‘Dino Rib’, ‘The Beast’ among colossal tasty treats at Rodeo Fairgrounds

SAN ANTONIO — Rodeo fans, bring your appetite.

The fairgrounds food menu is going all out this year.

From “The Beast”, to the massive “Dino Rib”, to throwing a classic PB & J in the fryer — this year’s vendors will have your taste buds line dancing.

1.3 million people walk through the fairgrounds gates every year for tasty treats.

KENS 5 asked night one visitors: What’s on the menu that keeps you coming back?    

“The bloomin onion! Turkey leg, funnel cake, all of it!” said Jessica Monsivais of San Antonio. “Fajitas and beer!” added Yolanda Monsivais.

“The first thing I get is a big, juicy turkey leg,” said Jerry Monsivais of San Antonio. “And to drink?” we asked him. “Michelob Ultra.”

Fire up the grill and lather on the cheese, because this year, on the 75th anniversary of the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, experts say you can let loose.

“Rodeo calories don’t count,” said Tisha Harvey, Vice Chairman of Fajita Corral.

Inside the Fajita Corral, you can throw brisket on your nachos, mac n cheese or a flour tortilla.

“This is one of our cardiac specials,” said Harvey, watching volunteers concoct a Frito Pie.

Fajita Corral, she says, is the only vendor on the Rodeo Fairgrounds who gives 100% of their proceeds to scholarships. That’s because every worker behind the counter is a volunteer.

“We are turning tacos into tuition. We are sending as many kids to college as we can,” said Harvey.

Menu items at Fajita Corral run from $4 for tacos and up to $13 for the ultimate nachos.

In it’s own category for $22 is “The Beast”, a barbecue plate with enough food for two.

“Three slices of brisket, a link of sausage, a whole potato, beans, bread, sour cream, cheese and butter,” said Harvey. “It’s the best bang for your buck for sure.”

Davila’s BBQ from Seguin boasts their colossal “Dino Rib”.

“It’s all about the over the top things on the Fairgrounds. We want the big, meaty Dino Rib! The Dino Rib could really feed two people. It’s 3-pound rib that we start with. Add pickles, onions, sauce and bread,” said Adrian Davila, Co-Ownr of Davila’s BBQ.

The Dino Rib is $48.

The rest of the Davila’s BBQ menu runs about $24 a dish. Each is enough to feed two, Davila said.

“Who doesn’t love a brisket or tacos in San Antonio?” Davila asked. “It’s a match made in Rodeo heaven.”

On the sweet side, and coming in hot, is the $7 fried peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

“The peanut butter becomes nice and hot. Sometimes the jelly is still cold in the center. With the funnel cake batter, it’s just the perfect balance of hot, cold and sweet,” said Joseph Cunningham with Wursthaus Eidelweiss, who serves up the fried PB & J.

Wursthaus Eidelweiss stays busy by the fryer all Rodeo season, serving up 600 fried PB & J’s on their busiest days.

The best part about dining at the Rodeo is every succulent sensation funds scholarships. When you leave with your belly full, you’ll leave with a full heart, too.

Traditional fair foods like turkey legs will cost around $20.

To learn more about what you can expect at the 2024 San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, visit sarodeo.com.