State Fair of Texas
If you haven't tried a fried treat at the State Fair of Texas, have you really gone? Every year, the sweet and savory options get stranger, and often tastier, then the fair before. And this year's menus are no exception.
The State Fair of Texas has announced their Big Tex Choice Award semi-finalists on Wednesday, July 31 that will compete against one another for the fair's three titles: Most Creative, Best Taste – Sweet and Best Taste – Savory.
The savory lineup includes Corn Dog Ale, Deep Fried Bodacious Bacon Bombs, Deep Fried Chicken Tetrazzini Parmesana, Deep Fried Lobster Pops, Deep Fried Ranch, Deep Fried Shepherd's Pie, Deep Fried Skillet Potato Melt in a Boat, Fried Cup of Corn “Elotes,” Fried Kool-Aid Pickles, Hoppin' John Cake with Jackpot Sauce, King Crispy Coconut Crab Sliders, Pico Frito (Deep Fried Pico de Gallo), Southern Fried Chicken Nachos, Texas Fried Hill Country and Texas Twang-kie.
This year's sweet contestants are Bacon Brittle, Cherish Erbert Champagne, Cotton Candy Taco, Deep Fried M&Ms, Deep Fried Raspberry Brie-ret, Frosty's Frozen Hot Chocolate, Fruity Dessert Nachos, Kool-Aid Pickle-Dilly Sangria, Orange Julia's Beermosa, Orange You Glad We Fried It?! (Yes, that is its real submitted name…), State Fair Fun-L Cake Ice Cream, Supra Stuffed Mini Sopapillas, Sweet Bakin' Bacon, Sweet Crispy Rice (Arroz con Leche), Texas Thai Delight and The Roll Tide.
These selections were narrowed down from 49 entries by 30 concessionaires. And each of the concessionaires had to have at least one year at the fair to be qualified to enter the competition. These contestants will be narrowed down to the top 10 in each category and will be available for tasting at the 14th Annual Big Tex Choice Awards on Sunday, August 26. Each of these locations will be able to sell these treats in their booths regardless of who walks away with the win.
This event is open to the public, and tickets run for $125 a pop. Be sure to get yours early – the event sold out last year. All proceeds from the event are donated to the State Fair of Texas Scholarship Program, so you can feel good about eating bad.