Healthy Eats at the State Fair
Let’s face it: While the Texas State Fair is filled with world-class entertainment, thrilling rides, engaging exhibits, and so much more, the real star of the show is the food. At this Texas-sized event, snacks smothered in cheese, drinks packed with sugar, and deep-fried everything are everywhere, but healthy choices are a bit harder to find. Not to worry, y’all! To save you time and calories, we put together a list of some of the fair’s more nutritious (and nutritious!) choices. Keep reading for 10 healthy eats at the state fair.
Thrill and Chill Delight
Tony’s Taco Shop; Tower Building, Centennial Building
This year’s winner of the Big Tex Choice Award for Best Taste Sweet also happens to be a healthy choice filled with fruit in three forms. From the team at Tony’s Taco Shop, this sweet concoction consists of a cup filled with fresh watermelon, strawberries, grapes, and peaches soaked in watermelon juice and topped with shaved homemade mango sorbet and boba bubbles.
Mango on a Stick
Fruiteria Cano; Midway, Lonestar Blvd., Tower Building
With Mango on a Stick from Fruteria Cano, you needn’t feel left out when your friends are chowing down on corndogs and other stick-served foods. This simple yet elegant snack is created with fresh mango slices arranged on a stick to look like a flower, making it just as Instagram-worthy as the event’s fattier, over-the-top fare. Elsewhere on the menu, Fruteria Cano serves up a variety of other healthy finds, from smoothies to fruit cups.
Texas Water
Texas Water; Embarcadero
Drinking water while you’re walking around in the sun for hours is incredibly important, and Texas Water puts a delicious spin on staying hydrated. This outpost takes spring water, sparkling water, or pale ale and infuses it with natural fruit flavors to create a refreshing beverage that’s not loaded with sugar.
Turkey Sandwich
Highland Park Soda Fountain; Tower Building
If you prefer traditional fare over the newest and buzziest fairgrounds offerings, head over to Highland Park Soda Fountain. In addition to a simple turkey sandwich, this spot serves other approachable options like ham and cheese sandwiches, tuna salad sandwiches, and more.
Pickle Lemonade
Milton’s Concessions; Tower Building, Front Gate, Grand Ave.
If there’s one staple concession at the fair, it’s fresh-squeezed lemonade. At Milton’s, this beloved beverage gets a healthy upgrade. It’s mixed with pickles and pickle juice, not only creating the perfect mix of sweet and salty, but also adding electrolytes that help you stay hydrated as you enjoy the fun.
Grilled Chicken Kebabs
Texas Steak Out; Funway
Fresh off the grill, Texas Steak Out’s grilled chicken kebabs with vegetables offer a lean-meat meal packed with flavor, not dipped in batter. The menu also includes grilled sirloin steak kebabs if you’re craving red meat that’s not smothered in calories and cholesterol.
Hot Corn
Nevins Concessions; Cotton Bowl Plaza
Okay, so technically this dish is called Hot Buttered Corn. However,if you order it without butter, it becomes a healthy treat that’s still plenty festive and scrumptious.
Sauerkraut
Hans Mueller; near the Chevrolet Main Stage
It’s rare to uncover a fair food that’s loaded with nutrients and probiotics, but we found it for you! Often overshadowed by menu favorites like turkey legs and sausages on sticks, Hans Mueller’s sauerkraut side dish is a choice that you and your body can feel good about.
Ube Rice-Cream Crunch
Barrera’s; Funway
New to the fair this year, the Ube Rice-Cream Crunch at Barrera’s brings Filipino flavor to the heart of Texas. The sweet sensation is made with ube, a nutritious purple tuber, and then topped with puffed rice, a dollop of Cool Whip, and (of course) a cherry on top.
