The State Fair of Texas has crowned the winners of the 2026 Big Tex Choice Awards, with this year’s winning creations putting creative spins on burgers, corny dogs, tropical drinks and cheesecake.
Judges sampled and scored 15 finalists Tuesday before selecting winners in four categories: Best Taste – Savory, Best Taste – Sweet, Best Taste – Sipper and Most Creative. The Dallas Express previously reported on the 15 finalists earlier this month.
The winning dishes will be featured when the State Fair of Texas opens next month at Fair Park in Dallas.
Best Taste — Savory: Burger Chop Tater Tacos
Tom Grace took home the Best Taste — Savory award for Burger Chop Tater Tacos.
The dish starts with a fresh burger patty that is seared, chopped, and combined with sautéed onions and jalapeños. Mozzarella and American cheese are added to the mixture, which is served over cheddar cheese tater tots formed into a taco shell.
The tacos are then topped with buffalo buttermilk ranch coleslaw, garlic parmesan buffalo sauce, and additional tots.
The result combines the flavors of a loaded burger with the crispy texture of a tater tot taco shell.
Best Taste — Sweet: Fletcher’s Chocolate Corny Dog
Beck Fletcher won the Best Taste — Sweet category with the Fletcher’s Chocolate Corny Dog.
The creation puts a dessert spin on Fletcher’s famous Original Corny Dog. Smooth milk chocolate fudge is hand-dipped in the signature corny dog batter and deep-fried until golden.
The sweet creation is finished with yellow vanilla icing and served with raspberry compote.
Best Taste — Sipper: Tropical Coco Fresca
Fruteria Cano’s Tropical Coco Fresca was named the winner in the Best Taste — Sipper category.
The drink features layered pineapple-watermelon agua fresca and a chamoy-lava Tajin rim. It is served with a scoop of icy coconut snow designed to melt into the drink, creating a creamy tropical combination.
Most Creative: Berry Me In Matcha
Stephen El Gidi earned the Most Creative award for Berry Me in Matcha, a Japanese-inspired take on cheesecake.
The dessert features rich New York-style cheesecake that is hand-dipped in Belgian white chocolate and coated with crushed matcha cookies.
The dessert also features a drizzle of white chocolate, strawberry jam and a fresh strawberry slice.
The combination brings together creamy cheesecake, crunchy matcha cookies, fruit and sweet matcha-inspired flavors in a dessert designed to be eaten on a stick.
When the State Fair Opens
The 2026 State Fair of Texas runs from September 25 through October 18 at Fair Park in Dallas.
With four new Big Tex Choice Awards winners now crowned, fairgoers will have the opportunity to try this year’s winning creations alongside the event’s other food offerings and attractions.
