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If you can’t make it out or just want the fair experience in a more chill atmosphere? Alternatives around the Metroplex give you a taste of the fair, ranging from high to lowbrow. Try them out because you can do better than a frozen corn dog from the supermarket for your fair-season treat.
Know of or serving a great State Fair special dish this season? Let us know. This post will continue to be updated with delicious bites.
Ferris Wheeler’s Backyard and BBQ
This restaurant in the Design District will host a “State Ferris of Wheelers” themed pop-up. Attendees will be able to get funnel cakes, turkey legs, corn dogs, the usual barbecue staples from Ferris Wheeler’s, draft beers, and fair-themed cocktails. Naturally, there will also be midway games, a tiny Ferris wheel, and live local music.
September 22 to October 23 on Thursdays and Fridays from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Lucky’s
Over in Oak Lawn, Lucky’s offers a State Fair Corn Dogs meal, made up of two corn dogs served with fries and Cotton Candy Pilsner from Texas Ale Project, at $10.99 for the meal and another $5.99 for the beer.
Available during the run of the State Fair, from September 30 through October 23.
On Rotation
Join this brewery’s Altered State of A-Fairs annual beer dinner on Thursday, October 13, at 7 p.m. (tickets required). It’s a four-course upscale dining meal done fair-style with beer pairings.
Diners can look forward to the first course of deep-fried, bacon-wrapped bratwurst bites paired with On Rotation Oktoberfest. The second course is deep-fried Caesar salad paired with On Rotation Jalapeño Saison. For the third course, an espresso-crusted Tomahawk ribeye with chive mashed potatoes and tempura-fried broccoli is matched with an On Rotation Hawk Cold IPA. And finally, a deep-fried rocky road brownie served with an On Rotation Café Au Lait Chicory Coffee Milk Stout.
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Ellie’s Restaurant and Lounge
Get a sweet sip in the Arts District. It’s offering up a Cotton Candy Champagne Cocktail. That is a rose champagne topped with cotton candy made by SMU grad Yasmeen Tadia through her Make Your Life Sweeter company. The cotton candy is meant to dissolve into the cocktail slowly.
CBD Provisions
The bites you love on the fairgrounds get a fancier take at this downtown restaurant. CBD Provisions in the Joule hotel serves a Korean corn dog with cheddar sausage and fermented pepper ketchup for $12. Frito pie gets upgraded to a Walking Taco made with Fritos, Texas chili, jalapeno crema, queso, scallion, cilantro, serrano, black beans, and cheddar for $14.
Of course, there are classics like loaded fries made with pulled pork, scallions, cilantro, ceviche onion, queso, and peppercorn ranch for $15. And there’s also the Texas Hot Link made using hot link beef sausage, jalapeno cheese roll, tomatillo relish, and harissa aioli for $16. Finally, a sweet treat in pancake battered Snickers, a fair classic. A deep-fried Snickers candy bar with confectioners sugar is yours for $10.
Get them Thursdays to Sundays from 3-5 p.m. during the fair’s run.
