State Fair of Texas | Big Tex Choice Awards

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

Information provided by the State Fair of Texas

FAIRTIME PARKING ADDRESS

925 S. Haskell
Dallas, Texas 75223

TELEPHONE

214-565-9931

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