Austin FC has been one of the hottest games in town since their debut in 2021. Though it’s not just the electric atmosphere that keeps fans coming back to Q2 Stadium to cheer on the Verde…an increasingly big draw is the food, which was designed to be a representation of Austin, and like Austin, there’s nothing typical about the concessions selection at Q2.
“If you look around the stadium, we have so many different options and they're all small businesses” says 512 Co. Executive Chef Sam Boisjoly, speaking of how the offerings at Q2 parallel Austin’s local restaurant scene. “We're very proud of being able to showcase and highlight the awesome talent that we have.” Featuring such local favorites as Black’s BBQ, Shawarma Point, Slovacek’s, and Kerbey Lane (just to name a few), food at Q2 is a microcosm of the greater Austin dining experience. “This is Austin. This is our culture. This is our city, and we're very proud.”
“If you had a friend in the city for three hours, and wonder ‘where can I go and experience the heart and soul of Austin?’ come to an Austin FC match” says Boisjoly. He’s not wrong. Where else can you go to get such a selection of Austin cuisine in one location? Plus, as Boisjoly points out, “you get the music, you get the mood, you get the emotion.”
Speaking of the selection: much like the city’s come-as-you-are vibe, there’s something for everyone at Q2 (including a wide variety of satisfying gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan dishes). Between the Loaded Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese from The Austin Table (made with house-smoked pork), the State Fair of Texas-esque deep-fried PB&J, the Smoked Brisket Bao from Bao’d Up, traditional Tex-Mex, Argentinean empanadas from Little Patagonia, and oh-so-many more mouthwatering options, there are choices for every craving.
You can find traditional stadium fare at Q2, too. Though just like everything else on the menu, Boisjoly and his team strive to make sure these are of the highest quality, and even include an Austin twist where it makes sense. “We’re very intentional about making sure the overall experience is representative of the community of Austin,” and as we all know, Austin is anything but typical. If you’re craving a burger, the Smashburger from The Austin Table is one of Chef Boisjoly’s personal favorites of the stadium offerings. If you’re craving a hot dog, but want to keep it weird, the Mega Foot-Long Chili con Queso Fuego Dog from The Austin Table or the verde-bunned Sonoran Hot Dog from T-Loc’s will serve you well. If a pretzel is what you want, Boisjoly says “we have best pretzels in Texas here” with the giant soft pretzels from Austin-based Easy Tiger.
Even if you’ve been to an Austin FC match before, there’s always something new to eat. New fan-favorites this season include an Elote Corn Dog that’s flying off the shelves and match-specific specials, such as the pie of the match at DoubleDave’s Pizzaworks and the specialty taco of the match at OneTaco. Another newer favorite is the Vegan Larb Bowl from the Verde Vegan cart, a Thai-inspired brown rice bowl made with Impossible meat that’s so good that its meatlessness is undetectable.
If the sheer amount of delicious choices seems overwhelming, take Chef Boisjoly’s advice to know before you go. Get the Austin FC app so you can see the options, make a plan, and “come very hungry.” If it’s a hot summer day, save room for the famous margaritas, which are available at multiple spots throughout Q2.
“Come for great food. Come hang out. Have great drinks. Support your city,” concludes Boisjoly. “To be Verde is the heart of Austin.”
“This is Austin. This is our culture. This is our city, and we're very proud.”
