State Fair Food News

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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Opening News

Dallas diner & music venue will open in former Ferris Wheeler space

Courtesy

Pancakes

A new restaurant has been unveiled that will take over the former Ferris Wheeler space near Dallas' Design District at 1950 Market Center Blvd.: Called AM/FM, it'll be an all-day diner and lounge with a big backyard and a stage for live music, and it's from Spune Productions, the music and event production company.

According to a release, it'll open in early January initially with evening hours, cocktails, and a few afternoon soccer matches. Music acts are already booked beginning January 8. More hours will be added down the road.

Ferris Wheelers BBQ, which was also a restaurant with a big backyard and a stage for live music, closed in November after eight years. Spune had already been involved since 2023 to help ramp up the live music side. Now they'll take it over with a fresh new personality and long hours.

They were famous for having a Ferris wheel on-site; an inquiry on its status went unanswered.

The diner will open daily at 7 am, serving "musicians coming off late nights, workers heading into morning shifts, and neighbors who want a place that remembers their name," says the release very poetically.

They've redecorated the interior with a new bar and banquettes that wrap the room. Alongside the renovations inside, the set-up outdoors will evolve over the coming weeks, with extra care given to the concert experience,

Menu
The food at AM/FM will be rooted in elevated Diner classics, with a menu overseen by chef Anastacia Quinones-Pittman (Oh, Hi! Hospitality) that's influenced by Mexican-American kitchens and Nuevo Southern traditions.

Breakfast offerings include huevos rancheros, breakfast tacos, breakfast empanadas, French toast, avocado toast, pork belly toast, and an intriguing twist on pancakes called masa pancakes, made using masa harina AKA corn flour.

Lunch includes a chicken Milanesa Caesar salad, Sonoran hot dog, fried catfish po'boy, kale salad, Cobb salad, and a Mexican twist on chicken noodle soup with fideo noodles.

Entree plates include pot roast, meatloaf, fried chicken, and a weekly pot pie.

The beverage program will aim for accessibility with coffee, cocktails, and craft beer, says Victor Rojas, Quinones-Pittman's partner at Oh, Hi! Hospitality.

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