Can you get by without eating out (travel)

[Jarrod_Uncut]

I was reading something similar on a travel forum, about people who challenge themselves to go on trips without eating out: but their alternative seemed to have involved having some sort of camper or traveling with more than 1 person and doing groceries/cooking.

I ask because one thing that's kinda taking the fun out of extended travel for me, is the eating part. I joked around with a friend and said I'm going to take up the "addict" diet, that way I won't really be eating much to think about going out 😄

I suppose eating out is supposed to be a fun part of travel, but after a few days of doing it, and not having a "stipend", I start to feel like it's just an extra expense that should be cut out. On some trips, I've done the air bnb style hotels with kitchen for a couple days just to get a break from eating out...but sometimes I've found by the time I get groceries for what I'm making, I've already brought a dinner out, and the cost of the time buying/making it. 

It's crazy because, there's so many restaurants in a normal sized city, and I've known people who live off of uber eats/take out/dining out. I'm considering switching to non perishables and microwaveable when traveling, and only going out to eat if its client or friends involved 😄 

[italianboyph]

Anytime I travel ill always get coffee/breakfast in the am and I’ll go somewhere for lunch at least. Honestly though UberEats is what I usually do, it’s just easier. 

[Guest]

I hear you, @Jarrod_Uncut. In addition to the money factor, I start to feel bored and a little awkward eating out by myself all the time on an extended tour. If that means I'm not a proper cosmopolitan, I'm prepated to accept it. I definitely find it fun for a while, but at a certain point I'd rather just be in the hotel room so I can get sauce all over my face, wearing only a robe, all while laughing stupidly at a podcast or talking on the phone... and nobody can judge me. 

A kitchen in the hotel room (reward programs are your friend here) is definitely helpful, but not necessary. Most hotels are happy to provide a few simple utensils etc upon request. Nothing wrong with a peanut butter sandwich!

[marylander1940]

6 hours ago, Jarrod_Uncut said:

I was reading something similar on a travel forum, about people who challenge themselves to go on trips without eating out: but their alternative seemed to have involved having some sort of camper or traveling with more than 1 person and doing groceries/cooking.

I ask because one thing that's kinda taking the fun out of extended travel for me, is the eating part. I joked around with a friend and said I'm going to take up the "addict" diet, that way I won't really be eating much to think about going out 😄

I suppose eating out is supposed to be a fun part of travel, but after a few days of doing it, and not having a "stipend", I start to feel like it's just an extra expense that should be cut out. On some trips, I've done the air bnb style hotels with kitchen for a couple days just to get a break from eating out...but sometimes I've found by the time I get groceries for what I'm making, I've already brought a dinner out, and the cost of the time buying/making it. 

It's crazy because, there's so many restaurants in a normal sized city, and I've known people who live off of uber eats/take out/dining out. I'm considering switching to non perishables and microwaveable when traveling, and only going out to eat if its client or friends involved 😄 

Watching expenses is always a good way to save money.

I know escorts who carry protein shakes with them, pick hotels that include breakfast, and usually go to a supermarket to grab something for dinner. 

 

[Lazarus]

Come to New York City. You can go into any store you want, take what you want without paying & no one will stop you & or ask any questions. They aren’t allowed to. I’m sure you can also get away with this in California & Washington too. 

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

2 hours ago, marylander1940 said:

Watching expenses is always a good way to save money.

I know escorts who carry protein shakes with them, pick hotels that include breakfast, and usually go to a supermarket to grab something for dinner. 

 

 

These exact shakes are a lifesaver.  Costco sells them cheaper than anyone.

You can also look into delivered meal plans like Factor75 and Freshly.  They'll ship anywhere.

[nate_sf]

When I travel I'll often go to a grocery store and just buy some prepared foods and take them back to the room. Like @DanteV says, eating out alone can get pretty old, and sometimes I just want something simple and have some downtime in the room. It's great when there is a Whole Foods nearby, but any supermarket will do.

