There’s nothing quite like moving through the heat and the crowds of ACL with that familiar rumble in your stomach. The new vendor lineup this year brings some returning favorites and delicious new faces — and these four spots are ones you should plan your snack-(or full meal) strategy around.
Where & When:
JABS, formerly Peace, Love & Burgers, is showing up in the ACL Eats section as one of the burger vendors. Tribeza+36AM – ATXtoday+3CultureMap Austin+3
What to Order:
The OG at JABS is a double-patty smashed burger with grilled onions, American cheese, pickles, and that signature “JABS sauce” on a potato roll. It’s classic, no frills, incredibly satisfying. Community Impact+1
If you’re really hungry (or dancing between sets), go for “The K.O.” — triple patties, layered flavor, more of everything. Community Impact+1
Don’t skip the seasoned fries — a great sidekick for a burger when you’ve got time off stage.
Why It Works at ACL:
When you need something that fills you up, fuels you for long walks between stages, and doesn’t require utensils — a smashburger is perfect. JABS delivers something familiar but elevated with good quality meat (grass-fed/Angus) and balance so you don’t feel like you need to nap forever afterward. It’s a festival-friendly win.
Price / Tips:
Expect to pay in the $10–15 range. Bring your appetite, maybe share if you’ve got someone to split with. Also, get there early before lines swell after major acts.
Where & When:
Steamies Dumplings is also part of the vendor list at ACL Eats this year. They’re well known locally from their brick-and-mortar at 6929 Airport Blvd, and they’ll be bringing what they do best to the festival grounds. CultureMap Austin+36AM – ATXtoday+3Austin City Limits Music Festival+3
What to Order:
Chicken & Shiitake potstickers or dumplings — rich, satisfying, with a nice earthy umami from the shiitake that stands out in a sea of heavier or greasier offerings. Ali Khan Eats+1
The Vegan option or Pork & Cabbage if you want more classic flavors.
If they have them: steamed buns, and their monthly specials are almost always worth it.
Why It Works at ACL:
Festival food can be overwhelming: greasy, heavy, or loud in flavors. Dumplings give you something compact, manageable, but still full of flavor and texture. They’re good while standing, walking, or leaning against a fence between bands. Steamies takes pride in hand-rolled wrappers, fresh ingredients, and balance — you’ll feel treated, not just fed.
Price / Tips:
Items usually run a bit under or around festival pricing norms (think: mid-teens for a nice portion). Go during lower traffic times (e.g. early afternoon) to avoid long waits. Save room for dessert — you’ll want it.
Where & When:
Saigon Le Vendeur returns in ACL Eats as a spot representing Vietnamese / Asian cuisine. They’ve moved from trailer to brick-and-mortar at 2601 E. 7th St (Suite 101), but their roots in East Austin and authentic bánh mì game are still very much part of their identity. Tribeza+3The Infatuation+3Ali Khan Eats+3
What to Order:
The classic Cold-Cut Bánh Mì — patê, cold cuts, pickled veggies, jalapeños, fresh cilantro, cucumber, daikon/carrot. It’s crunchy, tangy, and hits the comfort note but still feels clean. Ali Khan Eats+1
Garlic Butter Prawn Bánh Mì if they’ve got it (heard rave reviews).
Their vermicelli bowls or curry ramen (when available) are good fallback if you want something warm and more substantial.
Why It Works at ACL:
When you want freshness. When you need something that cuts through festival sweat and dust with pickled crunch, crisp bread, and bright flavors. Plus it’s relatively lighter (no huge greasy aftermath), and you’ll appreciate that when you still have two shows to catch.
Price / Tips:
Often a bánh mì is one of the best “value dense” options — you get flavor, texture, and satisfaction. Be mindful of lines/trailer-traffic. If you plan to eat right before or after a headliner, expect the wait. Also, if going late, check ahead whether they’ll still have bread fresh or if demand depleted certain items.
Where & When:
Oro Bianco shows up under ACL Sweets, the dessert section of the vendor map. If your festival karma requires something sweet and cooling, this is your move. Austin City Limits Music Festival+2CultureMap Austin+2
What to Order / What to Expect:
Gelato, Italian-style treats, maybe something dairy / cream based (if you tolerate dairy) but with high quality. Oro Bianco is known for using water buffalo dairy (or at least influenced by Italian creamery / gelato traditions) so expect something silky, rich, and refreshing. orobiancomilk.com+1
Vegan/vegetarian options, or at least non-strictly heavy dairy, may be available — the ACL Sweets section is conscious of that. Austin City Limits Music Festival+1
Why It Works at ACL:
Because after burgers, dumplings, sandwiches, and two full festival days, you need dessert. You need something cold and sweet that doesn’t sit heavy. Oro Bianco gives you that palate cleanse, that sugar high, maybe even that “worth waiting for the exit set.” It’s the kind of reward your taste buds deserve.
Price / Tips:
Expect dessert prices to be on the higher end of vendor-stuff (~$10-15 typically). Save room. Maybe share with someone so you can stretch your budget for multiple treats.
Here are some notes inspired by my ACL experiences (hunter-gatherer style) so you can maximize flavor and avoid regret:
Scout vendor locations early: Know where JABS, Steamies, Saigon Le Vendeur, Oro Bianco are on your map so you can time food runs between sets. If something is near your favorite stage, plan to hit it right before or after a break.
Alternate heavy & light: Burger → fresh sandwich → dessert → dumplings. Don’t eat heavy heavy back-to-back unless you want the slumber.
Hydrate: All of these spots are amazing, but ice water or something fruity (agua fresca, etc.) in between will make the whole festival more tolerable.
Go early or off-peak: First thing in the afternoon, or during the gap between big acts, is often when lines are shorter and your favorite items are still available.
Keep snacks / backup plan: Sometimes vendors run out. If you really love the Pork & Cabbage at Steamies or the OG Bánh Mì at Saigon, go early.
Share when possible: If you’re with friends, getting a few items and splitting means you taste more with less risk of food coma.
If I were you, attending ACL 2025 with limited time and unlimited cravings, here’s the hit list I’d make:
Start with Saigon Le Vendeur early in the day — that first bite of bánh mì is magical.
Later, hit Steamies Dumplings for something warm but not overwhelming.
JABS comes when you want the full plate (or full burger) — maybe midday when protein helps.
Save Oro Bianco for late afternoon or after headliners as dessert / celebration.
So as ACL 2025 draws near — map out your taste itinerary, follow your stomach, and don’t sleep on these gems. Let the food echo the music: loud, memorable, and a little unexpected. See you in the crowds — and on the food lines.
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