The State Fair of Texas opens in little more than a month and while many people may be looking forward to the rides, many mouths are already watering thinking about the food!

Vendors come up with some wild food concoctions and then enter them into the Big Tex Choice Awards for a chance to win best fair food.

Inside a packed room at fair park, an all-star panel of judges – samples the most delightfully decadent fair food.

“You could smell it before you actually eat it. I mean, talk about sugar high.”

The Big Tex Choice Awards – a showcase for the most creative concessionaires.

Ten finalists showing off the food they’ll serve this year.

“It was really, really difficult to figure out who was going to win.”

Whittled down to the three best –

“Oh my god. We’re so excited. It’s been a long time since we’ve won this competition, so much amazing competitors out here. Every year I feel like we have something good. But this year we really feel like we hit a home run with the cotton candy taco.”

“For best sweet goes to Arroz con leche.”

Arroz con leche – a cinnamon-spiced rice ball battered and coated in crispy puffed rice cereal, then fried — what’s not to like? It’s a winner too –

“I do remember someone saying it was the best bite they’ve had the whole time, so that to us was just a thrill.”

Fernie’s Hoppin’ John Cake With Jackpot Sauce.

“It’s got siracha, Lea Perrins Worcestershire, mustard, mayonnaise, chili sauce, and when we finally got the right blend of it, we went JACKPOT! and that’s why it’s Jackpot Sauce.”

The State Fair of Texas opens September 28th and runs through October 21st.