State Fair News

Dallas restaurants sate your State Fair of Texas cravings with fried foods

Dallas will have plenty of State Fair-style fare.

Courtesy photo

The 2020 State Fair of Texas may be canceled, but Dallas will not lack for State Fair-inspired eats, with pop-ups and special menus galore.

The action kicks off on September 16, when the State Fair of Texas will install Big Tex in a big ceremony. The iconic statue is being erected, even despite the fair's cancellation, for two special drive-through events: a Big Tex photo opp and a fair food drive-thru. You can read all the details about those two events here.

The State Fair is also hosting "at home" activities such as cooking videos and virtual events, listed on their website under "Fair at home."

A number of restaurants and official State Fair vendors such as Fletcher's Original Corny Dogs have already started doing limited menus and pop-ups, most available from mid-September through October.

Here's another batch of places to get your State Fair-style corny dogs, funnel cakes, and more.

Ferris Wheelers
If any restaurant seems tailor-made for State Fair commiserating, it would be Ferris Wheeler, given the fact that they have a Ferris wheel on-site. The BBQ restaurant is hosting a State Fair-themed pop-up with their takes on Fair staples, along with their regular menu of smoked meats.

They'll set up vendor-style tents with the following:

Corny Dogs
Turkey Legs
Cotton Candy
Puffy Tacos

Texas-sized frozen margaritas seasonal craft beers will be available at the bar.

For the second year in a row, they're partnering with State Fair vendor Fernie's Funnel Cakes, who will be on site with funnel cakes and the widely successful burnt end burrito.

They'll also host an appearance by Fletcher's Original Corny Dogs on September 30.

Front Burner Restaurants
Several concepts in the Front Burner Restaurant group – including Haywire, Ida Claire, and The Ranch at Las Colinas – will offer curbside kits that feature original twists on traditional fair foods. These kits are available for curbside pickup, as follows:

Haywire's Country-Fried Mesquite-Smoked Rib Kit. Feeds four for $65. Includes Texas whiskey barbecue sauce, mac 'n cheese, creamy Napa slaw, cheddar jalapeño sausage, and cornbread. Oreo Fried Pies – Oreo icing filling and crushed Oreo cookies – can be added on for $5 each.
Ida Claire’s Southern Fare Kit. Feeds four for $40. Includes Andouille sausage corn dogs, grilled corn, beignets, and red beans and rice. Add peach cobbler waffle cones with bourbon buttercream for $5.
The Ranch at Las Colinas’ Country-Fried Mesquite-Smoked Rib Kit. Feeds four for $65. Includes Texas whiskey barbecue sauce, mac 'n cheese, creamy Napa slaw, grilled cheddar jalapeño sausage and, cornbread. Add an Oreo Fried Pie for $5.

Legacy Hall
Plano food hall has Fair-inspired items available at two of its food stalls:

Son of a Butcher will offer a funnel cake milkshake.
Brisket Love will have smoked turkey legs.

Mudhook
Duncanville gastropub has launched a limited-time menu inspired by Fair food.

They've taken inspiration from carnival food to bring a series of favorites to Duncanville until mid-October, including delicacies such as smoked turkey legs, although they'll still serve their regular menu of burgers and craft beer.

The special menu includes both snacks and cocktails as follows:

smoked turkey leg
corn pups – 10 mini corn dogs
chicks n' a cone – popcorn chicken and bacon, with maple syrup drizzled in a waffle cup
fish on chips – beer-battered cod on waffle hash browns with boom boom sauce
churro funnel cake – cinnamon & sugar with caramel drizzle
don michelada
mangonada
caramel apple shot

The Rustic
Uptown Dallas hangout is hosting a pop up from September 23-October 18 with foods, contests, games, and live music.

It'll launch on September 23 with a contest-style tasting starring Dallas influencers, ooooh, emceed by Rustic owner Kyle Noonan and TV personality Courtney Kerr.

The special menu includes:

Fried Brisket Mac & Cheese with ranch
Wood-Grilled Hot Cheetos Dusted Elote
Fried Pecan Turtle with Bourbon Whipped Cream
Lone Star Draft served in It’s Not Fair Stadium Cup

Fletcher's Original Corny Dogs will make three appearances, from 3-8 pm on September 23, October 1, and October 8.

Throughout the pop-up, fans who come dressed up will be entered into a costume contest with a chance to win a $50 gift card. Every Friday at 9:15 pm, the night's headlining artist will pick and announce the lucky winners.

The Rustic will also have "various animals" on its front yard for socially distanced photo opportunities. Exploiting animals by using them as props for our shallow selfies, there's an idea.

