Austin City Limits Eats – What you need to know

April 26, 2023

Austin City Limits is an annual music festival that celebrates Austin’s iconic live music, fashion, and food scenes. This two-weekend music festival welcomes people from all over the country to sing, dance, and have a good time; all of which is hard to do on an empty stomach. ACL wouldn’t be what we know and love without a food lineup that is just as exciting as the scheduled artist lineup, so here’s what you need to know about the vendors that will be at Austin City Limits 2022.

Pizza

Pizza is the essential party food, perfect to eat on the move from one stage to another. Here are your options for pizza at ACL:

Austin’s Pizza

Austin’s Pizza has all the classic slices as well as creative combos like their bacon pizza burger pie and all veggie farmer’s market pizza. They also serve delicious pepperoni or cheese pizza rolls which make the perfect handheld midday snack.

Southside Flying Pizza

Every dish at Southside is made from scratch, they also offer pizza rolls as well as other handheld snacks like cheesy bread sticks and garlic knots. Southside’s menu has veggie and meat-lovers pizza and is sure to please any pizza lover.

Tacos & Tex Mex

It wouldn’t be an Austin music festival without some authentic tacos and Tex Mex. If you came to Austin for ACL and in search of some good Mexican food, these vendors are for you:

De Nada Cantina

 De Nada Cantina serves delicious breakfast and lunch tacos on house-made blue corn tortillas as well as quesadillas and of course chips and queso.

Pelon’s Tex Mex

The classic Tex Mex at Pelon’s mixes the best flavors from both sides of the border. Their enchiladas, tacos, and fajitas give Austin Tex Mex a good name.

Taco Bronco

Taco Bronco partners with Micklethwait craft meats to serve the juiciest brisket and carnitas tacos. Their special Bronco sauce makes their tacos all the more delicious and memorable.

BBQ

Barbeque is just as essential to the Austin food culture as tacos. This year, ACL picked the best of the best local barbeque restaurants to vend the festival.

Hoover’s Cooking

Hoover’s actually belongs in a few of these categories as they serve Tex Mex, BBQ, and Southern-inspired comfort food. If you can’t decide between the three, visit Hoover’s to try a little of everything.

Micklethwait Craft Meats

If you search best bbq in Austin, Micklethwait is sure to pop up. This food truck is a tourist and local favorite for its smoked meats and hearty Southern sides like grits and chili beans.

The Original Black’s Barbeque

Just as popular as Micklethwait, The Original Black’s Barbeque is a Texas staple which opened in Lockhart in 1932 and has been serving the state slow-smoked meats ever since.

Asian Fusion

The Asian restaurants vending at ACL this year will give you tastes of China, Korea, and Japan, all with a little twist of Texas.

Bao’d Up

Bao’d Up specializes in Bao which are steamed buns with a variety of fillings. They have savory and sweet options like brisket Bao as well as egg cream Bao. Bao’d Up also serves other yummy Chinese dishes like fried rice and egg rolls. 

Chi’lantro

This Korean BBQ restaurant serves bowls as well as Ssam, Korean BBQ tacos, for which you can choose your base, protein, and toppings. Healthy and delicious, these dishes skillfully combine Asian cuisine with Texas barbeque. 

East Side King

East Side King is an Austin-inspired Japanese restaurant that serves bowls as well as sandwiches and buns. They use organic ethically raised meats and whole fresh herbs in all of their dishes and also offer vegetarian and vegan options.

Comfort Food

During a long day dancing in the sun, its nice to reground with some familiar and filling comfort food. Here are this years ACL comfort food vendors:

Burro Cheese Kitchen

These artisan sandwiches are sure to give you the perfect cheese pull. With veggie and meat options, and yummy sides like tomato basil soup and mac & cheese ,Burro Cheese Kitchen serves up comforting and filling meals.

Flyrite Chicken

These Austin staple chicken sandwiches, tenders, wraps and salads are a local favorite for a reason. Flyrite uses sustainably sourced, quality ingredients that make all the difference.

Happy Chicks

It’s hard to go wrong with chicken tenders, but Happy Chicks does them so right. With a menu full of creative chicken tender combos, scrumptious sides, and delicious desserts, Happy Chicks hits the spot.

Homie Fries

Homie Fries makes loaded cheese home-fries with cheese from Burro Cheese Kitchen. Top with just cheese or add some meat and hot sauce, you can’t go wrong with cheesy potatoes.

Lonesome Dove

This steakhouse serves upscale dishes inspired by the flavors and cultures of the Old West. They serve wild game and and hand-cut steaks along rich sides like roasted Texas mushrooms and homemade mac ‘n cheese.

