The State Fair of Texas kicks off next week.
The fair has become famous for the diverse and sometimes wild food offerings.
You may not be able bring your gun into the fair this year (depending on what the courts ultimately decide) but you better bring your appetite and a bag of Tums!
CultureMap Dallas has the story:
Soon the 2024 edition of the State Fair of Texas will return in all its carny glory: Big Tex, the Midway, all of its usual traditions — but also with an unprecedented buffet of buzzy new foodstuffs that are helping to keep the annual event vital and up to date.
Food has become a hobby for many young people, and the State Fair staff’s cognizance of that reality has helped transform the fair into a foodie destination.
In the old days, it was about getting your Fletcher’s Corny Dog fix. Now Fletcher’s is just your starting point, and the sport is to pack in as many novelties as your stomach can handle.
This year, there are 40-something new creations ranging from dumplings to cookie butter nachos to fried mochi matcha ice cream with an Asian twist.
The proliferation and modernization of the State Fair fare is a trend that started in 2005, with the first Big Tex Choice Awards, their annual concessionaire competition, which introduced the idea of innovation in festival-style foods.
The trend has accelerated in recent years with an explosion of over-the-top dishes ready for their Instagram moment, says Senior VP of Concessions Melanie Linnear, who oversees a team that gently nudges the vendors towards offering fresh new creations pitched to a younger generation craving new flavors and experiences.