Actor and comedian Kel Mitchell is expanding his culinary event to the West Coast, bringing Kel’s Burger Fest to Los Angeles. The one-day celebration is scheduled for February 20, 2027, and will be hosted at the Autry Museum of the American West within Griffith Park. This marks the first time the festival has been held outside of its original location in Brooklyn, New York, where it launched in August of the previous year.
Mitchell has collaborated with two organizations to produce the event. Bucket Listers, which positions itself as a guide for discovering top events and experiences, is joining forces with Street Food Cinema, a group described as food aficionados. The partnership aims to combine gourmet food with entertainment, creating a comprehensive experience for attendees.
The actor, best known for his role in the film Good Burger, stated that the event is designed to be a full-on burger bonanza. He noted that the festival brings together energy, flavor, and fun for an unforgettable day. Mitchell emphasized that the event is suitable for both those who grew up watching his television shows and anyone who simply enjoys high-quality burgers, inviting guests to place their orders.
The lineup of food vendors was handpicked by Mitchell. Participants include a wide array of popular establishments such as Heavy Handed, Marathon Burger, Burger She Wrote, and Irv’s Burgers. Other featured vendors include For the Win, Fat Burger, 10/10 Burger, and Love Hour. The roster continues with Ban Ban Burger, Fat Sal’s, Burger 3000, Proudly Serving, Patty Boys, and Tripp Burgers.
Additional burger options will be available from Oh My Burger, Mr Charlies, Hammer Burger, Baby’s Burgers, and La Burg. This diverse selection ensures that guests can sample a variety of styles and recipes from well-known local and regional brands.
Derek Berry, president of experiences at Bucket Listers, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration. He noted that he has been a friend of Mitchell since they worked together in 2019 on a Good Burger pop-up restaurant in Los Angeles. Berry described Mitchell as the ideal person to create a nostalgia-fueled food summit, adding that the company is thrilled to bring this new experience to life.
Beyond the food, the festival will feature several entertainment options rooted in 1990s culture. Attendees can enjoy live throwback DJ sets, a 1990s dance battle, and a Finish That Song contest. There will also be onstage trivia games to engage the audience in a competitive format.
The event will include a pickle, a full bar for those 21 and older, and a vintage flea market. Carnival games will be available for guests to play. A nod to Mitchell’s past roles will be evident in the inclusion of an orange soda fountain, a reference to Kenan & Kel and Good Burger. The organizers have also planned an orange soda chugging contest and the availability of Ed’s Special Sauce, another callback to his famous film role.
Bucket Listers has a track record of creating pop-culture themed experiences. The company has previously hosted events such as the Brady Bunch house and the Stranger Things Diner with Netflix. They have also partnered with Mattel for the Malibu Barbie Café and with Disney for the Golden Girls Kitchen. These past projects demonstrate the company’s ability to create immersive environments based on well-known franchises.
Street Food Cinema, an entity under TIL Events, operates as an outdoor cinema, food, and music series in Los Angeles. Since its launch in 2012, the series has hosted more than 500 events. The organization has partnered with major studios to create exclusive and immersive fan experiences, bringing its expertise in combining film and food to the Kel’s Burger Fest.
