After the COVID-19 pandemic hiatus, Austin City Limits Music Festival is officially back and thousands of music fans will once again be venture back to Zilker Park for one of the greatest music festivals in the world.
Previous festival vets know, all too well, the weather will be hot, but you’ll dance and sing along with the performers which will only make you tired, thirsty and hungry. Fortunately, ACL Eats hosts some of Austin’s best chefs, restaurants and eateries, based here in town,
ACL Eats is the festival’s base of operations to 32 eateries all based in Austin with food to serve just about any kind of diet or craving. You’ll find burgers, kimchi fries and tacos, to gluten-free pastries, vegan desserts and fresh squeezed juices. So you have no excuse to starve yourself no matter how selective you are about your diet.
Here’s several of our favorites!
Jump Ahead To
Austin’s legendary food trailer pioneer, the Mighty Cone, celebrates its return to the festival as being the only vendor to be in service every year since ACL began. Mighty Cone became “the official food of live music” in 2002 when it began food trailer service for the inaugural ACL, also making it one of the first food trucks to pioneer Austin’s now nationally-recognized food trailer scene. (pictured above)
Barrett Black and the team from Black’s BBQ will be serving up BBQ chopped beef sandwiches, smoked sausage on a stick and pork ribs! It doesn’t get any more Texan than walking around the park with a delicious sausage stick in your hand.
If there was ever a life changing food to experience at ACL, Burro Grilled Cheese would be that game changer. You might possibly live out your grilled cheese fantasies with Burro’s classic Balkan sandwiches. Go for the Coppola or the Waylon & Willie sandwiches to set your expectations of how you think a grilled cheese sandwich should made from now on.
ACL would feel incomplete without P. Terry’s Burger stand. There’s nothing fancy about them, they just make good all-natural black angus burgers, all-natural chicken burgers, our veggie burgers with fresh cut french fries and homemade cookies. They’re always a solid option when you’re craving a burger in between performances.
When the hunger pains hit you after a several hours of screaming and dancing from your favorite bands, Austin’s own Chi’lantro will be returning to ACL to fill your bellies with their famous homemade kimchi fries and tacos. Owner Jae Kim has become a local legend in Austin with his award-winning restaurant, food truck and catering service with his approach to diverse, Korean BBQ-inspired cuisine.
Yes you can eat a salad, but it doesn’t have to be boring as hell. Do your arteries a favor and go for the brussels sprouts salad with sweet-spicy sauce, shredded cabbage, basil, cilantro, mint, onion, and jalapeños. You should also go for the fried Chicken Karaage but don’t try sharing it with someone to save a few calories. GF/VG
Tom Micklethwait, from Micklethwait Meat Co will be offering brisket tacos and nachos made by his new taco truck concept, Taco Bronco, as well as brisket sandwiches and more from his locally famed BBQ truck.
Lambas specializes in traditional north indian cuisine mostly selling to over 18 different farmers markets as well as two food trailers in Austin. Each of their meals are prepared with exotic and healthy Indian spices offering vegan, gluten free and meat options. GF/VG
Peached Tortilla is back with their iconic Asian cuisine with a Southern flair twist. A classic favorite has always been the Brussels sprouts salad, mixed together with cabbage, basil, cilantro, mint, onion, and jalapeños or their signature fried chicken. If crave something more hearty, try crushing the fried chicken sandwich which made it’s debut at the festival last year!
Tinos Greek Cafe has been one of Austin’s favorite Greek restaurants with multiple locations around the city. You’ll find a tasty variety of authentic Greek bites made from fresh ingredients good enough to satisfy both the meat eaters and the healthy conscious vegetarian alike.
Skull and Cakebones specializes in artisanal sweet and savory treats made with locally sourced and never artificial ingredients. They feature an all vegan menu, proving you can make a tasty treat without using any animal products. Go for the fried cauliflower wings ($11) for a sweet and savory snack. It’s not exactly healthy, but at least it’s plant based!
