The countdown to the State Fair of Texas has turned seriously delicious: officials today announced the 15 finalists for the 2025 Big Tex Choice Awards, the fair’s iconic food-and-drink showdown that draws creative concessionaires from across the state.
This year set a new record with 76 innovative entries, and the competition just got spicier with the debut of a new “Best Taste – Sipper” category honoring standout beverages—the first time drinks are officially being judged alongside savory and sweet fare.
🌟 The Finalists: Sweet, Savory & Sip‑worthy
Best Taste – Savory Finalists:
Brisket & Brew Stuffed Pretzels (think smoky brisket and cheesy beer sauce rolled in salty pretzel dough)
Crab & Mozzarella Arancini
Deep Fried Deli Tacos
Vietnamese Crunch Dog
Wagyu Bacon Cheeseburger Deviled Egg Sliders
Best Taste – Sweet Finalists:
Candy Lemon Sour Face
Chill & Thrill Delight
Dubai Chocolate Cheesecake
Rousso’s Dubai Chocolate Funnel Cake Fries
Tex’s Toast à la Mode
Best Taste – Sipper (Drinks):
Coconut Quadruple
Cookie Chaos Milkshake
Hot Honeycomb Lemonade Shake Up
Nevins Dirty Red Bull® Tex‑Arita
Poppin’ Boba Rita
Every entry also competes for the coveted “Most Creative” title - so fairgoers can expect flavor fireworks in every bite and sip.
🔍 What to Expect at the Fair
The winners will be announced August 21 after live tasting by a panel of judges, marking the kickoff of culinary competition before the fair even starts.
The 2025 State Fair of Texas opens September 26 and runs through October 19 in Dallas’s iconic Fair Park—drawing more than 2 million visitors annually to the country’s largest state fair.
This year’s lineup is all about bold flavor fusion—from brisket-stuffed pretzels to jalapeño cheesecake poppers and Dubai chocolate extravaganzas. And for the first time, the drinks could steal the show.
🎟 Why Fairgoers Should Care
Taste-test for yourself: finalists will be available at the fair whether they win or not.
Find your new favorite: from sweet to savory to sipping innovations, these dishes are conversation starters—and potential social-media stars.
As they say in Texas: go big or go home. And this year, Big Tex and the Big Tex Choice Awards are going bigger than ever. Stay tuned to KRLD.com closer to September for maps, must-try vendor locations, and tickets.
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