Outside food outdoes past years’ lineups
Outside Lands’ reputation for showcasing top-tier culinary talent is well deserved, and this year’s food lineup might be the most exciting one yet.
After a year of postponements, the San Francisco music festival returns to Golden Gate Park on Oct. 29-31 with 85 restaurants, more than 40 wineries and 30 breweries slinging sustenance while major performers like feel-good rapper Lizzo, psychedelic outfit Tame Impala and rock band the Strokes take the stage.
While Outside Lands typically attracts scores of repeat vendors, a whopping 38 are new this year. There’s also a record number of East Bay restaurants. Festival newcomers from that side of the bridge include Richmond’s El Garage, which is making its Instagram-famous quesabirria as well as mole cauliflower tacos; Oakland Cambodian destination Nyum Bai, serving stir-fried noodles and Khmer fried chicken; Alameda pop-up Smish Smash, which is bringing its notably thin, crispy burgers; Oakland AfroLatino lounge Sobre Mesa, making garlicky shrimp and stuffed plantains; Berkeley’s Third
Culture Bakery, known for mochi muffins and matcha lattes; and
Oakland’s World
Famous Hotboys, which fry up seriously spicy, Nashville-inspired hot chicken sandwiches.
San Francisco ramen expert Mensho Tokyo, known for drawing exceedingly long lines in the Tenderloin, is also appearing for the first time with wagyu truffle maze ramen and vegan miso ramen. Brandon Jew’s Mamahuhu plans to bring sweet-and-sour chicken alongside a cauliflower alternative, while new modern Mexican spot Otra is expected to sling sweet potato tostadas and carne asada tacos. The vegetable-centric offerings are no coincidence — nearly all Outside Lands vendors offer a gluten-free, vegan or vegetarian option.
Normally taking place in August, Outside Lands this year will occur over Halloween weekend for the first time, and returning restaurants are getting into the holiday spirit. Some seasonal specials include pumpkin pizzas from A16, spicy voodoo shrimp over garlic noodles from Chef Smelly’s Creole and pumpkin spice ice cream tacos from Rocko’s.
Per usual, festivalgoers who shell out for VIP tickets gain access to specific offerings, like tonkatsu pork rice bowls from Filipino-Japanese pop-up Ox + Tiger. Those who can access the elite Golden Gate Club will find a hub designed by legendary San Francisco designer Ken Fulk, known for spaces like the Battery and Leo’s Oyster Bar, and Mr. Fulk’s Wild Ride, a custom trolley that will shuttle people between stages. Food and wine will come cour
tesy of Boulevard, Saison and Angler.
Meanwhile, the festival’s Wine Lands is growing this year to take up two additional courtyards, with one focused on canned wines and the other on bubbles. The big tent is slated to pour from 19 new wineries, including McBride Sisters, RD Winery, Tansy and Brendel, which reflect a focus on wineries helmed by women and people of color. Beer Lands follows in a similar vein, bringing on two Black-owned breweries for the first time: Hella Coastal and Crown &
Hops.
Tickets are currently sold out for the festival, apart from ultra-luxe Golden Gate Club tickets ($1,795 for one day; $3,995 for three days).
Outside Lands is requiring proof of COVID19 vaccination or a negative coronavirus test within 72 hours for all attendees. Masks are required for all indoor spaces and encouraged everywhere else, regardless of vaccination status.