In the second installment of the ACL preview series, I'll take a look at the acts on tap for Friday night, bitch about the heat, and discuss the food truck phenomenon in some detail.
Austin is a city known for taking the extra step to ensure that it is doing things in a little different way than the ordinary. T-shirts suggest that we should all "Keep Austin Weird" and I'm sure sure shit will inevitibly get weird at ACL. One positive example of this weirdness materializing in edible form is the food truck explosion that took place in Austin over the last few years. Most big cities have food trucks so that isn't all that unusual, but I think you'd be hard pressed to find the quality, quantity, and diversity of the trucks that you'll find in Austin. From the mexican roach coach to duck on wheels, here are a few trucks that I feel the reason to comment on for one reason or another:
- Chilantro: http://www.chilantrobbq.com/schedule - Korean bbq and mexican fusion served from two locations around dirty sixth street. I think the Kimchi fries and pork tacos are the best on the menu. My fav spot in ATX
- Torchy's Tacos: http://torchystacos.com/company/torchys-story/ - What started as a truck is now a good taco chain throughout ATX. A bit overpriced for tacos, but delicious. Original truck is still open in South Austin. I suggest the Mr. Pink ahi tuna taco or the Green Chile Pork
- Kebabalicious: http://www.austinkebab.com/ - Turkish kebab truck that is usually hanging around dirty sixth. Haven't been, but have heard from reliable sources (UT grads, bike cabbie) that the food is good.
- Odd Duck Farm to Trailer: http://oddduckfarmtotrailer.com/ - With a seasonal, locally sourced menu, this trailer is said to bring high quality food to a trailer setting. Today's menu offered duck egg, pork belly, quail, and other local goods for $5 or less per plate. Located south of town on S. Lamar. Haven't had a chance to go before, but plan on making a trip during ACL!
- Gordough's: http://www.gourdoughs.com/ - This looks like a truly unique trailer. Located on South Lamar, this trailer serves donuts topped with everything from fried chicken, to bacon, to pepper jelly, to brownie batter, to grilled bananas, to a bunch of other shit that will make you fat, to any combination of any of the aforementioned.
It's been interesting to see the food truck industry evolve in Austin. The trucks now utilize twitter, blogs, other social media platforms and even have a unified iphone app. Check out a good general guide to the other trucks here: http://austinfoodcarts.com/
As for the music on Friday night, here's a few of the folks who will be participating:
Santigold: Friday 7:10 - 8:10 - Honda Stage
Pretty Lights: Friday 7:30 - 8:30 - Google+ Stage
Plus, Kanye and Coldplay after Pretty Lights if you're still going after the PL show
And now to bitch about the heat, it's hot, it never rains, and people are starting to lose it down here. Hope we get some rain and cooler weather before ACL or we could see a whole new level of weirdness ...
kimchi fries + pretty lights could be the best combo ever. can't wait!
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