The fried foods are back: The State Fair of Texas has begun the first round of the 2023 version of the Annual Big Tex Choice Awards, a contest among vendors who submit dishes and compete for awards.

According to a release, this year drew 57 entries represented by 37 concessionaires, and 36 semi-finalists were chosen. All competitors must have at least one year of experience as a concessionaire at the State Fair of Texas to enter the competition.

The semi-finalist round is chosen based entirely on name, photo, and description — no tasting.

Tasting only takes place in the next round, when mysterious judges choose 10 finalists who will compete in the final round. So many rounds and finalists and judging, yeesh, but it all ends up with three winners, selected at a ceremony in late August, date TBA.

SAVORY
Butchers Block. Macaroni & cheese topped with brisket, fried chicken, candied bacon, jalapeño peppers, sausage on the side, drizzled with brown sugar chipotle sauce.

Cornbread Sausage Bombs. Sausage slices topped with pimento cheese and jalapeño, dipped in cornbread batter. and fried. Served with jalapeño ranch dipping sauce.

Creole Etouffee Beignets. Etouffee — shrimp, sausage, rice — dipped in beignet batter, fried, and topped with powdered sugar.

Deep Fried Birria Bomb. Traditional flavors of Mexican birria and South American papa rellena. Birria, Oaxaca cheese, and mashed potatoes are rolled into a ball, dipped in batter and fried, then topped with poblano ranch.

Deep Fried Pho. Pho - noodles, beef, bean sprouts, and broth - rolled up and fried.

Surf & Turf Empanada. Lobster, crab, chorizo, and corn wrapped in corn masa pastry and fried.

Fried Sushi Bombs. Sushi rice, imitation crab, and salmon baked, then rolled in panko breadcrumbs and fried.

Cheesy Crab Tater Bites. Crab, potato, and cheese formed into tater bites, fried, and topped with cheesy Cajun crawfish sauce.

Fried Monte Qristo. Sandwich with brisket, American cheese, smoked turkey, and Swiss, fried and dusted with powdered sugar. Served in a recyclable paper tray with raspberry chipotle BBQ sauce. This should win because they specifically mention the recyclable paper tray.

Fried Texas BBQ Shotgun Shells. Roll-on-a-stick with brisket, Velveeta, and cream cheese, rolled in a pasta sheet, wrapped in bacon, and rolled in jalapeño breadcrumbs.

Loaded Fries Pizza. Pizza topped with ranch dressing, mozzarella, salted French fries, cheddar cheese, and bacon.

OX'cellent Soul Roll. Oxtails chunks and crumbled cornbread are rolled into a spring roll and fried.

Raspberry Chipotle Jalapeño Popper Grilled Cheese. Grilled cheese sandwich on white bread with cheddar cheese plus a layer of bacon-wrapped jalapeños filled with cream cheese & raspberry chipotle jam.

Taki Ramen Tostada. Mexican-Asian fusion dish features fried ramen noodle cake topped with taco meat, Asian sesame seed slaw, queso blanco, and crumbled Takis.

Texas Thai Up. Pork and beef battered and rolled in pad thai noodles, then fried.

The Balboa. Pizza sandwich with pepperoni, capicola, soppressata, provolone, tomato, banana pepper, artichokes, onions, black olives, mushrooms, arugula, and balsamic.

Tomato-Tomahto Potato-Potatho Slyder. Two-ounce burger patty with provolone, sautéed bell peppers, pickles, and lettuce on fried green tomatoes with queso, on a bed of seasoned potato.

The Triple C. A twist on chicken & waffles with Nashville hot tenders and mac & cheese served in a waffle cone.

Fried Turkey Ribs. With stuffing-seasoned fries, gravy, and salsa.

SWEET
Biscoff Delight. New York-style cheesecake coated with Belgian chocolate, crushed Biscoff cookies, drizzled with Lotus Biscoff spread AKA cookie butter, and topped with a Biscoff cookie.

Bourbon Banana Caramel Sopapillas. Sopapillas topped with vanilla-caramel-infused bananas, bourbon syrup, candied pecans, mascarpone cheese, crumbled Nilla Wafers.

Churreos. Mini churros tossed in cinnamon sugar, drizzled with chocolate syrup, cream cheese icing, and crushed Oreos.

Cotton Candyrita. Cotton candy-infused margarita topped with cotton candy.

Fried Honey Butter Brisket Swirls. In the spirit of Little Debbie® Pecan Spinwheeels and homemade cinnamon rolls, layered with chopped brisket, fried and glazed with honey butter sauce.

Fried Texas Oatmeal Pie. Oatmeal cream pie in Dr Pepper flavored pancake batter and fried, then drizzled with Big Red Soda reduction and marshmallow sauce.

Fried Vietnamese Coffee. Coffee-infused cake rolled into a ball, battered, and fried, served with condensed milk.

Fried Candy Pecan Bacon Bread Pudding. Fried bread pudding morsels with cinnamon sugar, candied pecans, bacon, praline sauce, and salted caramel bourbon sauce.

Fried Cherry Pie in the Sky. Fried cherry tart topped with butter almond shortbread crumble, vanilla ice cream, cherry preserves, whipped cream, and garnished with dark sweet cherries.

Fried Fireball Shot. Fried angel food cake with a shot of Fireball Cinnamon.

Fried Piña Colada. Cake balls with rum cake, pineapple, and creme de coconut, dusted in a sweet crumble and fried, then decorated with a piña colada-inspired buttercream, sprinkles, and sugar glitter.

Not'Cho Average Nachos. Fried wonton filled with cherry or apple, with cinnamon sugar, brownie crumbs, strawberries, blueberries, and peaches, citrus glaze, and chocolate sauce, served with a cajeta-filled churro stick.

Rest in Heavenly Peach. Grilled angel food cake with peach pie filling and whipped cream.

Strawberry Chicks-On-the-Stick. Four seasoned wings are dipped in funnel cake batter and fried, spiraled on a stick infused with strawberries, topped with whipped cream and strawberry syrup.

Sweet Encanto. Waffle sweetened with caramel dulce de leche, specialty cream with strawberry, kiwi, peach, and shredded coconut, topped with raspberry jam, and drizzled with sweetened condensed milk.

Fruity Pebble Pickle. Dill pickle wrapped in a Fruit Roll-Up and Fruit by the Foot, drizzled in sugar syrup, coated in Fruity Pebbles, drizzled with strawberry snow cone syrup.

Trail-Ade. Lemonade with fruit, cucumbers, and mint. Nonalcoholic cocktail is served in a souvenir cowboy boot cup.