Big Tex Brings Big Taste This Year

Get your taste buds ready! Texas’ most creative fair foods are vying for the ultimate bragging rights. The State Fair of Texas is proud to present the finalists for the 22nd Annual Big Tex Choice Awards presented by Karbach Brewing Company.

Earlier this year, the competition kicked off with a record-breaking 77 entries from 46 different concessionaires. Open exclusively to State Fair of Texas concessionaires with at least two years of experience at the fair, the Big Tex Choice Awards celebrate the creativity, passion, and dedication of the small business owners who help make fair food one of Texas’ most beloved traditions. From the original 77 entries, these top 15 finalists competed for the coveted 2026 Big Tex Choice Awards titles of Best Savory, Best Sweet, Best Sipper, and Most Creative.

To earn a spot among this year’s finalists, concessionaires first put their imaginations to the test by submitting an original recipe complete with an enticing name and description. From there, entries undergo the Big Tex Choice Awards’ signature blind judging process, where a panel of internal judges evaluates each submission without knowing which concessionaire created it. By keeping every recipe anonymous, the competition ensures judges evaluate each entry solely on its own merits.

SAVORY

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 sits atop a bed of cheddar cheese tater tots formed into a taco shell, then finished with buffalo buttermilk ranch coleslaw, garlic parmesan buffalo sauce, and more tots for the ultimate Burger Chop Tater Tacos.

Dickel’s Texas Two Step Tacos by Dickel’s Smokehouse

This delicious taco duo 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.

Flamin’ Crunch Pizza by Tom Grace

The Flamin’ Crunch Pizza consists of hand-tossed, fresh-made pizza dough topped with a 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?

Golden Crunch Melt by Tony & Terry Bednar

Get ready for the ultimate Texas fair-food crunch. A tortilla brushed with 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-cheese blend, and crispy potato strings in every bite, then finished with a signature smoky chipotle crema. The result is the perfect combination of crunch, creamy heat, and cheesy goodness — the Golden Crunch Melt.

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.

SWEET

Berry Me in Matcha by Stephen El Gidi

This luxurious flavor experience 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.

Fernie’s Frozen Espresso-tini Bar by Christi Erpillo & Johnna McKee

This 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.

Fletcher’s Chocolate Corny Dog by Beck Fletcher

This special “dog” consists of smooth milk chocolate fudge hand-dipped in Fletcher’s famous Original Corny Dog batter and is deep-fried until golden perfection. It’s 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.

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.

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, and white chocolate sauce, then finished with a signature Biscoff cookie for one unforgettable State Fair bite.

SIPPERS

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 Tami & Josey Nevins Mayes

Feeling nostalgic? Revisit this childhood classic — now with a boozy twist. The Nevins Soft Serve Peach Bellini Float features 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 State Fair fun.

Rousso’s Bacon Jam Caramel Apple Hard Cider by Rousso’s Concessions

Straight from Deep Ellum, this cocktail features hints of apples, caramel, churros, cinnamon sugar, and a smoky bacon jam twist for bold Texas flavors that hit your sweet, salty, and smooth cravings all at once.

Sunset Soft Serve Rita by Dwania Morris

This drink 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 Jose Cano

This fresh drink layers pineapple-watermelon agua fresca with chamoy lava Tajín 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. Bonus points: The creator’s business is in Fort Worth. Visit Fruteria Cano at 1000 N Sylvania Av.

While these top 15 creations earned a spot in the finalist round, the State Fair of Texas also recognizes another 15 semifinalists whose innovative entries will still make their debut at the 2026 State Fair as new foods. Fairgoers can look forward to enjoying these creative new foods throughout the fair. Read all about them and the final winners of the four categories above at BigTex.com or on social media @StateFairofTX on Instagram and Facebook. 

The 2026 State Fair of Texas, themed “Stars, Stripes, & Howdies,” is open Fri, Sep 25, thru Sun, Oct 19. For tickets or more promotional information, go to BigTex.com/Tickets.