Eating on the Road

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Often times, we are deadlocked in a cold war battle with roommate's, family members, and friends in

Eating on the Road

where to eat for dinner. Will it be Fast Food or Casual Dining? Mexican or Italian? Should we get an appetizer... or how about split that big sundae for dessert? This should sound familiar to just about everyone, and I'm sure at times we dream of the day when we get to make all the decisions on our own for what we're going to eat. Well part of this summers journey, was making these decisions every day.

Living on the road, I am forced with making the choice of where to eat twice a day, every day. There are days where I love it, and others where its a serious personal struggle. Today I'll settle some questions that have been asked of me about my summer eating habits, and how one eats on the road:


1) Doesn't it suck to eat alone all the time?

Double Dipping is Good

Yes and No. While all of my days are made up of about 80% me time, the times that I take to sit down at a restaurant and get to just relax, are wonderful. I enjoy the moments to have a drink, watch some sports and listen to the world around me, and not have to worry about watching what the staff is doing. But having to stare at an empty seat across from me, and seeing families and friends laughing together does get a bit harsh at times. This is why I often choose restaurants where I can sit at the bar
and have conversation with the bartender or other patrons. In doing this I have truly met some of the nicest and most interesting people across the country. Just last night I talked with a bartender who
was working her way through school where she was studying Vocal Performance and Political Science. She was happy to talk all about her life dreams and ambitions. Everyone truly has something to tell, and I am always happy to listen (ever had me ask you "tell me a story?). And plus... isn't it nice knowing you can double dip and not be judged?

2) Can one live off Taco Bell?

Smothered Burrito

Definitely. While I do switch up what I eat pretty often, Taco Bell is never a bad decision. Its the best food to eat in the car as it easily fits in 1 hand, doesn't make a mess, and is CHEAP. For less than $5, I can get 2 Beefy Nacho Griller's, and Bean and Cheese Burrito and a Drink and be stuffed. When I feel like "dining in", the new Smothered Shredded Chicken burrito is delicious. And who can be sad when Cinnamon Twists are around? Not to brag, but I've also mastered eating a Crunch wrap Supreme while driving ;)

3) Hotels with Free Breakfast rock right?
Wrong. 90% of the time the eggs taste like cardboard, the bagels are about as hard enough to break windows, and the sausage is more questionable then elementary school lunch. Families on a weekend vacation will eat at the hotel breakfast because its a great value and will live with the mediocre at best food selection. But when you're on the road every day, a bad breakfast can set up a bad day. Its why more often than not, Starbucks or an Egg McMuffin are worth the expense to start the day right.

Chick Fil-A Chicken Biskit (My Favorite)

However, for those of you who do make your housing selection based on free breakfast, here is my general review of what you will get at different hotel chains:
-Fairfield Inn, by Marriott: Consistent good coffee and fresh juice options, but the real winner is the individually packaged Otis Spunkmeyer muffins that you can grab and go.
-Holiday Inn Express: Avoid the eggs, but the pancake machine and signature warm cinnamon rolls are worth waking up a bit earlier.
-La Quinta Inn: Everything is about the same here, nothing good and nothing bad. Usually the biscuits and pastries are stale. Go with the Activia yogurt if you must.
-Springhill Suites by Marriott: Pretty decent all around, and the coffee was great.
-Hyatt Place: Fantastic! I have stayed at 2 of these this summer and they were both great. The dining area is set up like a big family kitchen/dining room. The Mini Donuts were good along with all of the hot food options.

4) What are the best places to eat?

Royal Burger at Red Robin

This one is tough, and in the end most people won't agree with me. When looking at where I eat,  I seem to be a creature of habit and don't vary much in where I eat I am drawn in by places with a bar, good service and consistently good food. After long days on the road, or at a park, the smallest things are what I look forward to the most. If I dine out and don't have a good experience, it just makes life on the road all the more lonely. But in review, at least 4 nights a week you are most likely to find me at one of these places:

-Red Robin: With Bottomless steak fries with all of their sandwiches and some of the best burgers around, whats not to love? They have a great beer selection and, for something unique, try the Irish Shake!
-Buffalo Wild Wings: When its game time, there's no better place for fans. I regularly ate here during the NHL Playoffs and now during football season. Also the Game Changer brew by Red Hook, is truly the best beer to accompany your wings.
-Applebees: With 1/2 priced appetizers and drink specials after 9 every night, its one of the best stops. The bartenders are always friendly and the food is always consistent. Most of the time, its the Turkey, Bacon, and Avocado sandwich, but my new favorite is the 4-Cheese Macaroni with Honey Bar-B-Que Chicken crisper's.

5) Do you ever try anything new?

Deep Fried Apple Pie

Of course! While many times I eat at the same places (because I know what I am getting), I love to
try the local favorites. If I remember before leaving a park, I ask for the best local food joint and eat there. In doing this I've found some incredible restaurants across the states:
-Kannah Kreek Brewery (Grand Junction, CO): While the beer  and pizza was great, the deep fried apple pie for desert was to die for.
-Oklahoma Joe's Bar-B-Que (Kansas City, MO): Arguably the best bar-b-que in the United States. I've already wrote about it back in my Kansas City post. See it Here.
-Voo Doo Donuts(Portland, OR): With some of the most unique doughnut toppings and filling, the famous Voo Doo Donuts cannot be passed up if you are ever in Portland.

Doughnut Display at Voo Doo Donuts

So now I pose a question to you all: Do you think you could eat out everyday? Why or why not? What would your habits be? Comment below, as I'd love to hear your opinions and suggestions!

Be sure to check out my next post: 
The Disneyland Resort: Part 1-Day Time!