FOOD FIGHTERS

7 spots near Zilker Park to tackle pre- and post-ACL munchies

Carpenters Hall has pre- and post-ACL eats covered.

Whoever coined the expression, “it’s a marathon, not a sprint,” surely wasn’t talking about the Austin City Limits (ACL) Festival. Veterans know it’s a mad dash to see the dozens of artists crowding the schedule. Try as they might to take full advantage of the curated food offerings, hardcore music fans often add a few stomach grumbles to the clamor at Zilker Park.

While being hangry might be apropos for Alanis Morissette’s angst, pros know that every race requires some fuel. By all means, revelers should visit the new “Sweets” section should they find a lull between acts. But for those who can’t stop the music, knowing all the nearby spots to go before and after the show is essential.

Better Half Coffee & Cocktails
Few local breakfast dishes stick to the ribs like this all-day café’s chicken biscuit. Grab one to eat while queuing for the festival entrance. Or better yet, steal a moment for a repast before heading across the river.

Bill’s Oyster
This downtown seafood joint is launching its brunch service on October 7, just in time for the ACL rush. The menu is filled with New Orleans classics, including Bananas Foster French toast, shrimp and grits, and a crabcake Benedict, though we won’t cast aspersions on those who make a feast out of Champagne and fries.

Carpenters Hall
One of the closest restaurants to the festival grounds, this stylish diner is convenient for the pre-game and post-show. The kitchen opens at 7 am for a power meal of an egg sandwich or avocado toast. After Kendrick Lamar rampages the stage, head back again for cocktails and snacks until midnight.

Eberly
The swanky South Lamar haunt has extended ACL weekend hours for those who need to cool down after the show. Enjoy light-night bites until 11 pm while sipping a Let’s Go Girls, a cowboy hat-topped tequila homage to Shania Twain. Men’s shirts and short skirts are optional.

Elementary
This whimsical newcomer recently introduced brunch service, offering a leisurely start to the madness. Linger over innovative dishes like chicken and waffles topped with kimchi maple syrup, and a scramble with salsa macha.

NADC Burgers
Save the grain bowls for mid-afternoon. Late nights are made for junk food. Yes, NADC’s smash burger, served until midnight, is made with Texas Wagyu. It still delivers 10 ccs of that fast food dopamine rush.

Super Thai Cuisine
Share your ACL highlight reel while enjoying a spread of vegetarian spring rolls, chicken and shrimp shumai, and street-style dumplings. This popular Thai eatery is now open until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.

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Back to the Plow

Homey Austin jam and bake shop closing and returning to farmers market

Confituras/Instagram

Confituras Little Kitchen is closing its brick-and-mortar store, but feeling optimistic about the future.

A famers market find is returning to its natural environment after six years in a brick-and-mortar location. Confituras Little Kitchen, which specializes in locally sourced preserves, is closing its jam and biscuit shop after service on Sunday, December 22. However, it will continue selling goods at the Barton Creek Farmers Market and via retailers.

Confituras announced the change in a newsletter to its customers in December. The letter called the news "bittersweet."

"Although the brick and mortar will no longer be, the good news is that this will be a fresh new start for us – we are bursting with energy and creativity at the thought of being back out in the community where it all started for confituras," it said.

The kitchen is closing because the lease is up, and the team has decided to "give up the chase." The newsletter emphasized the ups-and-downs of business over the past several years — ones that were chaotic for just about any business, let alone a small, fairly niche food operation.

"So much has happened since we decided to open a brick + mortar – a wonderful kickstarter fundraiser, THE PANDEMIC, the AFTER-EFFECTS OF THE PANDEMIC, and an ever growing city," the letter says. "We tried so very hard but never really got our footing. We know we are not alone, many small business are in the same boat. We renewed our lease during the pandemic because we were hopeful we could make it work - the changing times had other ideas."

Finally, it shared how customers could keep enjoying Confituras creations:

The Barton Creek Farmers Market is open at 2901 S. Capital of Texas Hwy. every Saturday from 9 am to 1 pm.
A list on confituras.net compiles retailers including Royal Blue Grocery, Farmhouse Delivery, and Antonelli's Cheese Shop.
Jam share and Table22 subscription customers will have more instructions coming soon about picking up their goods in January at the same space, 2129 Goodrich Ave.
Customers may also reach out to inquire about continuing to order meals directly.

The kitchen also hosted frequent events and workshops, but the letter did not address this aspect of the business.

A shorter message shared on Instagram has inspired 63 comments so far, five days later. Customers eulogized the shop for its community feel and providing a sense of regularity during the height of the pandemic thanks to weekend pick-ups.