The Best Dishes at the 2025 Houston Rodeo, According to Food Judges

Cotton candy bacon on a stick, fried cookie dough pies, and crab rangoon egg rolls dominated the Houston Rodeo’s annual Goldie Buckle Foodie Awards this year

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo kicked off on Tuesday, March 4, and in true tradition, the food is decadent and over the top, with plenty of deep-fried delicacies and foods on sticks that are visually gripping. But what is actually tasty? To determine this, the rodeo held its annual Goldie Buckle Foodie Awards, which hand out accolades to the best dishes in the rodeo in six different categories.

Guest judges included Jūn chef and Top Chef finalist Evelyn Garcia, Suu Khin of Burmalicious, and Michelle Wallace of B’tween Sandwich Co., and local food writers and influencers, like Bao Ong, who was recently named Houston Chronicle’s new food critic. Each took on the trying task of trying at least one bite of 18 dishes to conclude, which are the best of dozens of dishes submitted to the awards. Here are the official award-winning dishes of the 2025 Houston Rodeo and where to find them.

Best Fried Food

Crab rangoon egg rolls with shrimp chips by Asian Streetness

A combination of two very popular appetizers, these egg rolls are stuffed with crab, chives, and cream cheese, and served with a sweet and spicy dipping sauce, with a side of crunchy shrimp chips. (NRG Arena, 603)

2nd place
Bacon jam cheesy pickle fries by Rousso’s Fat Bacon: Fried pickles are topped with queso, sour cream, pickled jalapeños, fresh chives, and a scoop of sweet and savory bacon jam. (Rodeo Plaza, 125)

3rd place
Chicken-fried bacon by Yoakum Packing Company: This thick-cut, hickory-smoked bacon is battered and deep-fried. Enough said. (Rodeo Plaza, 100; NRG Center, Lobby 256)

Best Food on a Stick

Texas praline caramel apple by Munchoes

At the center of this multilayered dessert is a Granny Smith apple that’s dipped in homemade caramel and praline chocolate and topped with crushed pecans and more praline chocolate drizzle for good measure. (Center Hall E, 6113)

2nd place
The Midnight Cowboy corn dog by Corndog With No Name: Go out of the box with this interesting rendition of a corn dog, made with a bison frank hot dog that’s hand-dipped in blue corn batter, fried, and topped with a sweet and savory huckleberry-Dijon drizzle. (The Junction, 303)

3rd place
Taters Kegs on a stick by Paradise Burgers: These tater tots are not like the others. Each tater tot is filled with a combination of potato, bacon, and cheese, and then drizzled with barbecue sauce and tangy crema. (Rodeo Plaza, 90)

Brittany Britto Garley

Best Classic Fair Food

Ground rib-eye steak burger by Finer Diner

This half-pound burger won judges over as a classic fair food with big flavor. Made with rib-eye for a more upscale version of your favorite burger, it’s topped with melted cheddar, bacon, lettuce, tomato, and sliced onion. (Rodeo Plaza, RP47)

2nd place
Harlon’s all-meat baked potato by Harlon’s BBQ: This meaty baked potato features the classic loaded combination of butter, cheese, and sour cream before it’s piled with ribs, smoked turkey, sausage, brisket, and barbecue sauce. (The Junction, 507)

3rd place
Pork-stuffed potato by Saltgrass Steak House: Pulled pork is the focus of this loaded baked potato, which features a prime combination of cheese, bacon, butter, sour cream, and barbecue sauce. (NRG Lobby, 63)

Most Creative

Bacon Jammy Jam Wagyu Slider by Russo’s Fat Bacon

Burgers do big business at Houston Rodeo, so it’s only right that Russo’s creates its own very bacon-laden slider version made with miniature wagyu patties topped with bacon and bacon jam. (Rodeo Plaza, 125)

2nd place
Snack pack combo by Asian Streetness: For an all-in-one, very portable meal (drink included), rodeo vendor Asian Streetness has created a snack pack that offers your drink of choice (iced Vietnamese coffee, Thai tea, butterfly pea lemonade, or a hibiscus-flavored drink). It’s topped with a bowl filled with chicken nuggets and fries, with the straw funneling through so you can eat and drink with ease. (NRG Arena, 603)

3rd place
Spicy pickle roll-up by Casa de Yummy: This sweet, sour, savory, and spicy combination features a crisp pickle enveloped in a tangy sweet fruit roll-up and topped with crushed chamoy, Hot Cheetos, and Tajín. (The Junction, J401)

Best New Flavor

Cotton candy bacon on a stick by Russo’s Fat Bacon

Bacon on a stick and cotton candy have both been longtime rodeo staples. This dish combines the two, featuring a half-inch thick slab of bacon dipped in Russo’s Fat Bacon’s “secret” cotton candy glaze before it’s spun in a cotton candy machine. The warm bacon melts and caramelizes some of the cotton candy, offering a nice bit of crunch. (Rodeo Plaza, 125)

2nd place
Chicken and waffle sliders by Darlin’s Fried Chicken: Fried chicken tenders are sandwiched between two slider-sized waffles, dusted with powdered sugar, and served with syrup. (Rodeo Plaza, RP130)

3rd place
Flamin’ Hot chili mac dog by Saltgrass Steak House: For a spicy and filling rodeo dish, try this bacon-wrapped jalapeno hotdog that’s crowned with macaroni and cheese, chili, Flaming Hot Cheeto cheddar dust, crushed-up Hot Cheetos, and jalapeño. (NRG Lobby, 63)

Best Dessert

MinnieCookieDough Pie by the Original Minneapple Pie

This pie, which won first place in the Best Fried Food category last year, comprises chocolate chip cookie dough wrapped in dough, fried, and topped with powdered sugar. It’s served with vanilla or cinnamon ice cream. (Circle Drive, 202)

2nd place
Churro ice cream sundae by Casa de Yummy: This homemade dough bowl is coated in cinnamon sugar, filled with vanilla soft serve, and sprinkled with colorful Fruity Pebbles cereal. Each is served with a psychedelic, color-changing spoon. (The Junction, J401)

3rd place
Red velvet cookie sandwich by Munchoes: Buttercream icing is sandwiched between two super soft homemade red velvet cookies dotted with milk and white chocolate chips. (NRG Center Hall, 6113)