Portland Thai Icon Pok Pok Teams Up With Franklin Barbecue for a Pop-Up

Andy Ricker, the chef of Portland’s essential northern Thai restaurant Pok Pok, is coming to Austin for a pop-up meal at Franklin Barbecue during pitmaster Aaron Franklin’s food and music festival Hot Luck. It takes place on Sunday, May 26 from 5 to 9 p.m. at 900 East 11th Street in Central East Austin.

So the big catch: even though guests will have paid for advance tickets ($85) or already have the festival’s all-access badge (aka the Whole Enchilada pass) which will grant entry, they will still have to wait in line to enter the pop-up. It’s supposed to recreate the experience of waiting on the infamous Franklin Barbecue line. The press release describing the event noted that there is “guaranteed entry” for those with paid tickets, no matter what. This also means that not everyone with that Whole Enchilada pass will get in. There is also supposed to be some availability for walk-ins at the time of the event.

At the event (dubbed Pok Pok-Up), Ricker and Franklin will come up with a menu together, featuring items from both of their respective restaurants. Because the pop-up is also promoting Ricker’s forthcoming third cookbook, Pok Pok Noodles: Recipes From Thailand and Beyond, it’s probably safe to expect some sort of noodle dish, as well as those famous Vietnamese fish sauce wings

Those with paid tickets will get a plate of food and a signed copy of Ricker’s cookbook. Those with Whole Enchilada passes will only receive a plate of food (no book). Attendees will have to pay separately for drinks.

There’s an after-party being held at neighborhood bar Nickel City on 1133 East 11th Street, which will feature a special whiskey menu using Westward Whiskey from Portland’s House Spirits Distillery.

Food and music festival Hot Luck takes place from Thursday, May 23 through Sunday, May 26.

• Pok Pok-Up [Hot Luck Festival]
• Aaron Franklin’s Hot Luck Festival Chef Lineup Is Here [EATX]
• All Coverage of Pok Pok [EPDX]
• All Coverage of Franklin Barbecue [EATX]