Stock Show & Rodeo Fairground Food at Its Finest

Whether it's your first time visiting, has been a year, or twenty years, there is one guarantee: the Midway at the San Angelo Fairgrounds has just about any kind of food West Texans dream of. From the entrance, scattered throughout the exhibit building, and next to the 1st Community Federal Credit Union Spur Arena, the delicious aromas of cotton candy, barbecue, fried potatoes and pizza fill the air. There are also numerous colorful trailers, tents, and stands offering various items such as fried pickles, funnel cakes, turkey legs, nachos, sausage on a stick, deep fried Snickers, and cheese steaks.

Below: The back smoker of the Smoke Wagon (LIVE Photo/Holiday Bailey)

Weldon and Toni McAdams, of "Country Snack Bucket" said they have a booth selling "Oregon Trail" brand Jerky. They have been traveling on the weekends for 3 years, and have regular routes during the week distributing the product as well as various other snack items.

"Last year, the Teriyaki Ahi Tuna Jerky was the best seller here and my grandkids love it," said Toni. She also said there are various flavors and heat levels available, sure to please every palate, and each are labeled "No MSG's, Nitrates or Gluten" for the health conscious.

Above: Joaquin Leon and "The Barn" team (LIVE! Photo/Holiday Bailey)

Greg Freund and his brothers said they are helping out their family-owned "Outlaw Fries" and are from Newnan Georgia. They have been traveling all over the country to state fairs, air shows, rodeos and festivals 9 to 10 months out of the year, for the last 11 years.  

Freund smiled and said, "Our best seller is the Outlaw Fries. What makes them so good is they are made with homemade queso, green onions, bacon and sour creme." 

Above: Country Snack Bucket-Weldon and Toni McAdams (LIVE! Photo/Holiday Bailey)

Next, there's "Pierres Concessions," operated by Cristina Grifan. Originally from Romania, but living in Bonham Texas, she said, "My husband and I started the business many years ago, and we have been coming to the San Angelo event for the last 20 years."  

She added that the "Elephant Ears" listed on the menu are actually similar to a "Buneulo," a fried, sugary, sweet treat, and a crowd favorite.

Above: Outlaw Fries (LIVE! Photo/Holiday Bailey)

Further down the path is "Bada Bing" Wood Fired Pizza. Debra and Mark Phillips, owners, are San Angeloans who cater and do events.  

"It takes about a minute and a half for a pizza to cook in our wood-burning stove, which can reach 800 degrees or higher," said Debra.  She added "Pepperoni is usually the best selling."

A few feet away, Paul Runge, from Richardson, Texas, has a booth selling hot dogs and displays an eye-catching sign that states, "Corn in a Cup."  Runge said he "takes the corn off the cob, grills it on the flat top, and then puts it in a cup. Patrons can then season it to their tastes with butter, cheese, mayonnaise, or whatever they like."

To quench one's thirst on a beautiful sunny  day, carnival attendees can enjoy "Slushies, Tropical Shaved Kona Ice, Fresh Squeezed Lemonade, Limeade," and, of course, good old fashioned Coffee or Tea.

Above: Dalton and Michael Dillon (LIVE! Photo/Holiday Bailey)

Tucked away, behind several large pieces of equipment, near the Spur Arena, sits a barbecue event that could only be Texas made.  Forty-eight teams were cooking everything from beef brisket, pulled pork, chicken ribs, smoked bologna, pork ribs, jalapeño poppers wrapped in bacon, beans and potato salad. There were also tents and trailers as far as the eye could see, and, all through the hordes of rodeo cooks, friends, family and patrons, enjoyed the ambiance of good times with great cuisine. At the Westech Electric sponsored booth, Dalton Dillon, 12, a 6th grade student at Grape Creek, and the son of cook Michael Dillon, said he was "helping his Dad."  Michael said they "cook just for the Rodeo and compete against the other teams just for fun." His 16-year-old daughter, Dana, also a student at Grape Creek High School, stopped by for a moment to see how things were going. She was serving as a volunteer at the carnival; her job included handing out fliers and keeping guests apprised of the many events. 

Dillon's main "oven" included a digitally controlled smoker with the fire box underneath, and it was literally built into the back end of a 1959 GMC pick up truck. Mike Hall, an electrician from the Lubbock area, and his son Bryan built it for a senior school project last year.  

Above: Food at Westech's booth (LIVE! Photo/Holiday Bailey)

"It took 9 months to complete," Hall stated. "You know doing this is more rewarding than cooking in itself. To be able to take and do something like that with your kid is the reward." As he explained this, Hall proudly showed numerous photos of his son welding, preparing, and painting the project in various stages, and then graciously posed for a photo in front of the masterpiece. 

Further down the walk, an extremely vivacious group enjoyed their day at a stand with a banner that read: "The Barn-Where Friends Become Family."  Joaquin Leon, spokesperson and cook, said, "My team has been coming to this event for the last three years." Saturday, they served brisket, chicken, pork ribs and  jalapeño poppers. "We just compete for fun," stated Leon.  

Fold up tables and chairs, small trailers where the tired napped, U.S. and Texas flags waving in the gentle breeze, Cowboy hats, dusty boots, and Lynard Skynards' "Sweet Home Alabama" playing over the loud speaker, defined the second day at the 84th Annual Stock Show & Rodeo Midway Carnival.

Above: Dana and Michael Dillon (LIVE! Photo/Holiday Bailey)

Although barbecue teams were only there Saturday, there are still plenty of food vendors for the next three weeks that has something for everyone.  Therefore, for those people planning to attend, they'll want to bring their appetite along with family and friends.