Alas, the long cold winter of eating kale salads and brown rice bowls ends today with the opening of the 2018 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and with that, carnival cuisine. Judges from local media outlets congregated yesterday to determine this years Gold Buckle Foodie winners for eight categories; Best New Flavor, Most Creative Food, Best Fried Food, Best Food-on-a-Stick, Best Specialty Food, Classic Fair Food, Best Value Food, and Best Dessert.
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Mo from KILT/ 100.3 FM The Bull tries liquid nitrogen whipped cream for the first time. -
The “nitro whip” from Cowboy Kettle Corn comes in two flavors; cherry and blue raspberry. -
A sight to behold; George from KILT/ 100.3 FM The Bull is taken aback by the massive pulled pork loaded baked potato. -
Special K from KRBE/104.1 FM heartily attacks the same pulled-pork loaded baked potato, and though it’s made its way halfway around the table, it doesn’t appear to be getting any smaller. -
The other loaded baked potato from Stubby’s is a confettied landscape of toppings. -
The funnel cake bacon cheeseburger from Texas Sized Pizza Burger and Chili…while it’s certainly top of my list to seek out this rodeo season, our paths didn’t cross during the judging and apparently eating the photo sample is frowned upon. -
Is that fruit?… Is it lost or something? -
Judges puzzled by the fruit offering. -
Return of the Flamin’ Hot Cheetos on an olympic size cornmeal battered sausage. I was wondering if this trend would pop it’s head up again. I wasn’t a fan, but, hey you might be. -
Our table captain Jennifer is on point when it comes to portioning food. -
The Best New Flavor winner was Harlon’s BBQ with their Stuffed Turkey Leg; just in case a turkey leg by itself wasn’t enough meat. -
The fried cookie dough from Sweet Cheeks had me and Cory Garcia positively giddy. -
Thar she blows. -
The bread-y yet flavorful pizza-on-a-stick held our attention for quite some time. -
I didn’t really get this dish at first, but oh how the hot sauce packed a punch. -
Saltgrass Steakhouse $12 best value contestant; rack of pork ribs, green beans, mashed potatoes and can you spot the surprise chicken breast peaking out from beneath the ribs? -
Ancient ceremonial caveman necklace or chicken on a skewer from Saltgrass Steakhouse? -
New vendor Fruteria Cano really brings the extra to rodeo beverages this year. -
AV from KMJQ/ 102.1 FM is about to hit that giant jug of refreshing aqua fresca from Fruteria Cano. -
The Sriracha Ball; had me at Sriracha, and lost me at weird chicken in the middle. -
The fried chocolate pie, from newcomer The Original Minneapple Pie CO, is a must try. -
The father of all cinnamon rolls. -
The fried cheesecake balls covered in a strawberry compote was unforgettable. I’ll be seeing you later.
