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Top 10 Big Tex Choice Awards Finalists Create a Feast You Have to See to Believe

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For the first time in 13 years, the State Fair of Texas has outdone itself by naming ten fair food finalists in the Big Tex Choice Awards for 2017. Three of them will be crowned winners on Sunday, August 27 during the awards feast. So, if you’re looking for the best, sweet, savory, delicious, unique fair foods, we’ve got the list for you! Fair Park was all a-buzz on Wednesday, August 16, as the following ten dishes were announced as finalists for the 13th annual Big Tex Choice Awards:

1. Deep Fried Chicken Noodle Soup

Top 10 Big Tex Choice Awards Finalists Create a Feast You Have to See to Believe!

Photo: Facebook/State Fair of Texas

From the Savory category, Deep Fried Chicken Noodle Soup on a Stick created by Sherry & Chris Howard is exactly what it sounds like. Chicken noodle soup with the right home style spice mix, deep-fried, and served on a stick in bite-sized balls. They even have an indent that’s perfect for a spoonful of broth/sauce to complete the feast. And each order gets a side of crackers.

2. Deep Fried Froot Loops

Top 10 Big Tex Choice Awards Finalists Create a Feast You Have to See to Believe!

Photo: Facebook/State Fair of Texas

Deep Fried Froot Loops is a creation in the Sweet category by Gracie & Milton Whitley. An interesting take on a classic cereal, sweetened Froot Loops are mixed into whipped marshmallow, and dipped into a creamy batter prior to being deep-fried. Once they reach a nice golden brown, they’re served up topped with a bit of glaze and some powdered sugar.

3. Fat Smooth

Top 10 Big Tex Choice Awards Finalists Create a Feast You Have to See to Believe!

Photo: Facebook/State Fair of Texas

In the Sweet category, the Fat Smooth by Tami Nevins-Mayes consists of three tasty Belgium mini cream puffs on a stick which are dipped in a beignet batter including Café Du Monde. From there, they’re deep-fried, lightly dusted with powdered sugar, and covered in a drizzle of chocolate and caramel sauces.

4. Fernie’s Fried Texas Sheet Cake

Top 10 Big Tex Choice Awards Finalists Create a Feast You Have to See to Believe!

Photo: Facebook/State Fair of Texas

Also in the Sweet category is Fernie’s Fried Texas Sheet Cake. Created by Winter Family Concessions, this dish starts with a slice of fudge chocolate brownie cake which is generously covered with ground cocoa puffs, cinnamon sugar, and panko. Following that, the brownie is deep-fried, which gives it a soft, molten center and a light, crunchy exterior. After that, the brownie is glazed with a dark Dr Pepper-infused chocolate icing and served with chopped Texas pecans, some whipped cream, and a fresh strawberry cut to look like a Lady Bird Johnson rose!

5. Gulf Coast Fish Bowl

Top 10 Big Tex Choice Awards Finalists Create a Feast You Have to See to Believe!

Photo: Facebook/State Fair of Texas

The Gulf Coast Fish Bowl falls into the Sweet category and was created by Clint Probst. A fanciful beverage focusing on tropical coast flavors, it’s designed to look like an aquarium, complete with Nerds candy gravel. The drink itself is an icy, blue, alcoholic punch made from a special formulation. To complete the look, Swedish Fish “swim” throughout the ice and a slice of pineapple doubles as a decoration and the drink lid!

6. Funnel Cake Bacon Queso Burger

Top 10 Big Tex Choice Awards Finalists Create a Feast You Have to See to Believe!

Photo: Facebook/State Fair of Texas

The Funnel Cake Bacon Queso Burger created by Tom Grace & Edna Sutton is under the Savory category and begins with two funnel cakes. After frying them to a golden color, one is topped with a juicy, grilled burger patty, some crispy bacon, and some of that great queso!! The other funnel is then placed on top, and dusted with powdered sugar.

7. Pinot Noir Popcorn

Top 10 Big Tex Choice Awards Finalists Create a Feast You Have to See to Believe!

Photo: Facebook/State Fair of Texas

In the Sweet category is Pinot Noir Popcorn by The Parish Family, which is a blend of Santa Monica Kettle Corn and Pinot Noir burgundy wine powder. This wine-flavored popcorn is nicely paired with cheddar cheese flavors, lending it the perfect sweet and savory balance.

8. Surfin’ Turfin’ Tator Boat

Top 10 Big Tex Choice Awards Finalists Create a Feast You Have to See to Believe!

Photo: Facebook/State Fair of Texas

Next, in the Savory category, is Surfin’ Turfin’ Tator Boat created by Melissa & David Harrison. Delicious lobster meat which is marinated in lemon herb butter and paired with grilled, seasoned steak is stuffed into a fresh, baked potato with melted garlic butter, and topped with romano and cheddar cheeses. The entire thing is then nicely accented with an empress cut lobster claw plus a side of lemon butter to dip.

9. Texas Fajita Fries

Top 10 Big Tex Choice Awards Finalists Create a Feast You Have to See to Believe!

Photo: Facebook/State Fair of Texas

Featured in the Savory category, Texas Fajita Fries were created by Nick Bert. Lightly breaded and deep-fried beef fajita strips, seasoned with a sriracha spice mix are served up in a bread cone on a bed of Texas toothpicks (fried onions and jalapeños), with a side of sour cream guacamole hot sauce and pico de gallo.

10. The Tamale Donut

Top 10 Big Tex Choice Awards Finalists Create a Feast You Have to See to Believe!

Photo: Facebook/State Fair of Texas

The Tamale Donut made by Justin Martinez is a finalist in the Savory category. Taking traditional pork carnitas and made-from-scratch masa and turning it into a donut shape is definitely inspired! Each one is hand-shaped into a donut, fried until the outside is crisp and the inside remains soft, and then drizzled with homemade, creamy jalapeño salsa.

References:

NBC DFW

Star-Telegram