Does hot chocolate sound good? Let us reveal new Q2 Stadium secrets as you're filing in for the home opener

Looking for hot chocolate this Saturday at Q2 to stave off the cold? Want to know where what new eats and drinks can be found?

At this year’s Media Day, we sampled new food and beverage partners (La Barbecue, Mum Foods’ legendary “Rachel” sandwich, and the resurrected Mighty Cone) as well as new features from existing stadium vendors like 2024 freshman sensation Little Patagonia. Later the same day, we popped over to the Yeti Flagship store and learned about a new “bottomless refills” piece of Yeti drinkware making its debut this Saturday.

Now that the Diageo deal and the Captain Morgan’s branding are gone, new on the beverage side of things are Deep Eddy Vodka and Matthew McConaughey’s Pantalones Tequila. Sources indicate that Austin Beerworks’ Pollo Pils will also make its debut at Q2 in 2025 as part of the local brew initiative.

Hot chocolate this Saturday

Stave off the cold tonight by finding hot chocolate at five different locations: in the Supporters’ Section in 103 at Munchie’s, on the East Concourse in Section 136 at Austin Table, the North End at Doubledave’s in Section 122 and at East Side Eats in Section 128, and upstairs on the Austin Telco Terrace in Section 314. Austin FC Senior Executive Chef Sam Boijoly recommends a “spirited additive” to make it yet better.

The foodmap and the foodplan

In speaking with Boisjoly (who’s been with the club from the start), we learned a lot of effort is going into doubling down on what has worked well. Equal energy is being put into continuing to try new things and finding more ways to incorporate truly authentic Austin eats such that the stadium has a similar reputation to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Boisjoly wants Q2 to be just as great of a place to eat as it is to … you know, watch soccer.

To help guide you around, we’re going to list the eatery, which section they’re found in, and what you want or need to know. 

La Barbecue, Section 137

Taking over the southeast corner BBQ pit spot is newly Michelin-starred La Barbecue. Chef/owner Ali Clem told us that they are focusing on limiting their offerings to things they can sling hot and fast, making sure that they make a good first impression by turning their line with the rapidity needed in one of the busiest areas of Q2. Regular menu items include chopped brisket and three-meat (brisket/pork/sausage) sandwiches as well as loaded Mac and Cheese. They tell us the plan is to rotate specials through, including pork chop sandwiches, brisket Sloppy Joes, pork and beef ribs, and the fans’ long-desired “ren faire turkey legs.”

The Mighty Cone, Section 137 “Rotating Partner” at Austin Table

Austin’s own Mighty Cone was recently bought up and brought back to life. Austin fans will get to relive days past with the OG Hot Crunchy Cones with your choice of of chicken, shrimp, or avocado (or all three in the “Monster”) drizzled in ancho aioli over mango-jalapeño slaw and a flour tortilla. Beyond the cones, they’ll also have hot honey sopapillas.

OneTaco, Sections 122 and 134

In addition to their standard al pastor and carne asada tacos, they will now have breakfast tacos at both locations.

Little Patagonia, Section 126

The breakout hit of any part of the concourse last year was near and dear to the heart of the Chile-born Q2 executive chef. “That the fans embraced these empanadas was one of the biggest personal wins for me last year," he said.

Added to the empanadas and choripans this year are Alfajores (dulce de leche sandwich cookies), guava/quayaba empanadas that are This Cuban Approved, and match day “Special Sweet Treats” that will begin by offering dulce de leche crepes.

Mum Foods, Section 123

An Austin staple now in the North End brings their legendary “Rachel” sandwich generously stacked with Texas-style pastrami on locally sourced rye bread with Cole slaw, Swiss, and Russian dressing. I can always be in the mood for a Reuben, and I’ll gladly take the Rachel instead.

512 Food Co.

This is spread in multiple locations; here’s the hit list of news stuff and where:

Section 121: Brisket Cheesesteak Sandwich (16-hour smoked brisket on a hoagie roll with queso & sautéed peppers & onions)
Sections 129 & 101: Patty Melt (double smash burger on toasted rye with Louie sauce and Swiss)
Section 126, Loaded Sausage Mac n’ Cheese (speaks for itself)
Section 137, S'more Nachos (Buñuelos, chocolate cream, marshmallow creme and mini marshmallows)

New Yeti deal, new bottomless refill Yeti at Q2

The Yeti front of shirt sponsor partnership was renewed for a term of four more years. That number was not mentioned in the announcement or subsequent press release, but confirmed to us directly in the post-announcement scrum by Yeti’s head of marketing, Bill Neff. The renewal and the four-year term were not big surprises, but we got a couple of interesting specific teases, one of which we are breaking the news on.

You may have a whole lot of Yeti tumblers and bottles already, but fans who attend every home matchday have a new one to add to their armada. Available in the stadium starting this Saturday is a Q2 Stadium-exclusive Yeti tumbler that gets you “all-you-can-drink fountain soda,” according to Austin FC president Andy Loughnane. We asked for further details and clarification, but none were available at press time. Turns out it’s a busy week!

We also spied a new Yeti backpack that as of yet has not been publicly named, but is probably a variant of their Camino line of backpacks. Each was personally embroidered with the last name and number of the attending players Ilie Sánchez, Diego Rubio, and Dani Pereira, to name a few who were hanging out and shooting the breeze with Austin FC Sporting Director Rodolfo Borrell.

In a brief chat I had with Jon Gallagher, he mentioned that his fondest dream for the start of the season is to assist Brandon Vázquez’s first competitive goal for the club.

“It would really bring our relationship full circle, all the way back," he said. Unselfish band of brothers vibes to start the season? We don't hate it.

Verde All Day is a reader-supported online publication covering Austin FC. Additional support is provided by Austin Telco Federal Credit Union. You can comment here if you’re a subscriber, or reach out via Bluesky.