Fried cactus was announced Wednesday as one of eight finalists for the zany food of choice at the Texas state fair. Officially called "chicken fried cactus bites," thinly sliced prickly pear cactus pads will be fried in chicken batter and served with jalapeno ranch and agave nectar dipping sauces. If something sweet sounds a little better, fairgoers can try fried chocolate cake. The cake will be soaked in buttermilk batter and fried, then topped with cinnamon, whipped cream, strawberries and peaches. Other finalists from the deep fryer include jambalaya, macaroni and cheese, cinnamon rolls and pork wings. Vendors are competing in the categories of best taste and most creative. The state fair runs Sept. 28 to Oct. 21 at Fair Park, east of downtown Dallas.