Food We’ll be Checking Out this Weekend at ACL

You gotta give credit where credit is due. The food offerings at ACL took a serious step forward when Hudson’s on the Bend impresario Jeff Blank first introduced the Mighty Cone. Finally, a finger food that you could eat with one hand and still have room for a beer in the other. Since that momentous event, ACL has attracted new and fun food vendors. The festival is almost as much about food now as it is about music!

I’ll be looking for some new and relatively new food purveyors this weekend. The Chi’Lantro Korean and Mexican fusion trailer ought to be a blast. Kimchi Fried Beef? Man, I am there. And the Tofu Tacos sound good as well. And look for me at the always excellent Mansion at Judges’ Hill booth. I’m ready for the Pulled Puerco Pibil sandwiches with jicama slaw and house made pickles. Aldo the Vegetarian Arepas sound with Poblanos sound enticing. Guero’s Taco Bar will also be well-represented with Achiote Chicken Tacos. And Nachos with their very tasty Queso. Will also be available.

If you haven’t tried an Aussie Pie from Boomerang’s, they’ll have some killer pies on hand. I’ll be in the line where the Shrimp and Crawfish Etouffee pie is going out. Man, these are good. Likewise for the Southwest Chicken Pie. If my favorite band cancelled at the last second, I could almost comfort myself with a Boomerang’s Pie.

Sandra Bullock’s Bess will be making an appearance with Crispy Artichokes and a Vegetable Muffaletta Wrap. I haven’t tried wither of these yet but they do sound very appealing!

And don’t forget, with apologies to Stephen King, Children of the Kettle Corn. There is nothing more munchable than a nice bag of caramel corn and these guys do it very well.

Luke’s Inside Out has followed an interesting path to ACL. Their Steamed Buns with Korean Spiced Beef and Apple Kimchi are to die for. (Thanks to Jimmy from Chinatown!) You HAVE to try these if you have any craving for Asian party food.

Mandola’s is making an appearance this year as well. I can’t wait for the Sausage and Pepper Sandwich. Also the Hot Italian Doughnuts and the Chicken Fired Meaballs. (Easy though Damian, don’t sample too many of your own wares. 🙂

David Bull, of 2nd and Congress fame will also be on hand with a variety of Banh Mi (Vietnamese sandwiches). I’m already down for the Pork Belly Bahn Mi and the Jalapeno Chicken Bahn Mi. Bull, always an innovator, is also offering truffle fries that should go very well.

And lest you want a good, old fashioned Cheeseburger, P Terry’s will be on hand with their popular brand of burgers and cheeseburgers along with their classic veggie burger. Stubbs BBQ, a regular at ACL will also be there with the famous Jalapeno Brisket Tacos and a Jalapeno Cheese Sausage Sandwich. The Salt Lick will also join the festivities with their Sausage Wrap and a Rib Boat. And Torchy’s Tacos, truly an Austin institution, will be along with their infamous Green Chile Pork and Trailer Park tacos.

Getting full? There’s even more with Amy’c Ice Cream, Tiff’s Treats. And Coolhaus there to indulge your sweet tooth. Let’s just hope the weather cooperates, the music sizzles, and nobody runs out of food 🙂