Calgary Stampede 2026: We tried the new food coming to the Midway

Saddle up, Calgary! We’re now less than 50 days out from the Calgary Stampede.

With the big reveal of some of the brand-new bites and sips heading to the Midway this year, it’s time to get serious about planning.

The “greatest outdoor show on Earth” is back in town from July 3 to 12, and as we all know, the food and drink on offer get weirder and wackier every year, with previous events seeing everything from cheeseburger soft serve to Skittles hot dogs.

More than 60 new menu items will be making their Calgary Stampede debut in 2026, and we at Dished were lucky enough to go and get a sneak preview of what we can expect.

The Cheesy Saddle Slice – Pizza 73

Perhaps the dish that stood out the most, the Cheesy Saddle Slice features a classic Pizza 73 slice, dipped in corn dog batter, dusted with Cheetos seasoning, deep-fried and served on a stick. Guests will be able to choose from a classic slice, creamy garlic and pickle or creamy garlic and pepperoni.

If you’re a fan of a good mozzarella stick with marinara, this one is going to hit the spot, and the Cheetos dust adds a little something extra to the proceedings. Deep frying foods that absolutely do not need to be deep fried is a Stampede tradition, and long may it continue!

Brumby Wrangler – Cool Drinks

The newly opened dirty soda shop Cool Drinks is making its Stampede debut and bringing some delicious treats along for the ride.

We got to try out the Brumby Wrangler, named after the wild Australian horse, a nod to the shop’s Aussie roots. With a Sprite base, the bev is loaded with smoky chipotle pineapple syrup, dragon fruit and a hint of Tajin for a hint of spice. It was fruity and refreshing, and will be a hit on the grounds.

Masago Salmon Giant Inari Sushi – Kachi Kachi

Sushi is becoming a more common Midway treat, and this year, Kachi Kachi is showcasing its enormous salmon inari. Inside a tofu pouch is rice, which is topped with fresh sashimi-grade salmon, Japanese mayo and a heaping of orange masago. It’s a sweet-and-savoury combo that sushi lovers will eat up when the festivities roll around.

Seoul Stampede Fries – Hankki

Offering what could be deemed a Korean-style poutine, this huge box is piled high with fries, gravy and cheese curds, with sauteed kimchi, fried chicken, sausage, nacho cheese sauce and green onions.

This hit all the notes. It was savoury, sweet, a little spicy and tangy. As far as Stampede snacks go, this box is on the larger side, so it’d even be a good option to share with a couple of pals.

What The Duck – The Dumpling Hero

This year, The Dumpling Hero is packing its fluffy bao buns with sliced duck breast, cucumber, scallions and a crispy, fried century egg. The rich hoisin and duck breast are a classic pairing that needs no explanation, and the truck’s bao is always top-notch. While we didn’t personally love the century egg, it’s a unique addition, and that’s what we love to see at Stampede.

Crispy Queen – Arepas Ranch

We absolutely have a soft spot for Arepas Ranch, which comes in clutch every Stampede when you’ve reached your limit of corn dogs. This year, the truck is serving up a golden arepa filled with coconut-crusted fried chicken, pickles, slaw, and a fruity and spicy mango habanero sauce.

Yes, there’s more fried food here, but it’s not greasy, and the coconut adds a little something to the batter. The sweetness and acidity of the sauce also provide a nice contrast. We can definitely see ourselves picking this up again.

Big Buckin’ Lemonade – Family Squeezed Lemonade

Family Squeezed is a Stampede staple for a reason, and this year, they’re supersizing their offerings with this enormous beverage. While it’s $55, guests will get a whopping SIX LITRES of original lemonade, complete with a tiny cowboy hat and a bandana for decoration.

Everything tastes so fresh and delicious, even in a large-scale format. Just make sure you bring someone with upper-body strength to be the appointed lemonade carrier.

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