It’s the last day of the Austin City Limits Music Festival and while I wind down, the music, food and fun is still going strong. It’s always a come down when a weekend comes to an end, let alone two weekends of ACL. Still I’m ready to get off the rollercoaster and I can definitely say I ate well.
The Vitals:
the spot: Steamies Dumplings 6929 Airport Blvd Ste 148, Austin, TX 78752 // @ACL Eats Main Food Court
the eats: Chicken and Shitake Dumplings
the bucks: $15
the full nelson: Pro move is to get these dumplings
It’s always admirable to see events like Austin City Limits Music Festival partner with great local restaurants. That being said, restaurants are challenged to serve their food in an outdoor environment. Some foods typically do better than others. Folks, dumplings do well and you aren’t going to do much better in the dumpling department than Steamies. I was tempted to get the pork and cabbage but the umami of Shitake called to me. I’m glad I listened. Honestly I can’t wait to go to Steamies and get these dumplings again.
The Vitals:
the spot: Brotherton’s BBQ 15608 Spring Hill Ln Suite 105, Pflugerville, TX 78660// @ACL Eats Main Food Court
the eats: Sliced Brisket Sandwich
the bucks: $16
the full nelson: Great lowkey Austin BBQ joint to add to your list
Located just outside of Austin, Brotherton’s BBQ is just under the radar of the BBQ masses but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be on your radar. I first went there back in 2020 and their bbq, particularly the Bahn Mi Brisket sandwich lived up to the hype. I got a sandwich at their ACL Eats location and while the bun was far from exemplary, the mix of lean and moist sliced brisket was all I really needed to care about. As always with Texas Brisket, bbq sauce is optional.
The Vitals:
the spot: Juiceland locations in Austin, Dallas and Houston// @ACL Eats Main Food Court
the eats: Watermelon Agua Fresca
the bucks: $9
the full nelson: Hydrate in style with a thirst quenching agua fresca
Overall the weather at Austin City Limits Music Festival was about as good as it gets. Except early Friday when it was unusually humid. I was keeping it low key aka no beers and needed some kind of liquid refreshment besides water. The Watermelon Agua Fresca was a lifesaver. It almost made a heat index 95 degrees seem manageable.
The Vitals:
the spot: Chilantro BBQ locations in Austin// @ACL Eats Main Food Court
the eats: WKimchi Fries
the bucks: $12
the full nelson: These loaded fries are an ACL Eats staple
Chilantro BBQ has been an Austin staple since 2010. The legacy is as cemented as their brick and mortar locations but the heart and soul of it is pure food truck. The loaded fries are as essential as a bottle of sriracha in your pantry. I scarfed this down till the boat was dry with zero shame. Good thing ACL don’t judge.
The Vitals:
the spot: Micklethwait Craft Meats 1309 Rosewood Ave Austin TX 78722, at the ACL main food court
the eats: Pastrami Dog
the bucks: $17
the full nelson: This is not your average Frankfurter
I’ve been going to Micklethwait BBQ since I first moved to Austin back in 2015. It has stood the test of time as one of the finest BBQ joints in Austin. Tom Micklethwait is a friend at this point and I’m always down to check out what he is serving at ACL. The Pastrami Hot Dog is actually a housemade sausage with pastrami seasonings. It was topped to the 9s and was as much a work of edible art as it was lunch.
The Vitals:
the spot: Lamba Royal Indian 80 Rainey St. Austin TX 78701 // @ACL Eats main area
the eats: Spicy Lamb Curry
the bucks: $16
the full nelson: Solid Curry Fix
Last year I discovered Lamba’s Indian Curry and had a feeling I was going to come back. Like the gumbo I had last weekend, curry seems to do well at food festivals. The basmati rice was a lovely al dente and the curry had kick. Not gonna lie though: I could have used a little more lamb in dish. If you love lamb, you’re gonna like this.
Adios ACL, it was indeed a fine time. I’m ready to rest but I’ll be back. Oh and a shout out to Hendrick’s Gin for bringing me to their lounge, Austin City Limits Music Festival for bringing me back to the fest and of course a shout out to ATX where we keep it weird and you keep coming back for more. See you next year ACL!
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