Dallas, September 13, 2025
News Summary
The State Fair of Texas is set to return with exciting new food options including its first fully vegan stand, Vegan Vibrationz. Other notable additions include Mr. Ramen Fusion, Rousso’s Fat Bacon, and the rebranded Lobster Lounge. Alongside premium items and novelty dishes, the fair introduces Cheap Eats for budget-friendly meals. With a mix of affordable and high-end options, the fair aims to cater to diverse tastes and budgets, reflecting ongoing trends in fair food.
Dallas — The State Fair of Texas returns to Fair Park on September 26, 2025, introducing several new food stands and lounges across the grounds, including the fair’s first fully vegan stand, Vegan Vibrationz. The fair runs through October 19, 2025, and organizers and concessionaires are offering a mix of affordable options, premium items, and novel menu items for attendees.
Key additions and price notes
New concessions this year include Vegan Vibrationz, Mr. Ramen Fusion, Rousso’s Fat Bacon, and The Lobster Lounge (formerly Crazy Ottos). A new bargain booth called Cheap Eats will offer all items for under $10, with the lowest-priced item expected to be a hot dog priced at $3 or $4. Food prices overall are expected to rise by about 3% in 2025, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
What to expect from the new stands
Vegan Vibrationz is the fair’s first stand offering a fully vegan menu. Its offerings will include a veganized burrito, a plant-based burger, a vegan chicken sandwich, and loaded nachos, all prepared without meat or cheese to meet fully plant-based preferences.
Mr. Ramen Fusion will serve a variety of hot soups along with specialty items such as birria Cheeto balls, fried churros, and loaded fries, aimed at combining comfort food with bold flavors.
Rousso’s Fat Bacon, a new stand from Isaac Rousso, will focus on bacon-forward dishes. Menu items will include bourbon-glazed bacon preparations and a bacon on a stick coated in Dubai chocolate, offering a mix of savory and sweet options for bacon fans.
The Lobster Lounge, operated by Clint and Gretchen Probst and replacing Crazy Ottos, will emphasize lobster-based dishes including lobster mac, lobster rolls, and popcorn-fried lobster. The lounge will feature a combo called Lobster Three Ways for $32. The concessionaire Abel Gonzales will continue to offer premium deep-fried items and remains responsible for some of the fair’s most notable menu prices.
Affordable options and premium fare
Concessionaire Abel Gonzales expanded the fair’s range by introducing Cheap Eats, designed to provide lower-cost options amid an event where premium fares are also on sale. Cheap Eats will offer hamburgers, French fries, eggrolls and other items for less than $10, while still balancing the presence of high-end items nearby.
On the premium end, Gonzales continues to sell high-ticket novelty items, including a deep-fried lobster priced at $80, which includes a third lobster tail per order. Gonzales’s overall approach this season aims to combine affordable choices with attention-grabbing premium offerings.
Other conveniences and features
Attendees will also find a stand selling 16-ounce drinks that can be worn around the neck, featuring frozen lemonade and “dirty” soda options for hands-free convenience while roaming the fairgrounds.
Background and context
The State Fair of Texas is an annual event held at Fair Park in Dallas and runs for several weeks each fall. The 2025 edition reflects ongoing trends in fair food, including an expansion of plant-based offerings, fusion cuisine, novelty deep-fried items, and a growing emphasis on price variety to serve diverse budgets. The USDA projection of a roughly 3% food price increase for 2025 factors into concession pricing decisions across the fair.
The mix of new vegan, ramen, bacon-centric, and lobster-focused stands alongside a bargain booth is intended to broaden appeal to families, food enthusiasts, and visitors seeking either low-cost meals or specialty items. Concessionaires are presenting both novelty and traditional fair foods, maintaining the event’s reputation for eclectic and sometimes extravagant offerings.
Event dates and location
Opening: September 26, 2025
Closing: October 19, 2025
Location: Fair Park, Dallas
FAQ
- When does the State Fair of Texas 2025 open and close?
- The fair opens on September 26, 2025, and closes on October 19, 2025.
- Where is the fair held?
- The event takes place at Fair Park in Dallas.
- What is the new fully vegan option?
- The new stand Vegan Vibrationz will offer a fully vegan menu including a veganized burrito, plant-based burger, vegan chicken sandwich, and loaded nachos with no meat or cheese.
- What is Cheap Eats?
- Cheap Eats is a new bargain booth offering all items for less than $10, with the lowest-priced item being a hot dog expected to cost $3 or $4.
- What premium items will be available?
- Premium offerings include a deep-fried lobster sold for $80 (which includes a third lobster tail per order) and specialty lobster dishes at the Lobster Lounge, including a $32 Lobster Three Ways combo.
- Are food prices changing this year?
- Food prices at the fair are expected to rise by about 3% in 2025, based on U.S. Department of Agriculture data.
- What other new stands are appearing?
- Other new stands include Mr. Ramen Fusion, offering hot soups and fried snacks, and Rousso’s Fat Bacon, featuring bourbon-glazed bacon and chocolate-coated bacon on a stick. The Lobster Lounge is also new under new operators.
| Stand | Highlight Items | Price Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Vegan Vibrationz | Vegan burrito, plant-based burger, vegan chicken sandwich, loaded nachos | Fully vegan menu; no meat or cheese |
| Mr. Ramen Fusion | Hot soups, birria Cheeto balls, fried churros, loaded fries | Comfort and fusion-style items |
| Cheap Eats | Hamburgers, French fries, eggrolls, hot dog | All items under $10; hot dog $3–$4 |
| Rousso’s Fat Bacon | Bourbon-glazed bacon dishes, Dubai chocolate–coated bacon on a stick | Bacon-focused specialty stand |
| The Lobster Lounge | Lobster mac, lobster rolls, popcorn-fried lobster | Lobster Three Ways combo $32; deep-fried lobster $80 (includes third tail) |
| General | 16-oz wearable drinks (frozen lemonade, “dirty” soda) | Convenience feature for attendees |
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Additional Resources
- Dallas News: State Fair of Texas New Vendors
- Spectrum Local News: Creative New Bites and Sips
- CW33: State Fair of Texas Announces New Foods
- Fox 4 News: New 2025 State Fair Texas Foods
- Dallas Observer: The State Fair of Texas for Foodies
- Wikipedia: State Fair of Texas
- Google Search: State Fair of Texas
- Google Scholar: State Fair of Texas
- Encyclopedia Britannica: State Fair of Texas
- Google News: State Fair of Texas
Author: STAFF HERE DALLAS WRITER
DALLAS STAFF WRITER The DALLAS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREDallas.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Dallas, Dallas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the State Fair of Texas, Deep Ellum Arts Festival, and Dallas International Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Dallas Regional Chamber and United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, plus leading businesses in telecommunications, aviation, and semiconductors that power the local economy such as AT&T, Southwest Airlines, and Texas Instruments. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
