A ustin City Limits Music Festival is back for another exciting two weekends, loaded with an exciting playlist of performances, brand activations and long days of fashionable excitement.
This year’s festival includes an exciting list of fresh new food vendors at ACL Eats. Yes, the festival is about music and good vibes, but don’t forget that this is your chance to try out some of the amazing food you can enjoy between shows. Below is our list of what each vendor will be bringing to the table this festival.
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Mama Fried
This is the new food truck concept from the visionaries behind Leroy and Lewis Barbecue and they are taking a fun and delicious approach to fried foods. They will have foot long corndogs, triple cheese fries and garlic parmesan ranch fries. But in my opinion, the chopped beef nacho fries with queso, jalapeños and pico de gallo will be the dish to try.
Hoover’s Cooking
If you’ve been to Hoover’s in East Austin, you’re probably very familiar with their soul food, but for ACL they are bringing something completely different. Hoover’s Cooking will be serving two different types of poutines – a chicken fried steak poutine with their Hoover’s Signature Gravy, and a plant-based seafood poutine with an etouffee sauce. They are also bringing their Hoover’s spicy smoked chicken wings to the grounds for all those that want a side of hot wings while they watch The Chicks preform.
Voodoo Doughnut
Yes, Voodoo Donut isn’t originally from Austin, but dang, they make some good doughnuts. Their downtown location on East 6th street is constantly busy so it makes sense that they would bring their goodies to ACL. This one is likely more so for the out of towners who don’t have access to it but they are bringing 5 of their classic doughnuts. You can try their Raised Glaze, Blueberry Cake, Homer, Bacon Maple and Dirt doughnuts at the festival.
Nervous Charlie’s Bagels
If you’re like me, you love to have breakfast at any time of the day. That’s why I’m so excited for Nervous Charlie’s Bagels to join ACL Eats. The Central Austin eatery will have a bacon, egg and cheese on an everything bagel on the menu as well as an avocado, egg and cheese on an everything bagel. They will also have their Willie’s Hot Pastrami on an everything bagel for those who are not fans of the all-day breakfast.
Koko’s Bavarian
Given that ACL happens at the same time as Oktoberfest, it makes sense that Koko’s Bavarian would join the line-up. The German eatery will be bringing their bratwurst with beer-braised onions, jalapeno cheddar sausage, giant pretzels and Belgian fries for all to enjoy. I suggest grabbing one of their offerings and posting up at the Barton Springs Beer Hall near the Miller Light stage to catch some college and NFL football with a wide variety of beers.
Bao’d Up
In the spirit of getting something to eat that is easy to transport to your favorite stage, I give you Bao’d Up. The modern Asian restaurant is bringing some of their best-selling baos like spicy brisket, chicken teriyaki and creamy veggie, which is actually a vegan option. Once you pick your flavor, you can choose how you want to customize it with some special toppings and sauces like coleslaw, kimchi, scallions, Bao’d up sauce and spicy vegan mayo.
De Nada Cantina
It’s the weirdest thing, but whenever I’m at ACL I always crave something covered in queso. Good thing that De Nada Cantina is bringing their yummy chips and queso for all to share. You can also try their Mexico City quesadillas made on a blue corn tortilla filled with either pork, smoked black beans and cheese or their mushroom picadillo.
Pelon’s Tex-Mex
The Tex-Mex food opportunities continue with Pelon’s Tex-Mex. Located in the Red River District in downtown Austin, their fajitas haven a must-try item at their restaurant and now you can try them out in an easy way at ACL. Pelon’s will be serving their angus beef, grilled chicken and portabella mushroom fajitas tacos, topped with mixed bell peppers and onions. If you have room for some dessert, you don’t want to miss their tres leches cake.
The Cavalier Party Dogs and Tots
Now on to some traditional fair foods, hot dogs. I’ve always been a fan of them and love whenever restaurants put their own spin on this American classic. The Cavalier will be selling their kimchi dog with kimchi, hoisin, mayo and crispy onions. They will also have an island dog that has a Jamaican jerk sauce, mayo and Caribbean coleslaw and a classic dog with ketchup, mustard and relish (All the hot dogs can include an all-beef dog or a vegan option). In my opinion, the elotes tots will be the dish that ends up on everyone’s Instagram with tater tots, roasted corn, queso fresco, mayo and cilantro.