More than a decade of decadence
Since 2005, the Big Tex Choice Awards contest has solidified the State Fair of Texas as the top Fair for great food creations. Each year, State Fair concessionaires fry up tasty and unique foods for a chance to become a finalist in the annual Big Tex Choice Awards competition. Everything from Fried Beer to Fried Peaches and Cream has made the cut to become a part of the exclusive club of fried food creations. Best of all, YOU get to enjoy the winning creations at this year’s Fair!
The 2022 Big Tex Choice Awards winners have been announced!
2022 Big Tex Choice Award Winners
Winner "Best Taste - Savory"
FRIED CHARCUTERIE BOARD
by Tami Nevins-Mayes & Josey Mayes
Winner "Best Taste - Sweet"
PEANUT BUTTER PARADISE
by Chris Easter & Nicole Sternes
Winner "Most Creative"
CHA-CHA CHATA
by the Garza Family
2022 Savory Finalists
Chicharron Explosion Nachos
by Glen & Sherri Kusak
Fresh pork rinds are fried to a golden crispy crunch and then seasoned with just the right number of Cajun-style seasonings to insure a mouthwatering kick. Next, smoked beef fajita meat is spread all over the crispy nachos and covered with delectable freshly made queso. To make this an explosion of flavor, these chicharron nachos are topped with a full serving of savory barbeque chopped beef.
Deep Fried BLT
by Tom Grace
Crunch into the simple pleasure of the Deep Fried BLT! Crispy bacon is folded into a 12” tortilla along with a heaping pile of shredded cheddar cheese to bind all the corners. The rectangle-shaped tortilla gets dunked into the deep fryer, just long enough to get a golden-brown crunch and a melted bliss of cheddar and bacon. Then, the deep-fried goodness is used as the sandwich bread by cutting it in half and layering cool crisp lettuce, two juicy red tomato slices, and mayonnaise in between. To top it off, the fried creation is paired with fresh-cut garlic parmesan chips for a truly notorious B.L.T!
Deep Fried Lasagna Roll
by the Parish Family
Ribbon pasta is covered with the perfect mixture of ricotta, parmesan, provolone, and fresh mozzarella cheeses, then topped with an amazing homemade meat sauce. Next, more cheese is added and the past is delicately hand-rolled, creating delicious layers of flavor. The lasagna roll is dipped in a cheddar and herb batter and fried golden brown, creating a crispy yet flaky crust. The roll is then garnished with a touch of marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil, creating a mouthwatering burst of flavor. Served with a side of Deep Fried Zucchini Fries, this dish gives you a taste of Italy with a Texas twist!
Fried Charcuterie Board
by Tami Nevins-Mayes & Josey Mayes
Meats, cheeses, fruits – oh my! Chopped-up fresh mozzarella, salami, and crisp green apples are tossed in olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and Italian herbs. Then the ingredients are wrapped in a wonton wrapper and fried to a golden crisp, topped with creamy goat cheese and a drizzle of hot honey. Everyone’s favorite appetizer rolled into one perfect bite!
Holy Biscuit
by Isaac Rousso
This mouth-watering southern explosion starts with a perfectly cooked golden-brown biscuit. Then, slow-smoked shredded brisket and ladle fire-roasted street corn queso is stacked on top of the biscuit. Then, thick-cut bacon is drizzled with Texas honey with a little bit of kick. The masterpiece is complete when it’s topped off with crispy pickle French fries. Your taste buds will go crazy with the savory-sweet crunchy combination of flavors all in one bite.
2022 Sweet Finalists
Cha-Cha Chata
by the Garza Family
Sidestep all the others ‘cause it’s finally here – the milkshake that will make you Cha-Cha Chata all night long! Inspired by the cha-cha dance, the recipe starts with a triple-step of two kinds of milk and vanilla ice cream blended to perfection with the Garza family’s top-secret (but famously delicious) horchata recipe. The creamy drink is then poured into a cup rimmed with caramel and cinnamon goodness and topped with a Texas-sized dollop of whipped topping. To bring even more flavor to your tastebuds, the Cha-Cha Chata is dusted with crushed candy, a sprinkle of cinnamon galletas de gragega, and deep-fried arroz con leche bites. Take hold of the churro straw and take a sip, we promise it will cha-cha change your life!
Deep Fried Rocky Road with Blue Bell Ice Cream®
by Cody & Lauren Hays
The wait is over – Deep Fried Rocky Road is here! Rocky Road Kettle Fresh Fudge is coated with fluffy, lightly sweetened batter and deep-fried to perfection, stacked high, and drizzled with chocolate syrup and sweetened condensed milk. Mini marshmallows and chopped cinnamon glazed nuts are sprinkled atop with powdered sugar. The dish is accompanied by a single-serve ice cream cup of Blue Bell Ice Cream® Homemade Vanilla.
La Bluebonnet
by Milton & Grace Whitley
This decadent drink is inspired by iconic Texas bluebonnets which have served as a natural photo backdrop for many memorable life moments. Freshly squeezed citrus juices and blueberries are folded into a sugary base and then shaken well to achieve the perfect balance of sweet and tart. Then, the tasty concoction is poured over refreshing ice and topped with an optional lemon-mint-berry twist.
