Stagecoach 2023: From sushi to Guy Fieri-smoked meats, here's what to eat at the festival

The Stagecoach country music festival is known for a lot of things, but something that stands out in our mind (and stomach) is the food and drink offerings.

From barbecue of all kind, including a few cooking demos from the Mayor of Flavortown himself, to drink brands galore, there's something for everyone to sink their teeth into — and quench their thirst — at this year's Stagecoach, which runs Friday through Sunday.

Here is your first look at what's cookin' at the festival.

Festivalgoers get drinks and food in one of the concessions areas during the Stagecoach country music festival in Indio, Calif., Friday, April 29, 2022.
Festivalgoers get drinks and food in one of the concessions areas during the Stagecoach country music festival in Indio, Calif., Friday, April 29, 2022.

Food offerings

Guy Fieri's Stagecoach Smokehouse

Inside the Guy Fieri's Stagecoach Smokehouse you'll find:

  • Big Dev’s BBQ: BBQ Mac and cheese

  • Tony’s Taqueria: Asada tacos

  • The Pit Stop: Ribs and kabobs

  • El Dorado’s: Turkey legs and corn on the cob

  • The Barrel: Pulled pork nachos

  • Fire and Smoke BBQ: Ribs and brisket

  • Stackhouse BBQ: Stacked brisket Mac and cheese

  • Roadhouse BBQ: Stuffed jalapeños, tri tip sandwiches and smokehouse burgers

  • Big Lee’s BBQ: Brisket, rib tips and street corn

  • Menotti’s: Iced and hot coffee

There are also drink offerings inside as well.

The Stagecoach Smokehouse got a new sign for the festival this year at Empire Polo Club in Indio, Calif. Friday, April 28, 2023.
The Stagecoach Smokehouse got a new sign for the festival this year at Empire Polo Club in Indio, Calif. Friday, April 28, 2023.

The Mayor of Flavortown will be at Stagecoach once again, alongside a lineup of yet-to-be-announced BBQ vendors. Fieri himself will be at the back of the tent offering Smokehouse BBQ cooking demos, and he'll have a few (famous) friends joining him. If you stay long enough, you might just get a sample during said demos.

This year's Smokehouse lineup includes:

Friday, April 28

  • Adam Perry Lang and Pat Martin: 3 to 3:15 p.m.

  • Jon Pardi: 4 to 4:15 p.m.

  • ZZ Top: 5:50 to 6:15 p.m.

Saturday, April 29

  • Chris Conger and Rashad Jones: 3 to 3:15 p.m.

  • Niko Moon: 4 to 4:15 p.m.

  • Old Dominion: 5:50 to 6:15 p.m.

Sunday, April 30

  • Brandon Shepard and Operation BBQ: 3 to 3:15 p.m.

  • Lainey Wilson and Taylor Sheridan: 4 to 4:15 p.m.

  • Bailey Zimmerman: 5:50 to 6:15 p.m.

Chef Kevin Bludso, second to the right, gifted Food Network host Guy Fieri a copy of his book, "Bludso's BBQ Cookbook: A Family Affair in Smoke and Soul," during the Stagecoach Smokehouse on Saturday, April 30, 2022.
Chef Kevin Bludso, second to the right, gifted Food Network host Guy Fieri a copy of his book, "Bludso's BBQ Cookbook: A Family Affair in Smoke and Soul," during the Stagecoach Smokehouse on Saturday, April 30, 2022.

Sushi by Scratch Restaurants

If you love sushi and want to get away from the crowds, Chef Phillip Frankland Lee’s Sushi by Scratch is calling your name. Once you find this omakase speakeasy — look for the red door within the Citrus Courtyard across from the every one tent — you'll get to enjoy 16 courses and a sake pairing. You'll have to act quick as there's only seating for 12 inside. There are also only three dining options each day of Coachella, and the experience is only open to guests 21 and older. For more information and to buy tickets, visit www.axs.com/festivals/445386

Vibes on Ice

Need to take a break from the music and heat? UCLA Health will be on the festival grounds with its own area serving up snow cones, water and prizes.

Drink offerings

Angry Orchard

Not only does the Angry Orchard area have its signature hard cider drinks on hand, but it also has a treehouse that is a recreation of the real treehouse bar at the Angry Orchard in Walden, New York. This might be the treehouse of your inner child's dreams.

