Because Texas food traditions come from so many cultures, Texans are some of the most innovative people when it comes to food. Since 2005, the Big Tex® Choice Awards competition has solidified the State Fair of Texas as the top fair for food creations.
The competition began with an impressive 49 entries represented by 30 concessionaires. Each entry was evaluated on four fair-food elements: uniqueness, creativity, presentation, and taste.
Here are the ten finalists for 2019 … Head on over to indulge in something new!
Top 5: Sweet
Peanut Butter Cup Snookie
Warm, fresh baked peanut butter cup cookie with vanilla ice cream adorned with caramel and chocolate drizzle, whipped cream, and a cherry.
Quick Fried “Black Gold” Truffles
This decadent treat is made from crushed chocolate cookies blended with rich cream cheese and mini white chocolate chips then hand-rolled into balls and coated in a golden breading consisting of vanilla wafers, corn flakes, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Once fried, it’s topped off with fresh whipped cream, a chocolate syrup drizzle, and a juicy cherry.
Big Red® Chicken Bread
This new State Fair favorite starts with a homemade, light, fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth, Big Red® flavored frosting, and served with a savory fried chicken wing resting in the middle of the doughnut.
Fla’Mango Tango
Mango like you’ve never tango’d before! Treat yourself with a refreshingly creamy mango twist, fried and drizzled with a kicky citrus glaze. Topped with whipped topping and served with a side of strawberry mango sorbet.
Deep Fried Bayou Fruit Bites
This delectable dessert is produced using fresh fruit wedges that are battered, deep fried, and coated in a secret sweet confection. It is finished with creamy whipped topping and drizzled with warm caramel sauce. Optional toppings include chocolate chips, walnuts, pecans, and assorted berries
Top 5: Savory
Fernie’s Fried Burnt End Burrito
Charred, crispy bits of beef combined with a jalapeño popper spread of cream cheese, savory bacon, Mexican blend cheese, and mildly spicy diced jalapeños all slathered onto a large flour tortilla and folded burrito style. The Texas-sized treat is served with a side of panko crusted crunchy onion rings dusted with a special blend of barbeque seasoning and a sweet tangy sauce.
Southern Fried Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo Ball
A golden fried ball filled with fettuccine alfredo, Southern fried chicken bites, and fresh mozzarella cheese, then garnished with house-made alfredo sauce, grated parmesan cheese, Italian parsley, fresh basil, and cracked black pepper. The rustic Italian-meets-Southern-hospitality ball is served with a side of flash fried lemon pepper asparagus spears and a toasted garlic parmesan baguette.
Texas Cream Corn Casserole Fritters
Grandma’s traditional Cream Corn Casserole with a Texas twist! Cream corn, kernel corn, sour cream, cheddar cheese, and cornbread mix are combined into a batter, then chopped bacon and freshly diced jalapeños are added then fried into crispy, lightly browned fluffy pillows and served alongside a signature Queso Blanco sauce.
Ruth’s Stuffed Fried Mexi-Cone
Tender, savory, marinated, slow-cooked barbacoa served in an ice cream cone-shaped tortilla shell with black beans and cilantro lime rice. The perfect handheld treat is topped with pico de gallo, queso fresco, and homemade salsa verde.
Calypso Island Shrimp Bowl
Tasty and colorful tropical cabbage stir fried with fresh carrots, kale, scallions, ginger, and sweet red bell peppers, served on a yellow tropical rice topped with herbaceous grilled Caribbean (marinated) shrimp and a sweet and spicy tropical glaze.