Peanut Butter Paradise
by Chris Easter & Nicole Sternes
Man cannot live by bread alone – he must have peanut butter. Peanut Butter Paradise starts with deep-frying a honey bun. Then, caramel is injected into the honey bun and then topped with creamy peanut butter. The treat is then layered with some fan-favorite peanut butter treats, Reese’s Pieces, Crushed Butterfinger crumbles, topped off with peanut butter cups, drizzled caramel, and a cloud of powdered sugar. Just another day in paradise!
The Ultimate Brookie Monster
by Juan & Brent Reaves
The Ultimate Brookie Monster is the ultimate in dessert decadence. It’s like a dessert hall of fame party on one saucer. It starts with crispy, chewy chocolate chip cookies, layered with Oreos and marshmallows. Then, the creation is covered in triple-chocolate brownie batter and baked together into a super brookie. The fun begins when the brookie is then battered and deep fried. Then, the super brookie is showered in powdered sugar, and served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. To finish, it is topped with cheesecake crumbles and strawberry sauce.
2022 Big Tex Choice Awards Semi-Finalists
| Savory | Sweet |
|---|---|
| Bayou Bowl | Cha-Cha Chata |
| Cajun Lobster Bisque Croquettes | Crunchberry® Shortcake |
| Chicharron Explosion Nachos | Deep Fried Honey |
| Crispy Dilly Dog | Deep Fried Praline Cheesecake Eggroll |
| Deep Fried BLT | Deep Fried Rocky Road with Blue Bell Ice Cream® |
| Deep Fried Brisket Cheese Sticks | Deep Fried Southern Dessert Dumplings |
| Deep Fried Lasagna Roll | Deep Fried Strawberry Shortcake Crunch Roll |
| Deep Fried Texas Country Cookout | Doh-Muff |
| Dim Sum Loco Burritos | Fat Elvis |
| Fried Charcuterie Board | Fried Texas Fruit Salad |
| Fried Soul Food Eggroll | La Bluebonnet |
| Holy Biscuit | Peanut Butter Paradise |
| Shaking Beef Salad | Raspberry Chipotle Sopapilla Cheesecake |
| Southern Fried Chicken and Sweet Potato Pie Waffles Sliders | Smoked Bacon Wrapped Cookie Dough Balls |
| Texas Hot Bull Ride | The Ultimate Brookie Monster |
| Texas Ranch Hog Wings | Triple Lemon Bliss |
| Texas Slide | |
| Texas Twosome | |
| Turkey Leg Taquito |
Previous Big Tex Choice Award Winners
| Year | Category | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Best Taste :: Savory | DEEP FRIED SEAFOOD GUMBO BALLS |
| Best Taste :: Sweet | THE ARMADILLO | |
| Most Creative | DEEP FRIED SEAFOOD GUMBO BALLS | |
| 2019 | Best Taste :: Savory | RUTH’S STUFFED FRIED TACO CONE |
| Best Taste :: Sweet | BIG RED® CHICKEN BREAD | |
| Most Creative | FLA’MANGO TANGO | |
| 2018 | Best Taste :: Savory | Fernie’s Hoppin’ John Cake with Jackpot Sauce |
| Best Taste :: Sweet | Arroz con Leche (Sweet Crispy Rice) | |
| Most Creative | Cotton Candy Taco | |
| 2017 | Best Taste :: Savory | Funnel Cake Bacon Queso Burger |
| Best Taste :: Sweet | Gulf Coast Fish Bowl | |
| Most Creative | Funnel Cake Bacon Queso Burger | |
| 2016 | Best Taste | Fried Jell-O® |
| Most Creative | State Fair Cookie Fries | |
| 2015 | Best Taste | Fernie’s Holy Moly Carrot Cake Roly |
| Most Creative | Smoky Bacon Margarita | |
| 2014 | Best Taste | Fried Gulf Shrimp Boil |
| Most Creative | State Fair Brew – Funnel Cake Ale | |
| 2013 | Best Taste | Deep-Fried Cuban Roll |
| Most Creative | Fried Thanksgiving Dinner | |
| 2012 | Best Taste | Fried Bacon Cinnamon Roll |
| Most Creative | Deep Fried Jambalaya | |
| 2011 | Best Taste | Buffalo Chicken in a Flapjack |
| Most Creative | Fried Bubblegum | |
| 2010 | Best Taste | Texas Fried FRITOS® Pie |
| Most Creative | Fried Beer™ | |
| 2009 | Best Taste | Fernie’s Deep Fried Peaches & Cream |
| Most Creative | Deep Fried Butter | |
| 2008 | Best Taste | Chicken Fried Bacon |
| Most Creative | Fried Banana Split | |
| 2007 | Best Taste | Texas Fried Cookie Dough |
| Most Creative | Deep Fried Latte | |
| 2006 | Best Taste | Fried Praline Perfection |
| Most Creative | Fried Coke | |
| 2005 | Best Taste | Fried PB, Jelly and Banana Sandwich |
| Most Creative | Viva Las Vegas Fried Ice Cream | |