State Fair Of Texas 2016 Big Tex Choice Awards With Fried Jello & Cookies

That tasty looking concoction you are looking at here is the winner of the 2016 Big Tex Best Taste Award.

Fried Jello.

You can taste Fried Jello and the Most Creative Award winner, State Fair Cookie Fries, along with the other tasty contending finalists for this year's Big Texas Choice Award at the 2016 State Fair of Texas, starting up September 30 and running through October 23.

In addition to the two winners the other contenders were...

Caribbean Pineapple Korn-a-Copia created by Stephen Alade.

Southern Fried Chicken & Dumplins created by Clint Probst.

Injectable Great Balls of BBQ created by Glen Kusak.

Fernie’s Down Home Chicken Pot Pie Pocket with Mac ‘n Cheese Dip created by Christi Erpillo.

Deep Fried Pulled Pork “FUNYUN®” Dings created by Chris Howard.

Deep Fried Bacon Burger Dog Slider on a Stick created by Brent & Juan Reaves.

From the Big Tex website the complete description of the two winners...

Fried Jell-O® created by Ruth Hauntz. (Best Taste Winner)

For the first time in Big Tex Choice Awards history, America’s favorite childhood dessert is given a State Fair of Texas twist! A classic cherry-flavored Jell-O in a panko-crusted breading, flash-fried to perfection, and then dusted with powdered sugar. 

State Fair Cookie Fries created by Isaac Rousso. (Most Creative Winner)

A unique play on America’s favorite savory side dish. The cookie fry may look like it needs ketchup, but don’t be fooled by the classic crinkle-cut appearance. Offered in traditional cookie flavors like chocolate chip or sprinkles, these sweet treats are served with your choice of the accompanying strawberry or milk chocolate sauce. Just consider it an undercover cookie in fry-form disguise.
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My all time favorite Big Tex Choice Award Best Taste was years ago when Deep-Fried Butter was the winner. I am not a fan of jello in its natural form. I suspect I would also not be a fan of the flash-fried jello version.

But, one does not know until one tries something....

Big Tex at the State Fair of Texas Being Too Cautious About Ebola

I saw that which you see on the left on Facebook a few minutes ago via the marathon runner who calls himself Mr. Spivey.

There seems to be some over-reacting going on to America's first Ebola case being in Dallas.

Not just Texans and those of us who live in the Dallas vicinity are over-reacting. I have detected some over-reacting on Facebook from Facebookers located as far from Dallas as the state of Washington.

I know Big Tex has become a bit of a hypochondriac after he went up in flames during a previous State Fair of Texas, so I guess the big guy putting on a germ blocking mask makes sense to him. But I really think Big Tex is over-reacting.

I would think a bigger health danger at the State Fair of Texas is presented by the consumption of any of the 2014 Big Tex Choice Awards Finalists.

Fried Siracha Balls? Deep Fried Texas Bluebonnet? Fried Gulf Shrimp Boil?

Which I believe was the Best Taste winner this year.

Deep Fried "Breakfast for Dinner"?

Which I read yesterday goes for 18 coupons. Coupons cost 50 cents each. Math is not a forte of mine, but I think that works out to being 9 bucks for a Deep Fried "Breakfast for Dinner".

I believe the cheapest of the Big Tex Choices is 17 coupons. I don't know if the Most Creative winner, Original State Fair Brew - Funnel Cake Ale is 17 or 18 coupons.

I also do not know why, for sure, so many events in Texas do not do straightforward transactions using American currency, but instead you have to turn American currency into coupons if you want to eat something fattening or get on a carnival ride.

I was told, years ago, that the reason for the coupons was that it was hard to find temporary fair help who could make change. But you could find help which could count coupons. At the time this made no sense to me. But, I have now been long enough in Texas to see why the coupon payment method simplifies matters sufficiently for just about anyone to master....

Maybe a Mighty Fine Time at the 2014 State Fair of Texas drinking Funnel Cake Ale with Fried Gulf Shrimp Boils

Those are the BIG BOOTS of BIG TEX you are looking at on the left.

Big Tex stands guard and greets people at the State Fair of Texas.

It was from Big Tex I learned to use the phrase "mighty fine time" after I heard Big Tex greet me with something like "I hope you have yourself a mighty fine time at this year's State Fair of Texas."

I don't remember for sure, but I think you may hear the big guy say mighty fine time in the video below that I compiled from that year's State Fair visit.

The State Fair of Texas, also known as the Texas State Fair, starts up in a couple Fridays, September 26 to be specific. The Fair runs through October 19.

Earlier this month the winners of the Big Tex Choice Award were announced. The Best Taste Award went to Clint Probst's Fried Gulf Shrimp Boil. The Most Creative Award went to Justin Martinez's Original State Fair Brew – Funnel Cake Ale.

I believe this is the first year State Fair of Texas visitors under 21 years old can not sample one of the Big Tex Choice Award winners.

To read the details of what makes up a Fried Shrimp Boil and Funnel Cake Ale, along with descriptions of the fried concoctions which did not win, go to the blogging I blogged last month about the Big Tex Choice Awards titled The State Fair of Texas 2014 Big Tex Choice Awards This Year With Beer.

I do not know if I will make it to the 2014 Texas State Fair. My last visit I parked in a remote parking lot from whence I was delivered to the Fair's entry gate via a Trinity Rail Express train. That was fun.

