Big Tex Choice Awards 2023: Winners Announced – Innovative State Fair Dishes
VisitDallas sponsored the 13th annual Big Tex Choice Awards, held Sunday, and announced the winners of Texas's most inventive fair food. Check out who took home the prizes for Best Taste and Most Creative, and be sure to sample all 10 finalists' new dishes at the State Fair of Texas, opening on Sept. 29.
Funnel Cake Bacon Queso Burger – Best Taste & Most Creative
Created by Tom Grace & Edna Sutton, this dish fuses the State Fair’s beloved funnel cake buns with a juicy burger, bacon, and queso. Dusted with powdered sugar and extra cheese, it’s a savory, crowd‑pleasing triumph.
Fernie's Fried Texas Sheet Cake
Created by Winter Family Concessions. This chocolate‑brownie sheet cake is coated in ground cocoa puffs, panko, and cinnamon sugar, then fried and glazed with dark chocolate icing made with Dr. Pepper®. Topped with chopped pecans, whipped cream, and a juicy strawberry.
Deep Fried Chicken Noodle Soup on a Stick
Created by Sherry & Chris Howard. Deep‑fried chicken noodle soup served on a stick, accompanied by a savory broth sauce and crackers for dipping.
The Tamale Donut
Created by Justin Martinez. A tamale stuffed with slow‑cooked pork carnitas, shaped like a donut, fried until crispy, and finished with homemade jalapeño salsa.
Deep Fried Froot Loops®
Created by Gracie & Milton Whitley. Classic Froot Loops® are folded into whipped marshmallow, dipped in a creamy batter, fried, then topped with glaze drizzle and powdered sugar.
Fat Smooth
Created by Tami Nevins-Mayes. Three mini cream puffs dipped in Café Du Monde® beignet batter, fried, dusted with powdered sugar, and drizzled with chocolate and caramel.
Gulf Coast Fish Bowl – Best Taste (Sweet)
Created by Clint Probst. Served in a 16‑ounce fish bowl, this tropical beverage combines a blue Hawaiian, alcoholic punch, ice, Swedish Fish®, and Nerds® candy for sweet and crunchy bites with every sip.
Surfin' Turfin' Tator Boat
Created by Melissa & David Harrison. A baked potato loaded with garlic butter, lobster meat, steak, two cheeses, topped with a lobster claw and a side of lemon butter.
Pinot Noir Popcorn
Created by The Parish Family. Wine‑flavored kettle corn dusted with Pinot Noir burgundy wine powder and blended with cheddar cheese, perfect for snacking during the fair.
Texas Fajita Fries
Created by Nick Bert. Fried beef fajita strips breaded and seasoned with a spicy mix, served in a bread cone with fried onions, jalapeños, pico de gallo, and a side of sour‑cream guacamole hot sauce.
