Fall is well on its way, and that means it’s almost Texas State Fair time! And while Oregon may be beating us with the cool factor (yeah, they’re showcasing marijuana growing for the first time this year), it’s pretty hard for any other state to compete with the insanity that is Texas State Fair food. This year’s finalists for the 2016 Big Tex Choice Awards were recently published, and fair-goers have plenty of greasy, great goodies to look forward to.
This year’s finalists for the awards that celebrate all foods fried include lots of bacon and pineapple, as well as fried Jell-O and cookie fries. The eight finalists will be whittled down to two on August 28, as judges decide on a Best Taste and Most Creative winner. You can find the whole list of these marvelous monstrosities at Austin Culture Map.
For those of us who can’t make it over to this year’s fair to check out the food, fear not. Austin has plenty of restaurants that can stand up to any weird concoction that a carnie might pierce with a stick and dip in bubbling oil. Here are just a few of our favorites that keep you feeling like a kid at a carnival.
If you don’t feel like taking a tour of the whole city, just head straight to Pluckers. It’s basically a one stop shop for all of the fried goodness that you could ever hope for. From some of the best fried pickles ever made to glorious fried Twinkies, Oreos, and brownies, the chest pains are totally worth it.
Black Sheep Lodge has both the sweet and savory covered, as well, with their fried cookie dough nuggets (a la mode) and their cheese curds. Mmmmm, cheese curds.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BHkubDOADiD/?taken-at=144606
https://www.instagram.com/p/BHc395PjGFg/?taken-at=144606
Pretzels are basically nature’s perfect hand food, and Easy Tiger’s are hard to pass up, especially when dipped in beer cheese or house-made mustard.
One of the best things about fair foods is how over the top and ridiculous they can be, and Hay Elotes is one Austin joint that really embraces over the top (and manages to still be somewhat healthy).
Of course Austin’s staple for hot dogs is never one to shy away from odd fair-style experimentation. Nearly anything on Frank’s specials menus could qualify as carnie food, especially this exquisite combination of two Texas favorite, the hot dog and the Frito pie.
And of course fair-goers need lots and lots of sweets…
Like the tiny ice cream creations found on the Happy Happy Time menu at Qui.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BHu3RAFAtPq/?taken-by=quiaustin&hl=en
https://www.instagram.com/p/BHktIREgjwW/?taken-by=quiaustin&hl=en
The lil nookies from Torchy’s Tacos, deep fried cookies covered in powdered sugar and cherries, may get your fingers a little messy, but in the best way possible.
Just about anything from Gourdough’s Public House can count as fair food…
Especially if you throw some bacon on it…
Austin Churro Co. may take the hand-held goodness of a churro and require you to be seated when you dig in, but boy is it worth it!
What delicious, extravagant carnival delights did we miss? Be sure to let us know in the comments!
Featured image from Wikipedia, Creative Commons licensed
