In Search of the Underdog: State Fair of Texas Eats 2024

By Janelle Sosa in
Alcalde Online To
October 16, 2024 at 1:34 p.m |

Hello everyone! I’m Janelle Sosa, BS ’19, Senior Social Media Coordinator for the Texas Exes and the woman behind the scenes of your favorite social media account. You’ve probably seen my hand in our Instagram stories or me walking around tailgates taking photos. Over the past few years, I’ve sampled both the most Instagrammable dishes and State Fair classics Alcalde.

This year our Longhorns put on quite a performance with their win over Oklahoma. But let’s be honest: Texas hasn’t always been at the top. For many years we were the underdogs, fighting for the chance to prove ourselves. Even when we announced we were moving to the SEC, no one believed we would be the No. 1 soccer team in the country, especially not in our first year. With that in mind, I made it a point to check out some of the Big Tex Choice Awards Food Competition semifinalists that were put on the chopping block to determine the final winners. Let’s dive in and see which foods deserve the chance to be at the top.

Triple Meat Big Back Snack

One of the most talked about snacks that didn’t make the final round was the Triple Meat Big Back Snack from Dickel’s Smokehouse. Yes, that is the correct name. This savory semi-finalist features “Elote street corn, smoked chopped brisket, smoked Gouda mac and cheese, a buttermilk biscuit, Hogzilla pork burnt ends, a loaded nacho brisket sausage link, and deep-fried crinkle-cut maple waffle-flavored potato slices on it.” Wow is an understatement. Costing 32 coupons, this snack is pricey but worth it. There’s plenty of sweet and spicy brisket to make you feel like you got your money’s worth. The creamy macaroni cheese and crispy fries offer a variety of textures. However, the cookie was dry and unnecessary. The corn at the bottom of the cup was sweet, but I didn’t get the promised “elote street corn” flavor. All in all, this is a great bite to share with friends.

RATING: 8.5/10, large back approved.

Beso de Angel

Turning to something sweet, I looked for the Beso de Angel from Tony’s Taco Shop. This treat features a taco shell made from a sugary donut filled with a secret sweet crema, strawberry jam, whipped cream, cajeta (caramel) and sweet condensed milk. This treat promises a “kiss of angelic sweetness.” If you’re a fan of sweets, this one is for you! The taco shell was fried to perfection and dusted with cinnamon for a delicious crunch – and had none of the bitter oily taste that other fried treats usually have. The filling was a light and airy whipped cream that tasted similar to strawberry frosting. Although the strawberry jam was great, I could have used more fresh strawberries to reduce the sweetness of this treat. If you’re looking for a fried food that’s not as heavy as fried butter or Oreos, but still offers a change from the savory, head to Tony’s Taco Shop.

RATING: 8/10, tacos from heaven.

Fat bacon cucumber fries

To recreate the magic of last year’s pickle pizza, I chose the Fat Bacon Pickle Fries in hopes of finding another all-time favorite. The fries in question are dill pickle slivers that are breaded and fried until golden brown, dusted with a spicy ranch pepper seasoning, and topped with queso, thick-cut maple caramelized bacon pieces, sour cream, jalapeños, and chives. I wanted to swear, but the queso tasted like it was poured straight from the can. Generic and boring. The huge portion of cheese overwhelmed the cucumbers and made them so mushy that the breading immediately slipped off. The shining light of this snack was the bacon. It was cooked just right and cut into thick, crispy pieces, but it still wasn’t enough to save these fries.

RATING: 3/10, not all can be winners.

They’re bananas… BANANAS

With kickoff for the hottest Red River Rivalry game ever starting at 2:30 p.m., I was desperate for something cold and refreshing. This led me to the best banana milkshake I’ve ever had. Served with a layer of banana pudding, Nilla wafers and vanilla sugar wafers, I felt like someone knew all of my favorite desserts and combined them just for me. This was a delicious mix of creamy, fruity and crunchy textures. You could taste that the banana used was fresh from the vine and there were no pre-made mixes here. My only concern is that 16 vouchers might be more than you’re willing to spend on a milkshake. However, after the first sip you will realize that it was all worth it.

RATING: 10/10, absolutely insane.

Guest Review: Trinity Flaten, Marketing and Social Media Intern

Cookies

After wading through coupons for the day, I desperately needed a sweet treat to pick me up. This dessert is a mix of two of the best confectionery: croissants and chocolate chip cookies. The croissant is halved and filled with cookie dough before being topped with more dough. In the end the treat was better than I expected, coming out piping hot and gooey. I’d say it’s on the higher end, costing 15 vouchers for something just a little bigger than the size of a regular croissant that fell apart a little. However, the dessert wasn’t overly filling and is perfect for a sweet snack after a day of fried foods.

RATING: 6.5/10, chocolaty and flaky, but just meets expectations

At the end of the day, underdogs will surprise and delight you, just like our beloved Longhorns. While the treats we tried may not be right for you, you’re sure to find some award-winning dishes when you follow the State Fair Food Guide. Try all our recommended dishes before the fair ends on October 20th. Now it’s time for me to eat some TUMS. See you next year!