For some state fair enthusiasts, the food offerings hold as much allure as the rides, shows, midway games, music, vendor displays, and competitions.
Foodies attending the 2023 State Fair of Texas will not be disappointed, as they will find a plethora of new food options that are sure to tantalize their taste buds.
Here is a sampling of some of the food vendors that are new to the fair this year and a description of their signature dishes:
Eataly, a renowned market chain specializing in Italian cuisine, joins the fair with its scrumptious Fried Cacio e Pepe. This mouth-watering dish comprises pasta mixed with black pepper and Pecorino Romano cheese, deep-fried to golden perfection and accompanied by marinara sauce.
Known for its decadent desserts, Pound Cake Experts will feature an array of 10 flavors. One of the standouts is the Red, White, & Blue Crumble — a harmonious blend of red velvet, blue velvet, and butter pound cake crumbled over soft-serve ice cream.
Sandoitchi, a Dallas-based pop-up, is famed for its Japanese-style “sandos.” A must-try is the Strawberry Cream Sando, consisting of soft Japanese milk bread enveloping layers of fresh strawberries and airy Chantilly cream.
Cheyne Hickey, a veteran of the fair, is launching Stay Cheesy. The menu highlights luxurious grilled cheese options, like the Boujee Grilled Cheese, which pairs creamy brie with turkey, arugula, green apple slices, Havarti cheese, and a dollop of cranberry mayo.
Make your Chicharron Loaded Nachos with toppings like smoked beef fajita meat, queso, and chopped BBQ beef at the Borracho Nacho Bar.
The Cajun Cowboy debuts with the Blooming Onion — a colossal onion deep-fried in Cajun spices — alongside an array of deep-fried treats.
East Meets West BBQ brings together southern BBQ and Asian flavors with items like BBQ Egg Rolls and TX Chili Potstickers.
Fryed offers French fries and tater tots loaded with five different styles of toppings, including the Big Texan and Buffalo Chicken options, perfect as an accompaniment to their gourmet third-pound cheeseburger.
Texas Sopapilla Factory offers up innovative sopapilla flavors like Strawberry Shortcake and Chocolate Lovers.
For those who prefer to relax and dine, here are three new sit-down eateries to check out at the fair:
Canosaur’s Cantina can be found within the Dinosaurs at the Lagoon exhibit. This prehistoric-themed space features a blend of tacos and quesadillas alongside colorful drinks like La Pitfina and La Barbie, “a 24-ounce iced drink rimmed with cotton candy and cotton candy powder, Red Bull, watermelon lime soda, and vodka wine gummies.”
Designed for sports enthusiasts, Juicy’s Texas Tailgate offers seating, big-screen TVs, and a versatile menu featuring BBQ ribs, a half-pound corndog, and an assortment of fried treats, including Fried Twinkies and Fried S’mores.
Dickel’s Smokehouse returns with a newly designed eating space featuring improved lighting, circular bar seating around trees, and shaded family picnic tables. Their menu combines traditional and contemporary BBQ options.
Of course, many of the seasoned veteran food vendors that Texas fair-goers know and love will be at the fair again this year, and they have stepped up their game with some new culinary creations. Check these out:
The Candy Pickle Factory in the Tower Building offers the Fruity Pebble Pickle, a whole dill pickle wrapped in a Fruit Roll-up, drizzled in sugar syrup, and coated in Fruity Pebbles cereal.
Trio on the Green has a new Mexican-Asian fusion creation, the Taki Ramen Tostada. It consists of a flash-fried ramen noodle cake topped with seasoned taco meat, Asian sesame seed slaw, garlic lime aioli, queso blanco, and a sprinkling of crumbled Takis.
Nevin’s is offering a sweet treat reminiscent of summer, dubbed Rest in Heavenly Peach. It starts with two slices of angel food cake, buttered and charred on the grill, served warm with sweetened whipped cream and a dollop of chilled peach pie filling.
Deep Fried Candy Pecan Bacon Bread Pudding, which can be found at Magnolia Beer Garden and the Cajun Cowboy, is all that one would expect from the name: a bite-size serving of bread pudding, fried and dipped in cinnamon sugar and candied pecans, topped with crispy chopped bacon and New Orleans praline sauce.
Deep Fried Texas Oatmeal Pie can be found at Big Al’s Grill. Picture an oatmeal cream pie dunked in Dr. Pepper-flavored pancake batter, fried to perfection, drizzled with a reduction of Big Red Soda, topped with marshmallow sauce, and sprinkled with powdered sugar.
For the meat lovers at the Texas State Fair, a stop at Mac Loaded for a Butcher Block bowl is a necessity. Three-cheese macaroni and cheese forms the first layer of the dish, which is then topped with “15-hour smoked brisket, crispy fried chicken, candied bacon bits, [and] jalapeno peppers.” A piece of sausage is added on the side for good measure, and then the bowl is finished off with a drizzle of brown sugar chipotle sauce.
For a complete listing of all the new food offerings and a map of where to find them at Fair Park, click here.
The State Fair of Texas, themed “Explore the Midway,” opens on September 29 and will conclude on October 22.