Home to midway rides, livestock corrals and the very best deep-fried delights, the State Fair of Texas now attracts over 2.5 million people to Fair Park every year. While classics like candy apples, Frito pies and Fletcher’s Original Corny Dogs are all worth trying, you’ll definitely want to save room for this year’s Big Tex Choice Awards winners and finalists.
Held annually well before the fair kickoff, the Big Tex Choice Awards highlights 10 sweet and savory original recipes made by a handful of creative vendors. Many Big Tex winners go on to become state fair classics in their own right, including Chicken Fried Bacon, Deep Fried Butter and Texas Fried Cookie Dough. These 10 new foods making their debut on Sept. 29 are sure to leave their own mark on the state fair as well.
MOST CREATIVE | BOURBON BANANA CARAMEL SOPAPILLAS
Topped with vanilla-caramel-infused bananas, sweet bourbon syrup, crushed candied pecans, mascarpone and crumbled Nilla Wafers, this overindulgent take on the classic Mexican dessert is fitting for the state fair solely due to its sweet factor. Winning the Big Tex Choice Award for Most Creative, you’ve never had a sopapilla like this before.
BEST TASTE: SAVORY | DEEP FRIED PHO
Leave it to the ingenuity of state fair foodies to figure out how to deep fry soup. Spoiler alert — they do it by stuffing it inside a burrito. Made with all of the pho fixings such as noodles, beef slices and bean sprouts, the Vietnamese influence is further emphasized in this Best Taste Savory winner with jalapeno slices, cilantro, hoisin sauce, sriracha and broth for dipping.
BEST TASTE: SWEET | BISCOFF DELIGHT
There’s only one way to make New York-style cheesecake even better, and that’s with an extra helping of Biscoff cookies. This Best Taste Sweet winner is covered entirely in crumbles of everyone’s favorite airline cookie, as well as a Lotus cookie butter spread that provides a smooth caramelized pairing.
DEEP FRIED CHEESY CRAB TATER BITES
The traditional tater tot is always a winner, but the addition of crab can make it even richer. This seafood creation mixes crab meat, cheese and shredded potatoes before dipping it into the deep fryer. Once golden brown, the tots are topped with a cheesy crawfish cajun sauce for a potent Creole kick.
OX’CELLENT SOUL ROLL
Like most cuts of beef, oxtails find a new height of flavor after slowly cooking for hours. It’s not just barbecue — it feels like a whole new thing when it’s deep-fried into a crispy spring roll. This twist on the southern staple is mixed with potato chunks, smoked gouda and mozzarella, then paired with garlic chili sauce for a spicy yet savory bite.
LOADED FRIES PIZZA
The quintessential fried food meets everyone’s favorite walkable fare in this Italian-American combo. Piles of fries, cheddar cheese and crispy bacon on top of a mozzarella and ranch pizza bring a fluffy and crunchy sensation to every bite.
TURKEY RIBS
While they aren’t actual turkey ribs, these deep-fried turkey shoulders share a taste and a texture similar to pork ribs that justifies its namesake. Served with homemade giblet gravy, fries and a secret salsa, the Turkey Ribs can also be ordered Texas-style with barbecue sauce, pickles and jalapenos.
TRAIL-ADE
Don’t get overheated during your state fair visit — this sweet and refreshing beverage is made from a mix of fruits, cucumbers, fresh mint and homemade lemonade to keep your thirst quenched. It also comes in a souvenir cowboy boot cup. Some boots were made for walking, but this boot was made for sipping.
FERNIE’S FRIED CHERRY PIE IN THE SKY
While cherry pie is a popular Texas treat, the state fair elevates the classic dessert to a whole new level. After this cherry tart is topped with shortbread cookies, wrapped in pastry dough and plunged into the deep fryer, this crumbly concoction is paired with Texas’ own Blue Bell vanilla ice cream, whipped cream and dark sweet cherries, because everything is better with a cherry on top.
SWEET ENCANTO
Sweeter than a Disney movie, the Sweet Encanto is a light and sweet delicacy that is packed with flavor. With caramel dulce de leche, strawberry slices, kiwi, peach, raspberry jam and shredded coconut on top of a paper-thin wafer, the Sweet Encanto is the perfect way to end a day full of state-fair snacking.