Get ready to dust off your cowboy hat and boots, bring your appetite and mosey on down to the Calgary Stampede. This year, not only does the world’s largest outdoor rodeo have a ton of competitors and great country music headliners, but there’s also a vast selection of new midway foods. From July 7 to 16, you can get your hands on 57 brand new sweet, salty, wacky, wild and daring food options, plus yummy twists on midway classics.
Read on for our top 10 picks of new foods you must try at the Calgary Stampede 2023.
Kool-Aid Chicken Burger from Chicky’s Chicken
Yes, you read that right. It’s a tender, juicy chicken burger with a Kool-Aid cherry red glaze that’s surely a delightful mix of both savoury and sweet. Topped with lettuce and a special sauce, this is something you must try to believe.
Dunkaroos Mini Donuts from Cin City Mini Donuts
These vanilla cookie mini donuts are the nostalgic snack that will have your inner ‘90s kid cheering. If your favourite childhood treat was Dunkaroos with rainbow chip frosting, this midway treat was made for you.
Cowboy Campfire Churro Sundae from Mi Churro
Churros tossed in graham cracker sugar, topped with chocolate sauce, whipped cream and torched marshmallows. Need we say more?
Mexican Corn Ribs from Mr. Vegetable
If you’re looking for some vegetarian options, there’s a handful of fun bites at the Calgary Stampede like this one. These Mexican Corn Ribs are simply elote-style corn sprinkled with cotija cheese, garlic mayonnaise, red enchilada sauce and tajin.
Poutine Colossal Onion from Colossal Onion
A twist on an old midway favourite, Colossal Onion is reimagining their classic Colossal Onion by smothering it in cheese curds and their vegetarian poutine gravy. Every onion also comes with a portion of their tangy chipotle mayo sauce. And as the name suggests, the Poutine Colossal Onion is the perfect choice for sharing.
The Pickleback Dog from Lil Hot Dog
If you’re a Pickleback fan, this hot dog is for you. Taking inspiration from a whiskey shot with pickle juice, the folks at Lil Hot Dog made a smoked whiskey-infused sauce hotdog with dill pickles and spicy cheesy relish that looks absolutely amazing.
Spider Bao from The Dumpling Hero
Don’t worry, this Spider Bao is actually a deep fried golden soft shell crab that’s wrapped in a soft bun. It’s paired with The Dumpling Hero’s house slaw, cucumbers and drizzled with house mayo, topped with crispy fried shallots and sesame seeds. All these flavours make this a must-try!
Flamin Hot Popcorn Chicken Poutine from Steve-O’s Homestyle Fried Chicken
In this fiery creation, poutine is loaded with popcorn chicken and topped with Flamin’ Hot Cheetos and Nashville-style hot sauce. It’s an intense explosion of heat for those who have a more daring palette.
Related: Melty, Cheesy Kimchi Poutine
Sweet Cream Cheese Cookie Dough Crepe from Cookie Dough Stand
Indulge your taste buds with this heavenly sweet treat! Scoops of edible cookie dough, sweet cream cheese, whipped cream and sprinkles are rolled into crepes and drizzled with delicious chocolate sauce. Ooh la la!
Mini Donut Boba Lemonade from Family Squeezed Lemonade
Two Calgary Stampede favourites meet with this creation. It sounds a little bit wacky, but “mini donut milk” is mixed with lemonade and finished with honey boba and topped with a mini cinnamon sugar donut.