DALLAS (WBAP/KLIF) – The State Fair of Texas opened its gates on Friday and will run through October 22.
The fair will feature two rivalry college football games, midway rides, shows, livestock events, and more.
Food is one of the biggest attractions at the state dair. Four brand new vendors, three new soft spaces, and seven new food stands joined the 2023 State Fair food lineup. The Fair prides itself on its hand-picked selection of vendors and concessionaires who bring in droves of fairgoers each year and keep them coming back for more with their delicious foods. Enjoy some of the best eats the Lonestar state has to offer at the 2023 State Fair of Texas, themed “Explore the Midway.”
Below is look at the new concessions that will be added to the food lineup for the 2023 State Fair of Texas:
2023 New State Fair of Texas Vendors
EATALY
Located in Cotton Bowl Plaza
This nationwide phenomenon is opening its doors at the most Texan place on Earth for the first time! Eataly has strived to connect with the Dallas community by working with local chefs and retailers since it began operations here in December 2020. Since the Fair is the largest community event in the region, it made sense for Eataly to expand its eatery onto the fairgrounds! With a menu full of authentic Italian food, Eataly wanted to create a special treat for the State Fair, a new twist on a classic: Fried Cacio e Pepe. Perfectly cooked pasta tossed with rich cacio e pepe sauce made with authentic Italian Pecorino Romano cheese and freshly ground black pepper. For a State Fair twist, it’s then deep fried to crispy perfection and topped with a sprinkle of Parmigiano Reggiano, served with a side of house-made marinara sauce. One of the most iconic Italian dishes, Fried Cacio e Pepe gives a decadent classic a fried Fair touch.
Pound Cake Experts
Located in Tower Building
Sandy Duncan has made it her mission to make pound cake cool again, and she’s bringing that passion to the State Fair of Texas for the first time. Founded in 2017, Pound Cake Experts has become a community staple, traveling to local fairs and events across the metroplex and frequently selling out due to popular demand. Sandy creates over 50 flavors of delicious pound cakes and is bringing her ten best-sellers with her to the Fair, including the unique Red, White, & Blue Crumble. A delicious medley of red velvet, blue velvet, and butter pound cake is crumbled into bite-sized bits over a bed of soft serve. Be sure to try this melt-in-your-mouth treat!
Sandoitchi
Located in Tower Building
What do you get when you combine Japanese milk bread and unique, delicious ingredients? You get a Sandoitchi sando! The brainchild of a Michelin star chef and three friends with backgrounds in fashion, Sandoitchi is a pop-up concept that travels across the country serving innovative Japanese sandwiches known as “sandos.” A brand-new food to many, Sandoitchi is hoping to spread the knowledge and presence of “sandos” across the country in a big way. One of their featured items is a Strawberry Cream Sando, layered with juicy strawberries and velvety Chantilly cream nestled between clouds of pillowy Japanese milk bread that eats more like a dessert than a sandwich. Try something new and stop by Sandoitchi’s concession stand this Fair season.
Stay Cheesy
Located in Tower Building
Since she was five years old, Cheyne Hickey has worked at her family’s legendary concession stand Nevins, learning the ins and outs of what it takes to be a restaurant vendor. In 2020 she opened her own food truck named Lil Red’s, serving up gourmet sliders and fresh-cut French fries all over the metroplex. This year she is debuting her own concession stand, focusing on the classic grilled cheese and her own upscale version of a crowd favorite; Her featured menu item is aptly named the Boujee Grilled Cheese. Layered with a creamy brie spread, deli turkey, fresh arugula and green apple slices, Havarti cheese, and handmade cranberry mayo, Cheyne is excited to bring this refreshing new sandwich to the Fair this season.
2023 New State Fair of Texas Soft Spaces
Canosaur’s Cantina
Located at Leonhardt Lagoon
Even dinos need a rest from stomping around, and there’s no better place to rest than the Canosaur’s Cantina! Nestled within the Dinosaurs at the Lagoon exhibit, Canosaur’s Cantina is a prehistoric paradise where ancient creatures and delectable delights merge to create an unforgettable experience and relaxing atmosphere for fairgoers of all ages. The Cantina will have tasty food for those young and young at heart with items ranging from tacos and quesadillas that will fill your belly to adult beverages that will quench your thirst. They will be offering drinks like La Pitfina, which is a blue wine-based drink, and La Barbie, a 24-ounce iced drink rimmed with cotton candy and cotton candy powder, Red Bull, watermelon lime soda, and vodka wine gummies.
Juicy’s Texas Tailgate
Located near the Texas Star Ferris Wheel
On any given day at the Fair, you may want to sit back, relax, and see how your favorite team is doing on the big screen, and there is no better place to watch the game than at Juicy’s Texas Tailgate! This new area was created as the ultimate sports fan destination with multiple large televisions, plenty of seating, and food options, so you can have your fill of Fair food and fun while also watching the game. They will be offering a variety of foods that range from the classic half-pound corndog to a huge full slab of BBQ ribs! If you want a treat for you or the kiddos, they will also be serving Fried Snickers, Fried Twinkies, and Fried S’mores.