I could take a TRE train to Dallas, and then hop the DART train line which goes directly to the State Fair of Texas. That might be adventurous. Or possibly all sorts of aggravating.

If you have yourself a mighty fine time watching the video below, please note that that is not Big Tex playing bongos you hear throughout the video....

The State Fair of Texas 2014 Big Tex Choice Awards This Year With Beer

Next month, September 26 to be exact, in Dallas, the 2014 State Fair of Texas opens, and stays open through October 19.

The Texas State Fair is well known for many things. Big Tex comes to mind. As do Corny Dogs. Along with one of the biggest State Fair Midways in America, including what used to be the tallest Ferris wheel in the Western Hemisphere, til supplanted by bigger wheels in Seattle and Las Vegas.

And then there is the annual competition to win a Big Tex Choice Award.

Previous years, as far as I know, all Big Tex Choice Award entries have been deep-fried delectable items like Deep Fried Coke, Fried Bacon Cinnamon Roll, Fried Bubblegum, Deep Fried Butter, Deep Fried Beer.

Well, you get the drift.

Now this year, for the first time, one of the entries is not deep-fried. That would be Original State Fair Brew  - Funnel Cake Ale, the first Tex Choice Award potential winner in history requiring one be 21 years old to sample.

Below, direct from the Big Tex website, that being the official website of the State Fair of Texas, are this year's Big Tex Choice Award finalists...

Chicken Fried Loaded Baked Potato by Butch Benavides
The creamy and moist insides of a baked potato, loaded with generous amounts of butter, bacon, and cheddar cheese, are coated and battered with a delectable blend of spices and flour that create a perfect combination of fried crispy crust and delicious, creamy loaded baked potato. Served with a ranch dipping sauce.

Deep Fried “Breakfast for Dinner” by Edna Sutton & Tom Grace
A twist on a favorite American dinner–”Breakfast for Dinner.” This is a 10″ flour tortilla stuffed with eight favorite breakfast items – scrambled eggs, breakfast sausage, bacon, potatoes, ham, onion, cheddar cheese and gooey cinnamon roll bits – that are deep fried until golden brown and served with a creamy country gravy, salsa and a pico-queso dip.

Deep Fried Texas Bluebonnet by Isaac Rousso
The Deep Fried Texas Bluebonnet is a blueberry muffin, scone-style batter that is stuffed with cream cheese, blueberries and sweet morsels of white chocolate. It is baked and deep fried to a perfect golden brown. This mountain of flavor is topped off with whipped cream, chopped white chocolate morsels, powdered sugar, blueberries, and a delicious blueberry glaze.

Fried Gulf Shrimp Boil by Clint Probst
Everything you would expect in a shrimp boil rolled into a ball, dusted with Fish Fry, and fried to a golden brown! Baby gulf shrimp, diced red potatoes, onion, lemon, and seasoning are formed around a cocktail shrimp, dusted and fried with the tail sticking out for a handle. Served with a remoulade sauce.

Fried Sriracha Balls by Mark Zable
A lip-smacking combination of shredded chicken, corn, green chilies, tomatoes, and Sriracha hot sauce, formed into balls and coated with crispy tortilla chips. It is then flash-fried until golden brown. For those who like their food higher on the Scoville Scale, extra Sriracha Sauce is available.

Fried Sweet Texas by Justin Martinez
Traveling across Texas to try the best and most popular desserts gave inspiration for this fried treat. Fried Sweet Texas starts with fresh pie dough filled with crunchy pecan pie, juicy peach cobbler, and creamy buttermilk pie. It is then deep fried until the crust is golden brown and flaky, and then served up with a side of Texas’ own Blue Bell Vanilla Ice Cream. A real tribute to Texans and their amazing sweet treats!

Original State Fair Brew – Funnel Cake Ale by Justin Martinez
A light and delicious ale brewed to be reminiscent of one of the telltale flavors of the State Fair – FUNNEL CAKE! This refreshing English style summer ale has been brewed to be ready and crisp, with just the right amount of toastiness and sweetness, finishing with delicate notes of natural vanilla; all great flavors you find in a perfectly executed funnel cake. For those whose taste buds call for a sweeter finish, take advantage of the option to have the rim of your cup coated with powdered sugar. Must be 21 years of age.

Twisted Texas Tacos by Christi Erpillo
What do you get when you combine the four major food groups of Texas? Chicken Fried, Barbecue, Tex-Mex, and Chili – Twisted Texas Tacos! This taco starts off with tender, juicy hickory smoked Texas beef brisket, double-dipped in a barbecue spiced buttermilk batter and deep fried until it is robust and beefy. It is served in a warm flour tortilla, generously layered with a Mexican cheese blend, crispy fried okra, and a sweet and crunchy tri-color slaw, accented with zesty poblano and sweet pepper corn. Served with a creamy country gravy, spicy Texas Chili and a miniature salute from the Lone Star flag.

Below is a  list of the previous winners of the Best Taste and Most Creative Awards.....

The last time we attended the State Fair of Texas was the 2006 version. That year Fried Coke won the Most Creative Big Tex Choice Award.

Below is our video made from the 2006 visit. In this video you get a good look at Big Tex, hear Big Tex talk, walk  through the aforementioned Midway and if you look closely you will see Fried Coke available for ones dining pleasure...