The level of deliciousness that these food trucks churn out is almost unbelievable, and the variety would be unimaginable had I not eaten at these meals-on-wheels myself. These magnificent machines will be out in full force for SXSW, catering to the masses just looking for a good time. So, if you happen to see any of these whilst you are out frolicking, make sure you take the time to stop and enjoy some of the best food to ever come out of some dudes van. For more information on truck hours and locations, be sure to visit their website!

East Side King: Asian Fusion www.eskaustin.com

Probably the most popular food truck in Austin, known for their Asian fusion delicacies and Poor Qui Buns.

Lucky’s Puccias: Sandwiches, Italian 

Who doesn’t love sandwiches? Get their signature style puccia and grab a beer while you’re at it.

Peached Tortilla: Asian Fusion www.thepeachedtortilla.com

Also very popular, the Peached tortilla provides a different kind of Asian fusion. Grab the BBQ Brisket Taco.

The Best Wurst: German, hot dogs www.thebestwurst.com

Curry Ketch-up. Sauerkraut. Brats. Jalepenos. Those words should be enough to entice.

Kebabalicious: Turkish www.austinkebab.com

KEBABS AND PITAS. Wrapped together like a juicy Mediterranean fantasy.

Svantes stuffed burgers – Burgers www.svantesstuffedburger.com

Burgers stuffed with ingredients and topped with a fried egg. If you see this on the street, make a run for it.

Gourdough’s: Desserts, Donuts www.gourdoughs.com

Didn’t think you were gunna see DONUTS ON THE LIST, now did ya! I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves.

Umbel+Vox Media Party

When: Fri, March 7, 8pm – Sat, March 8, 12am

Where: ACL Live, West Willie Nelson Boulevard,

Description: ACL Live at The Moody Theatre transforms into an unforgettable party featuring live music by Local Natives, preceded and followed by a dance party hosted by Austin’s own DJ Chicken George. Don’t miss out on what will be one of the most memorable parties at SXSW 2014.

Star Power: Innovative Ways to Engage Millennials

When: Fri, March 7, 12:30pm – 1:30pm

Where: Austin Convention Center Room 6AB Austin Convention Center

Description: Engaging millennials now takes more than just traditional outreach methods. Innovative approaches such as leveraging celebrity voices and platforms, new technologies and culturally relevant messaging is critical for impacting the social behavior of the fastest growing demographic. Join actor and activist Rosario Dawson, co-founder of Voto Latino, and moderator Alex Wagner, host of MSNBC’s “NOW with Alex Wagner,” for a conversation about how to effectively mobilize Latino millennials to create social change in their communities.

How Twitter Humorists Landed Sweet Real World Gigs
#sxsw #Tweet2Fame

When: Friday, March 7 5:00PM – 6:00PM

Where:Austin Convention CenterRoom 12AB

Description: The hilarious tweets written by funny people Megan Amram @meganamram, Jenny Johnson @JennyJohnsonHi5 and Josh Hara @yoyoha have not only attracted hundreds of thousands of followers, they’ve also landed these social media savants legit employment in television, publishing and marketing. In this session, Mashable Editorial Director Matt Silverman will lead a fun (and funny) discussion on how these three social media celebrities were able to showcase their talents through Twitter, create impressive followings that make “real” celebs jealous, earn the praise of major media outlets like Time, The Wall Street Journal and Rolling Stone, and ultimately land dream jobs that embrace their 140-character humor and charm.

Interview with Andrew Wilson, CEO of EA

When: Friday, March 7 5:00PM-6:00PM

Where:Long Center Dell Hall 701 W Riverside Dr

Description: Andrew Wilson, CEO of EA, will sit down in a fireside chat to talk about his background in game development, what he’s learned about developing immersive game experiences and how he will use that to inform his vision for EA now that he’s taken the reins of the company.
This SXSW Gaming Session at the Long Center is FREE and open to the public. However SXSW Interactive, Film, Gold and Platinum badges gain priority seating.

