State Fair of Texas 2023: Where to find coupon kiosks, how many coupons you need for food, drinks (2024)

One thing you can hardly survive the State Fair of Texas without is food and Midway coupons. Rather than having to pull your credit or debit card out each time you want to buy a boozy beverage, try an assortment of fried foods, test your carnival game skills or face your fears on a thrilling carnival ride, you simply hand over the required amount of coupons for whatever it is that your heart desires.

While attendees can buy these online in $50 increments ahead of time, for those who don’t want to commit to a set amount before stepping foot on the fairgrounds, it begs the question: Where are the coupon booths and kiosks once you’re on the fairgrounds, and how many coupons does one really need?

Given that the festival map doesn’t include the many coupon booths and automated kiosk locations, you might be curious if they are dime a dozen, or if they’re hiding in plain sight.

Here’s a rundown of where you can find coupon booths or kiosks and how many coupons you will need for food and drinks at the State Fair of Texas.

Where are coupon booths and kiosks at the State Fair of Texas?

The good news for fair fans is that there are a multitude of coupon booths with attendants that accept cash or cards and automated coupon kiosks that are card-only around the fairgrounds. Once you make it through any given gate entrance, there’s typically a coupon booth or kiosk to stop at.

If you happen to miss these when you enter due to being overly amped about making it to the “most Texan place on earth,” fret not! There seem to be more coupon booths and kiosks than anything else at the fair, including bathrooms and water fountains. If you find yourself searching for a coupon booth or kiosk because you’re down to your last sheet of coupons, just walk in any direction for a minute or less, and you’re bound to run into one.

If you purchased your coupons online, there are dedicated online coupon pickup booths conveniently located near entrance gates, as well. Coupons purchased at the fair come in $10 and $15 increments, meaning each sheet has 10-15 coupons that are valued at $1 each.

How many coupons do you need for food, drinks at the fair?

How many food and Midway coupons you need will largely depend on what you intend to do at the State Fair of Texas. With that being said, many food items will cost you nearly an entire sheet of coupons. If you’re looking to taste test the new food items at the fair this year, such as fried sushi bombs, fried cacio e pepe or fried lasagna, be prepared to spend anywhere from 13-25 coupons per item.

Though you’ll be spending roughly $15 on a singular food item, the portions are not what you’d expect for the price you’re paying. If you’re thinking that one food item will hold you over, you may want to reconsider. While there are food items that cost 10 coupons or less, such as a cup of Mexican street corn, fried double-stuffed Oreos or a corn dog from Fletcher’s, most will cost you anywhere from 13 to 25 coupons. Turkey legs, for example, range from 20 to 22 coupons, while a pulled pork sandwich with barbecue sauce will cost you 16 coupons.

Then, there are drinks. Whether you’re looking to cash in on a strawberry lemonade, a boozy Texas Tea, a bottle of water or a craft beer at the Magnolia Beer Garden, be prepared to spend anywhere from 2-11 coupons per drink. Specialty mixed alcoholic drinks like the Cotton Candyrita, which is a Texas-sized, cotton candy-infused margarita with a cotton candy-covered rim, will cost you more than the average co*cktail. Water bottles range from 2-6 coupons, depending on where you buy them.

If you plan on buying food and drinks at the fair, you’ll likely need anywhere from 60-100 coupons per day for both. The State Fair of Texas runs through Oct. 22 and is open from 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday.