Photo courtesy of State Fair of Texas.
While there’s plenty to see at the 2024 State Fair of Texas, a major highlight will be all of the weird and unique foods you can sample.
The State Fair of Texas dates all the way back to 1886. Since then, it’s continued to promote agriculture, education, and community involvement among Texans and visitors alike. As the years have rolled on, the State Fair has also become a destination for some of the most unusual cuisine around.
For a few glorious weeks (September 27 to October 20, 2024) you can give your taste buds an experience they won’t soon forget. Let’s explore ten of the weirdest foods to try at the State Fair of Texas, including some 2024 finalists for savory and sweet treats.
1. Dominican Fritura Dog
Justin Martinez, the creator of the Fritura Dog, has a simple goal for State Fair of Texas visitors. He wants them to “try something they don’t normally try.” This snack is likely on that list. A Dominican salami is covered in fritura cheese and deep-fried. The result is split open and topped with garlic plantain chips and a “top-secret” Dominican sauce, a unique take on the traditional corn dog state fair staple.
Photo courtesy of State Fair of Texas.
2. Deep-Fried Honey Butter Brisket Swirls
A good rule of thumb is that you can find a deep-fried version of just about anything at the Texas State Fair. However, that doesn’t stop vendors from finding impressive ways to deliver fried goodness. Smokey John’s Bar-B-Que & Home Cooking takes tender Texas brisket and swirls it up alongside fried dough. The honey butter sauce is a perfect accouterment for dipping or drizzling all over your brisket treats.
Photo courtesy of State Fair of Texas.
3. Hot Chick-In-Pancake Poppers
You may get lucky with a breezy fall day during the State Fair of Texas, but chances are high that you’ll still encounter some hot weather. Why not turn the heat up even more with a little taste of Nashville? The city’s hot chicken is rolled with pimiento cheese and deep-fried into mini pancake balls. Palmer and Amanda Fortune top off their concoction with Nashville hot powdered sugar and Sriracha honey. Bonus points if you flip one of the poppers into your mouth and walk away cool and collected like you do such stunts all the time.
Photo courtesy of State Fair of Texas.
4. The Drowning Taquitos
Don’t cry for the taquitos; this is how they would have wanted to go out. You’ll get a trio of deep-fried tortillas filled with shredded chicken, and they do their best cannonball into a cup full of goodies, including a cream sauce, guacamole salsa, jalapeños, avocado, Cotija cheese, and more. The cup is an excellent vessel for transporting the goodies as you take in the sights and sounds (and tastes) of the fair.
Photo courtesy of State Fair of Texas.
5. Deep-fried Vietnamese Coffee
Perhaps you’ve tried classic Vietnamese coffee before. Maybe you’ve even gotten an iced version or indulged in a boozy twist on the drink. Chances are you didn’t have it deep-fried, but that’s the magic of the State Fair. Eat Crispies owner Michele Le took home the 2023 Big Tex Choice Award for the best savory dish with her Deep Fried Pho. While that’s an indulgent dish, eating something that’s normally a liquid as a fried dessert is too quirky to pass up.
Photo courtesy of State Fair of Texas.
6. Texas Sugar Rush Pickles
When you think pickles, what comes to mind? We bet you’d get through several adjectives before you landed on “cotton candy” or “cereal,” yet that’s exactly what you’ll get with the Texas Sugar Rush Pickles. Created by Heather Perkins, the pickle slices are coated in one of three cereal choices: Lucky Charms, Froot Loops, or Cap’n Crunch. They’re layered in cotton candy and powdered sugar with a strawberry sundae drizzle. Then, the whole thing is dropped on a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It’ll test your sweet tooth, for sure.
Photo courtesy of State Fair of Texas.
7. Strawberry + Cream Sando
This offering’s name is a bit of a misnomer—as you can tell from the picture, you’re getting a handful of fresh fruits, not only strawberries. As it turns out, bananas, peaches, and pineapples also pair exceptionally well with chantilly cream. While you might not imagine putting all those fruits on a sandwich, the softness of Japanese milk bread is just the perfect pairing. For a behind-the-scenes look at how this sandwich is made, check out a sneak-peek video from Sandoitchi.
Photo courtesy of State Fair of Texas.
8. Rousso’s Cotton Candy Bacon on a Stick
If sizzling bacon is music to your ears, you’ll want to stop by Isaac Rousso’s booth for a bite. He cooks up a foot-long slab of bacon, then tosses it into a cotton candy machine to caramelize the center, creating a delectable mix of sweet and savory. Deep down, you know that eating anything off of a stick increases its appeal.
Photo courtesy of State Fair of Texas.
9. Nevins Nutty Bar-Laska
Years ago, I did a “sugar detox” with a group of friends. The gist was we’d go three weeks without any processed sugar and then celebrate with a favorite treat after making it through that 21st day. That idea turned into an extravagant feast, with cookies, chocolate bars, candy galore—you name it, we probably indulged. The Nevins Nutty Bar-Laska, made by Tami Nevins Mayes and Josie Mayes, follows that same spirit of putting a ton of sweet treats in one plate. If a nutty bar wasn’t enough, you’re also getting toasted marshmallow, a pair of Oreos, strawberry sauce, and freeze-dried strawberry pieces. It’s a cacophony of sweetness in the best way.
Photo courtesy of State Fair of Texas.
10. Taki Ramen Tostada
At this point, you’re probably not surprised by the creativity and blending of flavors. This offering from Trio on the Green turns a classic college option on its head (and spins it around, for good measure). This dish starts with a flash-fried ramen noodle cake, which is then smothered with seasoned taco meat and sprinkled with crispy Asian sesame seed slaw and garlic lime aioli. The topper is a Mexican queso blanco and crumbled Takis, the “magma in your mouth” chips. The fusion of Mexican and Asian flavors is a standout and highly delicious.
Photo courtesy of State Fair of Texas.
This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
