The State Fair of Texas is synonymous with fried foods, and a perusal of the vendors list could make a vegetarian wonder if there’s any hope of finding something to eat.
We did the hard work and sussed out plenty of options. We do have a caveat, though. Logically, these items should be vegetarian. But animal products can appear in all kinds of places, such as the fats used to cook the items, or if the vendors use the same griddle for all of their orders. We also included some items with dairy and/or egg in this list. If you want to know for certain, the best way to find out is to ask the person who’s taking your food coupons.
First, the obvious: Fruiteria, funnel cake, popcorn, cotton candy, french fries in all their various forms, and roasted corn on the cob stands are throughout the fairgrounds. You’ll be able to pick up snacks—and even some healthy ones—as you walk. Some vendors also offer options like salads, so it’s worth heading to vendor-dense locations like the Tower Building to take a look around, too. And if your friends are grabbing Fletchers corny dogs, you don’t need to feel left out—the popular stands have offered veggie dogs since 2015.
But if you are looking for something more substantial, or want to venture beyond that, here are some suggestions:
The Dumpling Experience has three kinds of dumplings, and one of them (edamame) will likely fit the bill. It’s grilled and topped with green onion, cilantro, and a choice of five sauces. Find it in the Funway.
Hit up Eataly’s booth, where last year’s fried cacio e pepe (pasta, Pecorino-Romano cheese, and black pepper) was a hit. It’s served with a side of marinara. Find it at Cotton Bowl Plaza.
Neighborhood Spotlight
Central Dallas
The neighborhoods at the center of Dallas are in the midst of an exciting period of growth and renewal. Construction cranes are a common sight looking out the windows of downtown’s skyscrapers, and once sketchy corners of dilapidated buildings have morphed into the trendiest, most walkable areas in town as more people choose an urban—rather than suburban—lifestyle.
Japanese sandos are made with Japanese milk bread, but if you’re a lacto-ovo vegetarian, you’ll find plenty to eat at Sandoitchi, including egg salad, fruit salad and cream, and matcha sandos. Find it at the Tower Building.
Pizza is another option. You can get a cheese pizza at the Wine Garden at Nimitz Circle at the Grove and at Lone Star Pizza on Nimitz. Or you can be more adventurous: Pat’s Pizza and Subs on Coliseum Drive is offering a Mexican Street Corn Pizza topped with chipotle mayo, corn, chili powder, cilantro, and cotija cheese. Texapolitian Pizza on Lonestar Blvd. is introducing the Holy Cheeseus this year, a white pie layered with seven cheeses and garlic-infused olive oil and finished off with fresh cracked pepper and a drizzle of hot honey.
The Highland Park Soda Shop has grilled cheese and a new drink: It’s Bananas…B-A-N-A-N-A-S, a banana shake topped with banana pudding, whipped cream, Nilla wafers, chocolate-covered bananas, and caramel. Find it at the Tower Building.
Looking for something a little lighter? Dole Soft Serve will offer creamy pineapple, strawberry, or swirl soft serve, and this year you can also order it as a Tajin Twist Sundae topped with Tajin and Chamoy Mega sauce. Find it on Coliseum Drive.
Rita’s Italian Ice will offer its usual Italian ice options: blue raspberry, cotton candy, mango, mango strawberry, and sugar-free dragon fruit. This year brings a new menu item, The Cool Combo, which layers Italian Ice with vanilla frozen custard. Find it on Grand Avenue.
Fernie’s Fruit Quenchers mix Jarritos Mexican sodas with club soda, fresh herbs, and fruit for three different drink options: Pineapple jalapeño, rosemary mandarin, or grapefruit basil. You can also get them spiked with Champagne, prosecco, or a wine-based vodka. Find it at The Dock on Nimitz Drive.
Smoothies are also an option. Fruteria Cano on Lonestar Blvd. and Canosaur’s Cantina at the Lagoon area both offer smoothie choices.
Desserts are plentiful. Doc’s Street Grill has added the Very Berry Coconut Parfairy to its menu this year. It starts with lemon pound cake that is layered with blueberry compote syrup, coconut cream custard, and vanilla yogurt. The whole thing is topped with whipped cream, blueberry, pineapple, and shaved coconut. Find it on MLK Blvd.
Pick up fresh (and big) donuts from Milton’s Amish Doughnuts. The sourdough pillows of deliciousness are dipped in a vanilla glaze, and you can even pass some time watching them make the doughnuts through the viewing window. Find it on Grand Avenue.
There are plenty of options at Crepes and Co., including the brand new Fried Apple Cinnamon Crepe, which is filled with Biscoff cookie butter spread and caramelized apple cinnamon and topped with caramelized apples, Biscoff mousse, whipped cream, and a Biscoff cookie. Find it in the Tower Building.
Nachos can be a bit of a dicey proposition—although there are cheese nachos served throughout the fairgrounds, especially in the Tower Building. (The ones with Texas chips, natch.) But a new item, Cookie Butter Nachos, is full of plenty of things to love. Freshly fried flour tortilla chips coated in cinnamon sugar, cookie butter cheesecake filling, cream cheese icing, caramel sauce, and Biscoff cookie crumbles complete the sweet treat. Find it at Big Al’s Grill and Texas Burgers, Dogs, and More on Lonestar Blvd. and Cotton Bowl Plaza.
Author
