The Burger Chop Tator Tots, created by Tom Grace, as part of the "Savory" category at this year's State Fair of Texas. Photo courtesy of State Fair of Texas.
*Update: The State Fair of Texas has officially crowned the winners of its 2026 Big Tex Choice Awards, narrowing a field of 15 finalists down to four particularly over-the-top creations.
Burger Chop Tater Tacos by Tom Grace took Best Taste – Savory, while Beck Fletcher’s Fletcher’s Chocolate Corny Dog earned Best Taste – Sweet. Best Taste – Sipper went to Fruteria Cano’s Tropical Coco Fresca, and Stephen El Gidi’s Berry Me in Matcha was named Most Creative.
The State Fair of Texas has revealed the 15 finalists for the 2026 Big Tex Choice Awards in a press release, showcasing some of the most outrageous, over-the-top and downright delicious creations heading to Fair Park this fall. After a record 77 entries were submitted, just 15 advanced to compete for Best Taste – Savory; Best Taste – Sweet; Best Taste – Sipper; and Most Creative during judging on Aug. 18.
Whether you're craving spicy, sweet, or something you never knew could exist, here's what could become the next iconic State Fair food.
Best Taste – Savory Finalists
Burger Chop Tater Tacos – A chopped cheeseburger served inside a crispy tater tot taco shell and loaded with buffalo ranch slaw, garlic parmesan buffalo sauce and more tots.
Dickel's Texas Two Step Tacos – A two-taco combo featuring pineapple pork sausage and brisket, roasted jalapeños, melted mozzarella and bold Texas barbecue flavors.
Flamin' Crunch Pizza – Pizza topped with jalapeño cheddar queso, cheese, Flamin' Hot Cheetos, queso blanco, buffalo ranch and even Cheetos dust.
Golden Crunch Melt – Crispy grilled tortilla stuffed with chicken pastor, peppers, onions, three-cheese blend, potato strings and smoky chipotle crema.
Nacho Wings – Taco-seasoned chicken wings covered with nacho cheese, fresh toppings and served over loaded fries.
Best Taste – Sweet Finalists
Berry Me in Matcha – White chocolate-covered cheesecake coated in matcha cookies with strawberry jam and fresh strawberries.
Fernie's Frozen Espresso-tini Bar – An espresso martini popsicle finished with a crackable chocolate shell.
Fletcher's Chocolate Corny Dog – Chocolate fudge dipped in Fletcher's famous corny dog batter, fried and served with raspberry compote.
Holy Flan! Buñueloco – A crispy buñuelo bowl filled with arroz con leche, cinnamon ice cream and a deep-fried flan.
Texas Pecan Praline Cheesecake Cone – A loaded waffle cone featuring cookie butter cheesecake, pralines, Biscoff cookies, strawberries and white chocolate.
Best Taste – Sipper Finalists
Corn Flake Shappé – A creamy shake blending toasted corn flakes, dulce de leche, Texas pecans and warm spices.
Nevins Soft Serve Peach Bellini Float – Peach bellini soft serve infused with sparkling wine and topped with sparkling sugar.
Rousso's Bacon Jam Caramel Apple Hard Cider – Hard cider with apple, caramel, churro spices and smoky bacon jam.
Sunset Soft Serve Rita – Strawberry and mango margarita topped with vanilla soft serve, Tajín, chamoy and hot honey crunch.
Tropical Coco Fresca – Pineapple-watermelon agua fresca paired with coconut snow and a Tajín-chamoy rim.
More New Foods Coming to the Fair
These new creations will still debut during the 2026 State Fair:
Butter-Dipped Toffee Crunch Nutty Bar
Deep Fried Thai Tea Tres Leches Cake
Dirty Dr Pepper® Do-Si-Do Float
Fried Gobbler Roll
Layered Mango Strawberry Shortcake
Limonata Fresca Float
Loaded Lone Star Rings
Love Me Jam Sandwich
Matcha Parfait
Midnight Ruby Rush
Soft Serve Smoked Peach Bourbon Smash
The Niece
Triple Chocolate Flautas
Twinkle Twinkle Brisket Star
The winners of the 2026 Big Tex Choice Awards will be announced Aug. 18 before all of the new foods officially make their debut when the 2026 State Fair of Texas opens Sept. 25. The Fair, themed "Stars, Stripes, & Howdies," runs through Oct. 18, giving Texans plenty of time to decide which outrageous creation deserves a blue ribbon of their own.