Hello! Log in or Register   |  Help  |  Donate  |  Buy Shirts See all banner ads | Advertise on TheSamba.com  
TheSamba.com
 
what do you eat on the road?
Page: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6  Next
Forum Index -> Vanagon Share: Facebook Twitter
Reply to topic
Print View
Quick sort: Show newest posts on top | Show oldest posts on top View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
childofthewind
Samba Member


Joined: October 19, 2010
Posts: 763
Location: Eastern Sierra
childofthewind is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Aug 28, 2011 9:48 am    Post subject: what do you eat on the road? Reply with quote

i've looked for similar posts but didn't find much. feel free to send me a link if i missed any.

i've been living on cape cod for the summer mostly in my van (seasonal job) and now will be hitting the road again on a cross-country adventure.

i'm curious as to what you all eat when you're in your vans, traveling. i'm not one for fast food although i've been known to visit the drive-thru (tail between my legs). i don't have a full westy (no stove) and so most of my cooking is done on an msr reactor which basically boils water, fast. mostly this is for coffee and tea. i typically eat lots of raw foods - avocados, crackers, fruit, bread, cheese, etc. i'd love some more ideas though as i'm beginning to eat out a lot since my food is becoming quite boring, albeit healthy. any ideas on somewhat healthy just add water foods, or, what do you eat?

i'm also traveling from cape cod down to new orleans and across the southern usa to the southwest. any tips or ideas of what to do or see are welcomed! i used to live in flagstaff (one of my destinations) but would love any info between mass and arizona.. stopping in new orleans and austin, i know that much.

thanks and i hope all of you east coast / new englanders are faring well in the storms. the atlantic ocean on cape cod was incredibly beautiful this morning, all churned up and wild. irene blew a lot of tourists off the cape leaving a sparse landscape... *big sigh of relief*
_________________
1987.5 wolfsburg hardtop; 2.1

“As for me, I am tormented with an everlasting itch for things remote." - Melville
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Ahwahnee
Samba Member


Joined: June 05, 2010
Posts: 9770
Location: Mt Lemmon, AZ
Ahwahnee is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Aug 28, 2011 10:19 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

The Deli section of many supermarkets offer some fresh healthier items that do not require cooking and at prices lower than fast food.

In particular we like the salad bars with an extensive assortment, the ones where you pay by the ounce. Lots of grocery chains have these but the ones in City Market (western version of Kroger) are perhaps the best.

As you travel pick up a 'member' card from the various supermarkets -- gets you the better price and makes a nice collection of memorabilia as you flip thru the Winn-Dixie, Piggly-Wiggly, etc.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
The Raven
Samba Member


Joined: July 31, 2011
Posts: 303

The Raven is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Aug 28, 2011 10:24 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

If you want a quick recharge between breakfast and supper....not very good for you...but keeps you going. Starbucks canned mocha espresso with a large snickers bar. Supplement once the edge starts wearing off with a banana or two.

Then again this was my motorcycle goto food when travelling. I guess if it was in the westy...I'd pick something up in the morning and have it midday.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
childofthewind
Samba Member


Joined: October 19, 2010
Posts: 763
Location: Eastern Sierra
childofthewind is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Aug 28, 2011 10:31 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

The Raven wrote:
If you want a quick recharge between breakfast and supper....not very good for you...but keeps you going. Starbucks canned mocha espresso with a large snickers bar. Supplement once the edge starts wearing off with a banana or two.

Then again this was my motorcycle goto food when travelling. I guess if it was in the westy...I'd pick something up in the morning and have it midday.


i can hear your heart racing from here!!

i'll take the snickers...
_________________
1987.5 wolfsburg hardtop; 2.1

“As for me, I am tormented with an everlasting itch for things remote." - Melville
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
DAIZEE
Samba Member


Joined: January 26, 2010
Posts: 7552
Location: Greater Toronto Area Ontario West Side
DAIZEE is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Aug 28, 2011 10:33 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Good idea about deli rather than fast food. Have a safe Happy Trails to you.
_________________
'09 2.5L Jetta 5 cylinder, 5 spd, super turbo, see thread in H2O Cooled Jetta, etc...
83.5 Vanagon L Riviera Model with 98 1.9L TD AAZ 4 speed Daily Driver 3 out of 4 seasons (sold)
84 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Westy WBX 4 speed (sold)
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Facebook Gallery Classifieds Feedback
childofthewind
Samba Member


Joined: October 19, 2010
Posts: 763
Location: Eastern Sierra
childofthewind is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Aug 28, 2011 10:36 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ahwahnee wrote:
The Deli section of many supermarkets offer some fresh healthier items that do not require cooking and at prices lower than fast food.

