Fried Foods Are Back

State Fair of Texas teases with early peek at Big Tex Choice Awards 2016

The State Fair of Texas gives statuettes for best food treats, as they did for this 2014 winner.

For the first time, the State Fair of Texas has pulled back the curtain early on its Big Tex Choice Awards, its annual (fried) food competition, by releasing the list of semifinalists.

And judging by names alone — which is how this round works — they sure do love bacon. Entries include bacon-wrapped churros, bacon-wrapped pork belly on a stick, bacon burger dogs on a stick, bacon-wrapped tater dog, a "Bacontilla," and Dorito bacon fried cheese stick.

Pineapple is popular too, with "Caribbean pineapple Korn-a-Copia," fried "Pinatacolupa," and another entry called "Pina-A lot-Ta."

The oddest entry has to be fried Jell-O.

In prior years, the fair waited until August to reveal its eight finalists. But this is the 12th Annual Big Tex Choice Awards, and the event has become one of the fair's biggest PR successes. As its visibility has climbed, they've introduced a new twist every year, such as offering the public "VIP" tickets to the judging.

Unveiling the semifinalists, a previously unknown group, is its latest ploy to stretch out the buzz.

Here's the list of 2016 Big Tex Choice Awards semifinalists:

Bacon Wrapped Churros
Down Home Chicken Pot Pie Pocket (with mac 'n' cheese dip)
Bacon Wrapped Pork Belly on a Stick
Fried Cookies & Cream Sundae
Barn Yard Burger
Fried Jell-O
Buffalo Chicken Jalapeno Poppers
Fried Prime Rib Quesadill"O"
Caribbean Pineapple Korn-a-Copia
Funnel Cake Sundae
Crunchy Fried Oinkers
Holy Guacamole Balls
Dallas' Fried Bacontilla
Injectable Great Balls of BBQ
Deep Fried Bacon Burger Dog Sliders on a Stick
Loaded Bacon Mashed Potato Egg Roll
Deep Fried Bacon Wrapped Tater Dog
Lollipop Fried Bacon Wrapped Quail Breast on a Stick
Deep Fried Cannoli Bites
Pina-A lot-Ta
Deep Fried Cheeseburger Stuffed Onion Rings
Seductive Fried Sea Salt Caramel Wrap
Deep Fried Chicken Basket
Shrimp Fritters
Deep Fried Hawaiian Hoops
Southern Fried Chicken & Dumplin's
Deep Fried Nachos
State Fair Cookie Fries
Deep Fried Pulled Pork "Funyun" Dings
State Fair Edible Colas
Deep Fried Smoked Salmon & Bacon Croquettes
Texas Fried Buffalo Quail
Dorito Bacon Fried Cheese Stick
Texas Fried Pinatacolupa

The contest kicked off on July 12. These 34 semifinalists were chosen from 55 entries.

Never before released to the public, the selection process used in the competition is done by a panel of internal judges and requires blind judging from start to finish, meaning the panel does not know which concessionaire is behind each food creation.

This allows for the scoring to be based on the food entry itself and leaves no room for bias toward or against concessionaires. One year of experience as a concessionaire at the fair is required for entry.

One interesting item of note: The judges base their choices solely on which food names and descriptions sound the most appealing. Therefore, coming up with an enticing name and description is part of the game.

The tasting doesn't even begin until the next round. Over the next several weeks, judges will evaluate uniqueness, presentation, creativity, taste, and whether a fairgoer is likely to buy the item.

The eight finalists will be announced in August. Concessionaires who do not make the cut can still introduce their items as a new food.

The final judging will take place on August 28 at 2 pm in the historic Tower Building at Fair Park.

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Corny Dog Surprise

Fletcher's Corny Dogs unveils retro concession stand at 2016 State Fair of Texas

Photo courtesy of Fletcher's

Look for the return of the veggie dog at the 2016 State Fair of Texas.

One of the best known vendors at the State Fair of Texas has a surprise for the 2016 fair that evokes a spell of old-time carny nostalgia.

The vendor is Fletcher's Original Corny Dogs, maker of the fair's trademark hot dog engaged in a cornmeal crust. The surprise: a new concession stand that you could almost call tasteful, at least by the raucous standards of State Fair design.

It'll be Fletcher's seventh location, but it's one into which the Fletcher family poured their heart and soul, says proprietor Gigi Fletcher.

"We've been asking for years for a new location, and we finally got a shot," she says. "Last year, they started a new area by the extreme rides, where there were three concession trailers, including a funnel cake place and a barbecue place. The president of concessions said, 'Well, if you want to build a concession trailer ...' my husband said, 'Yes, we'll do it.'"

The family spent four months getting it built, she says.

"I think we're excited because we took some creative liberties," she says. "It doesn't look like your ordinary concession trailer. There are none of the usual pictures of the menu. Instead, we had some fun and made it about Fletcher's, with a vintage look, with red and yellow flags, and a counter outside to serve from, and 'Fletcher's' in LED lighting that'll look cool at night."

The new booth follows up on their revolutionary release from 2015, when they introduced a vegetarian version of their famous corny dog, an invention that set the state fair world on fire.

The new booth will have the complete corny dog lineup, including the original, the turkey hot dog, the corny dog with jalapeño and cheese, and last but not least, the veggie dog.

"We will have our veggie dog. It's a vegetarian hot dog, not vegan, because it's dipped in our famous batter," she says. "It'll be available at all of our Fletcher's locations this year.

"The veggie dog turned out to be such a nice surprise," she says. "Even when I'd be out walking the grounds, people would come up and ask about it."

Look for the return of the veggie dog at the 2016 State Fair of Texas.

Photo courtesy of Fletcher's

Look for the return of the veggie dog at the 2016 State Fair of Texas.

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