ACL Fest 2024: The Ultimate Guide to Eating Your Way through ACL Eats

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Hayden Walker
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ACL Fest 2024 brings not only an incredible music lineup but also a wide range of mouth-watering food options to satisfy every craving. With 62 vendors in total, including returning local favorites and exciting new faces, there’s plenty to explore. From tacos to ice cream, barbecue to bagels, here’s your guide to navigating the festival’s diverse food offerings.


Micklethwait Craft Meats

Keeping The ACL Eats Tradition Alive

Austin’s iconic food scene shines at ACL, with these local staples making a return to the festival grounds:

  • The Mighty Cone: The ACL classic, offering fried avocado, chicken, and shrimp cones.
  • Chi’Lantro: Korean-Tex-Mex fusion, famous for their kimchi fries and Korean BBQ tacos.
  • Austin’s Pizza: Neapolitan pizzas made with fresh ingredients and local love.
  • The Original Black’s Barbecue: Serving up authentic Texas barbecue brisket, ribs, and more.
  • Burro Cheese Kitchen: Gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches, perfect for vegetarians and meat-lovers alike.
  • Happy Chicks: Who doesn’t love crispy chicken tenders with a side of fries? It’s perfect when you need something quick between sets.
  • Mama Fried – It doesn’t get any better than giant, delicious corn dogs and crispy french fries.
  • Koko’s Bavarian: Try their giant warm pretzels with just a hint of sweetness—perfect to pair with a beer.
  • Kababeque: Chicken tikka shawarma and other flavorful dishes.
  • Skull and Cakebones: Vegan-friendly treats and chai.

New Vendors at ACL Eats

This year introduces a dozen new vendors at ACL Eats, offering a wide variety of food styles and flavors:

  • BBG’s: Southern-inspired comfort food.
  • CM Smokehouse: Known for its inventive BBQ crunchwraps and more.
  • Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken: Bringing their legendary spicy fried chicken.
  • La Taquicardia: Mexican street food with a creative twist.
  • T-Loc’s Sonora Hot Dogs: Famous for their bacon-wrapped Sonoran-style hot dogs.
  • The Wurst Place: Offering a variety of sausages with traditional and innovative toppings.

Taco Mafia’s La Pachanga

This year’s ACL Fest highlights tacos more than ever, with Taco Mafia curating some of the city’s best taco trucks. Here’s who you’ll find at La Pachanga Eatery:

  • Con Todo: XL carnitas tostadas and tacos “con todo” (with everything).
  • Cuantos Tacos: Mexico City-style brisket, carnitas, and mushroom tacos.
  • Discada: Specializing in discada, a beef-pork taco blend with pineapple and habanero escabeche.
  • La Santa Barbacha: Known for barbacoa tacos made with slow-cooked meat.
  • Norte ATX: Specializing in North Mexican cuisine with bold flavors.
  • Paprika ATX: Tacos featuring suadero brisket confit.
  • Vaquero Taquero: Serving authentic tacos with fresh ingredients.
  • Veracruz All Natural: Famous for their fresh, authentic tacos, a must-try Austin classic.

ACL Sweets

Let’s start with dessert, because why not? ACL Sweets is back, offering plenty of sugary options near the T-Mobile Stage and Austin Kiddie Limits. Expect returning fan favorites:

  • Amy’s Ice Creams: A staple of Austin’s dessert scene with its creamy goodness.
  • Tiff’s Treats: Warm, freshly baked cookies to satisfy any sweet tooth.
  • Tiny Pies: Delicious mini pies perfect for a quick treat.
  • Sno-Beach: Cool off with flavorful shaved ice.
  • Bananarchy: Frozen bananas dipped in chocolate and topped with goodies.
  • GoodPop: Organic, all-natural popsicles.
  • JP’s Pancake Company: Tiny pancakes topped with delightful flavors.
  • Candy Cloud World: Fun and fluffy cotton candy.

The Watering Hole (Drinks)

Looking for something to sip on? ACL’s drinks scene is as varied as its food offerings:

  • JuiceLand: Refreshing smoothies and juices to keep you energized.
  • Barton Beach Club & Tiki Bar: Frozen cocktails, tiki drinks, and light snacks.
  • The Big Tent: Featuring pizzas from Bambino alongside craft beers and kegged cocktails.
  • Wine Grove: Offering carafes of sparkling wines, rosés, and whites.
  • General Admission Bars: Tito’s vodka cocktails, Aperol Spritzes, Topo Chico hard seltzer, and more.
  • Non-Alcoholic Options: High Brew Coffee, freshly squeezed lemonade from the Come and Take It stand, and Rambler Sparkling Water.

ACL Eats 2024 promises a culinary experience that pairs perfectly with the festival’s entire vibe. There’s more than enough options for anyone. Whether you’re a first-timer or a festival veteran, the vendors of ACL Eats is the perfect way to keep your belly full and to fuel your festival fun.

Hayden Walker

Hayden Walker is the Editor in Chief and Director of Operations for Austin Food Magazine

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