Oofda Tacos Finding Success In 1st Year At State Fair

FALCON HEIGHTS, Minn. (WCCO) -- This year the State Fair welcomed only two new vendors, including Oofda Tacos.

They waited years for the chance to bring their frybread food to the State Fair and they already having a following, which isn't always easy.

"I tried to come here Friday on my break and the line was seriously into the middle of the intersection, and I didn't have time to wait," one patron and fair worker said.

Greg Parenteau has welcomed long lines since day one, filled with customers eager to sample his signature dish.

"The Oofda Taco is most popular by far," Parenteau said. "Our second is the taco in a bag."

The Oofda Taco starts with a fry bread base -- dough made to order -- deep fried and topped with all the typical taco fixings.

"People can get them custom anyway they want," Parenteau said.

For 30 years, Parenteau tried to bring his food to Minnesota's Great Get-Together, but the invitation remained elusive.

"We kept applying and thought 'We're not going to let it go, but if it doesn't happen, it doesn't happen," he said. "We're the second generation and I thought maybe my kids will get in some year -- maybe."

This year was different. Six weeks ago, Parenteau got a last-minute call to prepare for a busy 12 days.

"I'll never forget it, and it feels like a dream because I've had that dream," he said. "It's really an honor."

One week in and Uff-dah taco is already ahead of its own sales projections. A mix of a good location, a good product and a fan base ready to spread the word on one of the State Fair's newest additions.