State Fair of Texas unveils food finalists with a refreshing twist

DALLAS — The Big Tex Choice Awards are back to find the best new savory and sweet treats the State Fair has to offer. And this year, drinks are in the mix too. 

The State Fair of Texas announced its finalists in the savory, sweet and sipper categories Wednesday morning. The finalists include foods ranging from deep-fried deli tacos to a poppin’ boba rita, according to a press release from the State Fair of Texas. 

The new sipper category was also announced Wednesday, and will give fair-goers a diverse choice of refreshing drinks to sip during what’s likely to be a hot fair season. 

The finalists were chosen from a field of 76 entries submitted by 50 concessionaires and were narrowed down to 30 semi-finalists last month. Each entry was judged on its uniqueness, creativity, presentation, and taste. Now, 15 finalists will battle it out to win one of three categories: Best Taste – Savory, Best Taste – Sweet, Best Taste – Sipper, and Most Creative. 

The titles will be awarded Thursday, Aug. 21, at 2 p.m., the release states. 

In the competition that made fried butter famous, the bar is high to deliver a unique taste experience that will require 20 hours of cardio to burn off. Lucky for us, but unlucky for our digestive system, all of the semifinalists’ dishes will be available at the fair this year. 

Here’s a look at the finalists: 

Brisket & Brew Stuffed Pretzels, Glen & Sherri Kusak

Brisket & Brew Stuffed Pretzels are where smoky BBQ dreams meet classic pub snacks in one golden, salty twist. We’re talking tender, slow-smoked brisket loaded with deep, juicy flavor, and blended with a bold, velvety beer cheese made from sharp cheddar and a hearty brew. Then, it’s all wrapped up in soft, chewy pretzel dough, hand-rolled, sprinkled with sea salt, and baked to crispy, crave-worthy perfection. Each bite is a flavor bomb: salty on the outside, rich and gooey on the inside. They’re easy to carry and absolutely made for munching as you wander the fairgrounds. Pair with a cold German beer or dunk into spicy mustard or tangy BBQ sauce—just be warned, your lederhosen might not forgive you.

Crab & Mozzarella Arancini, Stefan T. Nedwetzky

Our Crab & Mozzarella Arancini are handcrafted with an irresistible blend of premium Maryland Blue Crab meat, white rice, mozzarella cheese, spring onion, red bell pepper, lemon, and black pepper. Each rice ball is delicately seasoned with aromatic herbs including garlic, coriander, and basil. They are dipped in a crunchy breadcrumb coating, then deep fried to a golden, crispy finish. Handmade in small batches to ensure the highest quality! Served with a side of our homemade marinara sauce.

Deep Fried Deli Tacos, Brent & Juan Reaves

We all love a good food mashup, and the Deep Fried Deli Tacos are fusion magic at the State Fair of Texas. Picture this: peppery pastrami, buttery mashed potatoes, gooey white cheese, and fresh chives all tucked into a corn tortilla and deep fried to crispy perfection. Served with a spicy, creamy green sauce, it’s what happens when New York deli meets Dallas taqueria—and the result is delicioso.

Vietnamese Crunch Dog, The Le Family

Step right up for a bold twist on a fair favorite! The Vietnamese Crunch Dog blends the classic corn dog with vibrant Asian flavors. Juicy, marinated meat is wrapped in fluffy batter, coated in a crispy mix of panko and bánh mì crumbs, then deep fried to golden perfection. Topped with sriracha mayo and served with tangy pickled veggies, it’s a crunchy, flavorful mashup of street food and fair flair in every bite.

Wagyu Bacon Cheeseburger Deviled Egg Sliders, Kendall Williams

Who knew a deviled egg could become the juiciest, most flavor-packed burger slider ever? We did! The Wagyu Bacon Cheeseburger Deviled Egg Sliders start with a Cajun-seasoned Wagyu patty, topped with aged cheddar and crispy applewood bacon. The twist? Instead of a bun, it’s sandwiched between two deep fried, panko-crusted deviled egg halves—crispy outside, creamy and tangy inside. Served with a house-made ketchup-inspired sauce, it’s a bold, one-of-a-kind bite you have to try at this year’s Fair!

Candy Lemon Sour Face, Chef Heather J. Perkins

Take a bite out of a candy-dipped lemon! With a little bit of sweet and a little bit of sour, let your taste buds explore the explosion of a sour, sweet tart-taste of a delicious, candy-coated lemon. Indulge in Candy Lemon Sour Face and let us take you on a rollercoaster of sweet and sour flavors!

