Well, it may not exactly be the summertime escape we’ve become accustomed to in years past, but all the familiar elements of Boston Calling are rolling early in 2025 — including, to the immense pleasure of our nostrils and stomachs, the grills, and deep fryers.
Of course, artists like Rebuilder, Dalton & The Sheriffs, Nate Perry & Ragged Company, and Latrell James are repping the city hard from the stage throughout the weekend, but on the other side of the barricade, purveyors of the local cuisine are showing those visiting from both near and far what’s up when it comes to putting that good good on the table. It’s almost a given at this point (a very welcomed one, at that) that the normal heavy hitters like The Chicken N’ Rice Guys, Roxy’s Grilled Cheese, and The Sausage Guy are back for another year being almost as synonymous with the festival’s non-music offerings as the Dunkin’ house (which has found itself made over as a vintage scoop shop in 2025), but that doesn’t mean they’re the only ones bringing the heat when it comes to delicious sweets and sauce-smothered foodstuffs.
With the number five in mind this weekend, we purposely sought out a quintet of finger-lickin’ digs that will have you (and your wallet) thanking the heavens. A little bit of sweet, a little bit of savory – and a whole lot of tasty magic for your face hole. Check it out.
Greco
The dreary New England fall feeling of the weekend certainly isn’t helping us feel seasonally comfortable, but the untethered culinary genius of greek cuisine, by way of Greco, has us whisked away to a mediterranean island – at least for the three bites it takes us to devour their chicken gyros. To make things even better, they’re also offering vegan options (something that obviously comes in handy more than you might think), and the savory allure of their Bifteki pita will pull you in like a tractor beam. It’s unfair, really.
Zinneken’s
Who in the world would ever look at a waffle smothered in whipped cream, syrup and fruit and think “that’s disgusting?” Psychopaths, that’s who. Don’t be a psychopath. Instead, let your sweet tooth live a little with Zinneken’s and explore the magic of The Gourmand (dressed in bananas, whipped cream and caramel), The Oreo Delight (no “uh-ohs” to be found here with crumbled cookie, blueberries and whipped cream), or the simple yet elegant waffle ice cream sandwich.
Flour Bakery + Cafe
Sometimes, you just need to not overthink it. More often than not, the best options are the straight shooters that don’t waste any precious time catching your eye — enter, stage left: Flour. In addition to homemade cookies, brownies and rice krispie treats, they offer a smattering of good ol’ sammiches including a chicken salad option, as well an Italian offering, and the always trusty turkey and avocado, all within the $15 to $17 range. Just on looks alone, it’s worth it.
The Smoke Shop BBQ
If you haven’t tried the BBQ bomb at this point, we don’t know what to tell you. At The Smoke Shop, it’s small town BBQ made with big flavor, and a significant portion that can justify the higher price tag that comes with it. Plus, we’re chillin’ at a music festival all weekend, so let the good times, and the good brisket roll.
El Jefe’s Taqueria
As it says in the Bible, the only thing better than great BBQ is great Mexican food, and we’re pretty sure El Jefe’s was the reference point. Tacos? Got ‘em. Nachos? Got ‘em, but super. Queso, street corn, and guacamole? By the gallons, friends. Not to mention, the line seems to move faster than any other one on the grounds thus far, so that’s a triple win if we’ve ever seen one.
Keep it locked to Vanyaland for all our continuing coverage throughout the weekend.