Texas pride lives deep in the heart of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. Last week following a meeting with the Texas Cattle Feeders Association, Patrick took to social media to propose that the New York strip steak be rechristened to more accurately reflect the might of the Texas cattle industry. He pledged to introduce a resolution in the Texas Senate to change the name of New York Strip to Texas Strip.
This proposal will no doubt leave New Yorkers bemused. But, it also may have Midwesterners scratching their heads: the popular short loin cut is also known as a Kansas City Strip and an Omaha Strip.
However well intentioned, Patrick’s actions can be seen as both proud and protective. But perhaps unnecessarily overreaching? After all, isn’t the longhorn already the official large mammal symbol of Texas? Aren’t Texas cattle and steakhouse cultures already ingrained in the American consciousness as symbolic of the Lone Star State?
This got us thinking of other iconic foods that are Texas through and through, with or without an official government stamp. While many are showcased far and wide across the great state, these truly Texas eats are presented in fine fashion under one “roof” at the 2025 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo:
Chili: The 2025 Rodeo season kicked off with cool, breezy temperatures. For many, a chilly day calls for chili — the official state food of Texas. The dish that became a staple on cattle drives also became a beloved go-to meal at home (and at school, thanks to Frito pie). Texas Sized Pizza and Burger & Chili Shack (Rodeo Plaza) offers a hearty bowl of red, topped with cheese and onions; the menu at Blue Ribbon Grill (Rodeo Plaza) includes a bowl of chili and Frito pie; Mustard’s Café (Carnival Midway) is offering a chili and cheese jumbo corn dog, a new addition to the Rodeo this year.
Chicken-Fried Food: Chicken-fried steak is deeply rooted in Texas culinary history, thanks to German immigrants who brought their Wiener schnitzel tradition to the beef-proud state. While there isn’t a proper chicken-fried steak at the Rodeo, the next best thing is the clever chicken-fried bacon from Yoakum Packing Co. (Rodeo Plaza and NRG Lobby). Since 2008, this longtime vendor has drawn the hungry and curious to its booth for addictive sheaves of thick-cut bacon that are soaked in milk and egg, and dredged in seasoned flour, then fried to crispy perfection.
Barbecue: Texas barbecue culture sits high in the saddle at the Rodeo, with various purveyors supplying smoky goodness. Harlon’s BBQ (the Junction) has been a longtime favorite, as well as a winner at the annual Gold Buckle Food Awards, taking first place in the Classic Fair Food category in 2022 for its barbecue-loaded baked potato. The first black-owned barbecue business featured at the Rodeo in 1989, Harlon’s is augmenting its traditional barbecue menu this year with a newbie dish, bacon-wrapped boudin. Pappas Bar-B-Q (Rodeo Plaza) is serving signature beef brisket and pork ribs, as well as sausage, turkey, chicken, and pulled pork; Saltgrass Steakhouse (NRG Center Lobby) weighs in with a ribs platter, brisket sandwich, and barbecue sundae; and Rodeo standout Trill Burger gets into the smokehouse action this year by way of a collaboration with Truth BBQ, slinging a brisket burger and loaded brisket fries that can be found at Trill Town, a new standalone tent in NRG Park fairgrounds.
Tex-Mex: It’s hard to find a corner of the state where there isn’t a collective affection for queso, tacos, tamales, enchiladas and fajitas. All of these familiar Tex-Mex staples can be found at the Rodeo. Alamo Tamales (NRG Center Lobby) might be known for its hand-rolled tamales, but its Rodeo menu rides a roller coaster of flavors with tamale pie with chili queso, crunchy taco cups, mac and cheese tamale plates, and a new barbacoa bowl. El Patio (Rodeo Plaza), the Houston legacy brand that marked its 60th anniversary last year, makes its presence known with a menu of beef, chicken, and veggie fajitas that can star in quesadillas, taco plates and nachos. Mamacito’s (NRG Arena) is new to the Rodeo this year but is making a splash with its drowning taquitos swimming in guacamole and pico. Tad’s Bodacious Burrito (Rodeo Plaza) is overstuffed with big burrito options that make nice with its new menu item, Cool Ranch chicken tacos.
The Multi-Cultural Mashup: Houston has long celebrated the marriage of cultures that have made Texas great, and delicious. Asian Streetness (NRG Arena), the Rodeo’s only Asian street food vendor, is firing up fusion with its brisket fried rice and the Un-PHO-Gettable burger, which presents the flavors of a Vietnamese pho bowl in sandwich form, packed with star anise-infused brisket. Richie’s Cheese Curd Tacos (the Junction) takes a favorite from the Midwest and combines it with the iconic taco. And Houston classic Goode Company BBQ (Rodeo Plaza) offers a marriage made in heaven with the Hometown Hero sandwich, a burger bun piled with smoked brisket and Czech sausage slathered with creamy Tex-Mex queso.
