The Houston Rodeo is a great place for food lovers, and if you’re heading down there wondering what kind of crazy and must-try foods will be available, then you’ve come to the right place.
The Rodeo takes place every spring, and Houstoners look forward to it every year. But, while some people go for the music, or perhaps for the thrill of the carnival rides, many locals and visitors alike attend for the food.
What Kinds Of Foods Can You Expect To See At The Houston Rodeo?
We will take a look at some of the crazy and must-try foods we found this year while visiting the Houston rodeo.
From fried treats to giant corn dogs. We will take a look at some of the show-stopping foods available to enjoy throughout the day.
So, in no particular order, let us look through some fabulous foods we found at the Houston Rodeo.
14 Houston Rodeo Foods You Must Try!
With an abundance of food on offer, you can expect to see all kinds of food vendors at the Houston rodeo. So be sure to take with you a large appetite, as we highly recommend you try them all.
1. Bacon Wrapped Pork Belly On A Stick
This is undoubtedly a bacon lover’s dream. Chunky cuts of pork belly, marinated with thyme, rosemary, garlic, and special seasonings, wrapped with 2 feet of extra-thick, honey-cured bacon. It’s slow-cooked for two hours and then finished over a char grill to get a caramelized golden crunch on the outside.
There is melt in your mouth, and you don’t want to leave the Rodeo without getting your hands on one of these bad boys.
Also Read: 7 Best Korean BBQ Restaurants in Houston, TX
2. Turkey Leg
Everyone in Texas and the US, in general, loves a turkey leg. So, like any great event destination in Texas, the Rodeo just wouldn’t be complete without seeing visitors walking around holding a giant turkey’s leg in their hand.
If you prefer a savory snack when you’re at the Rodeo, then this is one of the options for you. Be sure you’re hungry enough before you pick one up, though, they are ginormous and extremely filling.
This makes a nice change from your typical deep-fried treats that you often find at these kinds of events. So a bit of healthy protein means you have yourself a giant yet healthy snack.
3. Fried Oreos
You can’t leave the Rodeo without having one of these staple delights. These highly addictive little treats are popular with Houstoners at the Rodeo, and it’s easy to see why.
There isn’t much better than biting into one of these, fried and crunchy on the outside and sticky and gooey in the center. It is pretty easy to see why everyone loves the fried oreo.
If You’ve Got A Sweet Tooth, Why Not Take a Look At: Best Places to Get King Cake in Houston, TX
4. Chicken On A Stick
Do you love everything about fried chicken? If so, then this will be one you need to try. The added novelty of eating this off a stick takes fried chicken to a whole new level.
Food on a stick is, of course, appealing when visiting the Rodeo. This is because nobody wants to stand around and struggle with a box of food. This way, you get to walk around and enjoy the rest of the Rodeo while enjoying your food at the same time. Bonus!
This chicken on a stick is practically a giant chicken nugget, except it has a biscuit slapped on the top of it. It’s a classic but straightforward bit of food with the classic taste of the Rodeo.
Also Read: 8 Best Nashville Hot Chicken in Houston, TX
5. Fried Cookie Dough
We’ve talked about fried biscuits already, but this is a new level of naughty. Fried cookie dough. Is there much more we need to say than that?
Imagine sinking your teeth into warm, gooey cookie dough with a deep-fried crunch on the outside. Wow!
There isn’t much better if you’re looking for a sweet treat and feeling a bit naughty, so do not forget to leave some room for some cookie dough before you leave the Rodeo.
6. Corn In A Cup
I know, right? The idea of a cup of corn doesn’t sound too appealing. But, appealing it is. The corn at the Rodeo is not your usual corn. It is one of the most popular foods at the Houston Rodeo, and there is always a queue for it. Don’t worry, though. The queue moves fast, and it’s worth the wait anyway.
It is hot, juicy, sweet, and full of flavor, but then there is a choice of toppings. You can keep it simple with the melting butter on top. Or spice things up a bit with chili powder, cajun spice, garlic salt, and the best one, cheeto dust!
Also Read: 7 Places Serving Authentic & Delicious Tex-Mex Food in Houston
7. Watermelon Dole Whip Taco
These are a large wedge of watermelon stuffed with dole whip and served up like a taco. The combination of creamy dole whip mixed with the refreshing juices from the watermelon makes the ideal snack. While maybe a bit messy to eat, it will be worth the sticky fingers.
