Our Fave NEW Fair Food Items at the 2022 State Fair of Texas

Being seasoned State Fair pros, we thought we'd seen it all as far as fair food is concerned. But, boy, has the 2022 State Fair of Texas proven us wrong. The folks at the fair have rolled out a HUGE list of branch new food items available throughout Fair Park this year. Here are our favorites from the list.

1. bayou bowl

This thing is a loaded bayou explosion of three cheese macaroni topped with shrimp and lump crab cooked in a garlic scampi butter, drizzled with a mouth-watering cajun cream sauce, and accompanied by a piece of succulent andouille sausage, and a side of perfectly toasted french bread to sop up all the cajun goodness. Find it at the Mac Loaded stand in between Gate 1 and the Cotton Bowl.

2. cookies and cream mini donuts

Oh, hon. This portable sweet treat is an instant State Fair classic! Homemade mini-donuts are dipped in a glaze base and then sprinkled with Oreo crumbles. They're served on a stick, so you can carry these donuts with you wherever you go as you enjoy the rest of your Fair day. Find them at Tracy's Mini-Donuts by the Top o' Texas Tower.

3. deep fried southern dessert dumplings

State Fair of Texas

These delightfully indulgent dumplings are a mashup of two southern dessert favorites: sweet potato pie and pecan pie, but with a twist that would make your grandma jealous. Actual Pieces of sweet potato and pecan pie (crust and all) are combined with morsels of dark chocolate and folded into a wonton wrap, then it's all deep fried and dusted with powdered sugar. Like any good dumpling, they're served with a special homemade rum-raspberry chipotle dipping sauce. Find these bad boys on MLK Jr. Boulevard, between the Cotton Bowl and the swine barn.

4. deep fried strawberry shortcake crunch roll

Get a load of this thing. The Strawberry Shortcake Roll is dipped in homemade pink waffle batter infused with strawberry purée, then fried to perfection. It's topped with cream cheese icing and that addictive strawberry crunch, which consists of vanilla Oreo cookies, strawberry jello mix and melted butter. The crunch roll is then dusted with confection sugar and garnished with a fresh strawberry for the sweetest taste of Texas. Find this masterpiece right next to the Deep Fried Southern Dessert Dumplings, just north of the Cotton Bowl.

5. The Fat Elvis

This thing is nuts, even for fair food. It all starts with a blend of creamy peanut butter and strawberry jelly whisked together. A warm out-of-the-oven biscuit gets a thick coat of peanut butter and jelly, then a layer of delicious fire-toasted marshmallow fluff. As a thick-cut juicy piece of bacon comes off the griddle, it finds its home on top of the marshmallow fluff. Then, fried and caramelized plantain bananas fresh out of the fryer complete this delicious decadent food experience. Find it at the Holy Biscuit stand at the Tower Building Food Court.

6. fried soul food egg roll

Do not skip this one. It's just so good when it hits your lips. It all starts with an egg roll filled with tender, barbecue flavored marinated chicken, combined with grandma’s old-school collard greens and mac ‘n cheese. It's deep fried to golden perfection and topped with a Southern/Asian fusion sauce that perfectly compliments the dish somehow. Find this monstrosity along First Avenue in between the swans and the Midway.

7. motherclucker chicken sandwich

This Nashville Hot Chicken sandwich feels right at home at the State Fair of Texas. A filet of juicy Nashville Hot Chicken is fried and paired with homemade pimento cheese and pickles. It's the perfect combination of creamy, crunchy and Nashville Hot. Find it at the Palmer's Hot Chicken stand at the far end of the Midway closest to Gate 9.

8. texas ranch hog wings

State Fair of Texas

Not hot wings — these are HOG wings! After one bite of the Texas Ranch Hog Wings, you’ll start to believe that pigs CAN fly! Fall-off-the-bone pork is seasoned with a secret blend of spicy ranch salt, drizzled with another special homemade secret sauce and garnished with fresh green chives. You'll be in Hog Heaven when you find these State Fair delicacies at the Grand Stick and Cattle Barn on Lone Star Boulevard just across from Big Tex.

9. The chismosa

The Chismosa is a new twist on a beloved brunch classic: the mimosa. The name translates to “nosy, gossipy person,” inspired by brunch-goers favorite pastime — catching up on all the hottest goss! This frozen mimosa combines champagne and orange juice with a chamoy and Tajín rim, giving fairgoers a delicious fruity flavor with a little kick. To get your brunch on with a bougie Chismosa, follow the sounds of popping champagne bottles to Nimitz Circle, where Garza’s Ranchero Fajitas stand is ready to satisfy all your bubbly needs!

10. dirty soda

This decadent drink is made your choice of soda or sparkling water, then turned ‘dirty’ and oh-so-delicious with a spike of cream, flavored syrup, and/or fresh fruity add-ins. Fairgoers looking for a tasty concoction will enjoy all the custom combinations with odes to State Fair landmarks; from a classic dirty soda like the ‘Midway,’ made with a soda, pineapple, and coconut cream or the flavorful ‘Texas Skyway,’ made with sparkling water and a mix of coconut, vanilla, strawberry — there’s a favorite for every fairgoer. Find the Dirty Sodas at Stiffler's Mom's Cookie Factory in the middle of the Midway.

11. pickle pizza

Little Italy meets Big Tex with this classic, cheesy pizza covered in pickles. Simple, salty and scrumptious, if a little visually off-putting. It's the perfect fair food in that way. Find pickle pizza by the giant slice in the Tower Building Food Court and at Pizza, Funnel Cakes and Lemonade by the Children’s Aquarium.

12. fernie's funnel cake chicken sandwich

This one is just so pure. Chef kiss, 10 out of 10 no notes from the Love List Crew. Satisfy those salty cravings and your sweet tooth in the same bite with the Funnel Cake Chicken Sandwich! A juicy, country-fried chicken breast filet is sandwiched between two signature 5-inch Fernie’s funnel cakes and fried to golden brown perfection. After being drizzled with your choice of honey or syrup, this creation is finished off with a dusting of powdered sugar. Get it at the Dock in the Embarcadero Building on Nimitz Circle and at Fernie’s Funnel Cake Factory by Big Tex Circle.

13. Cha-Cha Chada

The Garza Family, who created the drink, isn't divulging their specific horchata recipe, save that it starts with a triple-step of two kinds of milk and vanilla ice cream blended with the horchata then poured into a cup rimmed with caramel and cinnamon and topped with whipped cream. The Cha-Cha Chata is dusted with crushed candy, a sprinkle of cinnamon galletas de gragega, and deep-fried arroz con leche bites.

Add them all To The Love List ✨