Listen, I’m not even from Texas but if the opportunity presents itself for you to go visit your parents in Houston the same weekend as the Rodeo? YOU TAKE IT. Not only is this a prime time to wear some boots but you also get to indulge in some incredible eats in a place that knows how to do food like no other, the South. And let’s face it, I was going to eat all this greasy goodness regardless, so at least now I can write about it and feel like I did it for the greater good. Fairs and Rodeos alike are known for having super gluttonous greasy food to indulge in, and while I opted out of cricket pizza and fried, I was successful in my endeavors in finding the 2019 Houston Rodeo’s top 5 treats and eats.
1. Deep Fried Cinnamon Roll Bites
Definitely my favorite treat of the trip. Tiny homemade cinnamon rolls drizzled in icing, covered in batter, and deep fried. Fried Oreos, who?
2. Flaming Hot Cheetos Cotton Candy
Flaming Hot Cheetos appeared to be all the rage at this year’s rodeo and I was understandably skeptical of this combination, but I took a chance, and I’m glad I did. I would put this on the same wavelength as the french fry – soft serve combo because the flavors actually complemented each other really well?
3. Mangonada
This all-fruit mango smoothie was swirled with chamoy liquid gold and topped off with a tamarind-chile straw. It was everything I could’ve imagined, spicy, sweet, fruity, tangy, sour, 10/10 would fly to Texas again next weekend just for this.
4. Bacon-Chocolate-Dipped Cookie Dough
Chilled, edible cookie dough coated in chocolate and dipped in bacon because I can’t say I truly experienced the Houston Rodeo if I didn’t eat bacon. Everything from the flavors and textures worked SO well.
5. Loaded Nachos
Tortilla chips loaded with customizable toppings is a classic choice. I opted to top my nachos off with fajita steak, cheese, pico de gallo, fresh jalapeños, cilantro, sour cream, and of course creamy salsa verde. I don’t know if you can tell but I’m d r o o l i n g.
The great thing about rodeo and fair food is the novelty of it all. Would I eat ANY of this on a normal basis? Nope. Would I even ATTEMPT to try and make any of this when bored at home? Probably not. But you better believe I’m going all in when I get the chance.
All Images Owned by Author, Megan Grote