Austin City Limits Music Festival (ACL) is back in October with an incredible lineup of artists, including the Foo Fighters, Kendrick Lamar, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and Alanis Morissette. But music isn’t the only thing worth getting excited about. This year’s festival also promises an outstanding array of food and drink options, with some of Austin’s best local restaurants and food trucks making an appearance.

Whether you’re a festival veteran or a first-timer, navigating the extensive food offerings can be overwhelming. That’s why we’ve put together this guide to help you find the best bites at ACL Eats 2023.

ACL Eats

A Fresh Take on Festival Food

This year, ACL is stepping up its culinary game with a host of new vendors, exciting returning favorites, and even some dedicated specialty areas.

Newcomers You Must Try

Several newcomers are joining ACL Eats this year, bringing fresh flavors and unique dishes to the festival:

  • Cuantos Tacos: Known for their authentic tacos, this food truck is sure to be a hit. They might even bring their popular hamburguesas to the festival.
  • Steamies Dumplings: A farmer’s market favorite, this vendor is bringing their delicious dumplings to ACL for the first time.
  • Huckleberry: This seafood truck is likely to offer some crowd-pleasing fried fish options.
  • Underdog: A Korean American restaurant that could serve up their famous Korean fried chicken or ebi burgers.
  • Hawk’s Hot Chicken: Straight from Waco, expect fiery hot chicken that packs a punch.
  • Salt & Time: This butcher shop and restaurant will bring its unique New Texan flavors to the mix.
  • RedFin Seafood Kitchen: A newcomer ready to impress with its fresh seafood dishes.
  • Brotherton’s Barbecue: Dive into mouth-watering barbecue that is new to the ACL lineup this year.
  • Show Me Pizza: This vendor is making their ACL debut with pizzas that are sure to satisfy.

Sweet Treats at ACL Sweets

This year marks the introduction of ACL Sweets, a dedicated area for dessert lovers:

  • JP’s Pancake Company: Indulge in sweet and fluffy mini pancakes from this beloved truck.
  • Holla Mode: Experience the thrill of Thai rolled ice cream, made fresh on the spot.
  • Picolé: Try Brazilian-style popsicles from this Dallas-based spot for a refreshing treat.
  • Candy Cloud World: This Chicago-based company is bringing a cotton candy vending machine, perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth.

Returning Favorites

You’ll also find plenty of familiar faces at ACL Eats, so be sure to revisit these crowd favorites:

  • East Side King: Known for their Asian-inspired street food, you won’t want to miss their offerings.
  • Shake Shack: Making its return to ACL after a few years, this burger chain is ready to satisfy your burger cravings.
  • Micklethwait Barbecue: A staple in Austin’s barbecue scene, expect top-tier smoked meats.
  • The Original Black’s BBQ: Another heavyweight in the Austin barbecue world, bringing all the smoky goodness to ACL.
  • Nervous Charlie’s: For those in need of a bagel fix, this spot has you covered.
  • Taco Bronco: If you’re craving tacos with a barbecue twist, Taco Bronco is your go-to.
  • Blenders & Bowls: Cool off with one of their refreshing açaí bowls, a perfect festival snack.
  • Skull & Cakebones: This vegan bakery may have closed its physical location, but they’re still delivering delicious baked goods at ACL.

Speciality Bars to Explore

ACL has added two new dedicated bars to the festival this year:

  • Bar None: For those looking for nonalcoholic options, this bar, created by Austin expert Robert Björn Taylor, is the place to be.
  • Barton Beach Club Tiki Bar: Enjoy tiki cocktails, an exclusive ACL tiki mug, and poke from Poke Poke at this tropical-themed bar.

Tito’s Vodka Stardust Experience

This year, Tito’s Vodka is returning to ACL with a crowd-pleasing activation, the Stardust Experience, where Festivalgoers can line-up for a chance to play and win exclusive Tito’s swag and coveted access to the brand’s side lounge.

The brand’s exclusive Stillhouse Lounge, is a stunning copper canopy, crafted by their in-house event team provides a chic, relaxed atmosphere for attendees to enjoy their signature cocktails with delightful garnishes.

Hidden Gems

If you’re looking to explore beyond the mainstays, check out these hidden gems:

  • Koko’s Bavarian: Even though their physical location is temporarily closed, they’re still serving up Bavarian-inspired dishes at the festival.
  • Mama Fried: A must-visit for fry enthusiasts, brought to you by the team behind LeRoy & Lewis.
  • Homie Fries: This is Burro Grilled Cheese’s loaded fries truck, and it’s sure to be a hit for anyone craving cheesy, crispy goodness.
  • Wholly Cow Burgers: Offering some of the best grass-fed beef burgers in town, this spot shouldn’t be missed.

A Fiesta of Tex-Mex

For a true taste of Texas, head to these Tex-Mex favorites:

  • El Patio: Their trailer is back with nachos, chips, dips, and a margarita bar.
  • Pelons Tex Mex: Bringing authentic Tex-Mex flavors to the festival, Pelons is a must-stop.

Plan Your Feast

With so many incredible options, planning your ACL Eats experience ahead of time is essential. Whether you’re a barbecue lover, a taco fanatic, or have a sweet tooth, there’s something for everyone at this year’s festival. Don’t forget to stay hydrated and enjoy the wide range of drinks available, from nonalcoholic cocktails at Bar None to tropical delights at the Barton Beach Club Tiki Bar.

So, grab your map, mark your must-try vendors, and get ready for a culinary journey as memorable as the music itself. See you at Zilker Park!