We’ve been big fans of Tiny Pies for several years and it looks like we’re going to be stuffing our faces with some of their delicious pastries. Look out for their tart Key Lime Pie Freeze, which is basically a key lime pie smoothie with chunks of gram cracker crust and vanilla ice cream. Exactly what anyone needs to beat the heat and serve your sweet tooth during the festivities.
Local cookie favorite, Tiff’s Treats, will make your dessert game a clutch move when you need a quick sweet tooth fix. Their freshly baked cookies have been a local favorite for more than a decade and make for a perfect treat during the festival.
If you find yourself in need of an easy cool down, Goodpop is an easy and refreshing treat. GoodPop will be serving their super fresh, non-GMO, fair trade and organic ingredient popsicles at ACL once again.
Juiceland makes some of the freshest juices in town and it will easily keep you hydrated throughout the duration of the festival.
Whenever you need a quick caffeinated jolt, High Brew provides several fun flavors of cold brew coffee that should keep you wide awake long enough to enjoy the final show of the night.
For highlights on more delicious food you can enjoy at ACL Festival 2021, be sure to follow us on Instagram for our food photos and behind the scenes interviews with festival performers!
Pursuit Farms has become a beacon for discerning palates seeking the finest Wagyu beef available…
New Orleans, LA - On October 22, 2024, I recently had an opportunity to attend the grand opening of Caesars New Orleans, marking the completion of a stunning $435 million transformation of the former Harrah’s New Orleans. It was an evening to remember, filled with excitement, luxury, and the vibrant spirit of New Orleans. The festivities began on Canal Street with an exhilarating ceremony led by Caesars Entertainment CEO Tom Reeg, President & COO Anthony Carano, and Caesars New Orleans General Manager Samir Mowad. The atmosphere was electric as they joined Caesar himself and an iconic New Orleans second-line band in a lively procession into the casino. It felt like the entire city had come out to celebrate, with Caesars New Orleans team members and Mayor LaToya Cantrell also joining the event to commemorate this historic occasion. Anthony Carano’s pride in introducing Caesars to New Orleans was palpable. “From local favorite Emeril Lagasse to our long-time partner, Chef Nobu, to the beautiful state-of-the-art Caesars Sportsbook, all-new rooms and gaming floor, and of course, our gorgeous new center bar, Octavia, Caesars New Orleans offers something for everyone. It’s a world-class resort in the heart of the Big Easy, and we can’t wait for our guests to experience it,” he said. The ceremony was a spectacle, kicking off with an iconic Mardi Gras float featuring Caesar and his court, and a dazzling firework show that lit up the New Orleans sky. The second-line band then led us revelers into the resort’s elegant center bar, Octavia, where we indulged in a “Taste of Caesars New Orleans.” Each bite from the six on-property restaurants was a delightful journey, capturing the essence of New Orleans’ rich culinary scene. Throughout the night, elemental entertainers, including the Saints Cheer Krewe, Mardi Gras Indians, Zulu Tramps, and showgirls, created an authentic and unforgettable Big Easy experience. Everywhere I turned, there was something new to marvel at, each performance more mesmerizing than the last. Samir Mowad, SVP and GM of Caesars New Orleans, highlighted the significance of the transformation, stating, “This year marks 25 years since we opened in New Orleans, and the completion of this project is the perfect way to usher in a new era with Caesars. Synonymous with the Caesars name, our new resort is pure elegance, and we’re excited to introduce a luxury brand like this to New Orleans. We are extremely grateful for the support of the community, our team members, and our guests as we come to the finish line of this tremendous transformation.” The hotel itself is impressive,…
Your Ultimate Guide to Halloween Parties & Themed Bars in Austin Looking for spooky fun…
With just weeks until the much-anticipated event, the Austin Food & Wine Festival is gearing…
ACL Fest 2024 brings not only an incredible music lineup but also a wide range…
Austin’s sushi lovers have a new destination to explore, as Aburi Oshi Sushi makes its…