Sure, there’s saddle bronc riding and breakaway roping, but the real competitive sport at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is absolutely eating. If you’re swooning for the weekend, check out our comprehensive guide to Houston rodeo food, but after seeing who won the Gold Buckle Foodie awards this year, you might need to add a few items to your bucket list.
Best fried food
The most typical fair food category, the fried food award, went to perennial rodeo vendor Original Mineapple Pie for its deep-fried cookie dough. You will find the stand on Circle Drive.
Runners-up for best fried food were the deep-fried lasagna roll at Southern Fried Saloon and Holmes Steakhouse’s original tender chicken basket.
The best food on a stick
The winner for this category was Swain’s Pizza on a Stick for its pickle pizza on a stick. The vendor specializes in – yes, you guessed it – all kinds of pizza on a stick, which you can get at The Junction.
In second place for best food on a stick were apple pie candy apple from Munch-oes Bakery and Big K-dog from Asian Streetness.
The OG Trill Burger by Trill Burgers won Classic Fair Food at RodeoHouston’s Gold Buckle Foodie Awards in 2023.
Becca WrightClassic fair food
Continually wowing Houstonians with its various pop-ups, Bun B’s Trill Burgers came out on top in this category with its OG Trill burger, found at Rodeo Plaza.
Runners-up for classic fair food were Southern Fried Saloon’s Southern fried chicken wings and Spring Country Kitchen’s ribeye sandwich.
Most creative food
Unofficial rodeo ethos? Frying everything makes it taste better. It was the deep-fried BLT sandwich approach from Texas Sized Pizza that won this category. You can find it at Rodeo Plaza.
Runners-up for most creative food were the Un-pho-gettable burger at Asian Streetness and Pioneer Wagon’s rattlesnake corn dog.
Saltgrass Steakhouse’s Brad’s BBQ sundae won Best New Flavor at the 2023 RodeoHouston’s Gold Buckle Foodie awards.
Houston Livestock Show and RodeoBest new flavor
Saltgrass Steakhouse took home the win for this category with Brad’s BBQ sundae, which is mashed potatoes topped with brisket, sausage, jalapeños and barbecue sauce, served in a mini cowboy hat. You can find it at the NRG centre.
Runners-up for best new flavor were the Viet taco at Asian Streetness and loaded pork from Blue Ribbon Grill.
Best dessert
Saving the sweetest for last, the best dessert category went to Cajun Cowboy’s deep-fried bread pudding, which you can order at Rodeo Plaza.
Runners-up for best dessert were Finer Diner’s S’mores pie and Original Mineapple Pie’s Ultimate Mineapple Pie.
