Fair season in Texas comes with its own kind of math. Tickets, parking and food add up fast, and the menu is full of things nobody would cook at home. Food creator @thefoodnoob headed to Dallas with his crew and set a simple challenge: see how much food $100 can buy at the Texas State Fair.
The answer turned out to be nine items, one very full stomach and one spilled soda. Here is the whole order, what he thought of each bite and some practical advice for anyone planning a fair day of their own.
@thefoodnoob
The $100 Order, Stop by Stop
He described the fair as the largest state fair in Texas and one known for outrageous foods such as fried butter. He also noted that weekday tickets were $15 and that the fair ends October 18. Then he got to eating.
- The Twinkle Twinkle Brisket Star, $11. Fried brisket with a sweet, sticky sauce and caramelized bacon jam. He liked the taste but wished it had more brisket inside.
- Fried butter, $10. He called it a butter bomb wrapped in biscuit dough, a little salty and oddly cheesy in flavor. Good, he said, though the calories showed in every bite.
- Frozen pink lemonade, $5. Welcome relief on a hot day.
- The Soul Stack, $18. A grilled cheese filled with mac and cheese, oxtail, caramelized onions and cheddar. Heavy and cheesy, with oxtail he praised, and he named it the best thing of the day at that point.
- Deep fried pho, $20. A burrito-style take on the Vietnamese soup he grew up eating, served with broth for dipping, plus hoisin sauce, lime and sriracha.
- Pickle Dr Pepper, $6. The pickle flavor was strong and a little strange, but he admitted it was kind of good.
- Burger chop tater tot taco, $8. Tots and ground meat in a tough cheese wrapping. The flavors worked, though it ran salty.
- Lobster roll, $14, eaten in front of Big Tex. Not the best he has had, but decent.
- Pineapple soft serve, $8. His final pick, and the most refreshing item of the day.
Add those prices up and they land exactly on $100. It is a useful lesson in how quickly individual dishes at $10, $14 or $20 stack into a full budget.
Highs, Lows and a Spilled Drink
Not everything went smoothly. After the fried butter, he said his stomach was bubbling, and he wasn’t sure whether the butter or the combination of everything was to blame. Partway through, he spilled a Dr Pepper on his pants and joked that the long drive home would be rough. With a long drive back to Houston ahead, he said he probably would not return.
The deep fried pho won him over. A vendor told him to put sriracha and hoisin on the roll and dip it in the broth, and he pronounced the result right up there with the oxtail sandwich. He admitted he had no idea who Big Tex was before that day, a confession that had him joking about whether he counts as a real Texan.
Why Fair Food Costs What It Does
Fair vendors work under unusual conditions. They pay for booth space, travel, equipment and staff for a short run of days, then pack up. Many serve huge crowds in a few hours and rely on eye-catching items to stand out in a row of competing stands. That is part of why prices run higher than at a typical restaurant, and why one dish can cost as much as a full meal elsewhere.
How to Stretch Your Own Fair Budget
Sharing is the single best strategy. Fair portions tend to be large and rich, so splitting each dish among two or three people lets you taste more for the same money. Walk the whole food area before you order so you can compare options, and write down the few dishes you most want to try.
Remember that food is only one part of the bill. Admission, parking, rides and games can match or exceed what you spend on meals, so check the fair’s website ahead of time for ticket options and parking details. Weekday visits are often calmer than weekends, and eating a normal snack beforehand keeps you from ordering out of pure hunger.
Take care of your stomach too. Heavy fried foods, sugary drinks and a warm crowd do not always mix. Eat small portions, pause between stops and drink water. Choose stands where food is cooked fresh and served hot, and clean your hands before eating.
Tips for Your Own Fair Day
- Set a food budget before you arrive and add a little cushion.
- Split every big dish with at least one other person.
- Pair a splurge with something simple and savory.
- Alternate treats with water, especially in warm weather.
- Go early for shorter lines and fresher food.
The Takeaway
One hundred dollars buys a lot of memories at a state fair, but not an all-day buffet. His crew’s answer was nine dishes, a mix of hits and misses, and a closing verdict that the pineapple soft serve was the best thing he ate all day. Come with a list, share plates and save room for the treat you cannot stop thinking about. Fair food is meant to be a splurge, so enjoy it and let the budget guide the fun.
