It’s finally here: The 2024 Big Tex Choice Awards finalists

Finalists will compete for an braggadocious rights and a spot in the exclusive club of fried food creations.

The Big Tex Choice Awards trophies lined up together.

The winner of the Big Tex Choice Award will receive bragging rights and a trophy.

Photo provided by the State Fair of Texas

Finalists for the Big Tex Choice Awards — an annual competition of delectable, over-the-top State Fair food — have been announced. Competitors will be judged in the following categories:

    Savory snacks

    Dominican Fritura Dog | Justin Martinez
    The Drowning Taquitos | Tony & Terry Bednar
    Hippie Chips | Rose & Tom Deschenes
    Hot Chick-in-Pancake Poppers | Palmer & Amanda Fortune
    Texas Fried Burnt End Bombs | Nick & Vera Bert

    Sweet treats

    Nevins Nutty Bar-laska | Tami Nevins Mayes & Josey Mayes
    Rousso’s Cotton Candy Bacon on a Stick | Isaac Rousso
    Strawberry Pop-Tarts® Beignettfle | Justin Martinez
    Texas Sugar Rush Pickles | Heather Perkins
    Tropical Two-Step Punch | Binh Tran

    How the finalists were chosen

    From a record-breaking 65 entries submitted by 40 concessionaires, 24 semi-finalists were chosen based on uniqueness, creativity, presentation, and taste.

    For the competition, internal judges sampled the food items without knowing their origins. They evaluated each entry on three aspects: how appealing it was to fairgoers, its creativity, and its taste. The final three winners will be revealed by fair officials on August 22.

    Even if your favorite semi-finalist didn’t make the final cut, many vendors may still feature their innovative creations at their stands this year. The competition promises a delicious showcase of Texan culinary creativity at the most Texan place on Earth.

    Do you smell all that fried goodness through the screen? Imagine how it will taste in person. What are you excited to try? Let us know.

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