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.