Beer Barn

The aptly named Beer Barn will be your go-to spot for colds ones, finding delicious food and beating the heat. The area is located at The Terrace.

Alli Downey (from left), Jessica Arevalos and Erin McCurry pose for a photo together with their drinks during the Stagecoach country music festival in Indio, Calif., Friday, April 29, 2022.
Alli Downey (from left), Jessica Arevalos and Erin McCurry pose for a photo together with their drinks during the Stagecoach country music festival in Indio, Calif., Friday, April 29, 2022.

Bud Light Backyard

Not only is the Bud Light Backyard the spot where you can grab drinks, but live music, dancing and special guests are also expected.

The Cabin

Located at The Terrace near the Beer Barn, The Cabin offers craft cocktails and fine whiskey in a comfy-cozy vibe.

Coca-Cola Ice House

Because temperatures will be in the triple digits during the festival, you're going to want ice-cold drinks to keep yourself cool all day. The Coca-Cola Ice House will be the spot to go with Coke Zero on hand.

Golden Road

Be golden the entire weekend by checking out Golden Road, a craft brewery from Los Angeles best known for its popular Mango Cart beer. The female-founded brewery has everything from hoppy IPAs to refreshing ales available, and features a variety of flavor combinations, such as spicy mango and guava and passionfruit. Golden Road will be located in the Citrus Courtyard.

Hendrick’s Botanical Garden Bar

Every Hendrick’s cocktail is crafted with gin created from 11 fine botanicals and infused with rose and cucumber. Need we say more?

The Jameson Bar

Your favorite Irish whiskey will have its own spot at Stagecoach. The Jameson Bar will be complete with plenty of shade and cold drinks.

The JuneShine Oasis  at Stagecoach country music festival in Indio, Calif., on Friday, April 29, 2022.
The JuneShine Oasis at Stagecoach country music festival in Indio, Calif., on Friday, April 29, 2022.

JuneShine Oasis

If you're looking to grab something on the go, the JuneShine Oasis is one place you can get drinks without much hassle. Available on hand will be hard kombucha and premium canned cocktails.

The Malibu Spot

The Malibu Spot is where you can go to put your feet up, enjoy refreshing piña coladas and possibly go home with free swag. What more could you want?

1 Million Strong Wellness Retreat

1 Million Strong is uniting fans, artists and the music industry to destigmatize and transform the way people think about addiction and recovery. Join 1 Million Strong and The Phoenix in the Wellness Retreat tent to relax, recharge, enjoy non-alcoholic drinks and meetup with other sober attendees and allies who are committed to supporting each other's journeys.

M&M'S Sweet Tour

If you thought M&M's could only be enjoyed as chocolate candies, you couldn't be any more wrong. Stop by the tent to try samples of M&M'S Caramel Cold Brew, produce tasty tracks for M&M'S Mixtape, snap some photos and discover sweet surprises!

Monster Energy Rig

After watching countless artists throughout the day, you might find yourself a bit tired. But have no fear, Monster Energy has just the drinks to keep you movin’ and groovin’ all weekend long.

Twisted Tea Hard Iced Tea

Iced tea and country music go hand-in-hand. Twisted Tea hard drinks and Stagecoach? Now that's a match made in heaven. The Twisted Tea RV will have all the hard iced tea you're craving during the festival.

Robert Mondavi Private Selection wine lounge

The Robert Mondavi Private Selection wine lounge will offer festivalgoers a moment to unwind, sip on some classy wine and meet new friends. There are also a few photo opportunities available.

Festivalgoers get drinks and food in one of the concessions areas during the Stagecoach country music festival in Indio, Calif., Friday, April 29, 2022.
Festivalgoers get drinks and food in one of the concessions areas during the Stagecoach country music festival in Indio, Calif., Friday, April 29, 2022.

Other locations

Full bars are located throughout the festival grounds that will serve cocktails and beer. Also available throughout the festival grounders are areas offering fresh-squeezed lemonade, root beer floats, tea, coffee, kombucha, water, soda, coconut water, fresh juice smoothies and more.

This is a developing story.

Ema Sasic covers entertainment and health in the Coachella Valley. Reach her at ema.sasic@desertsun.com or on Twitter @ema_sasic.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Stagecoach 2023: What to eat and drink at the country music festival