In particular we like the salad bars with an extensive assortment, the ones where you pay by the ounce. Lots of grocery chains have these but the ones in City Market (western version of Kroger) are perhaps the best.

As you travel pick up a 'member' card from the various supermarkets -- gets you the better price and makes a nice collection of memorabilia as you flip thru the Winn-Dixie, Piggly-Wiggly, etc.


this is great... thanks. i often forget about the deli section of super markets. huge grocery chains kind of freak me out but are fascinating at the same time. love the salad bar idea.
_________________
1987.5 wolfsburg hardtop; 2.1

“As for me, I am tormented with an everlasting itch for things remote." - Melville
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
The Raven
Samba Member


Joined: July 31, 2011
Posts: 303

The Raven is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Aug 28, 2011 10:38 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

vermontgirl wrote:
The Raven wrote:
If you want a quick recharge between breakfast and supper....not very good for you...but keeps you going. Starbucks canned mocha espresso with a large snickers bar. Supplement once the edge starts wearing off with a banana or two.

Then again this was my motorcycle goto food when travelling. I guess if it was in the westy...I'd pick something up in the morning and have it midday.


i can hear your heart racing from here!!

i'll take the snickers...


On the XC trip on the bike I needed it, in the westy....well probably not so much. You might want to supplement with one of those gross looking green superfood smoothys. They look disgusting, smell a little better, and tasty oddly very good.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
bjrogers86auto
Samba Member


Joined: March 26, 2009
Posts: 1375
Location: Halifax, N.S.
bjrogers86auto is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Aug 28, 2011 10:50 am    Post subject: food Reply with quote

On our cross Canada trip we ate pretty healthy. We hit the deli section as mentioned, buying a big pre made salad. We added some pita and hummus on the side. 4 forks and double dipping became known as "Westy Life" lunch. Made clean up a cinch and back on the road in a hurry.

We don't use the stove either. On the lunch time stop we would pick up the meal for supper as well. When it was time to camp for the night we usually cooked up something on the BBQ. This also offered up leftovers for the next day.

On the coffee note...after reading about Starbucks instant coffee and it's popularity on Everest and with backpackers, I decided to give it a try. I find it quite good. I have always used a press or a little filter thingy on top of the mug. This tastes as good and is so much easier for cleanup. The downside is the little plastic package.

Enjoy the trip!
Brian.
_________________
86 Vanagon GL Westfalia 2.1
18 Nissan Frontier Pro 4X
19 Honda Civic Hatchback

A little rudeness and disrespect can elevate a meaningless interaction to a battle of wills and add drama to an otherwise dull day. Calvin and Hobbes.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
crazyvwvanman
Samba Member


Joined: January 28, 2008
Posts: 9889
Location: Orbiting San Diego
crazyvwvanman is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Aug 28, 2011 10:57 am    Post subject: Re: what do you eat on the road? Reply with quote

When traveling we buy a lot of roasted chickens and fresh bread. Stop late morning at a large market and buy fresh along with anything else we need for a day or two. Eat about half the warm chicken for lunch, save the rest of the meat for a salad for a dinner. If we want a hot dinner instead we make an Asian noodle dish with veggies and the chicken meat.


vermontgirl wrote:
i............will be hitting the road again on a cross-country adventure.

i'm curious as to what you all eat when you're in your vans, traveling. i'm not one for fast food although i've been known to visit the drive-thru (tail between my legs). i don't have a full westy (no stove) and so most of my cooking is done on an msr reactor which basically boils water, fast. mostly this is for coffee and tea. i typically eat lots of raw foods - avocados, crackers, fruit, bread, cheese, etc. i'd love some more ideas though as i'm beginning to eat out a lot since my food is becoming quite boring, albeit healthy. any ideas on somewhat healthy just add water foods, or, what do you eat?...............
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
childofthewind
Samba Member


Joined: October 19, 2010
Posts: 763
Location: Eastern Sierra
childofthewind is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Aug 28, 2011 11:11 am    Post subject: Re: food Reply with quote

bjrogers86auto wrote:
On our cross Canada trip we ate pretty healthy. We hit the deli section as mentioned, buying a big pre made salad. We added some pita and hummus on the side. 4 forks and double dipping became known as "Westy Life" lunch. Made clean up a cinch and back on the road in a hurry.

We don't use the stove either. On the lunch time stop we would pick up the meal for supper as well. When it was time to camp for the night we usually cooked up something on the BBQ. This also offered up leftovers for the next day.

On the coffee note...after reading about Starbucks instant coffee and it's popularity on Everest and with backpackers, I decided to give it a try. I find it quite good. I have always used a press or a little filter thingy on top of the mug. This tastes as good and is so much easier for cleanup. The downside is the little plastic package.

