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.
2019 Big Tex Choice Award Winners
Winner "Best Taste - Savory"
RUTH’S STUFFED FRIED TACO CONE
by Ruth Hauntz
Winner "Best Taste - Sweet"
BIG RED® CHICKEN BREAD
by Brent and Juan Reaves
Winner "Most Creative"
FLA’MANGO TANGO
by the Garza Family
2019 Savory Finalists
Calypso Island Shrimp Bowl
by Stephen Alade
Tasty and colorful tropical cabbage stir fry 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.
Fernie’s Fried Burnt End Burrito
by Winter Family Concessions
The pinnacle of barbecue combined with everyone’s favorite spicy appetizer! A large flour tortilla is filled with a jalapeno popper spread of cream cheese, savory bacon, Mexican blend cheese, mildly spicy diced jalapenos, pepper jack and smoky nuggets of barbecue burnt ends. Quick fried to a golden brown crispy and served with a sweet tangy, spicy barbecue sauce.
Ruth’s Stuffed Fried Taco Cone
by Ruth Hauntz
Tender, savory, marinated, slow-cooked barbacoa served in an ice cream cone-shaped tortilla shell with black beans and cilantro lime rice. It is topped with pico de gallo, queso fresco, and homemade salsa verde. The perfect handheld treat to enjoy while strolling through the Fair.
Southern Fried Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo Ball
by Greg Parish
A golden fried ball, filled with fettuccine alfredo, Southern fried chicken bites, and fresh mozzarella cheese. The ball is garnished with house made alfredo sauce, grated parmesan cheese, Italian parsley, fresh basil, and cracked black pepper. Served with a side of flash fried lemon pepper asparagus spears, and a toasted garlic parmesan baguette. A beautiful fusion where rustic Italian flavors are treated to our Southern hospitality.
Texas Cream Corn Casserole Fritters
by Clint Probst
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, chopped bacon and freshly diced jalapenos. Instead of baking, the Corn Casserole is fried into crispy, lightly browned fluffy pillows of frittery goodness! Four to an order are arranged around a Cream Corn Queso Blanco for dipping and sharing!
2019 Sweet Finalists
Big Red® Chicken Bread
by Brent & Juan Reaves
This new 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. So long chicken and waffles, hello Big Red® Chicken Bread!
Deep Fried Bayou Fruit Bites
by Terrence & Lisa Henderson
This delectable dessert is produced using fresh fruit wedges that are battered, deep fried, and sensuously coated in a secret sweet confection. It is finished with creamy whipped topping and drizzled with warm caramel sauce. For those with an extreme sweet tooth, additional toppings include candy, chocolate chips, walnuts, pecans, and assorted berries. These Bayou fruit bites are deliriously delicious!
Fla’Mango Tango
by Garza Family
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. Presto’ Chango, that tangy explosion’s a Mango Tango!
Peanut Butter Cup Snookie
by Michelle Edwards
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
by Glen Kusak
A decadent treat made from thin chocolate cookies crushed into crumbs combined with deliciously rich cream cheese. Super sweet mini white chocolate chips are added to make this truffle an unforgettable piece of gold. Hand-rolled into balls and coated in a golden breading consisting of vanilla wafers, corn flakes, cinnamon, and nutmeg, they are fried to a delicate crunch on the outside and creamy sweetness on the inside.
2019 Big Tex Choice Awards Semi-Finalists
| Savory | Sweet |
|---|---|
| BBQ Pork Rangoons | Big Red® Chicken Bread |
| Cajun Crab Bombs | Champagne Jell-O® Hot Shot |
| Calypso Island Shrimp Bowl | Deep Fried Bayou Fruit Bites |
| Chicks in a Cone | Deep Fried CRACKER JACK® |
| Deep Fried Chicken Cordon Bleu Stuffed Waffles | Deep Fried Energy Bites |
| Deep Fried Mexican Mole | Deep Fried Nutella® Custard Stuffed French Toast |
| Deep Fried Street Corn | Extreme Fried Bananarama |
| Deep Fried Texican | Fla’Mango Tango |
| Fried Burnt End Burrito | Fried Crème Brulee Berry Crunch |
| Fry Rub & Rye | Fried Oreo® Gelato Pop |
| Good Ole Creole Boudin Egg Roll with Pepper Jack Cheese | Fried Southern Bourbon Bread Pudding |
| Loaded Baked Potato Funnel Cake | Peanut Butter Cup Snookie |
| PB&J Bacon Pickle Dog | Quick Fried “Black Gold” Truffles |
| Pig in a Cannoli | |
| Southern Fried Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo Ball | |
| Stokin-Smokin Cowboy’s Bacon and Brisket Egg Roll | |
| Stuffed Fried Mexi-Cone | |
| Texas Cream Corn Casserole Fritters | |
| Texas Fried Fritos® Pie Burrito Dog | |
| The “Ain’t No Lie it’s Fried” Steak |
2018 Big Tex Choice Award Winners
Winner "Best Taste - Savory"
Fernie’s Hoppin’ John Cake with Jackpot Sauce
by Winter Family Concessions
Winner "Best Taste - Sweet"
Arroz con Leche (Sweet Crispy Rice)
by Garza Family
Winner "Most Creative"
Cotton Candy Taco
by Justin and Rudy Martinez
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 |