Most Interesting Things to Eat at the 2014 Houston Rodeo

I found my trouble. I've been going CRAZY stuck in the same place, so I decided on payday I was going to take a daycation (I'm still trying to decide if I like that word) and see the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

So last Saturday, I bought a ticket and trekked out to Reliant Stadium, where the rodeo is held. 

Remember that post about attitude? It applied.

I'm not really a rodeo kind of girl, even though I grew up in Texas. The cows I went to see were the cooked kind, because rodeos and fairs usually end up being a kind of food bazaar where you can find the local, weird and fried. I found plenty of all of those things. 

So instead of telling you about the cowsies and the chickensies (they were cute), I'm going to list the weirdest things I found to eat at the Houston Rodeo. 

1.) Chicken Fried Meatballs

Chicken fried meatballs from the Blue Ribbon Grill

I've had a lot of meatballs in my life. Half of my family is Italian. But I've never had them fried. These were served on a stick with a side of marinara for dipping. I had a bite; they were pretty good. The coating was thick and tasty. They don't compare with Grandmother Verde's, though.  

2.) Curly Fry Loaf

 As far as I was able to tell, this consisted simply of ordinary curly fries, albeit in loaf-shape. It was really heavy. I can't imagine finishing an order by myself. Points for the name, though: I don't think about my curly fries being loaves. 

3.) Aunt Edmoe's G I A N T Chocolate Chip Cookie

You know you're in for it when you order something called 'The Slab.' The Slab is a 9-inch-in-diameter chocolate chip cookie, and boy, if that doesn't sound like much, try one yourself. It's basically a personal cookie cake. Best of all, Aunt Edmoe's also sells milk to wash down that diabetic-coma inducing monstrosity you just ate. I don't know why all cookie-serving places offer milk, but they should. Protip: pick one up on the way home and munch in the car or you won't have room for dinner. 

4.) Goode Company Barbecue (a.k.a., anything on the Jalapeno Cheese Bread)

Goode Company Barbecue on Jalapeno Cheese Bread

First things first: does anyone know how to make an n-squiggle on an English keyboard? Let me know. 'Jalapeno' is not right without it. Also there's a real name for that letter, but I forget it.  
Anyway, when I first heard the words Jalapeno Cheese Bread, my first thought was Yuck. 

But I was wrong, you guys. It's a key component in one of the best barbecue sandwiches I've ever had. The carne is what you're looking for in barbecue, I know, but put some of that bread in your mouth and you'll forget all about whether you're eating brisket or turkey. It's not terribly spicy. The texture is good: soft, but not soggy, and the cheese is hidden in delightful little flavor pockets. You'll sing when you bite into one. 

5.) Insect Pizza (Ew.)

A really expensive way to gross out all of your friends. (Do you kiss your mother with that mouth?!)

This came from the little kiosk where I bought my cherry limeade. Clearly, I paid before I figured insects were anywhere inside the cute little trailer with its bright lemonade signs. It came in three flavors: mealworm, cricket and scorpion, and I was not putting a single damn one of those in my mouth. Sorry, guys. I know I'm big on open-mindedness, but I tried cricket once and I hated it. No more. 

6.) Everything from the pickle stand. 

'Nuff said. What is a tequila pickle pop? I don't know, because I ran out of paycheck.