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Best New Food At The State Fair: Cotton Candy Taco, Hoppin’ John Cake And Arroz Con Leche

The State Fair of Texas is so close you can taste it.

A panel of judges crowned the best new foods dreamed up for this year’s fair during the 14th annual Big Tex Choice Awards Sunday afternoon in Fair Park.

Ten finalists were taste tested by seven judges for three possible awards: Most Creative, Best Taste — Savory and Best Taste — Sweet. The competition began with 49 entries that were narrowed to 31 semifinalists in July.

Without further ado: The Cotton Candy Taco by Justin and Rudy Martinez won for creativity; Fernie's Hoppin’ John Cake with Jackpot Sauce by Winter Family Concessions owned savory; and Arroz con Leche by the Garza Family claimed the sweetness superlative. (See photos with descriptions in the gallery above.)

If you had your eye on one of the other items, they could still be available if the concessionaire chooses to sell them. Bookmark this page for the skinny on new fair food and where to find it. 

The State Fair of Texas opens Sept. 28 and runs through Oct. 21.