The 2026 State Fair of Texas is nearly upon us! From Sept. 25–Oct. 18, the fairgrounds will welcome over 2 million guests, ranging from long-time Texan attendees to first-time out-of-towners.
The fair is full of traditional attractions, such as midway games, rides, and live music. You’ll also find more uniquely Texan activities, including livestock exhibitions, auto shows, cooking classes, and, of course, Big Tex himself, who proudly stands and welcomes visitors to the fair. Even better, the fair is lowering its ticket prices this year, making the fun more accessible for everyone.
As is the case every year, the State Fair of Texas has no shortage of food vendors producing a staggering variety of unique dishes. Since a trip to the fair isn’t complete without filling your belly, let’s take a culinary tour of some of the more exotic items you can try.
Flamin’ Crunch Pizza
When you think about pizza toppings, what comes to mind? Obviously, there’s cheese, with pepperoni or sausage if you’re a meaty pizza connoisseur, and mushrooms and peppers for veggie fans. Perhaps some pineapple, should you desire a divisive discussion. However, we doubt “Flamin’ Hot Cheetos” would be among the ingredients you’d put on a pizza, which is what makes the Flamin’ Crunch Pizza so intriguing. Not only are Chester Cheeto’s favorite treats included, but you’ll also get a drizzle of jalapeño queso blanco and house-made buffalo buttermilk ranch to offer some additional spice.
Dickel’s Two Step Tacos
You’re not required to know how to two-step to sample Dickel’s Two Step Tacos; you just need to know how to eat. This duo provides the best the smokehouse has to offer. Your first taco is fire-roasted jalapeño stuffed with pineapple pork sausage and melted mozzarella on a blue corn tortilla. The second taco, built on a yellow corn tortilla, brings brisket wrapped around a roasted jalapeño and topped with mozzarella and pickled onion. Top it off with a sweet and smoky barbecue sauce or Lone Star Habanero Fuego, and you might find yourself dancing around the fair’s walkways, after all.
Holy Flan! Buñueloco
It’s a lot more enjoyable to order a dish that’s fun to say. And you’ll be yelling (literally) for the Holy Flan! Buñueloco, though you might simply be sighing “mmm” after you finish it. This is one of the most loaded desserts in the entire fair: A warm and crispy buñuelo bowl gets filled with homemade arroz con leche and a scoop of cinnamon Blue Bell ice cream. That’s already a solid treat, but you’re also getting deep-fried flan inside of a puff pastry shell, and the whole thing is topped with whipped cream and caramel. It’s a chef’s kiss of flavor, which also happens to be a good move to lick any leftover whipped cream off your fingers.
Texas Pecan Praline Cheesecake Cone
This dessert, from the creative mind of Brad Weiss, gives the Holy Flan! Buñueloco a run for its money in terms of jam-packed flavor. The behemoth Texas Pecan Praline Cheesecake Cone presents a warm waffle cone dipped in white chocolate, rolled in Texas pecan praline, crushed Biscoff cookies, and freeze-dried strawberries. It’s then filled to the brim with cookie butter cheesecake, whipped cream, Biscoff crumble, cookie butter drizzle, and white chocolate sauce, all topped with a Biscoff cookie. If you’re wearing a hat when you eat this, you’ll almost certainly tip it in a sign of respect.
Fletcher’s Chocolate Corny Dog
A corn dog is one of the most iconic state fair staples. While that option will still be available for traditionalists, Fletcher’s is turning the classic on its head (or stick). The company is still using its Original Corny Dog batter, but instead of a hot dog interior, you’ll find milk chocolate fudge. Add a squirt of yellow vanilla icing that looks suspiciously like mustard—yet thankfully doesn’t taste like it—and a raspberry compote for dipping, and this is one sweet extravagance.
Fernie’s Frozen Espresso-Tini Bar
Even though the State Fair of Texas takes place in the fall, it can still be plenty toasty outside. Since we don’t have a massive pool to jump into, a cool treat is the next best option. Fernie’s Frozen Espresso-Tini Bar pairs cold-brew espresso with a shot of Fernie’s Funnel Cake Cream Cocktail, and the chocolate shell drizzle coating serves as a top-notch garnish. As a nice touch, if you and a friend each get one, you can cheers bars before taking your first bite.
Corn Flake Shappé
An enduring slogan of Kellogg’s Corn Flakes has been “the best to you each morning.” It turns out that Corn Flakes can be an excellent afternoon indulgence, too, particularly when paired with a ton of other sweet goodness. Milton and Gracie Whitley have invented the Corn Flake Shappé, which combines the cereal with dulce de leche, Texas pecan notes, and “a signature blend of warm spices.” The shappé also has an impressive smattering of toppings, from strawberry crumble to powdered sugar to a golden corn flake crunch. It means cereal … er, serious business.
Rousso’s Bacon Jam Caramel Apple Hard Cider
Perhaps you’ve never had the (mis)fortune of bobbing for apples, but for a certain age group, it was a rite of passage. Plunge your face into a large bucket to try and grab an apple using only your mouth. Sounds exquisite, doesn’t it? Luckily, you can get your apple fix in drink form at the State Fair of Texas, courtesy of Rousso’s Bacon Jam Caramel Apple Hard Cider. This refreshing beverage combines apples, caramel, churros, cinnamon sugar, and a smoky bacon jam twist. Together, it hits the perfect note of salty and sweet in refreshingly smooth sips.
Other State Fair of Texas tips
While food is a major part of the State Fair of Texas, there are ample activities to enjoy. Here’s how to maximize your experience.
- Visit on a weekday or later in the day: Admission to the State Fair of Texas is cheaper during the week; adults pay $15 for weekday admission and $25 for weekends. Weekday admission after 5 p.m. drops to $10 for all attendees, and weekend entry post-5 p.m. falls to $20.
- Take advantage of special deals: The fair will run occasional deals throughout its stay. Feed the Need Wednesdays cuts admission to $7 for visitors who bring five canned food items to donate to the North Texas Food Bank. Additionally, every Thursday offers special food pricing for certain items, including funnel cakes, cotton candy, and pickle pizza. Some vendors will also discount a particular dish. It’s a great way to sample more things at a reasonable price.
- Consider a combo: The State Fair of Texas has a variety of ticket options. While you can buy in-person at the fair itself, you can often score savings by purchasing online in advance. The Season Pass packages come with perks like midway and food tickets and free “bring-a-friend” additions. Not quite sure what day you’ll attend? Try a FLEX ticket, which is good for any day of the fair. These tickets come with free carousel rides and parking included, while supplies last.
- Bring your leftover food and midway tickets: If you’ve previously attended the State Fair of Texas, you might have a few food and midway tickets remaining. While you can’t re-use an old admission ticket, those food and midway tickets are fair game. Bring them with you and enjoy a few extra turns or bites.
- Don’t forget the sunscreen and hats: While September and October are a bit cooler than the summer months, they’re still pretty darn hot, and the sun will be fierce throughout the day. Remember to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and hats to stay protected. All bags and soft-shelled coolers are permitted, though the State Fair of Texas recommends a clear bag to keep the entry process moving smoothly.
The State Fair of Texas is an annual Lone Star State tradition. Whether you attend once or frequently throughout the season, we hope you have a terrific time sampling the creative menu!
This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
READ MORE: State Fair of Texas makes fairgoing more affordable for families
