Actor and comedian Kel Mitchell is bringing his burger festival west for the first time, with Kel's Burger Fest set to take over the Autry Museum of the American West on February 20, 2027. The event, built around dozens of burger vendors, live entertainment, and a heavy dose of 1990s pop culture, marks the festival's Los Angeles debut after launching in Brooklyn in August 2025.
The Griffith Park gathering is described as the festival's West Coast debut, according to The Hollywood Reporter, which notes the event launched in Brooklyn, New York, in August. Per KTLA, the Los Angeles event will showcase burger restaurants from across Southern California, with organizers saying offerings will range from traditional smashburgers to plant-based options. The museum itself sits in Griffith Park across from the Los Angeles Zoo, according to a listing from The Autry.
Mitchell, known to generations of fans from his sketch comedy and sitcom work, has partnered with Bucket Listers and “food aficionados” Street Food Cinema to stage the event, the trade publication reports. The station's report adds that Mitchell hand-picked each vendor taking part himself. Announced names so far include Heavy Handed, Marathon Burger, Burger She Wrote, Irv's Burgers, For the Win, and Fatburger, along with Love Hour and several other restaurants.
Orange Soda and a Dance Battle on Deck
True to the festival's throwback branding, organizers say themed experiences will include an orange soda fountain and an orange soda chugging contest, alongside a real-life version of Ed's special sauce — a nod to Mitchell's Good Burger fame. Planned attractions also include live throwback DJ sets, a '90s dance battle, a Finish That Song contest, and onstage trivia, per the same account. The event is also expected to include carnival games and a vintage flea market.
“We're bringing the energy, the flavor, and the fun together for a truly unforgettable day,” Mitchell said, according to the trade publication's report. The quote echoes the spirit of the original Brooklyn event, where BK Mag described a scene heavy on Good Burger-evoking orange soda, retro video games, and old-school hip-hop.
How the Brooklyn Debut Set the Stage
Kel Mitchell first hosted the festival at BK Backyard Bar in Brooklyn, where seven different burger outfits set up their grills, according to BK Mag. That outlet named the smashburger from Los Angeles chainlet Fat Sal's its favorite smashburger, while calling Oh Boy its absolute favorite of the day. A separate account from 6sqft listed the Williamsburg lineup as including New York vendors Next Stop Vegan, Oh Boy, Lacey Burger, and Bear Burgers alongside Fat Sal's.
Reports differ on what the Brooklyn tickets actually cost. KTLA reported that officials said tickets for the Brooklyn debut started at $30, while 6sqft reported that tickets started at $33 through Bucket Listers. Neither figure has been confirmed for the Los Angeles event.
No Ticket Details Yet for Los Angeles
As of publication, ticket prices for Kel's Burger Fest in Los Angeles have not been announced, and tickets have not yet gone on sale, per KTLA's reporting. Interested attendees can join the event website waitlist to receive updates on ticket availability and event details as they become available.
