DALLAS — Every year, the wackiest, most high-calorie treats compete for one of three awards in the Big Tex Choice Awards. Now, we know the finalists.
The State Fair of Texas announced Wednesday which fair foods are among the finalists competing for coveted titles in the 2024 Big Tex Choice Choice Awards. Ten treats are in contention for three winning titles: "Best Taste - Savory," "Best Taste - Sweet," and "Most Creative."
The fair received a record 65 entries to the Big Tex Choice Awards this year, which were narrowed down to 24 semi-finalists in June. A lucky panel of judges tasted and evaluated the 24 treats based on uniqueness, creativity, presentation, and taste to narrow the field.
The winners will be officially crowned Thursday, Aug. 22 before the fair kicks off on Sept. 27. The presentation will be streamed live at 2 p.m.
Here they are, the ten finalists up for the coveted titles. Hopefully, you've eaten something today before you dig into these photos.
Savory finalists
Dominican Fritura Dog, Justin Martinez
This savory dish brings an explosion of flavor that starts with fritura cheese and Dominican salami. Taking classic Fair food up a notch, this dish is then double deep fried with their famous corn dog batter! Split open and topped with garlic plantain chips, top-secret Dominican sauce, and cilantro, the Dominican Fritura Dog will bring you the best of salty and sweet with an explosion of Dominican flavor. “Hopefully, we’re opening another avenue for people at the State Fair to try something they don’t normally try. That’s what the State Fair is about,” said Justin Martinez, creator of the Dominican Fritura Dog.
The Drowning Taquitos, Tony & Terry Bednar
Served in a cup, these fresh, hand-rolled corn tortillas are stuffed with tender shredded chicken and then deep-fried to perfection. To further encapsulate the savory flavor, the taquitos are then "drowned” with a tangy cream sauce, jalapeño, guacamole salsa, shredded lettuce, avocado, tomatillo, pico, and Cotija cheese.
Hippie Chips, Rose & Tom Deschenes
These far-out wavy potato chip nachos promise to deliver “every flavor profile” with your choice of either zesty homemade ranch or blue cheese dressing, topped with bacon bits, fresh green onions, and a tangy drizzle of sriracha. You can be extra funky and add blue cheese crumbles if you’re so inclined.
Hot Chick-in-Pancake Poppers, Palmer & Amanda Fortune
They’re savory, they’re sweet, and they’re easy to eat. Authentic Nashville hot chicken and pimento cheese are rolled into a ball, dunked into pancake batter, and fried to a golden brown, then topped with a drizzle of Sriracha honey and a sprinkle of Nashville hot powdered sugar.
Texas Fried Burnt End Bombs, Nick & Vera Bert
These bombs take mouthwatering brisket wrapped with shredded potatoes, bacon, and cheese, deep fry it, and top it with a raspberry chipotle barbeque glaze drizzled to add the perfect touch of sweetness.
Sweet finalists
Nevins Nutty Bar-laska, Tami Nevins Mayes & Josey Mayes
This sweet treat takes the classic nutty bar and adds toasted marshmallow, two Oreos®, strawberry sauce, and freeze-dried strawberry pieces. “It’s on a stick! What's more Fair food than that?” said Josey Nevins-Mayes, co-creator of the Nevins Nutty Bar-laska.
Rousso’s Cotton Candy Bacon on a Stick, Isaac Rousso
This masterful combination of sweet and savory flavors comes to life with the Cotton Candy Bacon on a Stick—a thick, 12-inch piece of bacon cooked to perfection with a cotton candy glaze on top. The bacon is spun inside a cotton candy machine and torched to caramelize the center and lock in that sweet flavor.
Strawberry Pop-Tarts® Beignettfle, Justin Martinez
This sweet treat was inspired by the flavors of New Orleans beignets and the childhood nostalgia of Pop-Tarts® and waffles, all put together on a stick because Justin says, “Everything is better on a stick.” The Strawberry Pop-Tarts® Beignetffle is a heavenly combination of a fluffy beignet and a crispy waffle topped with homemade strawberry filling, a sweet vanilla icing drizzle, fresh whipped cream, and garnished with colorful sprinkles.
Texas Sugar Rush Pickles, Heather Perkins
These cotton-candy-flavored pickle slices are coated in three cereal varieties—Lucky Charms™, Froot Loops®, and Cap’n Crunch® —and then layered in cotton candy, cotton candy sugar crystals, and powdered sugar before being drizzled with strawberry sundae syrup. As if that wasn’t enough, these dressed-up pickles are served with a helping of vanilla ice cream, adding a perfectly cool touch to this crazy concoction!
Tropical Two-Step Punch, Binh Tran
To give fairgoers a taste of paradise, this punch marinates fruits like citrus, passionfruit, and mango overnight to create a crisp cooler that's fresh, tangy, sweet, sour, and spicy. Available in both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options, this thirst quencher is sure to help you cool down on a hot day at the Fair.