The Texas State Fair is an annual spectacle with jaw-dropping rides, exhibits, and, most notably, unforgettable food. Since its inception in 1886, the fair has earned a reputation for inventive, deep-fried delights that foodies flock to every fall. The Big Tex Choice Awards showcase innovative and wacky foods, so there’s no shortage of creative culinary offerings.

This year, we tasted some of the best the fair had to offer, from the quirky to the classic. Here’s a rundown of the must-try eats we experienced at the Texas State Fair.

Note, we include the prices for each item here but this is based on our 2024 experience. 1 Coupon equals 1 dollar at the Texas State Fair, and you must pay with coupons as no cash or credit forms of payment are accepted for food, drinks, or midway games.

1. Strawberry Pop-Tart Beignetffle $12

A delightful combination of a beignet and waffle, this dessert will satisfy any sweet tooth. Crispy, fluffy, and filled with that nostalgic strawberry Pop-Tart flavor, it’s topped with rainbow sprinkled whipped cream for an extra touch of indulgence. Honestly this was a standout of the fair this year. A semi-finalist Big Tex Choice Award nominee in the Sweet category, this is a must try when you visit the Texas State Fair. For 12 coupons it is also one of the more “affordable” options at the State Fair when it comes to new menu items. You can find the Strawberry Pop-Tart Beignetffle at Granny’s Funnel Cakes on Lone Star Blvd.

2. Cha-Cha Chatta $14

Inspired by the popular Mexican horchata drink, the Cha-Cha Chatta combines cinnamon, rice milk, and sweet cream in a fun concoction. It's the perfect refresher while exploring the bustling fairgrounds. This 2022 Big Tex winner for Most Creative is certainly that. Blue Bell Vanilla Ice Cream, a secret blend of whole milk and other milks, their proprietary Horchata mix all combine to make one amazingly tasty drink. It's topped with a fun assortment of authentic Mexican cookies and pastries like a caramel-filled churro and more. Located at Deep Fried Love, you won’t want to miss this tasty Big Tex winner.

3. Dominican Fritura Dog $16

This savory treat combines Dominican street food with a classic fair favorite. The Dominican Fritura Dog features Dominican Salami and Fritura Cheese double-dipped and fried in corn dog batter, topped with a secret Dominican sauce and garlic plantain chips. It's a delicious twist on a traditional corn dog and won the Big Tex Savory Award for 2024.

It wasn't an instant hit when we tried the Dominican Fritura Dog. We found the outside soft and not as crunchy as we would have liked. However, the flavors of the Dominican salami and Fritura cheeses were fantastic. It's certainly worth a try, but we didn't feel it was worthy of the Big Tex Savory award. Perhaps we just had a bad batch. The Dominican Fritura Dog is at Trio on the Green, right next to Granny’s Funnel Cakes on Lone Star Blvd. It will cost you 16 coupons for this Big Tex Award-winning treat.

4. Fletcher’s Original Corny Dog $8

No visit to the Texas State Fair is complete without trying a Fletcher’s Corny Dog. These hand-dipped corn dogs have been a tradition since 1942 and are iconic. They are also the birthplace of the Corn Dog, so we had to visit. A trip to the Texas State Fair without having a Fletcher’s Corny Dog is unimaginable. What would our childhood be like without corn dogs? We can thank Fletcher’s for this tasty delight. The corn dogs are juicy, perfectly battered, and fried to perfection, making them a must-try for anyone attending the fair. Since corn dogs are so readily available and often imitated, we wanted to see for ourselves what the original tasted like. We have to say that the imitations out there are very close, but there is something about Fletcher’s batter that makes them stand out. The hot dog itself was nothing special and honestly flavorless. They definitely are not using a high-quality hot dog. Where Fletcher’s stands out is the batter and the freshness with which it is served. The corn dogs come out piping hot and crunchy. The outside is perfectly browned and the inside is somehow fluffier than we expected. Sometimes Corn Dogs can be overcooked and almost burnt, but Fletcher’s was perfectly executed. We topped it with Mustard, which is our preferred condiment for corn dogs, and it was a hit. at $8 the Original is one of the best values at the Texas State Fair.

5. Fletcher’s Mustard Beer $10

Brand New this year at Fletcher’s is their Mustard Beer, a surprising novelty you never knew you needed! Despite its unconventional combination, the tangy mustard flavor surprisingly complements the light, refreshing beer. This unique beverage is perfect for adventurous drinkers looking to try something new. At first, we found it to be a bit shocking and an odd pairing. However, if you enjoy pickle juice and tangy drinks, you might discover Mustard Beer to your liking. Although we initially thought it might be a gimmick, the more we drank it, the more we enjoyed it. Fletcher’s collaborated with Martin House Brewing Company to create this new State Fair adult beverage.

