The sights and sounds of Rodeo Plaza are a mix of laughter over a shared meal, music echoing from the nearby carnival, the sizzle of the grill, the sweetness of unique treats, and the warmth of fresh tortillas. Nestled within is the Go Tejano Diner, where culture and impact come together.
Most people know the diner for the rich flavor infused in its menu, but the story behind the one-of-a-kind staple stretches beyond what meets the eye.
The bright colors reflecting the Hispanic culture catch your attention, but it’s the aroma of quesadillas or tamales that draws many guests in. The Go Tejano Diner, open since 1985, is one place during the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo where you can get authentic Mexican food.
“They have great street pork tacos, fajitas, nachos and tamales,” said Juan Garcia, a Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Executive Committee member and former Go Tejano Committee chairman.
While the quesadillas — or maybe even the micheladas — entice you, what most people don’t know is that it’s the only restaurant where each purchase contributes directly to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s educational fund.
“The diner is probably the biggest fundraiser that the Go Tejano Committee does,” Garcia said.
In its more than 35-year history, the committee has raised more than $9 million for scholarships through its various fundraising efforts. A large portion is thanks to each purchase at the diner during Rodeo season.
In 2025, the Rodeo committed a record $28 million in scholarships. More than 800 scholarships were awarded, with more than 30 percent of recipients being Hispanic or Latino. The Rodeo’s educational commitment also supports nearly 30 Hispanic-serving organizations and programs in the community.
“This scholarship means a lot,” said 2025 Rodeo scholarship recipient Olga Burgos Galvan. “Instead of just going to a community college, I get to go to my dream school, which is Texas A&M. That’s big for me.”
The Go Tejano Committee is one of the Rodeo’s 109 committees that raises money year-round, with a designated Special Day to celebrate Hispanic culture and its influence on Western heritage. More than 300 committee members work at the diner, contributing nearly 7,000 volunteer hours during the Rodeo.
“It’s the only restaurant that’s staffed completely by volunteers,” Garcia said.
The diner is one of the proudest footprints of the Go Tejano Committee and was the beginning of what would become one of the largest cultural influences at the Rodeo.
The committee was established in 1986. Originally a subcommittee named “Reata” — the Spanish word for a rope used to lasso cattle — and started with only 15 volunteers. Four years later, the group changed its name and was recognized as a full committee, growing into the more than 300 members it has today.
Go Tejano Day, presented by Fiesta Mart, (the Spanish translation of “Go Texan Day”) is perhaps the committee’s most recognized celebration. On this day, NRG Park transforms into a fusion of color, music and Hispanic pride. It is also consistently one of the highest-attended days of the Rodeo.
In many ways, the Go Tejano Diner reflects the mission of the Rodeo. Through its volunteers, the diner thrives — bringing a welcoming experience while serving food that reflects Hispanic culture and creates impact through scholarships supported by its success.
To learn more about the Go Tejano Committee, click here.
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo runs March 2-22, 2026. Go Tejano Day is Sunday, March 15.