Enjoy Fair Foods Nearly Year-Round At This Unique Illinois Restaurant

When a festival comes to town, one thing is for sure: The food is going to be great. Great for you? No. But great nonetheless. These are the foods you eat when memories are made, be it going to a carnival with your family or grabbing some sustenence at a music festival. But this one-of-a-kind carnival foods restaurant in Decatur, Illinois keeps the deep-fried fun going nearly year-round.

The Tornado Truck, 1355 IL Rt 48, is a food truck in the Colonial Mall parking lot specializing in classic festival quick bites and carnival food favorites. The restaurant on wheels is open most of the year, but closes between late fall and spring.

One of its biggest sellers is a fair foods staple: deep-fried Oreos. Adorned with some sprinkles and powdered sugar, these are some serious cookies.

Another carnival must-eat is the funnel cake, which The Tornado Truck serves fry-style with powdered sugar and cinnamon sugar on top.

It wouldn't be festival fare without some shaved ice! Flavors range from classics like blue raspberry, grape, strawberry, orange, and watermelon — to more festive flavors like Sweet Pickle, Tiger's Blood, wedding cake, and cotton candy.

Pro tip: Add a scoop of ice cream on top to give it a cold, creamy twist! And if shaved ice isn't your thing, they also sell mouthwatering Lemon Shake-ups.

The truck also specializes in sandwiches and meats, like its juicy homemade Italian beef sandwich.

Of course, you should definitely try the restaurant's namesake item: The Tornado Potato, a thin-sliced potato deep-fried with a perfectly balanced softness and crispiness. They're great plain, but cheese makes everything better.

But only the real ones know to go for the Tornado Nachos, which combines the cheesy Tornado Potato slices with Italian beef, mozzarella cheese, peppers, and spicy giardiniera.

Or, you could get a cartoonish, but delicious, massive pork tenderloin sandwich the size of your head.

The fried corn fritters offer a mix of sweet and savory, finding that sweet spot between dessert, appetizer, and snack. Definitely go for a dip in the honey with these bad boys.

Would you eat at this carnival foods restaurant in Decatur, Illinois? What's your go-to festival snack? Tell us in the comments! Start conjuring up your drool-worthy order now by visiting The Tornado Truck's Facebook page. While you're in Decatur, be sure to check out this super creepy cemetery (if you dare). Or, if you're up for a less-creepy, but still thrilling, adventure, spend some time at Overlook Adventure Park!