State Fair of Texas
Audio By Carbonatix
Reader support matters more than ever
We're in the final stretch of our summer campaign. Our goal is to raise $12,500 by August 9 to support the journalism our community relies on. Reader support is helping shape the future of local news.
The State Fair of Texas doesn’t start until Sept. 25, but the concessionaires have been working on recipes for months already. Perhaps years even.
This year, there were 77 entries for the Big Tex Choice Awards, the beginning of a long journey that ultimately determines which concession stands fairgoers will line up in front of this fall.
These 15 finalists will go on to compete for the fair’s most coveted prizes: Best Taste – Savory, Best Taste – Sweet, Best Taste – Sipper and Most Creative.
The final competition is Aug. 18, when 35 judges will vote for the winner of each category, focusing on four key elements: taste, value, creativity and fairgoer appeal (can you eat it while walking around?).
Below are the categories and winners with a seven-word summary.
Categories and Winners
SAVORY FINALISTS
Burger Chop Tator Tacos: Ground beef, cheese, tacos, buttermilk ranch coleslaw.
State Fair of Texas
Dickel’s Texas Two Stop Tacos: Stuffed jalapenos, pineapple pork sausage, mozzarella, tortillas.
Flamin’ Crunch Pizza: Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, Ranch, jalapeno queso.
Golden Crunch Melt: Chicken pastor, cheese, potato strings, tortilla.
Nacho Wings: Zesty wings, loaded fries, nachos, crazy.
SWEET FINALISTS
Berry Be in Matcha: Good Lord. NY-style cheesecake and matcha.
State Fair of Texas
Fernie’s Frozen Espresso-tini Bar: Espresso popsicles with funnel cake cream booze.
Fletcher’s Chocolate Corny Dog: Traditional corny dog but chocolate; raspberry compote.
Holy Flan! Buñueloco: Deep-fried flan, pastry shell and ice cream.
Texas Pecan Praline Cheesecake Cone: Ice cream, warm waffle cone, total overload.
SIPPER FINALISTS
Corn Flake Shappé: “Cearal-ously” crunchy with pecans, cream and cereal.
Nevins Soft Serve Peach Bellini Float: Hope it can stay cold enough. Liquor.
Russon’s Bacon Jam Caramel Apple Hard Cider: It’s all in the name.
Sunset Soft Serve Rita: It’s the year of soft serve booze.
Tropical Coco Fresca: Pineapple-watermelon agua fresca, coconut snow, Tajin.
