Big Fat Bacon led the charge at the Gold Buckle Foodie Awards for the 2024 rodeo season

At the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo carnival, fair food gets pretty adventurous. There are funnel cakes covered in gooey concoctions, sweet and savory desserts on a stick, and fried chicken galore. Deciding on which dish to try and how adventurous you want to get can be overwhelming, and even if you attempt to sample them all, there’s only so much time — and room in your stomach — before Rodeo season ends on Sunday, March 17.

Luckily, a group of judges has narrowed it down to the most delicious treats so visitors can focus on the best of the best.

The 15th annual Gold Buckle Foodie Awards commenced Thursday, February 29, with a panel of food media professionals and experts judging carnival food entries in six different categories, including Best Fried Food, Best Food-on-a-Stick, Best Classic Fair Food, Most Creative Food, Best New Flavor, and Best Dessert. After a first round of judging that was open to the public, Rodeo-goers narrowed the list to the top three best dishes in each category. And, during the Gold Buckle Foodie Awards, held at the Ranch Saloon & Steakhouse, Eater Houston joined other judges like Bravo’s Top Chef finalist and chef-owner of Jun, Evelyn Garcia, and pastry chef and owner of Fluff Bake Bar, Rebecca Masson, to help crown the winners. Here are the winning eats:

Best Fried Food: The Ultimate Minneapple Pie

There was plenty of fried food to consider, but the deep-fried apple pocket from the Original Minneapple Pie won first place in the Best Fried Food category. Its crisp golden shell, chunky fruit center, and side of ice cream made it a standout in an impressive crowd.

Second place: Fried dumplings and shrimp chips by Asian Streetness

Third place: Chicken fried bacon by Yoakum Packing Company

Best Food-on-a-Stick: Brunch Pops

It’s not enough that this dish from Corn Dog with No Name is a playful combination of powdered sugar-dusted fried dough and sausage — it gets extra points for being on a stick, making for a convenient carnival handheld snack.

Second place: Chicken in a waffle on a stick by Waffle Chix

Third place: Cowboy caramel apple by Munchoes Bakery

Best Classic Fair Food: Big fat bacon on a stick

Big Fat Bacon’s eponymous dish, an oversized glazed piece of bacon on a stick, wowed the judges, and took home first place for the Best Classic Fair Food.

Second place: Brisket baked potato by Saltgrass Steak House

Third place: Chop beef brisket sandwich by Harlon’s BBQ

Most Creative: Barbalicious Float

Candy Factory’s whimsical drink, topped with cotton candy, sprinkles, and candy, is an appropriate addition to the carnival line-up after last year’s Barbie became a Blockbuster hit, but the sugary drink was also among the tastiest of the day.

Second place: Chicharron nachos by Texas Pride Grill

Third place: Snake bite nachos by Pioneer Wagon

Best New Flavor: Chili Mac Attack Potato

The Texas-sized Chili Mac Attack Potato from Saltgrass Steakhouse, a welcome alternative to a traditional spud, wholly impressed in the Best New Flavor category. The eye-catching potato is built with ample toppings including chili, cheese, Fritos, macaroni and cheese, pickled jalapenos, sour cream, and green onions.

Second place: Wonton nachos Asian Streetness

Third place: Paradise maple waffle burger by Paradise Burgers

Best Dessert: Bacon bourbon caramel cheesecake on a stick

The sight and smell of this decadent dessert from Big Fat Bacon won judges over before even a single taste. A thick slice of cheesecake is dipped entirely in chocolate and topped with sticky bacon bits for one epic dessert on a stick.

Second place: Lemon cake by Fried What!?

Third place: Caramel apple cowboy on a stick by Pioneer Wagon

Results for the Gold Buckle Foodie Awards should be public on the website soon.

Disclosure: Eater Houston contributor Megha McSwain participated in the judging of this contest.