Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Bites Moving Conundrum No. 2: Food on the Go
Posted by Lee Stabert on Wed, May 27, 2009 at 6:29 AM
As a pretentious, yuppie arugula-lover, I am philosophically and ideologically opposed to fast food--which means I get super-duper excited when I have no excuse but to eat it. Enter the 13-hour drive to Philadelphia (and the inevitable mint-Oreo Blizzard I'll enjoy along the way).
Since I so rarely eat in the Devil's Playground, I don't really know where to go. Who really makes the best fast food? I also know that the landscape will change as I head north. Are there any Southern road food delicacies I simply must try? From among the pantheon of national chains, what are the best bets? Any hidden gems worth a stop? And what should I order?
Comments (21)
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Why do you say you "have no excuse but to eat it"? I make 21 hour drives cross-country at least three times a year and not once do I stop at a fast food joint. Pack a cooler, take a bag of healthy snacks. That greasy gunk you are planning on eating is just gut putty to clog you up as you sit stationary in the car.
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The only fast food I'll touch, and usually reserved for road trips, is Chick Fil A. I go with the nuggets, waffle fries and unsweet tea. A side a ranch sauce with a packet of Texas Pete mixed in for dippin' and I'm good.
I was going to say Chick-Fil-A too—it's the freshest-tasting, least greasy fast food I've found (excluding Baja Burrito). If you're wanting a burger, Steak n' Shake beats the alternatives if you can't find a Fat Mo's. We love the shoestring fries.
I second the recommendation for checking out the Stern's book or site.
If your route will take you anywhere near St. Louis, you should check out this place called Lambert's, home of the "throwed biscuits." And yes, that's spelled correctly. It is amusing and the food is pure Southern and a really weird slice of American culture. I read about it in Road Food once and we tried it on a trip a couple of years ago. I probably won't go back, but it was definitely worth a visit!
Lambert's Cafe
(573) 471-4261
2305 E Malone Ave
Sikeston, MO 63801
Good luck and have a safe journey!
If anyplace could get me to drive to Pennsylvania by way of St. Louis, this would be the one.
There's also a Lambert's down around Gulf Shores - Foley, actually, I think. I thought it was fun and I was surprised at not only how good the throwed-roll throwers were but also what good catchers the general public is. No one dropped one, even when they where throwed from across the room.
Lambert's portion are gynormous, but to my mediterranean palate, it was very Chiliappleday's. Plus the time I went it was chock-full of *gasp* KIDS!.
My interstate exits involve Taco Bell or Dairy Queen. One is easy to eat while driving stick-shift, the other one has great shakes.
Ooooh, I just thought of what you should get. French fries. Generally fast food french fries are sinfully good. Personally I'd go with Arby's seasoned curly fries. Please tell me they still make these? I haven't ate them in YEARS. Arby's fries & a Jamocha shake. YUM!
I too usually reserve fast food indulgences for travel (and times like this week when I'm moving and my kitchen is in chaos!). You're off to a good start with the Dairy Queen mint Oreo blizzard, might I also suggest:
-The 99cent double stack from Wendy's - with a Frosty to go along with it of course (I think it goes without saying that it should be the original chocolate Frosty and not that new vanilla one they brought out, why mess with a good thing?)
-Tator tots and a cherry limeade from Sonic. The tots, well they speak for themselves and I'm pretty sure there's no actual cherry or lime in a cherry limeade, but it's delicious
-The red beans and rice bowl from Popeye's. Red beans and rice, spicy sauce, pulled chicken - I know the "bowl" concept is horrible (and yes, I also eat the KFC one but only when I'm hungover) but the Popeye's one is actually really good.
I could really go on and on but you only have a 13 hour drive to fill! Best of luck to you in Philly, I'll definitely miss your writing here on Bites.
The Sonic limeades do have real lime juice in them but no, the cherry is more like "cherry."
The DoubleStack from Wendy's is the best 99-cent burger out there.
If you're talking Wendy's I'd say go with the Jr Cheeseburger Deluxe. I lived on those while in college it seems. I liked it because it had lettuce & tomato (I asked for it without the onion).
And ditto on the chocolate version ONLY of the Frosty.
I'm with you, Lee: I use road trips as an excuse to eat junk. Usually Cheetos. But if it's got to be fast food, it's Arby's most places, Popeye's south of Memphis.
Thanks for all the tips. I did pick up some healthy snacks—kettle korn from the East Nashville farmer's market, cashews, juice and bananas from Turnip Truck—to supplement my indulgences.
My options are also slightly limited by the fact that I will have my animal life-mate Doug in the car. I may have to do drive-thru...
When I plan a long distance trip---I use Google,Tripadvisor.com,etc and figure out my meal stops ahead of time.
IMO--there is little reason to settle for fast food.Just pick out the best restaurants that happen to be on the way to your destination.
Works for me.
sonic cherry limeades don't use real lime.
they use sprite and pour cherry goo all over it.
yuck.
As a former carhop and fountain girl who did my time at Sonic, I guarantee all that there is real lime in a cherry limeade - we had to squeeze fresh limes and lemons every morning for the fountain drinks.
And junk food - that's where I'm a viking!
Sonic is the best for "stay in your car" fast food; Waffle House for sittin' down at the bar and reading a local paper.
Taco Bell and KFC are impossible to eat while driving. Jack in the Box is gross. Arby's is gross. Wendy's has good chicken nuggets, and it is a True Fact that McDonald's has the very best fries.
I realize I'm a little tardy here, but don't even think about Popeye's red beans and rice without getting at least 2 packets of "Cajun Sparkle" to sprinkle all over it. And on top of their chicken. It's a shame that so many people eat there and never even know that wonderment (it's beyond condiment) exists.
The best pre-road trip activity is planning, and there's no reason that can't include nutritional info. You'll be amazed how your decisions can get made for you by reading the fine print. You may be young enough to get away with it now, but that doesn't last forever. The super-thize might, however...
I agree with Nashveggie. I'm young and thankful that I haven't gotten into the habit of even indulging in fast food. If you're looking for crap food (i.e. tasty, greasy stuff), don't go to Wendy's or McDonald's. Visit a place that doesn't freeze everything, underpay its foreign and young employees, market cleverly to children, or target the poor.
(For those of you who actually value their meals visit this site http://stopcorporateabuse.org/food-campaign )
