipper for an extra snack. Gluten-free, dairy-free, and perfectly chilled for everyone to enjoy at the State Fair! 
• Circus Peanut Spritz – a beautiful two-toned orange colored blast from the past. The unique circus peanut flavor will evoke great childhood memories once the banana bread syrup and club soda are added and topped with a whimsical whip cream and circus peanut topping.
• Hawaiian Pizza Slush – a playful punch of sweet pineapple and savory pizza sauce in an icy, refreshing blend. Garnished with a Canadian bacon wrapped cheese stick and topped with croutons, herbs, and parmesan, this drink mimics the perfect slice in every sip. 
• Monkey Bread – a cup full of ice-cold Mr. Pibb swirled with butterscotch syrup, cinnamon bun syrup, sweet cream, and piled high with whipped cream and a dusting of cinnamon. It’s like a fresh baked piece of monkey bread melted into a fizzy, creamy soda explosion! 
• Wisconsinite Slush – beloved real kosher dill pickle juice in an icy, craveable slushie, swirled with zesty Tajin, and topped with Wisconsin staples of two baby dill pickles, a Klement’s beef stick, and creamy mozzarella cheese. Because everything’s better when it’s made in Wisconsin! 

Let’s talk about NOMS!

• Birria Flamin’ Bombs – a crazy twist on a fan-favorite meal that showcases rich, delicious flavors! These crispy bombs are filled with slow-cooked beef birria, cilantro, onion, and melted mozzarella cheese, then coated in a savory seasoned breadcrumb blend and served with a birria consommé for dipping with a side of creamy chipotle aioli. 
• Bourbon Deep – Fried Pecan Pie – Bourbon infused Pecan filling in a homemade flakey crust that is fried that’s dusted with brown sugar and served with a scoop of vanilla or cinnamon ice cream.   
• Deep–Fried Horchata Balls – Indulgent, sweet bites dusted in cinnamon sugar, drizzled with rich dulce de leche sauce, chocolate sauce, then topped with mini chocolate chips, toasted coconut and sweet fried plantain chips for the ultimate dessert! 
• Deep-Fried Ranch – a creamy filling made with ranch seasoning, cream cheese and buttermilk. Coated in a crispy panko shell and deep fried until golden perfection. Topped with a dusting of ranch powder and served with a side of hot honey or ranch for dipping.
• French Onion Cheese Pull – inspired by the flavor of classic French onion soup but even cheesier. Bite into a melty Wisconsin cheese center wrapped in a crispy, corn dog with onion infused batter and fried to golden perfection. Finished with a cool, creamy French onion topping and get ready to enjoy a signature cheese pull! 
• Porky Puff – a golden, flaky puff pastry filled with tender pulled pork, house-made zesty peach filling, layered with creamy garlic and herb cheese for a rich, savory bite. Baked until light and crispy, finished with a drizzle of hot honey, and a sprinkle of mustard seeds, this Puff delivers the perfect balance of sweet heat and tang. Handheld and packed with bold flavor, it’s an easy-to-eat indulgence that hits every note in one irresistible square! 
• Smoked Pork Pierogi Sliders – buttery pierogi as the bun, stuffed with tender, slow-smoked pork and cheddar cheese and topped with crisp, sweet coleslaw, rich BBQ sauce, and a punchy pickle to create the perfect balance of smoky, creamy, and bold flavors
• Wisco Short Rib Corn Dog – a corn dog features a braised short rib and raw milk gouda skewer, hand battered in New Glarus beer corn bread mix and crunchy breadcrumbs, then deep–fried. Topped with a locally produced smoked tomato sauce and honey drizzle for a dish delivered from farms all over the state. 

What’s Going On?

• Jeff: A month
• Damon: Kennedy / Trees are Expensive
• Gary: WTFH

Patreon Updates

BIG BEAR CUB HUGS to our Patrons: David T. joined Patreon 7/10/18!!

• Cubsters: Charles W. and Michael K.
• Ubehrs: Dave T., Li, and Michael Q
• plus our Buddies: Lloyd G. and Michael V!

Recent Shows

• COL830: WGO: June 2026
• COL831: The Return of BEAR Magazine?
• COL832: Lessons for Past Us

BlueSky Boosts:

• Jeff: Haven’t cum in a week… I. Am. TURGID.
• Damon: What a Load / In A Bind
• Gary: since the 90s and dad assistant

Links:

• Jeff: Avatar: The Last Airbender (Netflix)
• Gary: Spider-Man: Brand New Day

In this episode of Cubs Out Loud, the guys take some time to impart some wishful wisdom to their younger selves. With the recent episodes pushing the nostalgia vibe, listen in as the bears share some life lessons they would like their former cub selves to know.

