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State Fair season is upon us and, luckily for us, Dallas\u2019s own James Beard-nominated chef<\/a>, Anastacia Qui\u00f1ones-Pittman<\/a> of Jose<\/a>, has taken the mantle to champion this year\u2019s deep-fried and powered sugar-dusted dishes.<\/a> In addition to being an expert on food, Qui\u00f1ones-Pittman has worked with the fair and attends every year with her husband and kids \u2014 so she has a lot of long-standing favorite fair foods. Follow along as she experiences the highs, the lows, and the fried food hangovers of this year\u2019s hottest state fair staples.<\/p>\n The inspiration<\/em><\/p>\n Palmer and Amanda Fortune, of Palmer\u2019s Hot Chicken<\/a> in Lakewood, took two things they are already great at, Nashville hot chicken and pimento cheese, and deep fried them. The idea came from the long-standing tradition of deep fried balls.<\/p>\n The verdict: A+<\/em><\/p>\n Qui\u00f1ones-Pittman (and all of us, frankly) were a bit worried when Fortune brought out an airfryer to prep the dish, but one bite of that tangy pimento cheese not only erased all our worries but prompted Qui\u00f1ones-Pittman to declare it her favorite dish among the finalists. At the end of the day, when asked again in the parking lot, she stood by that decision.<\/p>\n The inspiration<\/em><\/p>\n Isaac Rousso won\u2019t share where he\u2019s getting that amazing bacon or what exactly prompted this incredible idea. He did let it slip that he was thinking about the fair staple, Fletcher\u2019s corny dogs<\/a>, and wanted to make a comparable food that would advertise itself and become just as iconic.<\/p>\n The verdict: A<\/em><\/p>\n The bacon is so good that Qui\u00f1ones-Pittman spent a lot of time trying to convince Rousso to give up his source so she can serve it in her restaurant. The photo of her face when she saw the bacon go into the cotton candy machine says it all. This Best Taste \u2014 Sweet winner<\/a> seems to be a bite everyone has already heard about and wants to try. Qui\u00f1ones-Pittman says it\u2019s a hit.<\/p>\n The inspiration<\/em><\/p>\n When Qui\u00f1ones-Pittman walked up to this booth, she looked at Candy Pickle Factory<\/a> owner Heather Perkins for a minute and then placed her. \u201cHave I seen you on TikTok?\u201d Yeah, Perkins said, laughing. Her out-there pickle creations are a viral sensation<\/a>. It may have started with the chamoy pickle, but it won\u2019t end until Perkins says stop.<\/p>\n The verdict: A-<\/em><\/p>\n After Perkins laid out all the ingredients for this dish, Qui\u00f1ones-Pittman\u2019s face grew incredulous. Upon trying it, she was a fan. Qui\u00f1ones-Pittman remarked in cheffy style about how the textures play against each other, and then made Perkins\u2019 sons come out to explain their inspirations. It turns out, Candy Crush and Wreck-It Ralph<\/em> are their sources. Looks like they deserved the Most Creative award they landed for it.<\/p>\n The inspiration<\/em><\/p>\n Justin Martinez and Michael Tavarez dreamed up this wannabe corn dog\/hot dog mash-up that took Best Taste \u2014 Savory in the awards. It is stuffed with fritura cheese and Dominican salami and coated with a secret sauce.<\/p>\n The verdict: A-<\/em><\/p>\n It was the first savory bite that Qui\u00f1ones-Pittman had on our day at the fair, and she felt it was clear why this won. They still refused to tell us what is in the secret sauce.<\/p>\n The inspiration<\/em><\/p>\n Honestly? The inspiration for this was the desire to get drunk at the fair. And Vietnamese fruit punches.<\/p>\n The verdict: B-<\/em><\/p>\n Qui\u00f1ones-Pittman watched as Binh Tran lined the glass with hot sauce and added a mixture of citrus and mango juices. That\u2019s it, that\u2019s the whole drink. Fairgoers will have the option to add Fireball, rum, or vodka and Qui\u00f1ones-Pittman recommends rum \u2014 but would love to try it with mezcal.<\/p>\nHot Chick in a Pancake Poppers<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Rousso\u2019s Cotton Candy Bacon on a Stick<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Texas Sugar Rush Pickles<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Dominican Fritura Dog<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Tropical Two-Step Punch<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Texas Fried Burnt End Bombs<\/strong><\/h2>\n