It’s one of the biggest celebrations of Texas culture and food -- the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. In this week’s episode of “Eat Like a Local”, we spent a day roaming the midway to find the bites worth taking a break from the rides and games to enjoy. We found a few famous friends along the way!
They’re all rodeo regulars so we asked them to give their picks. Corn dogs topped everyone’s list, but “Top Chef” alum and owner of the restaurant Jūn, Evelyn Garcia was quick to point out that not all corn dogs are created equal. There’s one she waits all year for, and it’s at Corn Dog with No Name. What makes this one so different? They serve up a Filipino-style jalapeño-cheese corn dog, freshly dipped to order. It’s the made-to-order quality and the sausage inside that keep people coming back.
KPRC 2 Meteorologist Justin Stapleton said he’s a sucker for carnival classics, but when in Houston, churros and elote are a must. He sent Chris to check out corn in a cup: a cup of corn dressed with mayonnaise, grated cheese and a sprinkle of your choice of taco seasoning, chili powder or tajin.
Our teammates at Houston Life even joined in the fun. We caught up with them after their annual Houston Life rodeo special – hungry from a busy show they were happy to head to rodeo plaza for tacos, pickle lemonade, Dubai chocolate strawberries and more. Watch the video to check out all their favorites!
While the food at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo evolves every year, there are some local staples that fans come back for every year. That includes Alamo Tamales - a locally owned restaurant that’s been serving up classic Mexican dishes at the rodeo for over 40 years!
Chris sat down with the team at their location in north Houston to see how they prepare for rodeo, plus how they turn out over 3 million (yes, million!) tamales a year.
Despite being our third foodie trip to the rodeo, we never run out of new finds and must-share dishes. Send us your favorites on Instagram @EatLikeALocalTX.
“Eat Like a Local with Chris Shepherd” is your guide to the best food in Houston. Watch new episodes Saturdays at 10 a.m. on KPRC 2.
Season 3 of “Eat Like a Local”
- SEASON 3, EPISODE 56: Season 3 of ‘Eat Like a Local’ launches with chefs recognized by the James Beard Awards
- SEASON 3, EPISODE 57: Beer + Bites: Discover two of the Houston-area’s best craft breweries
- SEASON 3, EPISODE 58: Hungry for a short trip? 4 flavorful restaurants to try in Baytown
- SEASON 3, EPISODE 60: From tortas to paletas: Generations of Mexican-American flavor in Houston
- SEASON 3, EPISODE 61: Farmed Fresh: Gulf Coast oysters make waves in Houston restaurants
- SEASON 3, EPISODE 62: Houston’s pizza scene is rising: Chris Shepherd explores top spots for every style
- SEASON 3, EPISODE 67: Discover Houston Asiatown’s unique snacks with Chris Shepherd
- SEASON 3, EPISODE 69: Chris Shepherd’s Houston-area burger picks include a hot new spot and a 50-year classic
- SEASON 3, EPISODE 71: Win the Hosting Game! 🏈 Game Day recipes & crowd-pleasers from Chef Chris Shepherd
- SEASON 3, EPISODE 72: These meat markets are a cut above when it comes to quality, flavor, and tradition