Those who have a big appetite for seriously good food will want to make sure they come hungry when they attend “EEEEEATSCON LA” because this food festival is about serious grubbing.
The annual event, which features bigger portions of food rather than small tasting bites offered at many food festivals, returns to The Barker Hangar in Santa Monica on Saturday, June 28 and Sunday, June 29. That’s where more than two dozen local and national restaurants that are all creating a buzz on social media or by word of mouth will be serving some of the dishes they’ve become known for as well as special creations.
So in other words, these are the rock star restaurants people are talking about, said Brant Cox, editorial lead of The Infatuation LA, an online publication that covers all things related to restaurants and puts on the annual food festival.
“There’s a million food festivals out there now and I think what makes Eeeeeatscon special is that it is a food festival but it’s created in the spirit of a music festival where the restaurants are the headliners,” he said.
“You’re going to taste the best food in Los Angeles and abroad. The lineup this year we believe are operating at the top of their game,” he added.
Some of the local rock stars restaurants in this year’s lineup include Santa Monica’s wood-fired and grilled Indian dish makers Fitoor as well as Glendale’s Mini Kabob, a spot that’s become a city institution.
“Anybody who has been eating Kabobs in LA will know Mini Kabob. It is a classic spot and this year they are doing a first time special Chicken Caesar wrap. I had it at a tasting and I can tell you it is unbelievably good,” Cox said.
Cox is particularly excited for a collaboration with beloved pizza place Quarter Sheets and Caribbean inspired restaurant Bridgetown Roti who will create an oxtail pizza together.
“For that I would say people will need to line up immediately,” he said.
The festival also gives food lovers the chance to sample dishes from restaurants outside of California that they may otherwise not get a chance to try. One such spot Cox is excited about is Brave Idiot, a Nashville-based food truck that has been making a lot of noise for its juicy hot chicken.
“It is revered in Nashville and I am really excited to try that,” Cox said.
Besides the food the festival will include panel discussions by food experts and live music.
EEEEEATSCON LA
When: Noon-6 p.m. general admission, Saturday, June 28 and Sunday, June 29
Where: The Barker Hangar, 3021 Airport Ave., Santa Monica
Tickets: $25 for general admission entry to the festival and includes panels and live music, but food and beverage cost extra.
Information: eeeeeatscon.com