Chill & Thrill Delight, Tony & Terry Bednar

Chill & Thrill Delight is a vibrant, refreshing twist on Colombia’s famous Salpicon de Frutas that is perfect for a warm day at the State Fair. A Texas-sized cup is packed with juicy, diced mango, pineapple, watermelon, grapes, cantaloupe, and strawberries, all soaked in fresh watermelon juice with a splash of lime. It’s topped with a handcrafted shaved mango sorbet that slowly melts into the mix for a sweet, tangy fusion. Whether you’re cooling off or chasing bold flavors, this fruity treat is sure to thrill!

Dubai Chocolate Cheesecake, Stephen El Gidi 

Dive into a decadent cup layered with pure indulgence. At the base, rich Belgian chocolate melts into a luscious pistachio spread, perfectly blended with the delicate crunch of sweet, golden kataifi and a hint of creamy tahini. Nestled above are chunks of velvety New York-style cheesecake, adding a smooth and tangy contrast. To finish, each cup is crowned with a generous drizzle of silky chocolate, a swirl of pistachio cream, and a final sprinkle of crushed pistachios for an irresistible crunch. Every spoonful of Dubai Chocolate Cheesecake is a masterpiece of texture and flavor—nutty, creamy, and decadently chocolatey.

Rousso’s Dubai Chocolate Funnel Cake Fries, Isaac & Joey Rousso

Rousso’s Dubai Chocolate Funnel Cake Fries bring bold, indulgent flavor to every bite! Crispy, golden funnel cake strips are drizzled with warm Belgian chocolate, then topped with pistachio cream and delicate pieces of knafeh pastry. This rich, nutty, and crispy treat takes funnel cake to a whole new level of indulgence—sweet, airy, and wildly satisfying.

Tex’s Toast á la Mode, Michelle & Jayse Edwards

Tex’s Toast á la Mode is comfort food at its finest! A warm, golden-baked French toast bake topped with a generous scoop of Blue Bell® Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream slowly melting into every cozy bite. Drizzled with rich caramel and real maple syrup, then sprinkled with a fun cinnamon cereal crunch for that extra pop. It’s like a sweet, Southern hug on a plate that’ll have you coming back for more.

Coconut Quadruple, Binh Tran & My Vo

Want a taste of the tropics during your visit to the State Fair of Texas? Look no further than the Coconut Quadruple! A whole fresh, young coconut is served with an ice-cold, fresh-made coconut slushy topped with soft-serve coconut ice cream and a sprinkling of coconut flakes. This enhanced island delicacy is sure to transport you to paradise at first sip.

Cookie Chaos Milkshake, Brad Weiss 

This shake is what cookie dreams are made of! A rich, creamy, cookie butter milkshake loaded with snickerdoodle chunks, Golden Oreo Cookies, and classic Oreo Cookies for the ultimate cookie explosion. We top it with a fluffy swirl of whipped cream, a scoop of edible cookie butter cookie dough, a perfectly perched Biscoff cookie, and a cookie butter drizzle that ties it all together. Finished with a rim coated in crushed Biscoff cookie pieces for that extra crunch in every sip, the Cookie Chaos Milkshake is sweet, spiced, and unapologetically over the top.

Hot Honeycomb Lemonade Shake Up, Tom Grace

Ever tried nature’s candy—honeycomb? How about honey jalapeño lemonade? For over 30 years, our fresh Lemonade Shake Up has been a Fair favorite: fresh-squeezed lemons, sugar, water, and a good shake. This year, we are adding honey and fresh jalapeños to the mix for a perfect Texas kick. Rimmed with chamoy and Tajin for extra zing, and topped with a skewer of real honeycomb, our Hot Honeycomb Lemonade Shake Up is a refreshingly bold treat. Add a shot of alcohol, and you’ve got an instant classic—only at the State Fair of Texas!

Nevins Dirty Red Bull Tex-arita, Josey Nevins Mayes & Tami Jo Nevins Mayes

Red, white, blue – this afternoon delight is right on cue! A refreshing adult beverage that tastes as good as it looks! The Nevins Dirty Red Bull Tex-arita fulfills an adult craving while appealing to your inner child! This cocktail starts with a layer of sweet cream liquor and Blue Razz Pop Rocks to get this sweet treat poppin’! After, it’s filled halfway with juicy Watermelon Red Bull margarita and the other half with vibrant Blueberry Red Bull margarita. Topped with more sizzlin’ Pop Rocks®, fresh blueberries, and watermelon, this Dirty Tex-arita is sure to make you soar!

Poppin’ Boba Rita, Justin Martinez

This frozen, fresh lime juice margarita is elevated with wine-infused poppin’ boba pearls, bursting with juicy mango or strawberry flavor in every sip. Each vibrant pearl in the Poppin’ Boba Rita delivers a playful pop of tropical fruitiness, transforming the experience into a sensory delight. Want to turn up the indulgence? “Make it dirty” with a swirl of sweet, creamy, cold foam, a splash of rich coconut syrup, and a tangy Tajin rim, making for an irresistible upgrade to this tapioca treat with a twist!