One on One with Mark Cuban

When: Sat, March 8, 5pm – 6pm

Where: Austin Convention Center Exhibit Hall 5 Austin Convention Center

Description: Internet pioneer, billionaire, angel investor, NBA team owner assesses the current state of technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship in a no BS session with Silicon Valley veteran Guy Kawasaki. The fun and in-depth conversation between Cuban and Kawasaki is the perfect way to end your first full day of SXSW Interactive 2014.

uShip Nerds Rock Party

Featuring: Aloe Blacc and Auto Body

When: Sat, March 8, 7pm – Sun, March 9, 12am

Where: uShip Inc, Brazos Street, Austin, TX, United States

Transcendence + The Verge + Eater: Opening Night Cocktail Party Designed by Paul Qui

When: Fri, March 7, 5:30pm – 7:30pm

Where: ACL Live, West Willie Nelson Boulevard, Austin, TX, United States

Description: Join Warner Bros. Pictures/Alcon Entertainment’s Transcendence, The Verge and Eater for a VIP cocktail experience designed exclusively by James Beard Award-winning Austin chef, Paul Qui. Enjoy super foods and specialty cocktails while experiencing emerging technologies in the Transcendence Future Tech Expo.

Game of Thrones Exhibition

When: March 7-March 11 2:00PM

Where: Austin Music Hall

Description: SXSWesteros is coming! Game of Thrones®: The Exhibition, presented by HBO GO®, will be stopping at the Austin Music Hall from March 7-11. Free of charge, the fully immersive exhibition will transport fans into the medieval world of the show via a collection of nearly 100 original artifacts from seasons 1, 2 and 3, plus select pieces from the fourth season premiering April 6 at 9PM on HBO.

Among the items that will be on display are costumes, props, armor and weapons made by artisans whose extraordinary craftsmanship has lent authenticity to the show since its inception. The exhibition will also offer fans an all-new, immersive virtual reality experience that will place them within the world of Westeros, an opportunity to declare their favorite moments from the first three seasons on HBO GO, and a chance to sit on the coveted Iron Throne.

“Brain Blast”

Featuring: SNOOP DOGG and St. Lucia

When: Sun March 9, 8pm

Where: Stubbs

The Spotify House

When: March 10th-March 14th, 11am – 7pm daily

Where: The Spotify House, 901 East 6th St

Description: Open to Spotify users 21 and over, limited capacity: first come, first served.

RedBull Sound Select

When: March 12th-March15th, 8pm daily

Where: The Belmont

Description: Four days of music and festivities, 21 and over

Jimmy Kimmel LIVE from Austin

When: March 10-14th, 4:30pm

Where: Long Center for Performing Arts

Description: Jimmy Kimmel Live will broadcast five original shows from The Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long Center for the Performing Arts. Jimmy will welcome celebrity guests, showcase musical performances and shoot comedy segments around Texas and at SXSW.

Kimmel, on traveling the show to Texas, said, “Austin is one of my favorite cities and there is no place more fun than SXSW. I can’t wait for March 10th. I’ll be the guy covered in BBQ sauce.”

This year, SXSW will be held from March 7-16th, and for those of you unfamiliar with the exact parameters of the event – allow me to explain. SXSW is not just a music scene, there are three parts to this affair. Music, Film, And Interactive – there are also trade shows.  Each part brings something new and interesting, allowing small businesses, big business, and everything in between to showcase who they are and proliferate the spread of creativity and technology.

Access to SXSW is dependent on what it is you are looking to gain. There are specific badges for certain events, and an all encompassing badge for everything. If you are going just for the music, you don’t necessarily need a badge at all, but be prepared to wait in line. If you are going to view the film and interactive exhibitions, you can just purchase the Gold Badge. The film shows don’t require a badge, but interactive does.  A platinum badge (access to everything) will cost you roughly $1595, Gold $1395, Music $750, Film $625, Interactive $1195. Click here to buy a badge.

