Every year, to get everyone excited and hungry for the State Fair of Texas, the Big Tex Choice Awards recognize concessionaires who fry up unique foods for a chance to become a finalist in the annual Big Tex Choice Awards competition!
Updated August 2024
THE BIG TEX CHOICE AWARDS
A tradition since 2005, the Big Tex Choice Awards are given each year to the best foods at the State Fair of Texas! In true fair fashion, these include over-the-top dishes like fried beer, cotton candy tacos, bacon margaritas...the list goes on. The Fair picks ten finalists in two categories: sweet and savory. Then, one winner from each category is selected! The best part?! You can try all the finalists at the State Fair of Texas starting September 22nd!
THE WINNERS
MOST CREATIVE: TEXAS SUGAR RUSH PICKLES
Dressed-up pickles are covered with Lucky Charms, Froot Loops, and Captain Crunch, and then topped with powdered sugar and candy to finish it off! (Featured header image)
SWEET: ISAAC ROUSSO’S COTTON CANDY BACON ON A STICK
A thick piece of bacon is engulfed in cotton candy, which is then smushed onto the bacon and caramelized by a torch down the middle, served on a stick!
SAVORY: DOMINICAN FRITURA DOG
Fried Dominican salami and tropical cheese on the inside of a double-fried corn dog, split open and topped with crushed plantain garlic chips, cilantro, and secret sauce! (Pictured above)
SWEET FINALISTS
NEVINS NUTTY BAR-LASKA
A classic Nutty bar is topped with toasted marshmallows, Oreos, fresh dried strawberries, and strawberry sauce! (Pictured)
TROPICAL TWO-STEP PUNCH
Passion fruit, mango, and watermelon juices are marinated with sugar, salt, and spices to produce a sweet yet spicy concoction that you can add alcohol to!
STRAWBERRY POP-TART BEIGNETFFLE
Infusion of beignet and croissant dough dipped in egg wash and cooked to perfection. It’s topped with strawberry filling, vanilla icing drizzle, and sprinkles!
SAVORY FINALISTS
HIPPIE CHIPS
Ranch or blue cheese dressing covers wavy potato chips while green onion, bacon bits, a drizzle of sriracha, and blue cheese crumbles decorate the top!
THE DROWNING TAQUITOS
Fresh hand-rolled tortillas are filled with shredded chicken and deep fried and then drowned in cream sauce, jalapeno, salsa, shredded lettuce, tomatillo, pico de gallo, guacamole, and cheese. (Pictured)
HOT CHICK-IN-PANCAKE POPPERS
Savory and sweet with authentic Nashville hot chicken and pimento cheese fried in pancake batter, then topped with Sriracha honey and Nashville hot powdered sugar!
TEXAS FRIED BURNT END BOMBS
Brisket wrapped with potato, bacon, and cheese, deep fried with raspberry chipotle BBQ glaze!
