Jason Crews is the owner and editor of INFRARED MAGAZINE and a Dallas–Fort Worth-based music journalist and concert photographer. Through INFRARED MAGAZINE and JASON CREWS PHOTOGRAPHY, he covers rock, metal, country, and live music with a focus on album reviews, artist features, concert coverage, and photography. His work is driven by a genuine passion for music and helping artists connect with new audiences through honest writing, strong visuals, and meaningful storytelling.
DALLAS, TX — The judges have spoken, and four creations are leaving the 2026 BIG TEX CHOICE AWARDS with the Fair’s top food honors. The annual competition, presented by KARBACH BREWING COMPANY, narrowed a field of 15 finalists down to winners for Best Taste – Savory, Best Taste – Sweet, Best Taste – Sipper, and Most Creative.
The results provide a preview of what hungry fairgoers will be hunting down when the STATE FAIR OF TEXAS opens at Fair Park on September 25.
Best Taste – Savory: Burger Chop Tater Tacos
Tom Grace took Best Taste – Savory with Burger Chop Tater Tacos. The dish combines chopped burger, sautéed onions and jalapeños, mozzarella and American cheese, then places the filling in a taco shell formed from cheddar tater tots. Buffalo-style ranch slaw, garlic-parmesan buffalo sauce, and more crispy potato finish the creation.
Best Taste – Sweet: Fletcher’s Chocolate Corny Dog
Beck Fletcher won Best Taste – Sweet with the Fletcher’s Chocolate Corny Dog, a dessert reworking of one of the Fair’s most famous foods. Milk-chocolate fudge is dipped in Fletcher’s Original Corny Dog batter, fried, topped with yellow vanilla icing, and served with raspberry compote.
Best Taste – Sipper: Tropical Coco Fresca
Fruteria Cano claimed Best Taste – Sipper with Tropical Coco Fresca. The drink layers pineapple and watermelon agua fresca with a chamoy-and-Tajín rim and is paired with coconut snow that melts into the drink as it is enjoyed.
Most Creative: Berry Me in Matcha
Stephen El Gidi earned Most Creative for Berry Me in Matcha. The dessert starts with New York-style cheesecake dipped in Belgian white chocolate, coated in crushed matcha cookies, then finished with white chocolate, strawberry jam, and fresh strawberry.
The Rest of the 2026 Finalist Field
The winning dishes came from a 15-item finalist field that also included Dickel’s Texas Two Step Tacos, Flamin’ Crunch Pizza, Golden Crunch Melt, Nacho Wings, Fernie’s Frozen Espresso-tini Bar, Holy Flan! Buñueloco, Texas Pecan Praline Cheesecake Cone, Corn Flake Shappé, Nevins Soft Serve Peach Bellini Float, Rousso’s Bacon Jam Caramel Apple Hard Cider, and Sunset Soft Serve Rita.
The Big Tex Choice Awards have been part of the State Fair food calendar since 2005, giving concessionaires a high-profile competition built around the over-the-top dishes that have become a major part of the Fair’s identity.
The 2026 State Fair of Texas runs September 25 through October 18 at Fair Park in Dallas.
For more information on STATE FAIR OF TEXAS, visit:
Source information courtesy of the State Fair of Texas.
