HOUSTON – The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo has announced the winners of its 2026 Gold Buckle Foodie Awards, which showcased some of the most creative and crowd-favorite foods available to guests this year.
Eighteen finalists competed in this year’s contest after being selected through public voting on social media. A panel of judges, including radio personalities, social media influencers, chefs and local media members, sampled the dishes and chose winners across six categories.
The competition featured a wide range of inventive fair foods, from chicken-fried lobster and bacon-jam brisket biscuits to crunchy sushi balls and chocolate funnel cake fries, showcasing the bold flavors that have become a Rodeo tradition.
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
Classic Fair Food
1st place: 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
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
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
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
Rodeo organizers say guests can try many of the award-winning foods throughout the grounds during the 2026 event at NRG Park.
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo runs through March 22.
Copyright 2026 by KPRC Click2Houston – All rights reserved.
We’re still thinking about Opening Day! Good thing we have 17 more days 😉
▶ 1:33
We’re still thinking about Opening Day! Good thing we have 17 more days ;)Team USA works out at Daikin Park
▶ 1:11
Team USA works out at Daikin ParkHouston Public Works employees accused of using city cards to buy, resell tools
▶ 1:04
Houston Public Works employees accused of using city cards to buy, resell toolsTop headlines March 5
▶ 2:13
Top headlines March 5 Spring break brings thousands through Houston area airports
▶ 1:26
Spring break brings thousands through Houston area airports Fans talk J Balvin at RodeoHouston
▶ 2:50
Fans talk J Balvin at RodeoHoustonHere are the issues that brought Houston voters to the polls in Tuesday’s elections
▶ 0:28
Here are the issues that brought Houston voters to the polls in Tuesday’s electionsWhat to know about the Texas Primary Runoff
▶ 0:46
What to know about the Texas Primary RunoffGet ready! We ‘spring forward’ this weekend
▶ 0:55
Get ready! We ‘spring forward’ this weekendFULL INTERVIEW: Congressman Al Green reacts to runoff, opponent’s speech
▶ 6:30
FULL INTERVIEW: Congressman Al Green reacts to runoff, opponent’s speech‘Truthful trash’: Al Green, Christian Menefee clash ahead of runoff
▶ 0:40
‘Truthful trash’: Al Green, Christian Menefee clash ahead of runoffHouston Texans making MOVES ahead of NFL free agency!
▶ 1:57
Houston Texans making MOVES ahead of NFL free agency!Fiery speech by Menefee calling Green out for negative ads
▶ 0:49
Fiery speech by Menefee calling Green out for negative adsRodeo forecast and rain on the way later this week
▶ 1:00
Rodeo forecast and rain on the way later this weekHouston’s Spring is warming
▶ 1:13
Houston’s Spring is warmingMama Tina Knowles is bringing her gumbo to the rodeo
▶ 1:34
Mama Tina Knowles is bringing her gumbo to the rodeo Rodeo shopping at Yellow Rose by Kendra Scott
▶ 2:16
Rodeo shopping at Yellow Rose by Kendra ScottMilitary families brace for uncertainty as strikes in Iran raise fears of wider conflict
▶ 0:35
Military families brace for uncertainty as strikes in Iran raise fears of wider conflictMarch in Houston brings thunderstorm threats
▶ 1:12
March in Houston brings thunderstorm threatsTexas early voting by the numbers
▶ 0:16
Texas early voting by the numbersBun B bringing Trill Town back to RodeoHouston
▶ 2:42
Bun B bringing Trill Town back to RodeoHouston Hot Air Balloon Rescue in Texas
▶ 0:46
Hot Air Balloon Rescue in TexasIranians in Houston celebrate death of Iran’s supreme leader near The Galleria
▶ 0:36
Iranians in Houston celebrate death of Iran’s supreme leader near The GalleriaPepe Aguilar brings charrería and Mexican culture to RodeoHouston stage
▶ 1:03
Pepe Aguilar brings charrería and Mexican culture to RodeoHouston stageSNAP Sugar Ban | What to Know
▶ 0:55
SNAP Sugar Ban | What to KnowPrevious photoNext photo