Or I'll go somewhere like Chipotle, and I'll feel a bit guilty since it's not taking advantage of the local offerings. There's a time and place for being adventurous, but there are also times when it's simpler to go with the tried and true.

[mattr]

6 hours ago, Benjamin_Nicholas said:

 

These exact shakes are a lifesaver.  Costco sells them cheaper than anyone.

You can also look into delivered meal plans like Factor75 and Freshly.  They'll ship anywhere.

I get those shakes at Costco.  It's inspiring that we both like to ingest the same type of protein.

[Rudynate]

On 1/29/2022 at 3:04 AM, Jarrod_Uncut said:

I was reading something similar on a travel forum, about people who challenge themselves to go on trips without eating out: but their alternative seemed to have involved having some sort of camper or traveling with more than 1 person and doing groceries/cooking.

I ask because one thing that's kinda taking the fun out of extended travel for me, is the eating part. I joked around with a friend and said I'm going to take up the "addict" diet, that way I won't really be eating much to think about going out 😄

I suppose eating out is supposed to be a fun part of travel, but after a few days of doing it, and not having a "stipend", I start to feel like it's just an extra expense that should be cut out. On some trips, I've done the air bnb style hotels with kitchen for a couple days just to get a break from eating out...but sometimes I've found by the time I get groceries for what I'm making, I've already brought a dinner out, and the cost of the time buying/making it. 

It's crazy because, there's so many restaurants in a normal sized city, and I've known people who live off of uber eats/take out/dining out. I'm considering switching to non perishables and microwaveable when traveling, and only going out to eat if its client or friends involved 😄 

I take my meals along if I'm going to be gone for more than a day or two.   I don't want to eat nothing but restaurant food for several days in a row.  I order them from a company called Flexpro.  They come frozen and packed in a box with foam insulation. I have a small duffel bag. I line the duffel bag with the foam insulation and pack the meals in it.  And they are fine short or non-stop flights. I make sure I have a refrigerator and microwave in my room and I get utentsils from the hotel.  I have never tried this on a flight with a layover.

[+ JEC]

I find food experiences to be one of the most enjoyable parts of travel.  It's not unusual for me to spend a few hours researching restaurant/food places before any trip so I have already identified many choices.  If the cost of food is an issue, there are plenty of cheap eats, especially ethnic food places in most cities...including foot carts and food stalls.  We often rent apartments when we travel, when we do we will often buy some staples and have breakfast in the apartment; and might make dinner at home once or twice during our trip.  

[Luv2play]

I'm also one who enjoys eating at restaurants while traveling, even when I was a working stiff. Of course, most of my professional working life involved international travel so the variety of national cuisines was always a treat.

But I can see that for escorts who travel domestically, for those times, especially dinners, when the client is not hosting at a restaurant or in his home that includes dining, then going out to restaurants might get tiresome, especially if you are trying to economize.

I imagine in most urban centres, there are plenty of stores where one can buy prepared food which can be pretty good. I know I have resorted to that particularly when it was close to the hotel I was staying in. I would then just take it back to my room and watch TV while enjoying a glass of wine and my meal.

[marylander1940]

8 hours ago, JEC said:

I find food experiences to be one of the most enjoyable parts of travel.  It's not unusual for me to spend a few hours researching restaurant/food places before any trip so I have already identified many choices.  If the cost of food is an issue, there are plenty of cheap eats, especially ethnic food places in most cities...including foot carts and food stalls.  We often rent apartments when we travel, when we do we will often buy some staples and have breakfast in the apartment; and might make dinner at home once or twice during our trip.  

Yes, but you travel for different reasons. 

I guess you and so many of us travel for tourism or work and I'm sure the company covers  expenses like airfare and hotel, escorts usually make a financial decision to travel to a city and stay for a certain amount of time trying to get clients in order to cover their expenses and make a profit. I'm sure they have plenty of free time but that's unpaid and unused, escorts have to be available, they don't have time go to a restaurant, seat, order, etc.

