Serving up Success: 2024 Recap of AUS Food & Retail

An infographic titled "AUS 2024 Roundup" highlights statistics for restaurants and retail at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. It features:  9,794 Tyler’s T-shirts sold 7,607 Keep Austin Weird shirts sold 1,151,955 tacos sold 169,377 pounds of brisket sold The design includes an orange background, a taco image, and a brisket sandwich, along with a cowboy-armadillo mascot holding a lasso. The Austin-Bergstrom International Airport logo is displayed in the top-right corner.

The results are in, and Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) still takes the cake—or shall I say tortilla—for being the most taco ‘bout airport in the country. Is that a self-proclaimed honor? Maybe, but when you're selling 1,151,955 tacos between Taco Deli, The Peached Tortilla, Earl Campbell's Taco Truck, and Zocalo Cafe, who’s checking? With that many tacos devoured, it’s safe to say that nearly half of the 2,068,404 passengers who passed through AUS in the record-breaking month of May snagged a taco before boarding their flight.

Taco priorities aside, if 2024 had a catchphrase, it would definitely be "But wait, there's more!" This past year was all about going above and beyond for travelers who craved more. Whether it was indulging in more of their favorite local food, collecting more quirky merchandise, or having more fun at special events, we made sure to showcase a whole lot more in 2024.

If you’re in Austin, you’re eating good.

I bet The Salt Lick BBQ workers at AUS have shredded muscles after all the cutting they’ve done for travelers this past year. We thought nearly 100,000 pounds of brisket was a lot for 2023—try a whopping 170,000 pounds for 2024!

On the other side of the terminal, 24 Diner was crackin’ up and flippin’ out! No, literally, chefs had to crack over 31,000 eggs last year and flip 26,000 burgers to satisfy that brunch appetite. Across the street, The Beerdrop served over 71,000 beers, and Komé Sushi A-Go-Go was on a roll with roughly 40,000 sushi rolls sold.

Even outside of the terminal, AUS concessionaires were serving up wins in 2024. Our phenomenal concessionaire partners, Delaware North and HMSHost, represented AUS’s Beats, Bites, & Flights concession program by competing for first place at Austin’s beloved Mac & Cheese Festival. Delaware North took home the People’s Choice Award for Best Mac & Cheese with their New Orleans-inspired French Quarter Boudin Balls.

Speaking of festivals, AUS had a successful retreat at this past year’s Food & Wine Festival. With help from our concessionaire partners, Paradies Lagardère and Vino Volo, festivalgoers who visited our booth got to indulge in delicious Texas wines and pimento cheese deviled eggs.

Jealous that you’re missing out on all the festival fun? Subscribe to our Stay in Tune newsletter to keep up to date with the community events AUS will be attending next!

Now boarding, more beverages!

If we haven’t made it clear already, AUS is all about supporting Yeehaw—I mean, local Texas businesses. Earlier this year, The Saxon Pub welcomed the Garrison Brothers to their shelf. Not if, but when you arrive early for your next getaway, savor the Spirit of the Lone Star State with the Garrison Brothers Barrel-Aged Old Fashioned.

If you’re not a bitter drinker, order The Tito’s Daytrip instead, a refreshing vodka cocktail made with Daytripper. “What’s Daytripper,” you ask? One of the few zero-sugar, organically flavored sparkling waters crafted by the Austin-originated St. Cecilia Soda Company, which can now be purchased at The Saxon Pub, Jo's Coffee, Taco Deli, and Annie's Cafe & Bar.

Hypothetically, if you didn’t arrive early enough to wait in line at one of our many coffee shops, the new and improved Costa Coffee on-the-go machine can serve you a cup of caffeine in a few clicks. You heard right—the Costa Coffee machinery had a glow-up in 2024, making it even more efficient at fueling your caffeine addiction.

One-way ticket to retail therapy, please.

Whether it’s to scream at a sporting event in person or sing along to your favorite song live, passionate people are the type of people who visit Austin. Proof of that passion is represented by the 2,546 UT Hats, 991 F1 Shirts, 9,794 Tyler's T-shirts, and 7,607 Keep Austin Weird Shirts that were purchased inside AUS this past year.

As AUS works to expand the terminal, new shops have been established while the established get a new look. In case you didn’t already know, a revamped Tyler's store showcasing the flyest vacation accessories and clothing can be found right by Gate 5. Conveniently, another trendy clothing store called Austin Vibes is right across the street by Gate 8. This new addition to the retail family is an excellent place to find relevant Austin-based event swag.

This past holiday season, our partners at Delaware North teamed up with The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation to collect donations for children in need. Thanks to the generosity of our incredible community—whether you dropped off a new unwrapped gift, donated via the QR code, or purchased an action figure from Toy Joy to donate onsite—your support truly made a difference. Together, we spread joy and brought holiday cheer to families who need it most. We look forward to coming together again next Christmas time at AUS to continue this tradition of transporting the holiday spirit.

A Texas-Sized Thank Y’all!

In all seriousness, this blog not only highlights the achievements of businesses in our terminal but also expresses our gratitude for your contribution to the local economy. Every taco, pound of brisket, and unique Austin product sold drives the success of our concessions, which in turn supports a thriving job market. So, thank you, hungry traveler, for supporting this vibrant city we love. We aim to offer a memorable taste of Austin and a genuine sense of its energy at every step of your journey, and we hope it’s an experience you will be excited to explore again.

Share