Also Read: 6 Outstanding Locations for Breakfast Tacos in Houston, TX
8. Pizza On A Stick
Here we have yet another food item on a stick. Except for this time, it’s pizza. As we’ve already said, things always taste better on a stick, and the convenience of being able to walk around the Rodeo while enjoying it just makes it even greater.
The one you get here at the Houston Rodeo is like a ginormous calzone. The crust of the calzone is wrapped around the stick. It is filled with all the classic ingredients you would expect from a pizza, such as spicy tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese.
What else could be better than experiencing the fun of the Rodeo with a lovely hot piece of pizza?
Hungry For Pizza? Also Read: The 5 Best Pizza Restaurants in Houston, TX
9. Crunchy Flamin’ Hot Pickles
These are pretty self-explanatory and a great mid-afternoon snack in between the other main events.
A portion of crinkle-cut pickle chips, which are then topped with gooey hot melted cheese and sprinkled with Flamin Hot Cheetos, make this a perfect, super tasty Rodeo snack.
10. Fried Butter Balls
Well, what is there to say about these. Naughty. But my oh my, you simply have to try. Consisting of frozen butter, dipped in batter, and then deep-fried, then doused in Vermont Maple Syrup.
Beware, this is gonna get messy. Don’t be wearing your best shirt when trying out these little bombs of joy. Instead, arms out, lean forward, and bite! It’ll be the best bite you ever took.
11. Deep Fried Jambalaya Roll
A more substantial meal with this one, combining strips of chicken, and extra tasty sausage, mixed with rice and cajun seasonings creating a fantastic flavor experience.
Deep-fried to perfection and served with a dip pot of sweet and tangy sauce, it will make your mouth water.
You’ll find these delicious delights hiding away at the Cajun Cowboy in the Rodeo Plaza.
12. The Funnel CakeÂ
Yet again, a classic staple for almost any fair or event. The absolute perfection of fried dough, sprinkled with powdered sugar and a choice of toppings, just cannot be beaten.
When it comes to traditional fairground food, this is one that just might be missed off any food guide due to it being such a common treat, but we thought it deserves mention.
When you’re visiting the Rodeo, you aren’t there looking for a healthy snack after all, so a funnel cake is a perfect way to treat yourself at the Rodeo Houston. After all, you simply just can’t go wrong with a fluffy funnel cake topped with powdered sugar, strawberries, and cream.
13. The Jumbo Corn Dog
Everyone’s heard of the phrase, “Everythings bigger and better in Texas.” Well, this definitely applies to this one.
Being one of the absolute favorites of Houstoners at the Rodeo, the jumbo hot dog deserved mention.
We all know that corn dogs are a Texas classic, but they 100% always taste better when enjoyed at the Rodeo. They’re also always much bigger. The ones available at the Rodeo are a whopping one foot long!
Always be sure to accompany your foot-long dog with a side of seasoned curly fries.
14. The Tasty Twister
The Tater Twisters at the Houston Rodeo is basically a giant potato chip/french fry. It’s a genius idea, and of course, it comes on a stick.
Any lover of potato or anything fried is going to love these beauties. The greasy, salty goodness is just too good to resist. They’re a taste sensation.
The best part is you get to choose your favorite seasonings on top. But really, who chooses anything else but the garlic parmesan?
These are available from the Tater Twister stall along with nachos, hot dogs, and tater tots.
More Potato Treats Here: The French Fry House in Houston
To Conclude
Amongst all of these tasty offerings, believe it or not, there is even more, to choose from at the Rodeo, items like sticky apples, deep-fried cheesecake, deep-fried twinkies, fried burritos, steak on a stick, brisket dinners, snow cones, chicken wings and more.
Is your head now filled with sugary treats and deep-fried delights? Mine sure is.
After reading this guide, we hope that next time you’re at the Rodeo, you will know exactly which stalls to head to first. If your mouth is watering for more, why not take a look at some of our other helpful guides to exciting things to do in Houston, such as Top 8 Movie Theaters in Houston, TX or 8 Breathtaking Nightclubs to Enjoy The Nightlife in Houston.