Enjoy the trip!
Brian.


hmm.. instant coffee from starbucks. i'm a bit dubious. i must admit i'm a super coffee (and beer) snob - i think this naturally happens if you spend any time in the pacific northwest. but, i'll try anything once and will give it a go. right now i have beans shipped to me from my favorite roaster in portland, oregon and use a titanium coffee press. easy clean-up as long as i can find a place for the grinds.

love all of these ideas; keep them coming!
_________________
1987.5 wolfsburg hardtop; 2.1

“As for me, I am tormented with an everlasting itch for things remote." - Melville
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
childofthewind
Samba Member


Joined: October 19, 2010
Posts: 763
Location: Eastern Sierra
childofthewind is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Aug 28, 2011 11:18 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

DAIZEE wrote:
Good idea about deli rather than fast food. Have a safe Happy Trails to you.


thanks, daizee, i'm really looking forward to getting on the road again. hope esther behaves herself...
_________________
1987.5 wolfsburg hardtop; 2.1

“As for me, I am tormented with an everlasting itch for things remote." - Melville
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
windnsea
Samba Member


Joined: May 07, 2008
Posts: 424
Location: Pasadena, CA
windnsea is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Aug 28, 2011 11:20 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I like to hit the bakeries and see what they have in the 'day old' section. Some pastries are always good and convenient.

If you have an ice chest, get a bbq'd chicken from the deli section of a supermarket. When you carve it up you can cube some of the meat and it goes great in a cup of noodles if you can only boil water. Same with a piece of bbq'd beef.

Also, try the very large truck stops. They often have great smorgasboards.

Have a great trip! I'm off on Labor day to Yosemite for a 10-day jaunt.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Classifieds Feedback
The Raven
Samba Member


Joined: July 31, 2011
Posts: 303

The Raven is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Aug 28, 2011 11:23 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ok, yeah, the starbucks instants are primo good. However......if you like coffee. you must get yourself an aeropress. I've used one for the past 4 years....AND LOVE IT. It's a reverse french press.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
DAIZEE
Samba Member


Joined: January 26, 2010
Posts: 7552
Location: Greater Toronto Area Ontario West Side
DAIZEE is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Aug 28, 2011 11:26 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

When I was sailing or tent camping I used to BBQ an extra baked potato and an extra large steak. Then in the morning I'd cube up the left over steak, quick fry it with a cut up baked potatoes for hash browns and fry up an egg or two. I plan to continue that practise in Scooby.
_________________
'09 2.5L Jetta 5 cylinder, 5 spd, super turbo, see thread in H2O Cooled Jetta, etc...
83.5 Vanagon L Riviera Model with 98 1.9L TD AAZ 4 speed Daily Driver 3 out of 4 seasons (sold)
84 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Westy WBX 4 speed (sold)
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Facebook Gallery Classifieds Feedback
bjrogers86auto
Samba Member


Joined: March 26, 2009
Posts: 1375
Location: Halifax, N.S.
bjrogers86auto is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Aug 28, 2011 11:30 am    Post subject: food Reply with quote

Im not saying I am MORE of a coffee/beer snob than yourself...but...I to am quite the snob. I was very skeptical as well. I was also surprised.

What convinced me to try was the article in Backpacker. According to what I read the climbers often would run out of fresh grinds when expeditions ran longer than expected. They also had issues with grinds disposal. These factors motivated the change to instant. To this point I have never tried an instant coffee...why would I? I have never mastered "the press" coffee but have friends who claim they have. I like it better than press coffee. Try it. If you don't like it...pm me and ill pay for the shipping to send it to me!!hehe. JK.

As for beer!!! Don't get me started!

Brian.
_________________
86 Vanagon GL Westfalia 2.1
18 Nissan Frontier Pro 4X
19 Honda Civic Hatchback

A little rudeness and disrespect can elevate a meaningless interaction to a battle of wills and add drama to an otherwise dull day. Calvin and Hobbes.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
DAIZEE
Samba Member


Joined: January 26, 2010
Posts: 7552
Location: Greater Toronto Area Ontario West Side
DAIZEE is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Aug 28, 2011 11:38 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Well that would be Cdn beer, made in Cda or I suppose some like the European flavoured. hmmm what brand will I buy in Pa next week? hmmmm
_________________
'09 2.5L Jetta 5 cylinder, 5 spd, super turbo, see thread in H2O Cooled Jetta, etc...
83.5 Vanagon L Riviera Model with 98 1.9L TD AAZ 4 speed Daily Driver 3 out of 4 seasons (sold)
84 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Westy WBX 4 speed (sold)
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Facebook Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Timwhy
Samba Member


Joined: January 01, 2009
Posts: 3990
Location: Maine
Timwhy is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Aug 28, 2011 11:40 am    Post subject: Re: food Reply with quote

bjrogers86auto wrote:
Im not saying I am MORE of a coffee/beer snob than yourself...but...I to am quite the snob. I was very skeptical as well. I was also surprised.

