State Fair of Texas food is half the reason people come. Here are the 2026 Big Tex Choice Award winners, the classics worth the coupons, the new value menu, and how to eat well at Fair Park without blowing your budget.
State Fair of Texas Food Guide — 2026
Food runs on $1 coupons. More than 200 items are $10 or less this year — and a Fletcher’s creation finally won a Big Tex Choice Award.
Burger Chop Tater Tacos
Chopped burger, cheese, and jalapeños in a taco shell made of tater tots. 2026 winner by Tom Grace.
Fletcher’s Chocolate Corny Dog
Milk chocolate fudge dipped in Fletcher’s corny dog batter — the brand’s first-ever Big Tex Choice win.
Fletcher’s Original Corny Dog
At the fair since 1942. 8 coupons in 2026.
Thrifty Thursdays
Participating vendors discount signature items every Thursday.
2026 Big Tex Choice Award Winners
The Big Tex Choice Awards are the fair’s annual competition for the best new food and drink, and 2026 was the 22nd year. Judges picked winners from 15 finalists — five each in Savory, Sweet, and Sipper — plus a Most Creative award that can go to any finalist.
| Award | Winner | What It Is |
|---|---|---|
| Best Taste – Savory | Burger Chop Tater Tacos, by Tom Grace | Seared, chopped burger with onions, jalapeños, and cheese on a cheddar tater-tot taco shell, topped with buffalo ranch slaw. About $16 |
| Best Taste – Sweet | Fletcher’s Chocolate Corny Dog, by Beck Fletcher | Milk chocolate fudge dipped in Fletcher’s batter, fried, drizzled with yellow vanilla icing, and served with raspberry compote |
| Best Taste – Sipper | Tropical Coco Fresca, by Fruteria Cano | Layered pineapple-watermelon agua fresca with a chamoy Tajín rim and coconut snow. About $12 |
| Most Creative | Berry Me in Matcha, by Stephen El Gidi | New York-style cheesecake dipped in white chocolate, rolled in matcha cookies, and topped with strawberry jam — on a stick |
Winner booths get the longest lines. Go right at the 10 a.m. opening or on a weekday to try them without a long wait.
The Classics You Have to Try
Fletcher’s Original Corny Dog is the most iconic State Fair of Texas food — a hand-dipped, deep-fried corny dog that’s been at the fair since 1942. It’s 8 coupons in 2026, there are multiple Fletcher’s locations across the fairgrounds, and if you eat one thing at the fair, make it this. This year you can follow it with the award-winning chocolate version.
Turkey legs, funnel cakes, and cotton candy round out the classics. Cotton candy is 6 coupons this year as part of the fair’s Every Day Values program.
Eating on a Budget: Every Day Values
For 2026 the fair launched Every Day Values, highlighting more than 200 food and drink items priced at $10 or less. Look for these deals:
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Fletcher’s Original Corny Dog | 8 coupons |
| Cotton candy | 6 coupons |
| Bottled water | 1–2 coupons at value locations |
| 2026 commemorative drink cup | 13 coupons, with 4-coupon refills |
| Howdy’s Value Menu | Smaller portions of fair favorites for fewer coupons |
Go on a Thursday. Thrifty Thursdays bring reduced prices on select signature items — including smaller portions — from participating vendors.
How the Coupon System Works
All food, drinks, rides, and games at the State Fair of Texas are paid for with Food & Midway Coupons, each worth $1. You can buy them online before you go or at booths inside the fair. A few things to know:
- Coupons never expire. Leftovers work at any future State Fair of Texas.
- No refunds. Unused coupons can’t be exchanged for money — so buy what you’ll use, knowing the rest carries over to next year.
- Shopping is separate. Merchandise and shopping vendors don’t accept coupons — bring a card or cash for those.
How Much to Budget for Food
With 200+ items at $10 or less, a single adult can try a corny dog, one award winner, a sweet, and water for roughly $35–$45 in coupons. A family of four sampling a handful of iconic items can easily spend $80–$120. For the full cost picture — admission, rides, and parking — see our State Fair ticket prices guide.
Eat something real before you arrive. A full day on nothing but fried food means sugar crashes by afternoon. A real meal beforehand lets you spend your coupons on the items you actually came for.
Bringing your own water? The fair allows soft-shell coolers 9″ x 10″ x 12″ or smaller, with ice packs or bagged ice — no loose ice. See our what to wear and bring guide for the full bag policy.
Staying Overnight?
Hotels Near Fair Park
Downtown and Deep Ellum are a short DART ride from the fair. See our picks for hotels near Fair Park — and book early for Texas–OU weekend.
Search Dallas Hotels → Browse Dallas VRBOs →State Fair Food — FAQ
Who won the 2026 Big Tex Choice Awards?
Burger Chop Tater Tacos by Tom Grace won Best Taste – Savory, Fletcher’s Chocolate Corny Dog by Beck Fletcher won Best Taste – Sweet, Tropical Coco Fresca by Fruteria Cano won Best Taste – Sipper, and Berry Me in Matcha by Stephen El Gidi won Most Creative.
What is the most famous food at the State Fair of Texas?
The Fletcher’s Corny Dog — hand-dipped and deep-fried, and at the fair since 1942. It’s 8 coupons in 2026.
How much is food at the State Fair of Texas?
Food is paid with $1 coupons. More than 200 food and drink items are priced at $10 or less in 2026, while specialty items like Big Tex Choice winners can run higher. Budget roughly $35–$45 per adult to try several things.
Do State Fair of Texas coupons expire?
No. Coupons never expire and can be used at future fairs, but they can’t be exchanged for money.
Can I bring food or drinks into the State Fair of Texas?
The fair allows soft-shell coolers 9″ x 10″ x 12″ or smaller, with ice packs or bagged ice. Hard-shell coolers are prohibited unless medically necessary.
What is the best day for food deals at the State Fair?
Thursday. On Thrifty Thursdays, participating vendors offer select signature items — including smaller portions — at reduced prices.
More State Fair of Texas Guides
- → Best Day to Go to the State Fair
- → State Fair Ticket Prices & Costs
- → Hotels Near Fair Park
- → State Fair of Texas Parking Guide
- → First Timer’s Guide to the State Fair
- → State Fair Food Guide
- → Things to Do at the State Fair
- → State Fair with Kids
- → What to Wear to the State Fair
Dallas Unscripted is an independent guide. Fair dates, prices, policies, and schedules change annually — verify current information at bigtex.com before your visit. This post contains affiliate links; if you book through our links we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.