The K’boom K-Dog from Asian Streetness at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo. Photo courtesy of RodeoHouston.
Every year, the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo hosts the Gold Buckle Foodie Awards, a competition that spotlights the most creative and over-the-top fair foods available at the rodeo and carnival grounds. Vendors push the limits of flavor, presentation and indulgence with new midway eats each year. Judges from the food and media worlds (including me on behalf of Houston Food Finder) put their cholesterol on the line and choose winners from a lineup of finalists in six categories.
Below are the 2026 Gold Buckle Foodie winners. You can seek out this award-winning fare for yourself on the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo map.
Chicken Fried Lobster from Darlin’s Fried Chicken at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo. Photo courtesy of RodeoHouston.
Best Fried Food
1st Place: Chicken Fried Lobster – Darlin’s Fried Chicken
2nd Place: Minneblueberry Pie – The Original Minneapple Pie
3rd Place: Deep Fried Edamame with Spicy Garlic Sauce – Asian Streetness
Best Food-on-a-Stick
1st Place: K’boom K-Dog – Asian Streetness
2nd Place: Bacon Cheeseburger Corn Dog – Pioneer Wagon
3rd Place: Chicken Bacon Ranch Waffle Stick – Waffle Chix
Dubai Chocolate Funnel Cake Fries from Rousso’s Fat Bacon at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo. Photo courtesy of RodeoHouston.
Classic Fair Food
1st Place: Rousso’s Dubai Chocolate Funnel Cake Fries – Rousso’s Fat Bacon
2nd Place: Pork-King Luau Sliders – The Finer Diner
3rd Place: Loaded Cowboy Fries – Pioneer Wagon
Brisket Cheese Curd Tacos from Richie’s Cheese Curd Tacos at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo. Photo courtesy of RodeoHouston.
Most Creative Food
1st Place: Brisket Cheese Curd Tacos – Richie’s Cheese Curd Tacos
2nd Place: Skillet Potato Melt… Plus! – Texas Sized Pizza / Burger and Chili Shack
3rd Place: Loaded Cowboy Corn – Fields of Corn
Bacon Jam Brisket Biscuit from Rousso’s Fat Bacon at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo. Photo courtesy of RodeoHouston.
Best New Flavor
1st Place: Bacon Jam Brisket Biscuit – Rousso’s Fat Bacon
2nd Place: Crunchy Sushi Balls – Asian Streetness
3rd Place: Torta – Go Tejano Diner
Bacon Jam Beignets from Cajun Cowboy at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo. Photo courtesy of RodeoHouston.
Best Dessert
1st Place: Bacon Jam Beignets – Cajun Cowboy
2nd Place: Chill & Thrill Delight – Mamacita’s
3rd Place: Strawberries and Cream Waffle Stick – Waffle Chix
Mario-Sebastian Berry is a wine and spirits vendor who has been in the hospitality industry since 2002. Currently, he represents Blanco, Texas-based Andalusia Whiskey Co. He holds numerous wine, beer and spirits certifications including Certified Sommelier. Somehow, he also finds time to be Houston Food Finder’s associate editor and social media manager.
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