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.
2018 BIG TEX CHOICE AWARDS
The Big Tex Choice Awards, presented by Vistaprint, will be held Sunday, August 26 at 2 p.m. in the historic Tower Building in Fair Park.
Tickets to the 2018 Big Tex Choice Awards ceremony are $125 each. Included with your ticket is one admission ticket to the State Fair, exclusive Fair gear, and a commemorative State Fair refillable cup. All proceeds from the event go to the State Fair Scholarship Fund.
Get Big Tex Choice Awards Tickets
2018 Big Tex Choice Awards Semi-Finalists
| Savory | Sweet |
|---|---|
| Corn Dog Ale | Bacon Brittle |
| Deep Fried Bodacious Bacon Bombs | Cherish Erbert Champagne |
| Deep Fried Chicken Tetrazzini Parmesana | Cotton Candy Taco |
| Deep Fried Lobster Pops | Deep Fried M&M’s® |
| Deep Fried Ranch | Deep Fried Raspberry Brie-ret |
| Deep Fried Shepherd’s Pie | Frosty’s Frozen Hot Chocolate |
| Deep Fried Skillet Potato Melt in a Boat | Fruity Dessert Nachos |
| Fried Cup of Corn “Elotes” | Kool-Aid® Pickle-Dilly Sangria |
| Fried Kool-Aid® Pickles | Orange Julia’s Beermosa |
| Hoppin’ John Cake with Jackpot Sauce | Orange You Glad We Fried It?! |
| King Crispy Coconut Crab Sliders | State Fair Fun-L Cake Ice Cream |
| Pico Frito (Deep Fried Pico de Gallo) | Supra Stuffed Mini Sopapillas |
| Southern Fried Chicken Nachos | Sweet Bakin’ Bacon |
| Texas Fried Hill Country | Sweet Crispy Rice (Arroz con Leche) |
| Texas Twang-kie | Texas Thai Delight |
| The Roll Tide |
2017 Big Tex Choice Awards Winners
Best Taste - Savory :: Funnel Cake Bacon Queso Burger
Best Taste - Sweet :: Gulf Coast Fish Bowl
Most Creative :: Funnel Cake Bacon Queso Burger
SAVORY FINALISTS
Deep Fried Chicken Noodle Soup
Funnel Cake Bacon Queso Burger
Texas Fajita Fries
The Tamale Donut
Surfin' Turfin' Tater Boat
SWEET FINALISTS
Deep Fried Froot Loops
Pinot Noir Popcorn
Gulf Coast Fish Bowl
Fried Texas Sheet Cake
Fat Smooth
Previous Big Tex Choice Award Winners
| Year | Category | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |