New Arrivals, Old Faves, and More Ways to Refuel at ACL

The Austin City Limits Music Festival is expensive, so you’ll want to make the most of your money and not miss a note. Leaving the fest to eat is out of the question. Luckily, with over 70 vendors to choose from, festivalgoers can explore the wide variety of ACL Eats.

The lineup grows with the introduction of La Pachanga Eatery. In collaboration with local Austin group Taco Mafia, this gold mine will offer eight taqueros and Mexican eats new to the ACL collection. Taco trucks Discada, Con Todo, La Santa Barbacha, and Norte ATX will serve alongside Mexican eateries Paprika ATX, Vaquero Taquero, and Austin Chronicle Best of Austin Restaurants 2024 nominated Veracruz All Natural. Other options include the barbecue crunchwraps rolling in with newcomer CM Smokehouse, and Cuantas Hamburguesas flipping “Mexican-style smash burger” before you fight the anticipated Chappell Roan crowd.

The Barton Springs Beer Hall has rebranded to a simpler name: The Big Tent. The drink plaza still provides local beer favorites, like Austin Eastciders and Love Street, but another late night festival favorite will be added to the court. Bambino, a new Austin pizzaria from L’Oca d’Oro owners Adam Orman and Fiore Tedesco, will serve 12-inch pizzas for your ACL clan (or all for yourself, you pie-loving animal) and desserts alongside the beverage vendors.

But if those meals, drinks, and side of tacos don't suffice, ACL Sweets is back for its second year as the festival’s dessert spot. ACL welcomes back Austin favorites Amy’s Ice Creams, Bananarchy, and Tiny Pies, yet introduces a few new sweet spots. CVT Soft Serve, Gelato Paradiso, and Dulce Amor Mio are scooping into the fest to keep you cool for Tyler, the Creator’s set.

After a hiatus, The Mighty Cone thrills festgoers with its return to the ACL Eats village. Anything fried and served in a portable funnel is bound to make Texans shiver in their bedazzled boots. The eatery announced their anticipated comeback on September 12 and confirmed the classic “Hot ‘n Crunchy Cone” is on the roster.

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Check out The Austin Chronicle’s ACL Festival preview on stands and online on Thursday, Oct. 3, and following the Chronicle’s coverage from the fest at austinchronicle.com/acl.