BBQ
October 6, 2023
You Can Still Get Your Barbecue Fix at the State Fair of Texas
We know the deep-fried options tend to hog the spotlight, but can we interest you in a Neapolitan-style smoked pork belly burnt end pizza?
State Fair of Texas
Texas’ annual fair is held in Dallas’ Fair Park and has become synonymous with outrageous fried food (like Coca-Cola and butter), and the Red River Rivalry.
Being Texan
September 29, 2023
Sayin’ Howdy to Big Tex
The State Fair kicks off today. We celebrated by checking in with the big man himself.
Style & Design
September 28, 2023
How Corny Dog Queen Amber Fletcher Prepares for the State Fair of Texas
Ahead of fair season, she shares her must-haves for working fourteen hours a day, trekking the fairgrounds’ 277 acres, as she oversees seven corny dog stands.
Style & Design
September 26, 2023
The Best Time to Visit Fair Park Is . . . After the State Fair Is Over
There’s a lot more to Fair Park than Big Tex. It’s also a rare monument to art deco architecture and a battleground for the civil rights movement.
Food & Drink
July 17, 2023
Ranking the 2023 State Fair of Texas Foods by How They Impact Our Will to Live
Last week, the thirty-six Big Tex Choice Award semi-finalists were announced, and we take a closer look at some of the mostly fried and sometimes alarming selections.
Texas Icons
January 17, 2023
When the State Fair of Texas Turned Deep-fried
Melanie Linnear recalls the origins of the unhealthiest (but most delicious) competition in all the land.
BBQ Joint Reviews
January 12, 2023
Slinging Pizza at the State Fair of Texas Led This Pitmaster To Open His Latest Joint
After successfully serving smoked pork belly pizza at the State Fair, Stephan Nedwetzky planted Pit Commander Barbecue in North Texas.
Being Texan
October 15, 2021
This Year’s State Fair Was Overstimulating, Anxiety-Inducing—and Exactly What I Needed
After nearly two years of pandemic life, I didn’t even realize just how much I was craving this release.
Food & Drink
September 28, 2021
The State Fair of Texas Returns in All Its Fried Glory
Texans descended on the corny dogs and Deep Fried I-35 with childlike glee, and we've got the photos to prove it.
BBQ
September 24, 2021
Ten Places to Eat State Fair Food Without Setting Foot in the State Fair
Whether or not you plan to attend this year’s fair, head to one of these Dallas–Fort Worth restaurants or barbecue joints for over-the-top fried treats.
Being Texan
September 24, 2021
Big Tex on State Fair History, His Favorite Fried Foods, and His Size 96 Boots
A conversation with the big guy himself.
Being Texan
September 12, 2021
The Great Corny Dog Feud
For almost eighty years, the name “Fletcher’s” has drawn state fair visitors. After a dramatic feud—and a pandemic—the family’s banner will fly again.
Recipes
September 25, 2020
Smoked Turkey Legs
In honor of the State Fair of Texas, here’s how to enjoy these annual treats at home.
Business
August 27, 2020
The State Fair of Texas Is Opening a Drive-thru
You can’t keep Big Tex down.
The Texanist
August 10, 2020
The Texanist: Can an Alabamian Be the Voice of Big Tex?
A Sugar Land man wants to know if his friend from out of state could be the official greeter at the State Fair of Texas.
Food & Drink
October 2, 2019
All of the Texas Treats You Could Eat For the Price of That $1,600 Burger
Hundreds of Whataburger meals, tons of tacos, and other staples to consider before this astronomically expensive meal.
The Texanist
September 15, 2019
The Texanist: The ‘Nub’ of a Corny Dog Is Good Eatin’, Right?
An Austin couple debates the culinary worthiness of the crusty little ferrule beloved by many State Fair of Texas-goers.
BBQ
October 14, 2017
Turkey Leg Season at Smokey John’s
Healing from a fire at the fair.
Art
September 29, 2017
Meet the Vegan Sculptor Responsible for the State Fair of Texas’s Butter Sculpture
Ken Robison has been an artist for decades, but when he was asked to make the State Fair's butter sculpture, he got to use a new medium.
The Daily Post
August 17, 2017
The Agony and the Ecstasy of the State Fair Food Finalists
The grim traveler sampled the offerings with a heavy heart.
Music
June 5, 2017
Maren Morris and Flo Rida Are Headlining The State Fair of Texas
But not as a duo, unfortunately.
Travel & Outdoors
September 25, 2015
Six Must-Attend Events: September 25-October 2
The state's top offerings, from the start of the famed State Fair of Texas in Dallas to the beginning of amazing Antiques Week in Round Top.
