At the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo carnival, fair food gets adventurous. There are funnel cakes covered in gooey concoctions, sodas mixed with Hot Cheetos, and potatoes of every kind loaded with piles of smoked meat. Deciding on which dish to try and how adventurous you want to get can be overwhelming, and even if you attempt to sample them all, there’s only so much time and stomach space before Rodeo season ends on March 20.

Luckily, a group of judges has narrowed it down to the most delicious treats so visitors can focus on the best of the best.

In its 13th year, the Gold Buckle Foodie Awards held a contest, judging a total of 52 entries in six different categories, including Best Fried Food, Best Food-on-a-Stick, Classic Fair Food, Most Creative Food, Best New Flavor, and Best Dessert. Open to the public for the first time, Rodeogoers narrowed it down to the top three best dishes for each category. And on Tuesday, March 1, Eater Houston joined other local media and celebrity and chef judges like Top Chef Houston contender Evelyn García, chef Dawn Burrell, and Bludorn’s chef Aaron Bludorn to help narrow it down. Here are the winning eats:

Best Fried Food: Deep-fried Jambalaya

A cross between what tastes like a mozzarella stick and a bowl of chicken and sausage jambalaya, this Cajun Cowboy concoction won first place out of seven entries.

Brittany Britto Garley

2nd place: funnel cake Monte Cristo Basket by Sills Concessions, Inc

3rd place: chicken tender basket by Holmes Smokehouse

Best Food-on-a-Stick: The Berry Race Caramel Apple

A spin on your traditional caramel apple, Munch-oes Bakery created a unique and sweet addition to a meat-driven lineup.

Brittany Britto Garley

2nd place: beef K-Bob on a stick from Saltgrass Steak House

3rd place: The spice corn dog by CornDog With No Name

Classic Fair Food: All Meat Stuffed Potato

Though it was a close call, with only a one-point difference, Harlon BB’s All Meat Stuffed Potato — a baked potato loaded with sausage and topped with a rib — took the top spot.

Brittany Britto Garley

2nd place: pulled pork baked potato by Saltgrass Steak House

3rd place: brisket cheese fries by Spring County Kitchen

Most Creative Food: Bonfire Funnel Cake

Set afire in front of the judges by CornDog With No Name, this flaming funnel cake — topped with s’mores — stole the show, earning the most creative title.

Brittany Britto Garley

2nd place: brisket bacon melt by Spring County Kitchen

3rd place: Island Slaw from Island Noodles

Best New Flavor: Bacon Mac and Cheese Egg Roll

Unassuming on the outside, these fried egg rolls from the Finer Diner are filled with mac and cheese goodness, bacon, and a dash of spice — earning the title of best new flavor.

Brittany Britto Garley

2nd place: brisket bacon melt by Spring County kitchen

3rd place: island slaw by Island Noodles

Best Dessert: Fried Red Velvet Cupcake

Drizzled in a creamy frosting and dusted with powder sugar, this fried red velvet cupcake from by Sills Funnel Cakes should be on your carnival dessert list.

Brittany Britto Garley

2nd place: chocolate turtle cookie sandwich by Munch-oes Bakery

3rd place: the “Yellow Rose” funnel cake by CornDog with No Name

Results for the Gold Buckle Foodie Awards should be public on their website soon.

Editor’s Note: Eater Houston editor Brittany Britto Garley participated in the judging of this contest.

• Houston’s Rodeo Season Has Begun. Here’s What’s New to Eat.
• Houston Rodeo Will Debut a Fancy Steakhouse for the First Time in Its 90-Year History
• 2020 Gold Buckle Foodie Awards [RodeoHouston]