The former operator of a popular Iowa State Fair eatery has sued his successor, accusing her of defaming him via T-shirt. Michael Krantz ran the Steer 'N' Stein stand until after the 2024 fair, when the Iowa State Fair Board cancelled his contract amid allegations he owed hundreds of thousands of dollars to the fair, vendors and employees. The board awarded the contract to restaurateur Joni Bell. Her Blue Ribbon Bar & Eatery opened for the 2025 fair with a new menu and merchandise, including shirts advertising "cold beer & paid employees." That tongue-in-cheek reference is now the basis for a lawsuit, filed in October, accusing Bell of defaming Krantz, who is also the former CEO of Adventureland. In a separate lawsuit, first reported by KCCI, Krantz has also sued the State Fair, accusing it of breach of contract, unjust enrichment and defamation. Tap the link in our bio for more on this story. #DesMoines #Iowa #IowaStateFair #DSMUSA