'Couchella' Starter Kit — Get The Festival's Music And Food At Home: Drive-Thru Diary

CALIFORNIA — On Friday, over 100,000 people are expected to descend on the Empire Polo Club in Indio for the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.

All that walking around from stage to stage to catch acts including Lana Del Rey, Tyler, The Creator, Doja Cat and No Doubt is sure to work up an appetite. Luckily for festival goers, the food lineup rivals the music.

We're not talking about run-of-the-mill fair grub here. Indeed, Coachella's self-proclaimed "food program" includes food trucks and outposts of familiar buzzy restaurants from around the country — chefy stuff, including food from Roy Choi and David Chang.

But if you're not braving the heat, crowds and sky-high hotel prices in Indio, that doesn't mean you have to miss out on the fun. Since Coachella made live streams of its musical performances available on YouTube in 2011, "Couchella" has become an annual tradition as scores of people around the world enjoy the show from the comfort of their own living rooms.

And in the spirit of keeping the couch in Couchella, stay out of that kitchen! You can experience the foodie aspects of the festival by ordering from some of the very same restaurants that are serving up dishes on the polo fields.

Here are some food picks you can find in Southern California and around the country:

Prince Street Pizza
Los Angeles County, Las Vegas, Toronto and New York

This New York-born pizza joint serves up crispy, square-shaped slices.

Backyard Bowls
SoCal

Boasting a plant-based menu of smoothies and bowls with no sorbet, this local chain offers a healthier alternative for fruit fiends looking to get their acai fix.

Chris N' Eddy's
Hollywood

With a simple menu of smash-burger sliders, waffle fries and tater tots, Chris N' Eddy's stands out in a sea of burger joints.

Kogi
SoCal

Chef Roy Choi's marriage of two of the Southland's signature cuisines — Mexican and Korean food — has attracted scores of imitators looking to recreate the magic served up at his food trucks and taco stands.

McConnell's Fine Ice Creams
SoCal

In my opinion, McConnell's is simply the best ice cream in California. Grab a pint from the grocery store or stop into one of their locations to enjoy a few scoops in a waffle cone.

Monty's Good Burger
SoCal

Another standout burger spot, vegan style. You won't find any meat on Monty's menu, which has earned a following from meat eaters and plant-based people alike.

Dog Haus
Over 60 locations nationwide

There's nothing typical about these hot dogs, which come in a tour-the-world set of flavors.

Sweetfin
SoCal

As the poke craze has proved its staying power in California, Sweetfin has positioned itself as a reliable spot to find a range of fish- and plant-based bowls in many neighborhoods.

Farmhouse Kitchen
Portland, the Bay Area and LA

Maximalism is the name of the game at this multi-location restaurant, which offers bold takes on Thai favorites that you can't find anywhere else.

Oakberry
New York, California and Florida

At Coachella, this smoothie and acai bowl spot has teamed up with supplement brand Kapowder for a healthy boost of superfoods on the fields.

Check out the complete Coachella food lineup here.

Coachella streams live on YouTube April 12-14 and April 19-21.

Drive-Thru Diary is a journey of all that's delicious, noteworthy and downright weird in the world of fast food, quick bites and the culinary field at large. Got an idea? I'd love to hear from you: [email protected].