The CNE opens this Friday, so to get you in the mood for the festivities, I’ve gathered five enticing items that are as fun to eat as they are delicious.

Just remember - you’re going to need a lot of napkins.

Stelvio

354 Queen St. W.
Toronto, ON

Food on a stick is a must for walking through the exhibition and midway. Sure, there are popsicles and deep fried pickles on a stick, but it doesn’t get any better – or bigger – than Stelvio’s Zigeuner ($23.95).

To describe it as a shawarma or shish kabob belittles it. Yes, it is meat on a stick, but it is so much more. Grilled beef is rolled around a Valtellina big wooden skewer, the length of your arm, complete with wooden drip tray below.

If we were in the Italian Alps, it would be eaten directly off the stick, like corn on the cob, so don’t use a knife and fork – dig in like they do in the old country.  The luscious beef, wrapped with tender pieces of pancetta and sprinkled with rosemary, is something you’ll never forget.

And somethine you'll order every time you're at the simply stunning restaurant.

Stack Restaurant

3265 Yonge St.
Toronto, ON

Stack’s BBQ is phenomenal, so it’s hard not to fill up on their Smoked Baby Back Ribs ($20/Stack Size $30), Texas Brisket ($12) and BBQ Pulled Pork ($12).

But you’ve gotta save room for their epic dessert. Stack Donuts ($8) are mini doughnuts just like at The Ex, stacked in a tower, and then covered in your choice of toppings:

S’mores (pictured above) - vanilla glaze and chocolate sauce, topped with whipped cream, crumbled graham cracker and marshmallows.

Candy Sprinkles - chocolate sauce and vanilla glaze with candy sprinkles and whipped cream.

Strawberry - strawberry sauce, crumbled graham crackers and vanilla glaze.

The adults will be just as enamoured as the kiddies.

Wenona Craft Beer Lodge Bar

1069 Bloor St W
Toronto, ON

Octo corn dogs ($7 for two) are the cutest hot dogs you ever did see. Cut halfway before being cooked, the slits of the organic dogs curl up, transforming them into octopuses right before your very eyes.

Ever so lightly battered with corn, you taste the meat as much as the coating. Grainy mustard is perfect for dipping, but don’t be surprised if you don’t find you need it – they are mighty perfect on their own.

Fat City Blues

890 College St.
Toronto, ON

Extreme foods have become somewhat mainstream here in the T-dot, so instead of going extreme, go exotic.

The Alligator Po’ Boy ($16) at Fat City Blues is sublime. Succulent and dense without being heavy, the Cajun spicing batter, slaw, tomato and a superb remoulade, all get tucked into a white roll that’s thick and chewy.

You just found your favourite sandwich. And it just happens to be 'gater.

Hawker Bar

164 Ossington Ave.
Toronto, ON

Chef Alec Martin completely revamps boring ol’ bland tofu with his Chili Salt Tofu ($7.50) dish.

Crispy, salty and spicy, it’s revolutionary - he’s made tofu into addictive snack that deeply satisfies.

Crazy, but it’s true.