Joel De La Rosa is a CNN Senior Photojournalist. He is based in Dallas.
"Fried beer! Fried beer! Get your fried beer here!"
The minute you enter the food court at the 2010 State Fair of Texas in Dallas, the call cuts through the crowds of people and the smell of cotton candy and roasted corn. Booth vendors shout the choice of foods, "Fried beer...fried club salad...fried caviar!"
Every year the State Fair of Texas holds the Big Tex Choice Awards contest.
The Texas Fried Frito Pie won 2010’s top prize Best Taste award; it's a mix of chili, cheese and fritos that is battered then fried. "It is oowee goowee goodness," says Nick Bert, owner of Bert’s Burgers and Fries. "Everything just taste better fried."
Pushing a stroller already carrying other fried items,Valerie Boscacci from Bedford Texas stopped to try the Frito pie. "It taste like Frito Pie but you don’t have to use a fork," Valerie said, eagerly waiting to get a mouthful.
This year’s Most Creative award went to Fried Beer - a pretzel pocket filled with beer then fried and served with melted cheddar cheese. "It tastes like ravioli with a shot of beer!" said a female fairgoer. "It's like eating nachos and beer at the same time."
Another Big Tex Choice award went to Deep Fried S’mores Pop-Tart. "First we start with a regular Pop-Tart, we batter it, roll it a peanut butter concoction and fry it” explained Issac Rousso of Taste of Cuba. Then he covers it with powdered sugar, whipped cream, chocolate sauce and chocolate sprinkles. "At the end what you got is a Deep Fried Pop-Tart," Issac said with a proud smile.
Among the other fried items featured this year are Deep Fried Frozen Margarita, Fried Lemonade, Fried Chocolate, Fried Texas Caviar and Fried Club Salad. For those fair-goers not daring enough or enticed to try these fried items this year, the traditional fan favorite, Fletcher’s Corny Dog is available.
The State Fair of Texas 2010 runs from Sept. 24th -Oct 17th.
