139 Years in the Making: The State Fair of Texas Welcomes Its First Vegan Vendor

Since its founding in the late 1800s, the State Fair of Texas has been home to countless memorable moments. The iconic annual event has hosted presidents, welcomed celebrities (Elvis Presley even performed there before he became a household name), and pioneered fried food contests. This year, it’s celebrating another first: vegan food.

Twin brothers and business partners Jovan and Josh Cole are serving up plant-based food at this year’s State Fair of Texas, which is expected to draw two million visitors to Dallas over the next few weeks. It marks the first time in the fair’s 139-year history that a fully vegan vendor has joined the lineup.

The Coles own Vegan Vibrationz, a plant-based eatery in Plano, TX located in the Legacy Hall food hall.  Their popular menu includes Crunchwrap Supremes, Crispy Chickun Sandwiches, Cauliflower Wings, Bacun Jalapeño Cheddar Burgers, and plenty more.

Vegan Vibrationz

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According to Jovan, the State Fair of Texas is not only a chance to share Vegan Vibrationz’s food with more people, but also an opportunity to spread the restaurant’s mission.

“I just love to share that with other people and just help change lives, one plate at a time,” he told CBS News. “We know what we want to do in a way where we’re not forcing people or anything, just in a cool, chill way. Like, ‘Hey, man. Try this,’ and then they eat it and are like, ‘Wow, this is vegan? It doesn’t taste vegan.’”

Per Vegan Vibrationz’s social media, the fair is now on day five, and its plant-based food is already proving to be a roaring success.

“The love has been nonstop, and it shows that when you create something with passion and have good energy, it speaks for itself and draws the crowd in,” reads an Instagram post.

Vegan food at the State Fair of Texas

While Vegan Vibrationz is the only vendor with an entirely plant-based menu, a number of vegan-friendly options are available from other vendors, according to The Dallas Morning News.

Chans Chicken on a Stick offers vegetable lo mein and rice, while Doc’s Street Grill serves Jamaican Veggie Patties with Island Fried Rice. Chucho’s Churreria is offering vegan churros, Mr. Ramen Fusion has a vegan choice on the menu, and Baileys Deli & Catering is offering Good Luck Blackeyed Pea Soup. 

Vegan Vibrationz

Around the fairgrounds, visitors can also find various plant-based options like candy apples, pickles, fries, smoothies, and fruit cups. But for a fully plant-based menu, Vegan Vibrationz is the place to go.

“Something we are known for internationally is our concessionaires continue raising the bar year after year to ensure that they can provide our fairgoers with a wide array of foods,” Karissa Condoianis, spokesperson for the State Fair of Texas, told CBS News. “So now we have this great booth that’s all vegan food for people to come out and enjoy.”