HOUSTON \u2013 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. <\/p>\n
Eighteen finalists competed in this year\u2019s 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. <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
Best Fried Food<\/p>\n
1st place: Chicken Fried Lobster \u2013 Darlin\u2019s Fried Chicken<\/p>\n
2nd place: Minneblueberry Pie \u2013 The Original Minneapple Pie<\/p>\n
3rd place: Deep Fried Edamame with Spicy Garlic Sauce \u2013 Asian Streetness<\/p>\n
Best Food-on-a-Stick<\/p>\n
1st place: K\u2019boom K-Dog \u2013 Asian Streetness<\/p>\n
2nd place: Bacon Cheeseburger Corn Dog \u2013 Pioneer Wagon<\/p>\n
3rd place: Chicken Bacon Ranch Waffle Stick \u2013 Waffle Chix <\/p>\n
Classic Fair Food<\/p>\n
1st place: Dubai Chocolate Funnel Cake Fries \u2013 Rousso\u2019s Fat Bacon<\/p>\n
2nd place: Pork-King Luau Sliders \u2013 The Finer Diner<\/p>\n
3rd place: Loaded Cowboy Fries \u2013 Pioneer Wagon <\/p>\n
Most Creative Food<\/p>\n
1st place: Brisket Cheese Curd Tacos \u2013 Richie\u2019s Cheese Curd Tacos<\/p>\n
2nd place: Skillet Potato Melt\u2026 Plus! \u2013 Texas-sized Pizza \/ Burger and Chili Shack<\/p>\n
3rd place: Loaded Cowboy Corn \u2013 Fields of Corn <\/p>\n
Best New Flavor<\/p>\n
1st place: Bacon Jam Brisket Biscuit \u2013 Rousso\u2019s Fat Bacon<\/p>\n
2nd place: Crunchy Sushi Balls \u2013 Asian Streetness<\/p>\n
3rd place: Torta \u2013 Go Tejano Diner<\/p>\n
Best Dessert<\/p>\n
1st place: Bacon Jam Beignets \u2013 Cajun Cowboy<\/p>\n
2nd place: Chill & Thrill Delight \u2013 Mamacita\u2019s<\/p>\n
3rd place: Strawberries and Cream Waffle Stick \u2013 Waffle Chix <\/p>\n
Rodeo organizers say guests can try many of the award-winning foods throughout the grounds during the 2026 event at NRG Park. <\/p>\n
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo runs through March 22. <\/p>\n
Copyright 2026 by KPRC Click2Houston – All rights reserved.<\/p>\n
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