Gold Buckle Foodie Awards announce 2026 Houston Rodeo’s best new dishes across six categories

Rodeo food competition expands spotlight on vendors’ newest offerings

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s annual Gold Buckle Foodie Awards named its 2026 winners on March 5, recognizing new and standout menu items sold on the grounds at NRG Park during the run of the rodeo. The contest is structured around six categories—Best Fried Food, Best Food-on-a-Stick, Classic Fair Food, Most Creative Food, Best New Flavor, and Best Dessert—with three finalists competing in each.

Finalist selections followed an online fan-voting round that narrowed a larger field, before an in-person judging session where a panel sampled and ranked entries. The 2026 finalist lineup highlighted how rodeo food continues to blend familiar fair formats with restaurant-style mashups, including seafood preparations, international snack inspirations and dessert hybrids.

2026 winners: chicken-fried lobster takes top fried honors

In Best Fried Food, Darlin’s Fried Chicken won first place with Chicken Fried Lobster. The Original Minneapple Pie placed second with Minneblueberry Pie, while Asian Streetness placed third with Deep Fried Edamame with Spicy Garlic Sauce.

Asian Streetness also led the Best Food-on-a-Stick category, winning first with the K’boom K-Dog. Pioneer Wagon took second with a Bacon Cheeseburger Corn Dog, and Waffle Chix placed third with a Chicken Bacon Ranch Waffle Stick.

Dubai chocolate-themed funnel cake fries top Classic Fair Food category

In Classic Fair Food, Rousso’s Fat Bacon claimed first place with Dubai Chocolate Funnel Cake Fries. The Finer Diner earned second with Pork-King Luau Sliders, and Pioneer Wagon placed third with Loaded Cowboy Fries.

The Most Creative Food category went to Richie’s Cheese Curd Tacos for Brisket Cheese Curd Tacos. Texas Sized Pizza / Burger and Chili Shack placed second with Skillet Potato Melt… Plus!, and Fields of Corn took third with Loaded Cowboy Corn.

Best New Flavor and Best Dessert continue bacon-forward trend among winners

In Best New Flavor, Rousso’s Fat Bacon won first with a Bacon Jam Brisket Biscuit, while Asian Streetness placed second with Crunchy Sushi Balls. Go Tejano Diner placed third with a Torta.

For Best Dessert, Cajun Cowboy won first place with Bacon Jam Beignets. Mamacita’s placed second with Chill & Thrill Delight, and Waffle Chix placed third with Strawberries and Cream Waffle Stick.

Where to find the award-winning foods

Rodeo organizers said many of the winning dishes can be purchased across vendor locations throughout the grounds during the 2026 event. Vendor stall identifiers were published alongside each winning entry to help guests locate items on-site.

• Six categories were judged, with 18 finalists total.
• Finalists advanced after a fan-vote round, then an in-person tasting by a judging panel.
• Multiple vendors earned placements across categories, with Asian Streetness and Rousso’s Fat Bacon appearing among several winners.

The 2026 slate of winners reflected a mix of traditional fair formats and new combinations, from seafood-forward fried items to international snack influences and themed desserts.