5 Local Spots in Austin to Visit During ACL
Dishing out the best local food & drinks to check out during Austin City Limits
By: Summer Williams, Content Specialist
Jamming out is hard work, especially in Texas where the heat can make the sweat pour faster than the beer. Lucky for you, Austin is always ready to cool you down and fuel you up. If you’re planning to attend Austin’s annual music festival Austin City Limits (ACL), take advantage of the scene around Zilker Park and check out some of these local hot spots before, after, and in-between shows. From guacamole that rivals even the best south of the border to savory, fried comfort food stuffed in the cutest cone you’ve ever seen, there’s something for everyone.
First up, we’ll start with El Alma. Located on Barton Springs road, this multi-tiered building, complete with roof-top patio, offers some of the best Tex-Mex in Austin. Take in the beauty of the city while sipping on one of their many flavored margaritas — I’ll make it easy and suggest the Piñarita: a delicious tornado of tequila-marinated pineapple puree and coconut milk. To accompany your frozen masterpiece, I recommend ordering the Guacamole el Chipotle. This unique take on the always delicious starter features a smoky chipotle crema and sunflower seeds laying a creamy bed of avocado, lime, cilantro, and tomato. If you’re a little hungrier, add one or five of their affordable and delicious tacos. With nine different combinations, you can’t go wrong.
Next up is Juliet Italian Kitchen. Half a mile from El Alma, on the outskirts of Zilker, this Italian kitchen is serving up all your classic favorites, with a great happy hour to boot (Mon-Fri 3 P.M. to 7 P.M.). I recommend starting off with the tomato basil soup — complete with focaccia croutons and garlic oil, it reads more like an appetizer. If you’re not super hungry but need a little more sustenance, add a chopped Caesar salad on the side — for $8, it’s a steal. As for my friends who need a complete meal, I suggest ordering the fettuccine funghi as an entree. Swimming in a delectable mushroom cream sauce with spinach, roasted garlic, rosemary, and breadcrumbs, this fettucine will not disappoint.
Even closer to the park, with an array of healthy food and drinks, Juiceland is number three on the list. From caffeinated pick-me-ups to raw juices, salads, and more, they’ve got a menu that fits the bill. I suggest starting with the Soul Boulder smoothie. Coconut water, banana, blueberry, cherry, almond, vanilla, and cinnamon mix with cacao powder and brown rice protein, making this a drink that’s guaranteed to keep you energized and replenished throughout the festival. If you’re interested in food instead, I recommend the Delhi salad. This gluten-free and vegan powerhouse bowl includes Bombay chickpeas, raita, mixed greens, Masala cashews, raisins, and it’s topped with toasted cumin seeds.
And because our real love will always be savory comfort food, there’s no place else but Mighty Cone that could be next. This Hot ’n’ Crunchy pioneer is a mainstay at ACL, and makes enjoying delicious food while jamming to your favorite bands a convenient delight. Think crispy-fried chicken drizzled with ancho sauce and topped with Mango-Jalapeno slaw, situated in a sweet and unassuming paper cone. Add extra avocado ($2) and cheese ($1) for a serious flavor explosion. It’s drool-inducing just to think about.
And because we all enjoy a good nightcap, I’m calling you out, Gibson Street Bar! A low-lighted inside gives way to a cozy, no-frills patio where you can enjoy a delicious cocktail or craft beer of your choosing, not to mention some of the best sandwiches in Austin, brought to you by Luke’s Inside Out, a small food trailer on the north side of the building. Off the menu but still available often is “The Rabbit,” and, if they’re offering, you need to be taking, as this is one radically unique sandwich. When Luke’s was featured on Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, Guy Fieri himself called this sandwich “the bomb.” Asian-inspired with Korean rabbit, tater tots, kimchi, Sriracha and their secret sauce, this thing has enough breadth to satisfy even the biggest appetites.
Get ready to do your happy dance, ACL-goers!
