Convenience Big Store: How far does $50 go at the rodeo?

March 20, 2025

SPRING SALE! 25¢ for 3 Months

Make a fresh start with full access.

Act Now

Spring Sale Ends April 6
Cancel Anytime.

Money doesn't go far at the rodeo

We all love to complain about how much the food costs at the rodeo (although to be fair complaining about how much food costs anywhere seems to be a national past time these days). But Chronicle reporter Ana Khan decided to go find out just how far $50 could stretch at the rodeo.

The results, I won't lie, are rather disappointing. (You can read about them here.)

But it got me wondering, what's the best deal you've ever scored at the rodeo? Maybe the food was so good it was worth every penny. Or maybe it's a steal of a deal, getting more food for your buck than any other dish. Whatever your deal is, hit reply and let me know about it. I'll share with the class, I promise.

Cat DeLaura, Senior Audience Strategy Editor for Newsletters

cat.delaura@houstonchronicle.com

Top Stories

A woman carries fresh Mexican street corn during the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo at NRG Park, Friday, March 8, 2024, in Houston.

Photo by: Jason Fochtman, Staff Photographer

How much does food cost at the Houston rodeo?

As we head into the final weekend of the rodeo, we wanted to share some of our best bites, as well as a roadmap for how much money you should expect to spend.

Where would Selena be today? If Selena Quintanilla-Perez's life wasn't cut short, what would she be doing today? It's a tough question to answer, but we asked some fans and friends to try.

Our "Grumpy" Rodeo Tips

Yes, the food is not cheap at the rodeo. It's easy to go through your dining budget for the month in the hour! That said, look closely at the size of what you are buying. There are some high quality items that you can easily share. We took a close look at what our food editor Jody Schmal recommended this year and found both the Trill Burger OG lemonade, which came basically in a bucket, and chicken machete from Fruteria Cano, which was so big it comes on a specially sized plate, to be worth every penny.

— Carol Motsinger, director of digital storytelling

Have some tips of your own? Share them with us here.

🔧 News you can use

Final concerts and events at RodeoHouston: RodeoHouston ends Sunday, March 23. The Super Series Championship and Luke Bryan's concert are some of the major events you should see before things wrap up.

🎤 On the big stage

Members of Old Dominion performs during RodeoHouston at NRG Stadium in Houston on Wednesday, March 19, 2025.

Photo by: Elizabeth Conley, Houston Chronicle

About Last Night: Old Dominion

Singer Matthew Ramsey was playing a glockenspiel. That might have been a first on the rotating stage.

Cody Jinks performs at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo at NRG Stadium Monday, March 13, 2023 in Houston.

Photo by: Michael Wyke, Contributor

Up Next: Cody Jinks

Jinks fronted a metal band before turning to outlaw country more than a decade ago. He's still balancing both genres.

March 20: Cody Jinks
March 21: Parker McCollum
March 22: Brooks Dunn
March 23: Luke Bryan

Notice: You're receiving this update as part of our special coverage of the rodeo and its impact on Houston's food, music and arts culture. Find the rest of our coverage of RodeoHouston at Houstonchronicle.com