State Fair of Texas online awards
The State Fair of Texas is doing an online Big Tex Choice Awards bracket thing, in which you can vote for your favorite prior winner on BigTex.com/Madness. The First Round began September 15 and the whole thing ends on October 12.

state-fair

Global tastes

New botanería pairs drinks with free bites near Dallas Farmers Market

Chef Karla Soria Palomino's menu delivers authentic Mexican flavors and bold heat.

Photo credit: Paul Torres.

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There is a novel concept open in the Dallas Farmers Market district: Called Sor Juana, it's a botanería inspired by traditional Mexican establishments where drinks are served alongside complimentary snacks and bar bites.

Located at 1908 Canton St., the space provides an immersion into Mexican culture through its food, beverages, decor, and overall atmosphere.

Sor Juana comes from Alexandra Hernández and Karla Soria Palomino. Hernández brings a background in front-of-house hospitality, theatre, and events while Soria Palomino contributes extensive kitchen experience from restaurants across Mexico and Dallas.

The inspiration behind the name and concept comes from 17th-century nun and scholar Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz. Recognized as the "First Feminist of the Americas," she was a literary trailblazer who learned to read and write during an era when women were denied an education. Considered one of the greatest poets of the Baroque period in what is now Mexico, Sor Juana defied societal norms, stood up to the male-dominated clergy, and excelled in science, mathematics, music, and culinary arts.

“We wanted to pick a strong woman from Mexico as the emblematic figure of our botanería — traditionally run and frequented only by men,” Hernández says. “With our women-run botanería, which is a unique concept for Dallas, we are creating a space for everyone.”

The frame for their idea is a landmark Dallas building originally constructed over a century ago for the Desco Tile Company. Designed in a Venetian Gothic style with exterior arches and columns, the interior features original chandeliers alongside decorative, colorful tilework — including a wall fountain, a fireplace, and terrazzo floors — all preserved intact for Sor Juana, with a few new tile accents added to the bathrooms and bar backdrop.

Historic Dallas architecture meets traditional Mexican hospitality at Sor Juana.Photo credit: Paul Torres

“We tried to respect the architecture of the building by adjusting our concept to the space, rather than forcing the space to adjust to us,” Hernández says.

The duo worked with interior designer Callie Windle on the details, sourcing decorative pieces from artists both in Mexico and locally (many of which are available for purchase).

The 90-seat venue features comfortable seating centered around a dynamic bar program managed by Saúl Hernández (previously of Midnight Rambler, La Viuda Negra, and Las Almas Rotas).

True to the hospitality spirit of a traditional botanería, patrons receive a complimentary botana (bar bite) with every drink purchase. While the offerings rotate regularly to maintain an element of surprise, options range from spiced nuts, fresh fruit, and popcorn to more substantial plates like tacos and caldo de camarón.

The creative cocktail menu ranges from $12 to $16, anchored by their signature “La Nueva Sangre” — an orange blossom gin cocktail balanced with beet juice, lemon, passion fruit, and lavender bitters. Hernández notes the drink is “as complex and interesting, with a little bit of everything, just as Sor Juana was.”

The bar also pours Mexican imports alongside local favorites Shiner and Michelob for $7, wines, and zero-proof options including non-alcoholic champagne.

Happy hour runs Wednesday through Friday from 5:30-7:30 pm, featuring $6 beers, $8 wines, and $8 cocktails infused with house-made Mexican chili oil macha sauce.

Beyond the complimentary botanas, the venue offers a full food menu designed by Chef Soria Palomino. It comes with a playful warning: “Expect bold flavors and a little heat — that’s what the cerveza is for.” Signature items include ceviche, mezcal-glazed wings, tacos, and tostadas, all centered on authentic Mexican flavor profiles.

For dessert, they feature a ganzote crafted by Diana Zamora of Nena Postrería, inspired by the classic packaged Gansito sponge cake.

Community events play a major role in the space, including lotería nights, "Bring Your Own Vinyl" Sundays, and rotating local DJs every other Friday. The team is actively taking community feedback to build out future programming, including upcoming collaborative dinner series.

“Events are a way to build community and bring people together,” Hernández says. “When we started crafting this concept, we looked at every detail — from the playlist to the food and cocktails, as we wanted a total experience where every element comes together and complements the rest.”

Sor Juana is open 2-10 pm Wednesday-Thursday 12 pm-12 pm Friday-Saturday, 12-10 pm Sunday. Metered street parking is enforced until 6 pm, with free parking available afterward.

State Fair News

Dallas restaurants sate your State Fair of Texas cravings with fried foods

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