Check Out Boston Calling’s Gigantic Food and Drink Menu Ahead of the May 2018 Festival

Firefly’s ribs, brisket beans, and corn bread plate (L) and the Smoke Shop BBQ Bomb with pulled pork at Boston Calling 2017. / Photo by Julia Hopkins

UPDATE, May 11, 1 p.m.: Huh, Boston Calling will also be the first place in the U.S. to try Ikea’s new veggie hot dog. Alright then.

PREVIOSULY:

Among the upgrades festival organizers are planning for next month’s Boston Calling are upgraded food and drink options—and we hope you’re hungry. Along with Eminem, Natalie Portman, Noname, and other artists, more than 35 local restaurants are coming to the Memorial Day weekend fest, including several new vendors.

Area Four is one such offering: For the first time in 2018, the wood-fired pros are bringing a “supreme” lineup of their addictive garlic knots to Boston Calling, including versions topped with barbecue pork, and Greek-style lamb. Another Kendall Square restaurant, Commonwealth, is doing up a trio of gourmet deli sandwiches, plus a vegetarian crispy eggplant dish, and their famous duck fat fries.

Union Square Donuts joins the fray this year, too, along with the Chubby Chickpea; Chicken & Rice Guys; dumpling pop-up queens Jaju Pierogi; specialty cupcake shop Caked Boston; and Cookie DŌ, a New York-based purveyor of safe-to-eat cookie dough.

Riceburg Spicy Mala Chicken sandwich. / Photo by Lizzy Barrett

Missed out on some of the must-eat dishes during last year’s festival? All of that fun fare is back on the menu, including Riceburg’s spicy sweet and sour crispy chicken rice burger, Stone & Skillet’s English muffin pizzas, and the Smoke Shop’s barbecue fixin’-filled waffle cone. Again, too, fans can also choose among Whole Heart Provisions, Firefly’s Barbecue, Roxy’s Grilled Cheese, Tasty Burger, El Pelon Taqueria, the Shuck Food Truck, and more.

Also returning: The Mikkeller Beer Bar. Sam Adams is also bringing an assortment of beers, along with Miller High Life and Miller Lite. Barefoot Wines is bringing the cuvée.

Mikkeller Dabbler in Murk (L) and Waves IPA. / Photo by Lizzy Barrett

If you splurge for a VIP ticket, you’ll get access to top-shelf spirits bar. You’ll also be treated to a taco bar from chef Will Gilson and Puritan & Company. Love Art Sushi is also in the VIP area with a spicy crawfish bowl, among other options.

Platinum ticketholders should show up even hungrier: Award-winning chefs Tiffani Faison (Sweet Cheeks, Tiger Mama) will be there with a fried chicken biscuit sandwich bar, a Southeast Asian seafood boil, and more; Bar Mezzana chef Colin Lynch will have a selection of antipasti, salads, and other Italian flavors; and Chris Coombs of Boston Chops will man a carving station for beef tenderloin sandwiches, among other elevated fare. Island Creek Oysters is also bringing its signature shellfish boat for oysters, shrimp cocktail, and littlenecks on the half-shell. See the full lineup below for the timing on these specials.

Boston Calling, now in its fifth year (and ninth festival), moved to the Harvard Athletic Complex in 2017. There were some growing pains in the form of long lines and nonexistent cellphone service, but the organizers—Boston-based Crash Line Productions and NYC’s Madison Square Garden Company—promise double the entrances, double the restrooms, better Wi-Fi, and a bigger craft beer bar.

Looking forward to it, folks.

Boston Calling, $229-$1,099, Friday, May 25-Sunday, May 27, Harvard Athletic Complex, 65 North Harvard St., Allston, bostoncalling.com.

Standish Shore Oysters from Duxbury at Boston Calling 2017, courtesy of Shuck Food Truck. / Photo by Julia Hopkins

Check out the full food and drink lineup below.
All vendors and menu items are subject to change. *Denotes new for 2018.

General Admission

Arancini Bros
Classic Ragu – Saffron Risotto with tomato meat sauce, peas and mozzarella
Bianco Verde – Basil pesto with mozzarella
Bucatini Fritti – Italian style mac and cheese
Chicken Parm Bites – Ground chicken stuffed with tomato, basil & mozzarella
Pizza Ball – Margherita tomato, basil, mozzarella

*Area Four
Supreme Garlic Knots
Supreme BBQ Pork Knots
Supreme Greek Lamb Knots

Bon Me
Signature Vietnamese Sandwiches and Soba Noodle Salads
with choice of filling: Spiced Rubbed Chicken;
Chinese BBQ Pork; Roasted Soy; Paprika Tofu

Chocolate Chip Sesame Cookies

*Caked Boston
Traditional Cupcakes
Specialty Cupcake of the Day
Truffle Balls

*Chicken & Rice Guys
Rice Plates (choice of protein)
Salad Plates (choice of protein)
Cumato Salad
Pita
Baklava

*The Chubby Chickpea
Yemenite Fried Chicken Sandwich
Falafel Pita Pocket
Vegetarian Stuffed Grape Leaves