Nervous Charlie’s

Any time is the perfect time for a bagel sandwich and Nervous Charlie’s makes the best bagels in Austin. Visit them to get your breakfast fill during ACL.

Mama Fried

Fries loaded with queso, meat, and jalepenos. Need we say more? Mama Fried takes cheesy fries from a snack to a whole meal but also serves sandwiches, corn dogs, and chicken wings.

American Bar Fare

The Cavelier

The Cavelier is an East Austin sports bar and grill that serves classic American pub fare with a southern twist. Their menu offers healthier options like hummus and salads, but also poboys and wings. Visit The Cavelier for craft bar food that’s sure to please the whole friend group or family.

Wholly Cow Burgers

Wholly Cow Burgers serves up burgers and sandwiches sure to fill your pre and post party cravings. All their burgers are served on King’s Hawaiian rolls giving them a sweet and salty flavor unique to Wholly Cow.

International Cuisine

Four Brothers Venezuelan Kitchen

This Venezuelan food truck serves empanadas, arepas, bowls and cachapas. These sweet and salty creations, specifically Four Brothers’ cachapas will have you craving Venezuelan long after the festival is over.

Kababque

Kababque serves classic Halal and Mediterranean food like gyros, falafel, and hummus and pita. Visit Kababque for a taste of Austin Halal.

Koko’s Bavarian

Koko’s Bavarian is taking a break from their multi-weekend Octoberfest celebration to dish up some sausages and other German Fair at ACL. Their giant soft pretzels and beer cheese are sure to have you saying Prost!

Lamba’s Indian Kitchen

This Rainey Street food truck serves delectable Indian cuisine and caters to all. With vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free options, Lamba’s has big-portioned entrees like curries as well as sides and snacks like their yummy veggie samosas.

Mmmpanadas

Empanadas make for the perfect handheld snack and Mmmpanadas offers sweet and savory fillings. Some of their most popular flavors include Argentinian-style beef, ham & cheese, spinach mushroom, and s’mores.

Shawarma Point

Shawarma Point is a halal-friendly Mediterranean food truck that serves wraps and salads. They are very accommodating to dietary restriction and modifications and also offer vegetarian dishes.

Smoothies & Bowls

Blenders & Bowls

A smoothie or smoothie bowl is one of the most refreshing things, especially on a hot day at ACL. Blenders and Bowls started as a food truck and now has multiple locations in Austin as well as their products in H-E-B. Needless to say, these acai bowls are worth the hype.

Juice Land

Juice Land has won a place in the hearts of many Austinites for their fresh-pressed juices and superfood smoothies. Not only will Juice Land give you a refreshing health kick during a long day at ACL, but their smoothies are as photo-worthy as they are delicious.

Dessert

Amy’s Ice Creams

An Austin favorite, Amy’s Ice Creams serves up funky flavors with delicious toppings. With flavors like Titos, Texas Dirt Cake, and Mexican Vanilla as well as dairy-free options, Amy’s has something for everyone. Make sure to cool off with a scoop from Amy’s this year at Austin City Limits!

Bananarchy

This West Campus food truck specializes in frozen desserts, specifically frozen chocolate covered bananas. The have a specialty menu you can choose from or you can build your own: pick a dip (chocolate, vegan dark chocolate, white chocolate, or peanut butter), then select toppings like sprinkles or candy and finish it off with the drizzle of your choice.

GoodPop

Popsicles are the perfect treat for the warm weather. GoodPop serves wholesome, all natural frozen fruit bars inspired by authentic Mexican paletas.

Skull & Cakebones

Skull & Cakebones is a craft market and bakery with a delicious brunch menu and extensive pastry menu. All of their sandwiches are served on homemade bread and their ingredients are sustainably and locally sourced. Visit Skull & Cakebones at ACL for a meal, a sweet treat, or both!

Sno-Beach Sno-Cones

Beloved by all ages, snow cones are a fun way to stay cool. With fun, creative flavors like watermelon sour patch and big pickle, Sno-Beach Sno-Cones serves the coolest treats.

Tiff’s Treats

Tiff’s is known for their warm, soft cookies. They have perfected all the classics like chocolate chip and snickerdoodle as well as alternating specials. Dip your cookie in a choice in a cold glass of milk, homemade frosting, or enjoy an ice cream sandwich at Tiff’s.

Tiny Pies

The only thing better than a slice of pie is an assortment of two-bite Tiny Pies. They serve desert favorites as well as breakfast and meat pies making Tiny Pies the best snack for any craving at any time.

Voodoo Doughnut

This Portland classic has become an Austin favorite since opening a location on 6th Street since its opening in 2015. With creative flavors and colorful displays, Voodoo donuts offers tasty treats and perfect photo-ops.