4 hours ago, Luv2play said:

I'm also one who enjoys eating at restaurants while traveling, even when I was a working stiff. Of course, most of my professional working life involved international travel so the variety of national cuisines was always a treat.

But I can see that for escorts who travel domestically, for those times, especially dinners, when the client is not hosting at a restaurant or in his home that includes dining, then going out to restaurants might get tiresome, especially if you are trying to economize.

I imagine in most urban centres, there are plenty of stores where one can buy prepared food which can be pretty good. I know I have resorted to that particularly when it was close to the hotel I was staying in. I would then just take it back to my room and watch TV while enjoying a glass of wine and my meal.

Exactly! Some supermarkets have a salad bar and the escort can grab a tray, pick his choices and have a meal already cooked for less than a restaurant price and ready to be eaten at the place or back at his hotel. 

 

[Jarrod_Uncut]

On 1/29/2022 at 11:20 AM, marylander1940 said:

Watching expenses is always a good way to save money.

I know escorts who carry protein shakes with them, pick hotels that include breakfast, and usually go to a supermarket to grab something for dinner. 

 

 

That's not my first choice for protein (I tend to get the tubs or grab whichever ones the store has in the fridge) But as @Benjamin_Nicholas said it's definitely a lifesaver especially after long workouts. Only issue is, the protein shakes aren't enough when needing to take pills/supplements..when I do, I tend to like the high protein drinks: 

 

On 1/29/2022 at 11:09 AM, DanteV said:

I hear you, @Jarrod_Uncut. In addition to the money factor, I start to feel bored and a little awkward eating out by myself all the time on an extended tour. If that means I'm not a proper cosmopolitan, I'm prepated to accept it. I definitely find it fun for a while, but at a certain point I'd rather just be in the hotel room so I can get sauce all over my face, wearing only a robe, all while laughing stupidly at a podcast or talking on the phone... and nobody can judge me. 

A kitchen in the hotel room (reward programs are your friend here) is definitely helpful, but not necessary. Most hotels are happy to provide a few simple utensils etc upon request. Nothing wrong with a peanut butter sandwich!

Yah when I have points or can find a good market I'll go with rooms with a kitchen. But even then (I know I sound uncompromising), sometimes I'll do that, cook once or twice and get tired of that too. I've actually lost interest in the cooking at hotels thing also because it's too much work to grocery shop, buy/carry seasonings, sometimes hotels (even Marriott branded) don't have enough pots and pans. Then I have to buy my own, and then carry them around the duration of the trip. 

But I also worry about nutrition and making sure I'm eating enough to build/maintain muscle while traveling. So is hard for me to eat something like 1 pizza for a meal, and feel okay with myself.

Maybe the money part is "relative", assuming I budget my hotel expenses and not overspend on things like going out (which lately I've been feeling stupid wasting my money going to shitty ass gay bars, only to stand around and look at cliquey people or drugged up types make out in a corners). 

The last night of my last trip, I ordered 2 prepackaged wraps from a gas station ($5.99) and that was my dinner. I actually felt okay with that because the little Podunk country town I was in, I wasn't really trying to explore (like @nate_sf said). But the next day I had a mediocre hotel breakfast and then went to the ihop type of diner across the street for brunch lol. 

Edited January 31, 2022 by Jarrod_Uncut

[alrajee]

Food for me is part of the enjoyment of travel. Whenever I go to a new city (or country in general), I'm eating out at least 75 percent of the time. The remaining 25 percent is me buying something from the grocery to eat at my hotel/Airbnb. I won't cook at all the entire stay.

If it's a place I've been to, I act more of a local since I'm already familiar with the environment. In other words, 80 percent of my meals happen where I'm staying. I'd eat out on my first day (since I haven't settled yet), my last full day (since my fridge is probably empty at this point), and maybe one or two other days when I can't be bothered to make something or if I am meeting up with friends for dinner.