*Commonwealth
Smoked Turkey & Bacon – Avocado Mayo, Pepper Jack, Arugula
Italian Stallion – Salami, Capicola, Mortadella, Provolone, Hots, Lettuce, Tomato, Oil & Vinegar
Nookie’s Pastrami – House-made Spicy Mustard
Crispy Eggplant – Harissa Goat Cheese, Slow Cooked Green Beans, Arugula
Duck Fat Fries
CW Cookies

*Cookie DŌ
One Scoop DŌ
Two Scoop DŌ
Cookie DŌ Sandwich
Cookies

CopperDome Crust
Artisan Wood Fired Pizza with choice of the following toppings:
Cheese, Pepperoni, and Spinach & Feta

*Deans Concessions
Chicken Fingers & Fries

El Pelon Taqueria
Taco Plate – 2 Tacos (Steak or Chicken)
with Fire Roasted Salsa with Mexican Rice and Black Beans

Burrito Bowl (Steak or Chicken)
Flour Tortilla, Fire Roasted Salsa with Mexican Rice and Black Beans

Rice and Bean Plate – Mexican Rice, Black Beans

Chips & Salsa Fresca

Chips, Salsa and Guacamole

Firefly’s BBQ
Pulled Pork or Pulled Chicken with Coleslaw
Chopped Beef Brisket Sandwich with Coleslaw
BBQ Bowl with Pulled Pork or Pulled Chicken, Mac & Cheese, Beans and Coleslaw
BBQ Brisket Bowl with Brisket, Mac & Cheese, Beans and Coleslaw
Porked Mac & Cheese

FoMu Ice Cream
Ice Cream Scoops
Ice Cream Sandwiches

*Jaju Pierogi
Mix & Match Flavors:
Potato & Cheese Pierogi
Kielbasa & Red Pepper Pierogi
Sweet Potato & Caramelized Onion Pierogi
Jalapeño Cheddar Pierogi

Joe’s American Bar & Grill
New England Clam Chowder
American Mac & Cheese
Gluten Free Mac & Cheese

Moyzilla
Katsu Hand-folded Classic Dumplings: pork & napa cabbage, soy ginger dipping sauce Scallion Pie Quesadilla: Korean BBQ Chicken, cheddar, sriracha aioli
Korean BBQ Chicken Noodle Bowl: rice noodle, edamame, pickled veg, lettuce, scallion, fried shallot, sweet chili sauce

Riceburg
Rice burgers and rice bowls with the choice of filling:
Spicy Sweet and Sour Crispy Chicken
Bulgogi Steak
Shiitake Mushroom

Matcha Green Tea Lemonade

Roxy’s Grilled Cheese
(2 booths)
Big Fig – sweet mission figs + balsamic drizzle on our three cheese blend
Green Muenster – house made guacamole and bacon on our three cheese blend
Classic Three Cheese – vermont cheddar, muenster, fontina cheese on locally baked tuscan bread
Hot Honey Bacon – crispy bacon + Mike’s hot honey on our three cheese blend

Ruth’s Chris Steak House
Steak Sandwich or Salad
Lobster Roll or Salad
Chicken Salad Wrap
Prime Beef Sliders
Cape Cod Potato Chips

Saté Grill
Build your own: Rice, Noodle, or Salad Veggie bowl with Chicken or Tofu + side of veg Dumpling or Crispy Roll
Banh Mi sandwich

The Sausage Guy
Sausage Guy Sweet Hot Bourbon Italian Sausage
Sausage Guy IPA Beer Brat
Sausage Guy All Beef Hot Dog
Giant Soft Pretzel
Shoestring French Fries

Shuck Food Truck
Oysters each/dozen
New England Lobster Roll
Lobster Slider
Fish + Chips
Fries

The Smoke Shop
(2 booths)
The BBQ BOMB – Giant Waffle Cone filled with: Pit Beans, Mac & Cheese,
Cole Slaw, Choice of Brisket, Pulled Pork or Smoked Chicken Topped with Pickled Hots & BBQ Spices

The Pit Boss – All Three BBQ Meats: Pulled Pork, Brisket & Smoked
Chicken. Plus Pit Beans, Coleslaw and Mac & Cheese
The BBQ Sandwiches: Choice of Brisket, Pulled Pork or Smoked Chicken
The Cornbread – with Honey Sea Salt Butter
The Sides – Coleslaw, Pit Beans or Mac & Cheese

Stone and Skillet
English Muffin Cheese Pizzas
English Muffin Pepperoni Pizzas

Tasty Burger
(2 booths)
Hamburger
Cheeseburger
Bacon Cheeseburger
Veggie Burger
Deep River Potato Chips
*Tasty All Beef Dogs
Plain Hot Dogs
Chili Hot Dogs

*Tasty Tots
Plain Tots
Tots with Cheese Sauce
Tots with Chili
Tots with the Works (chili and cheese)

