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 is underway this year’s semi-finalists have been announced! The 18th Annual Big Tex® Choice Awards offers another year of exciting bites for all appetites. The 2022 lineup is bursting with flavor – whether you love savory or sweet, you’re in for a treat this year. Comprised of 19 savory and 17 sweet entries, these semi-finalist contenders are one step closer to the main event, where they will compete for one of three winning titles: “Best Taste – Savory,” “Best Taste – Sweet,” and “Most Creative.”
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 Buc-ee’s® |
| Crispy Dilly Dog | Deep Fried Honey |
| Deep Fried BLT | Deep Fried Praline Cheesecake Eggroll |
| Deep Fried Brisket Cheese Sticks | Deep Fried Rocky Road with Blue Bell Ice Cream® |
| Deep Fried Lasagna Roll | Deep Fried Southern Dessert Dumplings |
| Deep Fried Texas Country Cookout | Deep Fried Strawberry Shortcake Crunch Roll |
| Dim Sum Loco Burritos | Doh-Muff |
| Fried Charcuterie Board | Fat Elvis |
| Fried Soul Food Eggroll | Fried Texas Fruit Salad |
| Holy Biscuit | La Bluebonnet |
| Shaking Beef Salad | Peanut Butter Paradise |
| Southern Fried Chicken and Sweet Potato Pie Waffles Sliders | Raspberry Chipotle Sopapilla Cheesecake |
| Texas Hot Bull Ride | Smoked Bacon Wrapped Cookie Dough Balls |
| Texas Ranch Hog Wings | The Ultimate Brookie Monster |
| Texas Slide | Triple Lemon Bliss |
| 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 | |