2023 Big Tex Choice Awards finalists unveiled

Dallas, Texas - The State Fair of Texas has announced the finalists for the 2023 Big Tex Choice Awards. This competition, which began in 2005, draws visitors from various regions as concessionaires showcase their culinary talents, aiming for recognition that distinguishes the State Fair each autumn.

This year, the rigorous selection process considered 19 savory and 17 sweet entries. After thorough assessment, ten items have been shortlisted to compete at the State Fair. These will contest for three awards: “Best Taste – Savory,” “Best Taste – Sweet,” and “Most Creative.”

State Fair of Texas 2023 Big Tex Choice Awards Finalists

2023 Savory Finalists:

• Deep Fried Cheesy Crab Tater Bites: This dish combines crab meat, potato, cheese, and a blend of spices. Once fried, they pair perfectly with a cheesy Cajun sauce, enriched with a traditional mixture of onions, bell peppers, and celery, and further enhanced by crawfish.
• Deep Fried Pho: This dish adapts the beloved Vietnamese comfort food into a Texan delicacy. It offers a balanced blend of noodles, beef, herbs, bean sprouts, and a hint of pho broth. Accompaniments include a side of pho broth for dipping, garnished with lime, jalapeños, cilantro, hoisin sauce, and sriracha.
• Loaded Fries Pizza: A 16-inch pizza topped with buttermilk ranch dressing, mozzarella cheese, French fries, cheddar cheese, and bacon. Finished with a touch of fresh chives.
• OX’cellent Soul Roll: This dish innovatively presents beef oxtails with cornbread, butter, celery, and onions in a deep-fried spring roll format.
• Turkey Ribs: A novel take on a holiday favorite, these fried ribs come with stuffing seasoned fries, giblet gravy, and a unique salsa. The Texas Style variation adds BBQ sauce fries, jalapeños, and pickles.

2023 Sweet Finalists:

• Biscoff Delight: New York-style cheesecake coated in Belgian chocolate, Biscoff cookie crumbs, and a Biscoff spread, crowned with a Biscoff cookie.
• Bourbon Banana Caramel Sopapillas: Sopapillas topped with caramel-infused bananas, bourbon syrup, candied pecans, mascarpone cheese, Nilla Wafers, and powdered sugar.
• Fernie’s Fried Cherry Pie in the Sky: A reinterpretation of the classic cherry pie, combined with cherry cobbler flavors, served with Blue Bell vanilla ice cream, cherry preserves, whipped cream, and sugared cherries.
• Sweet Encanto: A waffle based dessert featuring caramel dulce de leche, a mix of fruit and coconut, topped with raspberry jam and condensed milk, representing Latin American flavors.
• Trail-Ade: A refreshing beverage of summer fruits, cucumbers, and mint, blended with homemade lemonade. It is presented in a souvenir cowboy boot cup, fitting for the Texas summer.

The State Fair of Texas, a significant cultural event, begins on Friday, September 29, and will run until Sunday, October 22. It invites visitors to experience the rich and diverse tastes that reflect both Texan heritage and contemporary culinary innovation.

Credit: State Fair of Texas, Dallas Metro News