Here is a break down of each individual attraction:

• FILM:  From the SXSW website: “A SXSW Film Badge is an affordable way for industry professionals and fans alike to gain priority access to screenings, full access to the Film Conference (including Convergence panels with Interactive), the SXSW Trade Show, and great opportunities for networking at lively parties and social events. Without a Film, Gold or Platinum Badge, you may also purchase single admission tickets at the door before individual screenings, space permitting.” Opening night films announced: Chef, Veronica Mars, and Cosmos. Venues:
  1. Paramount Theater, Congress & 7th. This is our largest venue.
  2. Stateside Theater, Congress & 8th.
  3. Ritz 1 & 2, 6th & Trinity. Around the corner from the Convention Center, the Ritz is beloved for its full bar and tasty menu.
  4. Violet Crown Cinema, 2nd & Guadalupe.
  5. Topfer Theater at ZACH, Toomey Rd off S. Lamar.
  6. Rollins Theater at The Long Center, W Riverside Dr off S. 1st
  7. Vimeo Theater in Exhibit Hall 2 at the Austin Convention Center, E Cesar Chavez & Red River.

• INTERACTIVE: Must buy a badge to attend this event (either Interactive Badge, Gold, or Platinum) The 21st annual SXSW Interactive Festival is held from Friday, March 7 through Tuesday, March 11. From the SXSW website, “An incubator of cutting-edge technologies and digital creativity, the 2014 event features five days of compelling presentations and panels from the brightest minds in emerging technology, scores of exciting networking events hosted by industry leaders and an unbeatable lineup of special programs showcasing the best new websites, video games and startup ideas the community has to offer. From hands-on training to big-picture analysis of the future, SXSW Interactive has become the place to preview the technology of tomorrow today. “

• MUSIC: Most young people seem to be more interested in the music aspect of SXSW.  Hundreds of well-known and popular musicians and artists flock to the city to showcase their talents.  You can purchase a Music badge, which will grant you access to any show and any venue, or you can hit up the list of RSVP’s to attend for free.  With the RSVP, there is no guarantee you will get in, and most of the time requires you to wait in a long line.  The list of show case artists can be viewed here with most of the artists and venues being released later in February. So be on the look out by subscribing to the newsletter. There is also a comedy portion to SXSW, in which you can see your favorite comedians

• Trade Shows:  From the SXSW website “A four day business exhibition spanning all three conferences (Interactive, Film and Music). Admission to the SXSW Trade Show is open to all SXSW badge holders and all SXSW Showcasing artist wristbands. 65,000 people attended the Trade Show in 2013. Leaders in the music, film, and interactive industries all converge in one location, providing a one-of-a-kind opportunity. International participation is unparalleled with 66 countries represented at SXSW 2013.Who exhibits at the SXSW Trade Show? Start-ups, established brands, and everything in between. Labels, distributors, merchandise companies, studios, film/music/technology universities, talent and marketing agencies, festivals, related non-profits, associations, commissions. Software and hardware manufacturers, social media solutions, infrastructure and hosting providers, SEO and marketing services.”

List of Places to RSVP to:

• www.rsvpster.com
• www.austinchronicle.com
• www.do512.com
• www.showlistaustin.com
• www.sonicvaultaustin.com
• https://www.facebook.com/groups/477366332298459/

Who to follow on twitter:

• @southbyfreenoms
• @Sxshhh
• @sxfreenoms
• @SXSW

For More twitter accounts http://rsvpster.com/2014/01/sxsw-2014-follow-these-twitter-accounts/

Helpful websites/tips:

www.sxsw.com for all your general questions

http://showlistaustin.com/ will list free/unofficial shows that are happening

http://www.austinbiketoursandrentals.com/ RENT A BIKE

http://schedule.sxsw.com/ schedule of events by DAY

http://www.tms.com/sxsw/  to buy a Shuttle pass to get around

Should you choose to go to a music venue to see about your RSVP, best advice is to get there EARLY as possible.

Where to Stay, How much it Will Cost:

Unfortunately, there’s no real good answer for this. Most hotels in the downtown area will try to price gauge as the event gets closer and closer.  If you choose to buy a badge, it is easier to register through the SXSW website for a hotel room.  And of course, there’s always craigslist, airbnb, and couchsurfer.