The State Fair of Texas this morning announced the eight finalists for its annual Big Tex Choice Awards, which honors the best in craziest fried fair food.
Here’s the (potentially) artery-clogging menu for 2016:
Southern Fried Chicken & Dumplins: Shredded chicken, seasoning, dough and a touch of gravy is rolled into balls, coated in bread crumbs and deep-fried. Fried ‘”biscuit bites” and gravy are served on the side.
Injectable Great Balls of BBQ: These deep-fried brisket balls come with a pipette to inject bock barbecue sauce.
Deep Fried Bacon Burger Dog Slider on a Stick: This triple-threat features a beef patty stuffed with cheddar cheese, bacon and a beef hot dog between a Hawaiian Roll. The whole thing is then fried and skewered.
State Fair Cookie Fries: Essentially cookies in fry form, complete with the crinkle-cut look. You get your choice of chocolate chip or sprinkle flavors, along with a strawberry or chocolate sauce for dipping.
Fried Jell-O: It wouldn’t be a State Fair without something unusual as a Big Tex Choice finalist. Cherry-
flavored Jell-O is covered in panko breading, fried, and then topped with powder sugar, whipped cream, and cherry garnish. According to the judges, “this dish has the perfect amount of crunch to compliment the jiggle.”
Deep Fried Pulled Pork Funyun Dings: This dish takes a gas station-favorite snack and adds some heft. It’s stuffed with pulled pork, pepper jack cheese, pineapple slices and bacon before it’s deep fried in batter.
Carribbean Pineapple Korn-A-Kopia: Served in a pineapple half shell, the Korn-A-Kopia features marinated grilled chicken and shrimp served over yellow Caribbean fried rice, topped with salsa and pineapple rum glaze.
Fernie’s Down Home Chicken Pot Pie Pocket with Mac-n-Cheese Dip: Chicken pot pie ingredients are folded “hot pocket” style into pastry dough and deep fried. Comes with a side-serving of mac ‘n cheese-inspired dip.
A team of judges will pick the “best-tasting” and “Most Creative” dish at the Big Tex Choice Awards Aug. 28.
If your favorite doesn’t win, you can still try any of the finalists at the State Fair. It runs from Sept. 30 through Oct. 23 at Fair Park in Dallas. If you can’t wait that long, the State Fair is selling tickets to the judging and tasting event here.
