The L.A. Street Food Fest is Back: Lines Be Gone, Organizers Say

The crowds at February's L.A. Street Food Fest | Photo by Zach Behrens/LAist

The crowds at February's L.A. Street Food Fest | Photo by Zach Behrens/LAist
Fresh from their February debut, the organizers behind the L.A. Street Food Fest are not waiting a year to bring Angelenos their next event. Today they announced the "Summer Tasting Event," scheduled for the evening of July 24th at the Rose Bowl, and say overcrowding and long lines should not be a problem this time around.

"The event itself is a completely different model," explained Shawna Dawson, the festival's co-founder. "Unlike the last event this is entirely pre-sale and everything is all inclusive."

In February at the inaugural festival, the popular event brought out tens of thousands of people, many who were turned away, with marathon long lines inside that exasperated crowds. This time, it won't get out of control, Dawson said. "We've capped the tickets so we know exactly how many peope are attending and all of our food vendors are prepared for that many people. There will be no tickets available the day of."

Tickets, which went on sale today, at $45 get you parking, admittance, unlimited food and drink and entertainment. A special VIP pass for $20 more gets a limited amount of people in one hour before it's opened to the rest. Instead of serving out of trucks, vendors will serve catering style (Dawson compared it to how Taste of the Nation runs their event).

So far, 50 food vendors have been booked with more expected to be announced. Dawson says they really want to represent the whole gamut of street food, from small vendors and their carts and stands to the trendy Twittering trucks. Today, she's out on the streets hunting down some "elusive vendors" that are hard to find.

Vendors include Antojitos Carmen, Antojitos La Abuelita, The Grilled Cheese Truck, Flying Pig Truck and Dim Sum Truck. There will also be two beer gardens, cocktail vendors, mixologists and a street food cook off led by Chef Susan Feniger. Local bands the Deadly Syndrome and Warpaint will also play.

"We wanted this to be like the event of the Summer," explained Dawson, noting how attendees will be able to hit the Rose Bowl's grass for picnicking, a rare treat in itself.

Related: See Photos from February's Street Food Fest