HOUSTON – The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is known for its thrilling concerts and exciting rides, but this year, the food vendors are stepping up their game with bold new flavors.
From sweet to savory, rodeo-goers will find a variety of unique and delicious options that are sure to satisfy every craving.
A Fresh Approach to Rodeo Eats
Many vendors at this year’s rodeo are focusing on fresh, made-from-scratch dishes. One vendor, known for his handcrafted waffles, takes freshness seriously.
“Everything is made from scratch in the stand,” he said. “I actually have my waffle flour custom milled for me at a place in Dallas. To run my product, they have to mill at least 3,000 pounds of my waffle flour.”
A New Twist on a Rodeo Favorite
At Farm Packed Kitchens, a long-time staple at the rodeo, they’re introducing something crispy to their lineup—chicken fried bacon.
“We’ve been here a long time,” said a vendor from Farm Packed Kitchens. “We really enjoy it. We look forward to it every year. We’ve been here since 1964.”
When asked about their popularity, he said, “I think people come back because we have more of a family atmosphere, and we don’t serve anything that we wouldn’t eat ourselves. We use all-natural hickory wood to smoke all of our meats.”
Viral Fair Food Takes Center Stage
Isaac Russo, famous for creating viral fair food, is bringing an exciting new treat to the rodeo—cotton candy bacon on a stick.
“We got this little torch right here,” Russo said, demonstrating how the bacon is caramelized with an open flame. “The first item in the awards is Russo’s cotton candy bacon on a stick, which won the Big Tex Choice Award at the State Fair of Texas this past year. Now, we have a chance to bring it here to the rodeo for the Gold Buckle Food Awards, along with two other great items.”
A Foodie’s Paradise at the Rodeo
With so many Gold Buckle Food Award finalists competing for top honors, the competition in the kitchen is as fierce as the one in the arena. Whether you’re a fan of deep-fried dishes or looking for something new, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo has a dish for you.
