Texas State Fair announces Big Tex Choice Award Finalists

The countdown is nearly on for one of Texans' favorite season of the year. Of course, the food is the biggest draw, and to drum up the hype ahead of State Fair season, there's the annual award with some of the most creative foods.

The State Fair of Texas has announced finalists for the 22nd Annual Big Tex Choice Awards. Winners will be named on August 18, in the categories of Best Taste – Savory, Best Taste – Sweet, Best Taste – Sipper, and Most Creative. The awards are open exclusively to State Fair of Texas concessionaires with at least two years of experience at the Fair.

According to a release, the competition kicked off with a record-breaking 77 entries from 46 different concessionaires earlier this year.

This year's finalists are:

Photo courtesy State Fair of Texas

Best Taste – Savory

• Burger Chop Tater Tacos, Tom Grace 

  A fresh burger patty is seared to perfection, chopped, and combined with sautéed onions and jalapeños. Topped with mozzarella and American cheese, the mixture is placed atop a bed of cheddar cheese tater tots formed into a taco shell and finished with buffalo buttermilk ranch coleslaw, garlic parmesan buffalo sauce, and more tots.

• Dickel’s Texas Two Step Tacos, Dickel's

  A bold taco duo: the first taco features a fire-roasted jalapeño stuffed with juicy pineapple pork sausage and melted mozzarella, tucked into a warm blue corn tortilla with rich, charred flavor; the second taco features tender-sliced brisket wrapped around a roasted jalapeño, layered with melted mozzarella, and served on a heat-kissed yellow corn tortilla finished with crisp purple pickled onion and a drizzle of sweet, smoky barbecue sauce or house made Lone Star Habanero Fuego.

• Flamin’ Crunch Pizza, Tom Grace 

  The Flamin’ Crunch Pizza consists of hand-tossed, fresh-made pizza dough topped with a jalapeño cheddar queso base and covered with a freshly grated blend of mozzarella and cheddar cheese. After baking, the pizza is topped with handfuls of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, a drizzle of jalapeño queso blanco and house-made buffalo buttermilk ranch dressing, and a hefty sprinkle of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos dust.

• Golden Crunch Melt, Tony & Terry Bednar 

  Get ready for the ultimate Texas fair-food crunch! A tortilla brushed in a signature seasoned butter oil and grilled to a crispy golden finish is packed with marinated chicken pastor, fire-roasted peppers, caramelized onions, smoky chipotle mayonnaise, melted three-cheese blend, and crispy potato strings in every bite and finished with a signature smoky chipotle crema. The result is the perfect combination of crunch, creamy heat, and cheesy goodness. 

• Nacho Wings, Cody & Lauren Hays 

  Nacho Wings are crispy chicken wings tossed in zesty taco seasoning, smothered in creamy nacho cheese, and piled high with cilantro, green onions, cotija cheese, tomatoes, pickled red onions, and jalapeños. Served on a bed of hot, golden fries and drizzled with ranch. 

Best Taste – Sweet

• Berry Me in Matcha, Stephen El Gidi 

  A luxurious flavor experience that fuses creamy cheesecake with bold Japanese-inspired flair. This New York-style cheesecake is dipped in Belgian white chocolate, rolled in crushed matcha cookies for an earthy crunch, then drizzled with white chocolate and sweet strawberry jam, finished with a fresh strawberry slice on top. 

• Fernie’s Frozen Espresso-tini Bar, Christi Erpillo & Johnna McKee 

  This espresso martini popsicle is blended with a spirited kick of Fernie's Funnel Cake Cream Cocktail, creating layers of deep coffee flavors and hints of vanilla. Each Fernie's Frozen Espresso-tini Bar is artfully drizzled with ribbons of chocolate shell coating, hardening into a delicate, crackable bite, making for the ultimate pick-me-up on a stick. 

• Fletcher's Chocolate Corny Dog, Beck Fletcher 

  The Fletcher’s Chocolate Corny Dog consists of smooth milk chocolate fudge dipped in Fletcher’s famous Original Corny Dog batter and is deep fried until golden. Topped with a drizzle of yellow vanilla icing and served with raspberry compote for a sweet twist on the iconic Corny Dog.  

• Holy Flan! Buñueloco, The Garza Family 

  This sweet treat starts with a crispy buñuelo bowl filled with creamy, homemade arroz con leche, and a scoop of cinnamon Blue Bell ice cream. The highlight is a deep-fried flan encased in a delicate puff pastry shell, topped with fluffy whipped cream topping and a rich caramel sauce drizzle for mix of textures. 

• Texas Pecan Praline Cheesecake Cone, Brad Weiss 

  A warm waffle cone fresh off the iron is dipped in white chocolate, rolled in buttery Texas pecan praline, crushed Biscoff cookies, and freeze-dried strawberries, and filled with homemade, creamy scoopable cookie butter cheesecake. The Texas Pecan Praline Cheesecake Cone is topped with a pinch of sea salt, whipped cream, Biscoff crumble, warm cookie butter drizzle, white chocolate sauce, and finished with a signature Biscoff cookie. 

Best Taste – Sipper

• Corn Flake Shappé, Milton & Gracie Whitley 

  Forget the bowl and grab a straw — the creamy corn flake shappé blends toasted corn flakes into a rich creation with silky dulce de leche, buttery Texas pecan notes, and a signature blend of warm spices. Finished with whipped cream, golden corn flake crunch, sweet strawberry crumble, and a dusting of powdered sugar.

• Nevins Soft Serve Peach Bellini Float, Tami & Josey Nevins Mayes 

  The Nevins Soft Serve Peach Bellini Float featuring rich, creamy peach bellini soft serve infused with sparkling wine, topped with sparkling sugar and grated frozen peach for the perfect balance of sweet, creamy, and bubbly flavors.

• Rousso's Bacon Jam Caramel Apple Hard Cider, Rousso’s Concessions 

  Straight from Deep Ellum, the Rousso's Bacon Jam Caramel Apple Hard Cider is crafted with hints of apples, caramel, churros, cinnamon sugar, and a smoky bacon jam twist for bold Texas flavors that hit your sweet, salty, and smooth cravings all at once. 

• Sunset Soft Serve Rita, Dwania Morris 

  The Sunset Soft Serve Rita combines a strawberry and mango margarita with vanilla soft-serve ice cream, a bold Tajín rim, rich chamoy drizzle, and a crunchy hot honey Tajín topping for the perfect balance of sweet-heat indulgence. This over-the-top frozen creation blends creamy tropical flavors with spice and texture.

  
  

Find out more about the State Fair of Texas and Big Tex Choice Awards here. The State Fair of Texas debuts on September 25.