What convinced me to try was the article in Backpacker. According to what I read the climbers often would run out of fresh grinds when expeditions ran longer than expected. They also had issues with grinds disposal. These factors motivated the change to instant. To this point I have never tried an instant coffee...why would I? I have never mastered "the press" coffee but have friends who claim they have. I like it better than press coffee. Try it. If you don't like it...pm me and ill pay for the shipping to send it to me!!hehe. JK.

As for beer!!! Don't get me started!

Brian.


Beer? Really, Brian!
_________________
'15 Audi A3 Quattro
'09 VW Tiguan (dead)
'87 VW Westy
'91 Tin Top
'90 Cabby
What the Westy wants the Westy GETS


http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_search.php?search_author=Timwhy&show_results=summary

http://www.youtube.com/user/TIMWHY2?feature=mhee
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Facebook Gallery Classifieds Feedback
iltis74
Samba Member


Joined: November 20, 2003
Posts: 826
Location: Anchorage, AK
iltis74 is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Aug 28, 2011 11:40 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sounds like camp food. Caribou sausage, (welcome to Alaska,) smoked cheese and crackers is a must. Wasa bread, (or maybe they're crackers?,) topped with peanut butter, or brie cheese, or braunschwieger, or (hopefully) salmon lox. Boil some little red potatoes in the morning, throw em in a ziplock with sausage, salt and pepper to taste. Hard boiled eggs keep in a cooler for days. Broccoli carrots celery and mushrooms with a bottle of ranch dressing. Must be about lunch time.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
chojinchef
Samba Member


Joined: February 17, 2011
Posts: 1539
Location: Central Massachusetts
chojinchef is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Aug 28, 2011 11:43 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

X2 on the deli section of the market.

Many of them are looking to capture the quick casual segment from the restaurants and offer some decent items. Roast chicken (as mentioned) comes to mind. Fresh loaves of crusty bread with some good taleggio or other soft pungent cheese is a favorite in the Thingamajigger with some Soppresata or other salumi.

I avoid the supermarket salad section. Scares me.

Depending on how adventurous you are, we eat a bunch of ceviche we make on the fly. Dont buy fish in a supermarket though, by the time most of them get their fish, its 2 weeks frozen. Your on the Cape, you have great access to good fish now, so practice.

Fish cooks quickly, at 145 its safe and cooked through. Fish tacos are great with your aforementioned avocadoes and other veggies.

If we see a farmstand, we tend to stop to see whats fresh and in season. Then talk for an hour to decide how best to use it.

I have mentioned it before, but I do not use the Westy stove either. I use a coleman I put on a table outside.

With a Korean wife we pickle things alot, and bring that too. Kimchi rocks!

Maybe I will create a Westy cookbook?

LP
_________________
Its a mistress; an expensive, whiney, needy bitch of a mistress. She is a chunky, dirty girl with bad skin, little motivation and yet she always makes me smile. She sure has been around before shacking up with me. She has a direct line to my wallet, plays with my emotions, is consistantly jovial yet with a sarcastic and sardonic side, is consistant in her inconsistancy, and every once in a while gives me a great ride and a fantastic memory.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Timwhy
Samba Member


Joined: January 01, 2009
Posts: 3990
Location: Maine
Timwhy is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Aug 28, 2011 11:50 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

vermontgirl wrote:
love the salad bar idea.


People in those supermarkets don't/won't eat anything from them, unless you like lots of germs.
Think about that little snot faced kid that walks by and sticks his fingers into something in the trays
........Bon Appetit!
_________________
'15 Audi A3 Quattro
'09 VW Tiguan (dead)
'87 VW Westy
'91 Tin Top
'90 Cabby
What the Westy wants the Westy GETS


http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_search.php?search_author=Timwhy&show_results=summary

http://www.youtube.com/user/TIMWHY2?feature=mhee
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Facebook Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Display posts from previous:   
Reply to topic    Forum Index -> Vanagon All times are Mountain Standard Time/Pacific Daylight Savings Time
Page: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6  Next
Page 1 of 6

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

About | Help! | Advertise | Donate | Premium Membership | Privacy/Terms of Use | Contact Us | Site Map
Copyright © 1996-2023, Everett Barnes. All Rights Reserved.
Not affiliated with or sponsored by Volkswagen of America | Forum powered by phpBB
Links to eBay or other vendor sites may be affiliate links where the site receives compensation.