

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 2026 Big Tex Choice Awards is underway and this year’s semifinalists and finalists have been announced! The Big Tex® Choice Awards offers another year of exciting bites for all appetites. This lineup is bursting with flavor – whether you love savory or sweet, you’re in for a treat this year.
2026 Savory Finalists

Burger Chop Tater Tacos
by 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, making for the ultimate Burger Chop Tater Tacos! Pairs well with Karbach’s Hopadillo!

Dickel's Texas Two Step Tacos
by Dickel’s Smokehouse
The Dickel’s Texas Two Step Tacos are a bold, delicious taco duo that brings pure backyard flavor to every bite. 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 brings the smoke, with 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. Pairs well with Karbach’s Ziegenbock!

Flamin’ Crunch Pizza
by 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 to perfection, 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 over the entire pizza! Can you handle the heat? Pairs well with a Karbach’s Ziegenbock!

Golden Crunch Melt
by 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 juicy marinated chicken pastor, fire-roasted peppers, caramelized onions, smoky chipotle mayonnaise, melted three-blend cheese, 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 – the Golden Crunch Melt! Pairs well with Karbach’s Hopadillo IPA!

Nacho Wings
by Cody & Lauren Hays
Get ready for the ultimate flavor explosion! 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, this larger-than-life creation brings together Fair-food classics: nachos, wings, and loaded fries in one wildly delicious bite! Pairs well with Karbach’s Hopadillo IPA!
2026 Sweet Finalists

Berry Me in Matcha
by Stephen El Gidi
Introducing Berry Me in Matcha — a luxurious flavor experience that fuses creamy cheesecake indulgence with bold Japanese-inspired flair. This rich New York-style cheesecake is hand-dipped in silky Belgian white chocolate, rolled in crushed matcha cookies for a delicate earthy crunch, then drizzled with luscious white chocolate and sweet strawberry jam. Finished with a fresh strawberry slice on top, every bite delivers the perfect balance of creamy, crunchy, fruity, and sweet matcha bliss. Pairs well with Karbach’s Love Street!

Fernie’s Frozen Espresso-tini Bar
by Christi Erpillo & Johnna McKee
This espresso martini popsicle delivers rich, divine indulgence in a perfectly frozen form. Robust cold-brew espresso 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! Pairs well with Karbach’s Ranch Water Hard Seltzer!

Fletchers Chocolate Corny Dog
by Beck Fletcher
The Fletcher’s Chocolate Corny Dog consists of smooth milk chocolate fudge hand dipped in Fletcher’s famous Original Corny Dog batter and is deep fried until golden perfection. Topped with a drizzle of yellow vanilla icing and served with raspberry compote for a sweet twist on the iconic Corny Dog. One bite and you’ll taste why this sweet treat is top dog! Pairs well with Karbach’s Lager!

Holy Flan! Buñueloco
by The Garza Family
Indulge in a sweet celebration of tradition and creativity with Holy Flan! Buñueloco. This sweet treat starts with a warm, crispy buñuelo bowl filled with creamy, homemade arroz con leche and a scoop of premium cinnamon Blue Bell® Ice Cream. The highlight is a decadent, deep-fried flan encased in a delicate puff pastry shell, topped with fluffy whipped cream topping and a rich caramel sauce drizzle for a perfect harmony of textures. Pairs well with Karbach’s Ranch Water Hard Seltzer!

Texas Pecan Praline Cheesecake Cone
by 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, making for one unforgettable State Fair bite. Pairs well with a Karbach’s Lager!
2026 Sipper Finalists

Corn Flake Shappé
by 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, this creamy-and-crunchy sip is ready to cereal-ously two-step its way into your favorites.

Nevins Soft Serve Peach Bellini Float
by Josey and Tami Nevins Mayes
Feeling nostalgic? Revisit this childhood classic—now with a boozy twist! 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. Finished with a sugary-sweet golden topping, this boozy float is a sophisticated spin on a childhood favorite that’s sure to raise a glass to Fair fun.

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

Sunset Soft Serve Rita
by 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 irresistible texture in every bite.

Tropical Coco Fresca
by Fruteria Cano
The Tropical Coco Fresca is a layered pineapple-watermelon agua fresca with chamoy lava Tajin® rim, paired with a scoop of icy coconut snow that melts into a creamy tropical explosion of flavors, sure to keep you cool in the Texas heat!
2026 Big Tex Choice Awards Semi-Finalists
- All Shook Up
- Butter-Dipped Toffee Crunch Nutty Bar
- Deep Fried Thai Tea Tres Leches Cake
- Dirty Dr Pepper® Do-Si-Do Float
- Fried Gobbler Roll
- Mango Strawberry Shortcake
- Limonata Fresca Float
- Loaded Lone Star Rings
- Love Me Jam Sandwich
- Matcha Parfait
- Midnight Ruby Rush
- Soft Serve Smoked Peach Bourbon Smash
- The Niece
- Triple Chocolate Flautas
- Twinkle Twinkle Brisket Star
Previous Big Tex Choice Award Winners
| Year | Category | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Best Taste – Savory | Crab & Mozzarella Arancini |
| Best Taste – Sweet | Chill & Thrill Delight | |
| Best Taste – Sipper | Cookie Chaos Milkshake | |
| Most Creative | Wagyu Bacon Cheeseburger Deviled Egg Sliders | |
| 2024 | Best Taste – Savory | Dominican Fritura Dog |
| Best Taste – Sweet | Rousso’s Cotton Candy Bacon on a Stick | |
| Most Creative | Texas Sugar Rush Pickles | |
| 2023 | Best Taste – Savory | Deep Fried Pho |
| Best Taste – Sweet | Biscoff Delight | |
| Most Creative | Bourbon Banana Caramel Sopapillas | |
| 2022 | Best Taste – Savory | Fried Charcuterie Board |
| Best Taste – Sweet | Peanut Butter Paradise | |
| Most Creative | Cha-Cha Chata | |
| 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 | |