Show Topics

With all this nostalgia going on, if we had some things to tell ourselves years ago, what exactly would the hosts want their younger selves to know? What words of wisdom would be passed on?

Show Topics

At the end of June and start of July, social media announcements popped up announcing the return of BEAR magazine. Is 2026 ready for a hard copy print smut publication? Is this a nostalgia grab?

• “Don’t miss out, subscribe now to our newsletter database to be the first to hear about this exciting news: https://the-bear-mag.kit.com/0bbef7b538 “

• As you know BEAR is coming back in print. We are thrilled to announce that the amazing artist, photographer and creator of the amazing Bound Leather Zine, Steven Harwick, is joining the magazine as our Creative Director. He will make sure the magazine is laid out beautifully. Dont miss the 1st issue – sign up to the database here to be the 1st to know when the IndieGoGo is live! (very soon!) 
• This is genuinely exciting news for our whole community. Bear Magazine – the original magazine for bears – is coming back in print! A new quarterly publication built around new photography, new faces, and a real celebration of the bear body as it exists today, available by subscription at thebearmag.com and in gay bookstores across the US and around the world. An Indiegogo campaign is coming soon to make it happen. Sign up to the mailing list to be first to know when it goes live, and if you want to support right now there is merch available in the Bear shop.

Bear Magazine – Wikipedia

What’s Going On?

• Jeff: Summer SAD
• Damon: NYC/To The Dentist/Pride
• Gary: Fast and Hard

Feedback    

Facebook Follows:                               

• Outa Hage

Patreon Updates

BIG BEAR CUB HUGS to our Patrons: 

• Cubsters: Charles W. and Michael K.
• Ubehrs: Dave T., Li, and Michael Q
• plus our Buddies: Lloyd G., Michael V, and Oan R.!

Recent Shows

• COL826: WGO: May 2026
• COL827: Daddies Part 1 (back then)
• COL828: Daddies Part 2 (now)
• COL829: LTAS: Homoflexible vs Heteroflexible

BlueSky Boosts:

• Damon: Wanna Play? / Stuffed & Stroked
• Gary: Pride Weekend Outfit Sorted and World Cup Brazil Second Look

Links:

• Jeff: Blue Bloods

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The Let’s Talk About Sex returns and this episode in the series the terrain of dudes having fun but this isn’t ‘no homo’ and yet it’s also not meet me in the backroom territory either. With the progression of a society from the puritanical past thru the nuclear family era, what exactly are these ‘homoflexible’ and ‘heteroflexible’ descriptions on the websites and apps? 

• WebMD Article – Homoflexible (or Heteroflexible): What Does It Mean?
• LGBTQIA.Wiki posting – Homoflexible
• LGBTQIA.Wiki posting – Heteroflexible

Show Topics

It’s still 2026 and Father’s Day is right around the corner. In the last episode we discussed our history with Daddies. Recently we’ve seen the rise in interest and label of Daddy. Prior to the infamous year we lost [aka 2020], the conversation was about Dad Bods; guys a little thicker and/or with a belly on them. 

In 2023 interest in older gay men was reported to have moved from ageist ideas to a known preference [source: Queerty Daddy Era article]. In 2024, the spicy web platform Squirt.org reported the Daddy category of porn ranking as 6 in the Top 10 categories users seek out. And last year, Pride.com reported ‘14 Reasons Why Gays Love Daddies…’.

What do we think of the rise of popularity and interest in Daddies now? Have we found ourselves being the focus of interest by others because of perceived Daddiness? 

Show Topics

It’s 2026 and Father’s Day is coming up soon. Prior to 2020, the concept of Daddy was different than where we are today. As guys that came out and grew into adulthood in the 90s, what did we think was a Daddy? Were there preconceived ideas about older guys as an object of desire? Did we think or view men labeled as Daddies a certain way in the past?

What’s Going On?

• Jeff: MTMGFI
• Damon: A Massage and 35 Years!
• Gary: Getaway and Unpacking the Past

Feedback

Facebook Follows:                               

• Jani Debendra

BlueSky Follows:

• @chibear20.bsky.social 

Patreon Updates

BIG BEAR CUB HUGS to our Patrons: 

• Cubsters: Charles W. and Michael K.
• Ubehrs: Dave T., Li, and Michael Q
• plus our Buddies: Lloyd G., Michael V, and Oan R.!

Recent Shows

• COL823: WGO: April 2026
• COL824: It’s Gotta Be… MM (Masturbation Month)
• COL825: LTAF: Americana

BlueSky Boosts:

• Damon: So Hefty! / Recharging
• Gary: Night Worker Bonus

Links:

• Jeff: Home Town (HBO Max/Discovery+/HGTV)
• Gary: Spider Noir on Amazon Prime