*Union Square Donuts
Assorted Donuts

Whole Heart Provisions
Veggie bowls with a choice of a base of greens or grains in the following styles:

Tazon Style Bowl – Pineapple, Corn Salsa, Korean Black Beans, Smashed Cucumber and Tomato, Red Cabbage Slaw and Lime Vinaigrette with Corn Nuts
Miso Style Bowl – Roasted Broccoli, Shaved Brussels Sprouts, Smashed Cucumber, Pickled Carrots, Red Cabbage Slaw with Orange Miso Sauce and Toasted Sesame Seeds
Viet Style Bowl – Roasted Broccoli, Smashed Cucumber, Tomato, Pickled Carrots, Savory Green Beans Spicy Peanut Sauce and Peanut Crumble

Seared Avocado with tahini, za’atar & crispy lentils
Food Should Taste Good Chips

Yume Wo Katare
Yume Ramen
Chashu Stick

Zinneken’s Belgian Waffles
Liege Waffle
The Sin – Nutella, Banana,
The Gourmand – Caramel, Bananas, Whipped Cream
Fruit Delight – Belgian Chocolate, Bananas, Strawberries

VIP

Love Art Sushi
Shoyu Ahi Tuna Poke Bowl – Hawaiian Marinated Yellowfin in soy, sesame, chili, garlic, nori with scallions over seasoned sushi rice
Spicy Crawfish Sushi Bowl – Tender Crawfish tossed in Sriracha wasabi aioli topped with panko over seasoned sushi rice
Avocado Ponzu Boat – Half an avocado surrounded by microgreens filled with citrus ponzu topped with furikake over seasoned sushi rice

Puritan & Company
The choice of tacos, a bowl with grains and greens, or a sandwich with
the choice of the following proteins:
Grilled Pork
Free Range Chicken
Grilled Vegetables

Ruth’s Chris Steak House
Prime Sliders
Lobster or Salad

Platinum

Friday, May 25
Island Creek Oysters
Island Creek Oysters, Shrimp Cocktail and Littleneck Clams

Chef Colin Lynch – Bar Mezzana
Little gem lettuce salad with anchovy dressing and parmigiano reggiano
Root vegetable salad with squash hummus and feta
Tomato and mozzarella Suppli (crispy risotto balls)
Porcetta sandwiches
Roasted Cauliflower Pita with Yogurt and Curry
Chicken wings with calabrian agrodolce
Roman Gnocchi with mushroom ragout

Saturday, May 26, 2018
Chef Tiffani Faison – Tiger Mama and Sweet Cheeks
Fried Chicken Sandwich Biscuit Bar:
Sweet Cheeks Biscuits, Buttermilk Fried Chicken & Nashville Hot Chicken, Assortment of Pickles, Condiments & Spreads
*Fried Green Tomatoes-Vegetarian Option (Fried Chicken substitute)

Tiger Cheeks Shrimp & Crab Boil:
Spicy Sweet Boiled Shrimp & Crab, Potatoes, Corn & Rice, Spicy Soy Butter

Selection of Early Summer Salads:
Watermelon Salad – Cotija, Mint, Cilantro, Spicy Peanuts
Mexican Caesar Salad – Grilled Little Gem, Crispy Tortilla Chips

Hoppin’ John Salad – Rice, Blackeyed Peas, Jalapeno Vinaigrette

Nutter Butter Cookies
Dee’s Summer Donuts
Hong Kong Egg Tarts

Sunday, May 27, 2018
Chef Chris Coombs – Boston Chops

Afternoon
Boston Chops Home Wrecker Hotdog (loaded with bacon, pickled cabbage,
house-made mustard, aioli, crispy onions)
Veggie Dog Option, Chips
Chops Cob Salad with herb vinaigrette, avocado, diced cheddar, tomato,
and hard boiled eggs

Evening
Carving station for Beef tenderloin sandwiches, horseradish cream, crispy onions
Moroccan spiced lamb and yogurt sauce, cucumber salad, grilled pita
Vegetarian summer rolls with peanut sauce, cucumber, herbs
Kale Salad

Beer

Samuel Adams Sam ‘76
Samuel Adams New England IPA
Samuel Adams Summer Ale
Miller Lite
Miller High Life
Sol
Angry Orchard Hard Cider, Rosé
Truly Spiked and Sparkling, Wild Berry
Pilsner Urquell
Peroni
Mikkeller Windy Hill IPA
Mikkeller Staff Magician N.E. Style Pale Ale
Mikkeller Rasberry Blush, Berliner Style Weisse-Bier
Mikkeller Beer Geek Breakfast, Oatmeal Coffee Stout
Mikkeller Passion Pool, Passion Fruit Gose
Mikkeller California Dream, Hoppy Pilsner
Mikkeller BC “Response” Keller Pilsner
Mikkeller “Significant Endowment” DDH Double N.E. IPA

Wine

Barefoot Pinot Grigio
Barefoot Pinot Noir
Barefoot Rosé
Barefoot Moscato Spritzer
Barefoot Sangria Spritzer
Barefoot Bubbly Brut Cuvée