Fried Frenzy Alert: State Fair of Texas Unveils Jaw-Dropping Big Tex Finalists!

Get ready to feast your eyes—and soon your taste buds—on the wildest creations at the State Fair of Texas! The 21st Annual Big Tex Choice Awards, presented by Karbach Brewing Company, just dropped its 15 finalists, shaking things up with a brand-new "Sippers" category dedicated to innovative drinks. This expands the lineup from the usual 10, spotlighting five contenders each in Savory, Sweet, and Sipper, plus a "Most Creative" wildcard.

 

Chosen from 76 entries whittled down to 30 semi-finalists, these gems were judged on uniqueness, creativity, presentation, and that all-important taste factor. Winners get crowned on August 21 at 2 p.m., with the event streaming live on the State Fair's Instagram and Facebook. No matter who takes the trophy, all semi-finalist delights will hit the fairgrounds from September 26 to October 19, grab your tickets online now!

 

In Savory, standouts include Brisket & Brew Stuffed Pretzels blending beer cheese and pretzel dough, Crab & Mozzarella Arancini packed with fresh flavors, and Deep Fried Deli Tacos fusing pastrami with taqueria vibes. Don't miss the Vietnamese Crunch Dog's panko twist or Wagyu Bacon Cheeseburger Deviled Egg Sliders for a Cajun kick.

 

Sweet tooths will swoon over Candy Lemon Sour Face's tangy candy coat, Chill & Thrill Delight's fruity Colombian-inspired cup, or Dubai Chocolate Cheesecake's pistachio-laced indulgence. Rousso’s Dubai Chocolate Funnel Cake Fries drizzle on the decadence, while Tex’s Toast á la Mode piles French toast with ice cream and crunch.

 

Sippers bring the buzz with Coconut Quadruple's fresh coconut slushy, Cookie Chaos Milkshake's cookie explosion, and Hot Honeycomb Lemonade Shake Up's spicy-sweet twist (boozy option available). Nevins Dirty Red Bull Tex-arita packs Pop Rocks punch, and Poppin' Boba Rita freezes margaritas with bursting pearls.

 

This year's additions celebrate concessionaires pushing boundaries, from Asian-fusion dogs to global chocolate dreams. As the fair evolves, these finalists prove Texas knows how to blend tradition with bold innovation—mark your calendars for a flavor-packed adventure!