We've been telling you about the insane, amazing food and drink that made it into the State Fair of Texas Big Tex Choice Awards this year and to be honest, we didn't think it could get any better than the Cotton Candy Taco, Fernie's Orange You Glad We Fried It?!, and Texas Twang-kie. But wait, there's even greater state fair food to be found this year.
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You're going to need to plan two or three days to get through the food at the Texas state fair. First, there are the Big Tex Choice Award winners: Fernie's Hoppin' John Cake with Jackpot Sauce, Arroz con Leche, and the aforementioned Cotton Candy Taco. The new foods at the fair this year also include all the Big Tex Choice semi-finalists and more than a few of the finalists, plus fun Texas food takes on nachos, egg rolls, and other deep-fried fair favorites. And then there are the drinks, with something to make everyone from kid to adult happy.
The State Fair of Texas will run from Friday, September 28, to Sunday, October 21, and the Fair Park is located in Dallas (get directions and parking info here).
Here's a list of all the new beverages and food at the Texas state fair this year.
Corn Dog Ale
State Fair of Texas
There's only one place to start with this amber ale and that's the glass rimmed with yellow mustard. Yes, this is a genuine corn dog ale brewed with herbs and spices that create the smoky flavor of a classic fair favorite. But it's the mustard on the glass that really makes this beverage fair worthy.
Kool-Aid Pickle-Dilly Sangria
State Fair of Texas
Basically, this drink is an adult Koolickle and that's definitely a good thing. Pickle juice, fruit punch Kool-Aid, white wine, lemon-lime soda, and fruit, the drink is of course garnished with an actual Koolickle.
Orange Julia's Beermosa
State Fair of Texas
Since it's appropriate for adults to act like kids at the state fair, the adult beverage selection focuses on infusing those nostalgic childhood tastes into drinks that are definitely for grown-ups only. This beermosa is like drinking a boozy Push-up Pop. You get the orange Pixy Stix and vanilla ice cream on the kid side and the champagne and Blue Moon beer on the adult side, making both sides happy.
Frosty's Frozen Hot Chocolate
State Fair of Texas
Sure, it's technically fall, but it's also Texas, so the state fair weather is likely to be anything but chilly. This sweet drink, perfect for pretending the temperature is just a bit cooler, is Ghirardelli cocoa is mixed with milk, water, and ice, blended till "frosty," then topped with whipped cream, chocolate sprinkles, and finished with a marshmallow and cherry garnish.
Cherish Erbert Champagne
State Fair of Texas
Champagne, vanilla ice cream, and a cherry Pixy Stix straw make for a frozen dream of a drink. Do a State Fair of Texas brunch with this tasty liquid treat.
Fried Cup of Corn "Elotes"
State Fair of Texas
The lineup of food at the Texas state fair tends to the deep fried food bites and we're here for that trend, especially when it takes traditional street food and turns it into fair food. This elote corn blend is stuffed into a flaky pastry and fried, then served with Mexican cheese and a creamy corn dip.
Supra Stuffed Mini Sopapillas
State Fair of Texas
Mini sopapillas with a strawberry cream cheese filling. Do I really need to say anything else other than I'll take two orders, please?
King Crispy Coconut Crab Sliders
State Fair of Texas
Whole softshell crabs are dipped in homemade coconut batter and fried until perfectly golden and served on a King's Hawaiian bun with creamy Asian slaw. To make it a meal, each slider comes with fried plantains, spicy Asian mustard, and sweet/sour sauce for dipping.
Texas Thai Delight
State Fair of Texas
One of the food finalists in the Big Tex Choice Awards, this dish is Thai sticky rice infused with a coconut milk mixture, layered with mangos and more coconut, then rolled in batter and deep-fried. It's an international delight.
Pico Frito (Deep Fried Pico de Gallo)
State Fair of Texas
These are basically pico egg rolls and why hasn't anyone thought of this before? Pico de Gallo is folded into an egg wrap and deep fried, then served with a side of savory cilantro sauce.
Southern Fried Chicken Nachos
State Fair of Texas
Another fun take on nachos, with tortilla chips topped with cheese, Ro-tel, pico de gallo, and fried chicken tenders. Just be prepared to make a few loops around the fair to work off the meal.
Bacon Brittle
State Fair of Texas
Crispy bacon goes to the next level with this thick cut applewood smoked bacon flavored with a hint of bourbon and turned into candied brittle.
Fruity Dessert Nachos
State Fair of Texas
It's fresh berries and bananas, so technically, this dessert with crunchy butter cookies, crème anglaise, Ghirardelli chocolate sauce, and whipped cream counts as healthy (at least as far as food at the Texas state fair goes).
Fletcher's Cheezy Pup
State Fair of Texas
Rounding out our look at new food at the Texas state fair is another take on the traditional Fletcher's corny dog. This smaller version is all cheese, with soft cheese on a stick dipped in Fletcher's batter and deep fried.