6. Biscoff Cheesecake $15

This sweet creation combines the smoothness of cheesecake with the rich, caramelized taste of Biscoff cookies. It’s creamy, decadent, and an absolute hit among dessert lovers. This won the Big Tex Sweet Award in 2023; we would certainly agree. Located at the food court at Drizzle, you will find this fun and unique take on cheesecake. Whoever decided to put the cheesecake on a stick should be applauded—the crunch of the Biscoff cookie, hard chocolate shell, and creamy cheesecake made for a delightful experience. The cheesecake is chilled, so it stands up to the Texas heat and is easily a walkable treat to enjoy throughout the fairgrounds. The texture difference between the crunchy cookies and crust and the creamy cheesecake elevates this to more than just a cheesecake novelty. At 15 coupons, it is a more expensive treat but not too far off the costs of the other Fair Staples, but the portion size is big, so there is plenty to share, and you get your money’s worth.

7. Funnel Cake Bacon Queso Burger $15

A fusion of sweet, salty, and savory, the Funnel Cake Bacon Queso Burger lives up to the fair’s reputation for over-the-top creations. Imagine a juicy burger topped with crispy bacon and gooey queso, all sandwiched between two funnel cakes. It’s a flavor explosion you won't forget. This was a 2017 Big Tex Choice award finalist, and we certainly see why. This was not our favorite despite all of the delicious elements. It was honestly just too much and also very messy. The funnel cake was freshly fried, and the burger and bacon were well-seasoned and grilled. The queso is standard canned ballpark nacho cheese sauce, which is not great and would have been better if the queso sauce was freshly prepared. Of course, they can’t do that since they are serving thousands of people each week. You can find the Funnel Cake Bacon Queso Burger in the food court at Hand Tossed Pizza.

8. Fried Pickle Pizza $12/$13

Also, at Hand Tossed Pizza in the food court, you’ll find a Texas State Fair fan favorite, the Pickle Pizza. Taking the deep-fried craze to new heights, the Fried Pickle Pizza is a blend of crispy fried pickles atop a cheesy pizza slice. It’s an odd combo but surprisingly addictive with that tangy pickle crunch and melty cheese. For 12 or 13 coupons, you can get a fresh or fried pickle pizza. the pizza is topped with pickles, and instead of the traditional red sauce, it’s Ranch dressing. What else would it be at the Texas State Fair?

9. Hot Chick-in Poppers

Located at the Midway, you’ll find Palmer’s Hot Chicken and their 2024 Savory Finalist dish, the Hot Chick-In Poppers. These spicy chicken poppers are a hit for anyone who loves heat—Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. The pancake batter is crispy and soft, like a good pancake should be. The filling is pimento cheese and Nashville Hot Chicken, which makes for a creamy, almost chicken salad texture that we didn’t hate.

10. Cotton Candy Bacon $16

We understand if you're skeptical about Cotton Candy Bacon, but trust us, it's not as strange as it sounds. Bacon often pairs well with brown sugar or maple syrup, so why not cotton candy? The 2024 Big Tex Sweet Winner lives up to the hype. The cotton candy isn't flavored; it's not blue raspberry or artificial; it provides a sweet balance to the smoky, thick-cut bacon. While our serving wasn't as caramelized as shown in the pictures, it was still fantastic. The bacon is thick and chewy, and the cotton candy perfectly complements the salt and smoke. At 16 coupons, this is a must-try at the Texas State Fair. You can find it at the Magnolia Beer Garden, from Rousso's Cotton Candy Bacon. Cotton Candy Bacon is a winner if you enjoy sweet and savory combinations. It's a crispy strip of bacon coated in fluffy, colorful cotton candy. The strange, sweet-salty contrast somehow works perfectly.

11. Strawberry Cream Sando $16

This Japanese-inspired dessert is a soft, pillowy sandwich filled with strawberry cream. It's both light and satisfying, the perfect way to end your fair food journey on a sweet note. Located in the food court at Sandoitchi, this food stall offers chicken katsu sandos and the famous Japanese cream and fruit-filled sandwiches. For 16 coupons, this was probably the smallest item for the piece, but we have to say the freshness and tastiness of the Sando are still worth it. The sandos still have a crust that is different from traditional Japanese sandos but just on one end. The cream is silky, soft, and not overly sweet. The strawberries pair well with the subtle cream and are super fresh and juicy.

Final Thoughts

From classic corn dogs to wild new creations like the Funnel Cake Bacon Queso Burger, the Texas State Fair never disappoints regarding food or fun attractions. Whether you’re a fan of sweet, savory, or somewhere in between, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Be sure to add these items to your must-try list for next year’s fair, and don’t forget to pace yourself – with so many options, it’s easy to get carried away!

Visit the Texas State Fair if you want to experience the wildest and most inventive food combinations in the world! Check out our full YouTube video review from the Texas State Fair for more! Subscribe to our channel so you never miss a fun food or travel video.