Rooting for the Underdog: State Fair of Texas Eats 2024 

By Janelle Sosa in Alcalde Online on October 16, 2024 at 1:34 pm | No Comments

Hi, y’all! 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 on our Instagram stories or me running around taking pictures at tailgates. In previous years, I have tried both the most Instagram-worthy eats and the classics of the State Fair for the Alcalde.

This year, our Longhorns put on quite a show in their defeat of Oklahoma. But let’s be honest, Texas hasn’t always been on top. For many years, we were the underdogs, fighting for a chance to prove ourselves. Even when we announced our move to the SEC, no one believed we would be the No. 1 football team in the nation, let alone in our first year. In this spirit, I made it my goal to try some of the Big Tex Choice Awards Food Competition Semifinalists that were put on the chopping block when it came to determining the final winners. Let’s dive in and see which foods are worthy of the chance to be on top.

Triple Meat Big Back Snack 

One of the most talked about snacks that didn’t make it to the final round was the Triple Meat Big Back Snack by Dickel’s Smokehouse. Yes, that’s the real name. This savory semifinalist contains, “elote street corn, smoked chopped beef brisket, smoked gouda mac and cheese, a buttermilk biscuit, Hogzilla Pork Belly Burnt Ends, a loaded nacho beef brisket sausage link, and deep-fried crinkle-cut maple waffle-flavored potato slices on top.” Wow is an understatement. Costing 32 coupons, this snack is pricey but worth it. There is plenty of sweet and tangy brisket to make you feel like you got your money’s worth. The creamy mac and cheese and crunchy fries offer a variety of textures. However, the biscuit was dry and unnecessary. The corn at the bottom of the cup was sweet, but I failed to pick up on the “elote street corn” flavors that were promised. All in all, this is a great bite to share with friends. 

RATING: 8.5/10, big back approved. 

Beso de Angel 

Moving on to something sweet, I sought out the Beso de Angel from Tony’s Taco Shop. Composed of a taco shell made from a sugary fritter that’s filled with a family-secret sweet crema, strawberry preserves, 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 perfectly fried and dusted with cinnamon for a delightful crunch—and none of that bitter oil taste that other fried treats tend to have. The filling was a light and airy whipped cream that tasted close to strawberry frosting. While the strawberry preserves were great, I could’ve used more fresh strawberries to cut 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 break from the savory, head to Tony’s Taco Shop. 

RATING: 8/10, tacos from heaven.

Fat Bacon Pickle Fries 

Looking to replicate the magic of last year’s pickle pizza, I gravitated towards the Fat Bacon Pickle Fries in hopes of finding another all-time favorite. The fries in question are slivers of dill pickles that are battered and fried until golden brown, dusted in a spicy ranch pepper seasoning, and topped with queso, thick-cut maple caramelized bacon chunks, sour cream, jalapeños, and chives. I wanted to like this, I swear, but the queso tasted like it was poured straight from the can. Generic and bland. The giant serving of cheese overpowered the pickles and made them so soggy that the breading slid right off. The shining light of this snack was the bacon. It was cooked just right and chopped into thick, crunchy pieces, but it still wasn’t enough to save these fries. 

RATING: 3/10, they can’t all be winners.

It’s Bananas … B-A-N-A-N-A-S 

With a 2:30 p.m. kickoff time leading to the hottest Red River Rivalry game on record, 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 my favorite desserts and combined them just for me. This was a delightful blend of creamy, fruity, and crunchy textures. You could taste that the banana used was fresh off the vine, no pre-made mixes here. My only qualm is that 16 coupons might be more than one is willing to spend on a milkshake. After that first sip, however, you’ll realize it was all worth it. 

RATING: 10/10, going absolutely bananas.

Guest Review: Trinity Flaten, Marketing & Social Media Intern 

Crookies 

After fighting my way through obtaining coupons for the day, I desperately needed a sweet treat to pick me up. This dessert is a blend of two of the best confections: croissants and chocolate chip cookies. The croissant is cut in half and filled with cookie dough before being topped with even more dough. The treat ended up being better than I expected, coming out piping hot and ooey-gooey. I will say that it is on the higher end, costing 15 coupons for something just a little bit larger than the size of a regular croissant that did fall apart a bit. However, the dessert wasn’t overtly filling and is perfect for a sweet snack after a day of fried foods.  

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

At the end of the day, underdogs are bound to surprise and delight you, just like our beloved Longhorns. Though the treats we tried might not be for you, if you follow the State Fair Food Guide, you’ll be sure to find some award-winning eats. Try all of our recommended eats before the fair ends on Oct. 20. Now, it’s time for me to eat some TUMS. See y’all next year!