Reppin’ Rockwall in South Texas

ROCKWALL, TX (March 29, 2023) Did you know Rockwall County is the smallest county in Texas? It is! But I have to say, we Rockwallites get around. Last week, Evan and I drove down to South Texas for a Boudin & Gumbo Festival. We entered the boudin competition for what would be our FIRST time competing in a food contest south of Dallas. The contest rules stated, “Boudin can be any type or form. Be creative! Stretch the limits of what boudin is, or can become!” so we decided to make Deep Fried Beef Boudin On A Stick.

Most people know Evan and I love the State Fair of Texas. Our anniversary is in March, which means it’s been six years since we hosted “Tate Fair of Texas.” We turned Tate Farms into our very own state fair, equipped with corny dogs, turkey legs, cotton candy, games, prizes and a real Ferris wheel. So Boudin Corny Dogs just made sense.

Before heading south, we perfected our boudin recipe by cooking down some of our own Tate Farms beef; chicken livers from one of our Rockwall Farmers Co-Op farmers; fresh veggies; rice; and a whole lot of crossed fingers. I’ve fried a lot of things on a stick, and eaten even more, but this would be the first time deep frying boudin.

As we started setting up our table at the contest, we recognized our neighbors. In a crazy coincidence, we were set up right next to another Rockwall County business, Smoak Town BBQ from Fate Food Haul. Four hours from home, and here we are, side by side and in competition with another crew out of Rockwall.

The day went wonderfully. The weather was beautiful. The fryers were hot. The boudin was kickin’! There were approximately 30 contestants offering up their best creations.

Smoak Town BBQ served Chicken Fried Boudin Balls with Housemade Jalapeno Ranch, which was the only thing I ate besides Boudin Corny Dogs and it was delicious.

When the judges’ tallies came in, we were shocked, elated, giddy and tickled that Smoak Town BBQ from Fate was the Grand Prize Boudin winner (1st prize) and Tate Farms, from Rockwall, was the Freak of Nature Boudin winner (3rd prize).

The smallest county in Texas took home two out of three winning spots in a south Texas cook-off!

Now that’s something to write home about…which is exactly what I’m doing! We are so lucky to live in a community with such talented chefs, bakers, farmers, ranchers, writers, makers, and more. As we gear up for our own big event at Tate Farms – Texas Pie Fest – I would like to encourage all of our Rockwall friends to get out and support the accomplished businesses that exist within these 149 square miles. You can find Smoak Town at Fate Food Haul in Downtown Fate every Wednesday thru Saturday, 11 a.m. until sold out.

And as for us, Tate Farms, we are right where we have been for the last 60 years. Raising cattle, selling beef, boarding horses, putting on events for our neighbors, and cooking up some great food. Visit our website at tatefarmstx.com for more info, find us at the Rockwall Farmers Market when it opens this spring, and come out to the farm for our largest event of the year, TEXAS PIE FEST on April 22 from 10am-4pm. We would love to see you, meet you, and feed you.