The Texanist
September 17, 2015
The Texanist: How to Pick the Country Boy of Your Dreams Out of the Herd
Our estimable advice columnist on finding love in the country, the (unquestioned!) merit of the State Fair, the fulfilling post-rodeo career of a bucking bull, and more.
The Daily Post
August 31, 2015
Let’s All Drool Over This Year’s State Fair of Texas Food
I heard you like fried things, so I put some fried things on your fried things.
The Culture
March 23, 2015
Where to Be a Tourist
A word about these four destinations: most native Texans visited them on their elementary school field trips. They are essential, so if you haven’t seen them yet, you’d better get cracking. Just remember, this is only the start.
Food & Drink
October 17, 2014
Greased Up at the State Fair of Texas
A night with the company that recycles the thousands and thousands of gallons of oil used during the fair.
Style & Design
August 27, 2014
Big Tex Will Be Dressing Even More Texas At The State Fair This Year
The giant avatar of the Texas State Fair returns once more—and his new duds let you know where he's from.
The Daily Post
September 27, 2013
A Visual History of Big Tex
The new statue was unveiled yesterday at the State Fair. Here's why the iconic original was so fondly remembered.
Food & Drink
September 23, 2013
Corny Dog
If you don’t make it to the state fair, you can batter and fry your own wieners at home.
The Culture
August 12, 2013
Big Tex, My Big Tex
Nobody asked me, but here’s how I’d like to see Big Tex rebuilt. (First off, let’s make him a whole lot bigger.)
The Culture
January 21, 2013
Big Tex‘s Original Head Lives On
Despite the Texas icon's untimely demise, one Dallas man has the structure's original head stored in a barn.
Food & Drink
January 21, 2013
You Can Also Deep-Fry Vegan Food
At the Veggie State Fair of Texas, the chili for "Fried Frito Pie" may not have any meat, but still doesn't use beans.
Food & Drink
January 21, 2013
Frito Pie for 5,000, Anyone?
Frito-Lay and the State Fair of Texas set a record for World's Largest Frito Pie on Monday.
The Culture
October 19, 2012
R.I.P. Big Tex
Big Tex went up in flames Friday.
The Wanderer
October 13, 2012
The State Fair of Texas: Football + Fried Food
This time last year, I was leaving the Cotton Bowl along with thousands of football fans who'd made the annual pilgrimage to watch the 106th Red River Rivalry, one of the highlights of the State Fair of Texas. While throngs of UT
The Culture
September 30, 2012
5 Things You’ll Be Talking About in October
1. Third Time’s the Charm! Right?For the third straight year, the Texas Rangers head into the postseason with hopes that are high and realistic. Led by perennial MVP candidate Josh Hamilton, they’re the best-hitting team in baseball. They’ve got a lights-out closer in Joe Nathan and, despite some devastating injuries,
Food & Drink
May 22, 2012
Deep Fried Samoas to Join Pantheon of Deep Fried Things at State Fair
The cookies, known to most Texans as Caramel deLites, will be fried to mark the Girl Scout's 100th Anniversary.
Food & Drink
September 1, 2010
I Believe I Can Fry
How a mild-mannered database analyst from Dallas became the undisputed king of extreme competitive deep-frying in Texas—which is to say, the world.
The Culture
September 30, 2008
Andy Mullins, Midway Barker
Mullins, an actor by trade, grew up in Fort Worth and lives in Addison. As the State Fair of Texas’s joker-in-residence, he’s been hurling family-friendly barbs at unsuspecting visitors since 2004.I grew up going to the state fair, but I’d never seen the midway barker before. They only started
Food & Drink
September 30, 2007
How to Fry Up a Batch of Corny Dogs
The corn dog’s birthplace may be disputed among gastronomists, but there is no denying that the corny dog, as the fried delicacy is known in these parts, made its first appearance at the State Fair of Texas. Dallas native Neil Fletcher formulated the recipe in 1942, set up a
Texas History
August 31, 2003
Fair’s Fair
The State Fair has seen it all, from a model of the Washington Monument made entirely out of human teeth to a visit by King Olaf V of Norway on Norweigian Day.
Texana
August 31, 2003
All’s Fair
For 117 years, the State Fair of Texas has been part parade, part carnival, part livestock show, part museumand all fun.
Arts & Entertainment
September 1, 1986
Requiem for a Roller Coaster
The state fair’s Comet: will it rust in peace?.
Texas History
September 30, 1976
State Fair
The roar of the grease, the smell of the corny dog.