Written by Molly Kish and Jeannine Boisse //
With Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival hitting Golden Gate Park this weekend, it’s time to break down the best food and attractions this year’s festival has to offer.
In a city that’s equally recognized for its food and beverage industry as it is for its nightlife and entertainment options, Outside Lands has made quite the impression on the festival circuit as the best menu across the board for featured artisan fare. Besides our favorites from previous years, which have quickly become a staple among OSL foodies, 2014 brings an impressive roster of brand-new, local flavors to the festival’s grounds.
Along with several locally curated booths, including Wine Lands, Beer Lands and Chocolands, the festival has stepped up its food game significantly this year with the introduction of the GastroMagic area. For the first time ever in OSL history, the festival presents a fully interactive culinary stage located directly in the middle of the grounds and co-curated by Chefs Feed. Featuring world-renowned chefs paired with top musical talent from the festival’s lineup, GastroMagic offers three full days of delicious collaborations. With everything ranging from Saturday’s Bounce Brunch featuring Big Freedia and Brenda’s French Soul Food to Sunday’s Mezcal Mambo Limbo, this stage will be an epicurean spectacle, heightened that much more by Baconland’s savory flights and roaming resident magician Jon Armstrong. For a full lineup of GastroMagic’s scheduled events, go here.
To further wet your palette, here is our breakdown of the top tastes at Outside Lands 2014.
View the 2014 schedule and create your custom grid to share with friends!
View our 2014 beer/artist pairings!
Eatery: AQ Restaurant & Bar
Dish: Highbrow Spaghetti and Sloppy Joe’s with all the fix in’s
New to the festival’s food scene and definitely catching attention, the SF foodie crowd is sure to dig this dish. I don’t know a better place than OSL to test out a new highbrow take on classic comfort foods.
Eatery: Freshroll Vietnamese Rolls & Bowls
Dish: Bánh Mì Sandwich
If or when the sun shines bright over OSL, a savory and spicy bánh mì will make for the perfect lunch. Make sure to pair it with a seasonal session from Beer Lands or a refreshing hard cider.
Eatery: homeroom
Dish: Gilroy Garlic Mac and Cheese
Given the location of the festival and the tendency for Karl the Fog to barge in at any time, this dish is essential to keeping warm. Homeroom knows how it’s done in the mac and cheese world. Just keep some breath mints handy in case of garlic breath.
Eatery: il Cane Rosso
Dish: Griddled French Toast
Don’t forget about brunch on Outside Lands’ account. Let il Cane Rosso provide the eats and Wine Lands provide the bubbly.
Eatery: Señor Sisig
Dish: California Sisig Burrito
Hangover Helper #1! Sometimes we forget that us Bay Area locals have easy access to some of the best burritos ever. If you’re playing tour guide to any out-of-towners, show them what a real burrito is about. You owe them that much.
Eatery: Southpaw BBQ & Southern Cookin’
Dish: Smoked Brisket Sandwich
BBQ + Beer Lands = Success. Pair your sandwich of smoky, juicy, pork brisket with a local craft IPA.
Eatery: Spicy Pie
Dish: Slice of pepperoni, jalapeños and pineapple
Hangover Helper #2! Because, duh! Spicy Pie will likely save your life at some point during the weekend when you find yourself a little too drunk or just losing energy. On Saturday evening, make sure to grab a giant slice with pepperoni, jalapeños and pineapple.
Eatery: Straw
Dish: Sweet Potato Tots with Blackberry BBQ Sauce
Tots are an Outside Lands food staple. Period. These tots are delightfully crispy, and the blackberry BBQ dipping sauce is magical.
Eatery: Three Babes Bakeshop
Dish: Apple and Chocolate Pecan Pies
Another newbie to the OSL food scene, these pies are picture perfect. Flaky and rich with organic fruit = win. This is a wonderful alternative to Chocolands when you find you’re in need of a wholesome dessert.
Eatery: Wise Sons Deli
Dish: Pastrami Cheese Fries
Hangover Helper #3! These are the best fries at OSL — and possibly the world. Grab a fork and don’t think about calories because they’re worth it. With just the right amount of salty, cheesy and spicy flavors, this will be your perfect breakfast on Sunday morning when you need the extra kick.
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