Dallas
Dallas for food lovers: the State Fair of Texas at Fair Park (25 September to 18 October in 2026), its fried food and the DART train to the gates.
At a glance
- Home of the State Fair of Texas, at Fair Park, from late September to mid-October
- Corny dogs and turkey legs: fair food sold by small businesses from across the state
- The DART Rail Green Line serves the fair with two stations, Fair Park and MLK Jr.
- Texas barbecue and Tex-Mex beyond the fair
- 1food festival
Food festivals in Dallas
Andreas Praefcke, CC BY
Map of Dallas
What to taste in Dallas
Corny dog
A batter-dipped, deep-fried hot dog on a stick, first on the State Fair’s own list of its foods.
Frito Pie
Corn chips topped with chili and cheese, listed by the State Fair among its classic foods.
Brisket
Slow-smoked beef brisket, the heart of Texas barbecue.
Tex-Mex
Texan-Mexican cooking: enchiladas, fajitas, chili con queso.
Dallas is the largest city of North Texas, and every autumn it hosts the State Fair of Texas at Fair Park, east of downtown, a fairground known for its Art Deco exhibition halls. The 2026 fair ran from 25 September to 18 October, and its food runs from corny dogs to the fried creations of the Big Tex Choice Awards.
Fair food and Texas food
The State Fair is a showcase for fried and handheld food, sold by small businesses from across the state. Outside fair season, Dallas eats like the rest of Texas.
- Barbecue: beef brisket, slow-smoked, is the centre of Texas barbecue.
- Tex-Mex: the Texan take on Mexican cooking, from enchiladas to chili con queso.
- Fair classics: corny dogs, turkey legs, Frito Pies and Sausage-on-a-Stick, the dishes the fair names itself.
More than 2.02 million people came through the gates of the 2025 State Fair, according to the organisers, and nearly 2.1 million in 2026.
Reaching Fair Park
Dallas is built for the car, but the fair is on the rail network.
- To Fair Park: the DART Rail Green Line serves two stations, Fair Park and MLK Jr.
- Airports: Dallas Fort Worth International, between Dallas and Fort Worth, and Dallas Love Field, closer to the centre.
The fair is run by a nonprofit organisation, and its season runs for more than three weeks, so book a room as soon as the dates are known. For 2027, they had not been published on 21 October 2026.
Before you go
- State Fair dates: 25 September to 18 October in 2026. The 2027 dates had not been published on 21 October 2026.
- Transit: the DART Rail Green Line serves two stations for the fair, Fair Park and MLK Jr.
- Parking at the fair: 25 dollars per space in 2026.
- Airports: Dallas has two, Dallas Fort Worth International and Love Field.
- Weather: early autumn can still be hot in North Texas. Plan shade and water for a day outdoors.
Frequently asked questions
When is the State Fair of Texas?
The 2027 dates had not been published on 21 October 2026. The 2026 fair ran from 25 September to 18 October, at Fair Park in Dallas.
Can you take the train to the State Fair of Texas?
Yes. The DART Rail Green Line stops at two stations, Fair Park and MLK Jr.
What food is Dallas known for?
Texas barbecue and Tex-Mex, and, during the State Fair, corny dogs and fried creations.
Where is Fair Park?
East of downtown Dallas. Gate 2 of the State Fair is at 925 S. Haskell.