Dickel’s Smokehouse
Located in Cotton Bowl Plaza near the Children’s Aquarium
Dickel’s Smokehouse has been a staple of the Fair for many years; it is located on the corner of Cotton Bowl Plaza near the Lagoon and the Dallas Children’s Aquarium. This year it returns as a newly redesigned soft space with increased lighting. Serving slow-cooked meats that are sure to delight fairgoers of all ages, this area is designed with a rustic charm, featuring circular bar seating options around trees. There will also be picnic tables for families to sit in the shade and try the traditional and modern BBQ from around the Lone Star State with a welcoming atmosphere that captures the essence of a traditional Texan smokehouse.
2023 New State Fair of Texas Food Stands
Borracho Nacho Bar
Located in Cotton Bowl Plaza
Step right up and get your Chicharron Loaded Nachos! Borracho Nacho Bar, an outdoor stand, will be making their State Fair debut this year. Their signature menu item is Build your Own Chicharron Nachos, which begin with fresh pork rinds that are fried to a golden, crispy crunch and seasoned with just the right amount of Cajun-style seasonings to ensure a mouthwatering kick. Next, you can add smoked beef fajita meat and top it with delectable freshly made queso. To make this an explosion, the chicharron nachos can be finished off with a full serving of savory chopped beef barbecue. Your mouth will be celebrating this heavenly, savory party.
The Cajun Cowboy
Located on First Ave.
If you’re looking for all things Cajun at the Fair this year, look no further than The Cajun Cowboy! This new stand’s first-ever featured menu item will be a Blooming Onion, a colossal onion battered in Cajun seasonings, deep-fried, and served with a delicious signature dipping sauce. Other menu items will include 2023 Big Tex Choice Awards Finalist Deep Fried Cheesy Crab Tater Bites, Deep Fried Boudin Balls, Deep Fried Bread Pudding, Pie Tin Shrimp, Authentic Muffaletta, and more.
East Meets West BBQ by Ferris Wheelers
Located on the Funway
East meets West at this new food stand that brings a twist on southern BBQ right to The State Fair of Texas. Brand new to the Fair, East Meets West BBQ will be serving up BBQ Egg Rolls, TX Chili Potstickers, Banana Pudding Mochi, as well as debuting their featured menu item called the Bao Bun Taco Trio. This trio brings the fluffy steamed bao bun to a meat-lovers paradise, one filled with fried chicken, another with pork belly burnt ends, and finally, a bao filled with chopped brisket. Try one or try the whole trio!
Fryed
Located on the Funway
This new food stand will be going BIG at the Fair this year with its five different styles of loaded potatoes. Fryed will reinvent the way you enjoy your tater tots and French fries with their 2023 debut at the State Fair of Texas. Fryed’s feature menu item, the Big Texan, starts off with either their signature fries or crispy tater tots. Those are then topped with Fryed’s famous hatch chili queso, Texas-smoked shredded brisket, and hickory smoked bacon pieces drizzled with their signature barbecue sauce. Along with the Big Texan, there are other styles to try out, including buffalo chicken, Mexicano, and sweet potato s’mores! Fryed will also serve a gourmet third-pound cheeseburger, chicken strip baskets, and sweet potato waffle fries. All Fryed’s baskets are big enough to share, so you can taste them all guilt-free!
Pineapple Dole Soft Serve®
Located at Leonhardt Lagoon
Explore the new Dinosaurs at the Lagoon exhibit and enjoy this classic sweet treat for those young and young at heart. The smooth, tropical pineapple treat is a fruit-flavored phenomenon that is craved around the world! Fans love this refreshing and creamy dessert with its truly unique, true-to-fruit taste.
Stiffler’s Steak Stop
Located on the Funway.
This new stand is the place to visit for all the steak lovers of the Fair! Introducing Stiffler’s Steak Stop, a food stand that knows how to turn up the heat with their Jalapeño Margarita and juicy steaks. Stiffler’s Steak Stop will be featuring the Steak Bowl on their new menu. The bowl is made-to-order, with mouth-watering bites of prime sirloin steak, served in a bowl with your choice of homemade rustic mashed potatoes, wine-marinated mushrooms, sautéed onions, and bell peppers. You can top it off with your choice of a zesty chimichurri sauce, their homemade Cowboy Butter Sauce, or both. Step up to the grill and have it your way! While you’re at the booth, be sure to try their Peach Bellini or the Jalapeño Margarita for that extra kick that compliments the Steak Bowl perfectly.
Texas Sopapilla Factory
Located in Cotton Bowl Plaza
What’s Texas without a good sopapilla? New to the Fair this year is the Texas Sopapilla Factory. Their feature item is the Strawberry Shortcake Sopapillas, which provide a fun State Fair of Texas twist on the classic strawberry shortcake. These sopapillas come coated in powdered sugar and topped with all the traditional strawberry fixin’s and more. Other sopapilla flavors this outdoor stand will be serving include this year’s Big Tex Choice Awards winner for Most Creative, Bourbon Banana Caramel Sopapillas, along with various other flavors like Chocolate Lovers, and even Cinnamon Toast Crunch™.