When I drove up to Montreal last year, I stopped at a BJ's Wholesale Club stateside and bought two weeks' worth of groceries. I only ate out maybe twice or thrice. I did get to-go food a couple of times, mostly after hitting up the bars and clubs at The Village.

TL;DR I can't do it. I would have to eat out at some point out of necessity.

Edited January 31, 2022 by alrajee

[Jamie21]

All these replies and I can’t believe no one has yet made an innuendo about “eating out”. Maybe it’s just me that has an immature mind 🙂

[dbar123]

We drove cross country over an 18 day period this September. We took a car fridge and an induction hot plate. It gave us the ability to cook in any hotel room without burning the place down. Didn’t miss eating out 

Even experienced the continental divide…where Hellman’s mayonnaise converts to Best Foods

 

[+ azdr0710]

As suggested, salad bars at some grocery stores is an idea. Look for the protein items and watch that scale!!  I carry protein/energy bars on trips. Hotels that include breakfast are great, but some can be very carb-heavy!  Texas/Arizona  has a Salad And Go chain now that is very good. Eating out is expensive. 

[Jarrod_Uncut]

On 2/1/2022 at 5:57 PM, dbar123 said:

We drove cross country over an 18 day period this September. We took a car fridge and an induction hot plate. It gave us the ability to cook in any hotel room without burning the place down. Didn’t miss eating out 

Even experienced the continental divide…where Hellman’s mayonnaise converts to Best Foods

 

I remember staying at a "budget" hotel in Orlando, and there was a note posted saying that there would be a $50 fine for cooking in the hotel room. I guess it was akin to smoking as far as fire danger goes.

On some trips I'd take a George foreman grill along, but you have to carry your own cleaning stuff to avoid staining the hotel rags when cleaning it.

I guess I've done all of the above already lol. Sometime I get tired of going to grocery stores too because it's like..dealing with various crowds in various cities lol.

I think too my mood changes day to day or time of day. @Shawn Monroe remembers: we ate out 1 night, then the next night I just wanted to eat in and make our own food. Especially when it comes to seafood. If I'm entertaining i prefer to make it myself. But, I do love it when a client shows me to a nice seafood restaurant lol. I just don't make enough disposable income to just randomly go to legal seafoods or ocean prime just because I'm hungry. 

I guess the real question was: who avoids sitting down at restaraunts and just takes to go lol. Now that I read it, i don't really like cooking unless I have a room at residence inn or towneplace suites or similar. Problem is, ever since post pandemic: many of these hotels have gotten to be so expensive ru where you almost end up spending same money going out. And when the possibility of a client coming is looming, it can be tricky to commit to cooking.

But i kmow when i cook myself i lessen my chance of food poisoning, which happens far too often!!!

Edited February 3, 2022 by Jarrod_Uncut

[+ keroscenefire]

Quite a few hotels have a full breakfast even some lower-budget ones. I just stayed at the Citizen M Hotel in Washington DC and they also have a nice bar/restaurant with some good grab-to-go options for lunch and dinner including some nice hot options. I had a pretty good falafel sandwich with a little Mediterranean salad for only like $12. You could eat at the bar or just as easily take it to your room. Not quite as bad as room service. 

[+ Tygerscent]

Normally I travel about 95%~ (on the road between one and three or four months).
 That being said: dining out is overhead~ It adds up~ Door Dash and all of that even more so with derives charges, delivery fees and tips~ With all that I loose my appetite completely~
 I often use Tesco, City target, New Leaf, Winco, whatever… I buy juices, water, berries, light snack for Clients and then also some light supplemental foods for myself~
 Seems I stock up on things like yogurt, green bananas, oranges, Quest bars and Quest Chips, (between 19 and 20mg a of protein per bar or bag).
 I allow myself one fancy meal out at some fun or favorite restaurant~ 
 Clients enjoy dining out. So, I try to find find places nearby if we decide to do that~
 My luggage is typically packed with protein bars and powdered protein mixes~ Dried cranberries, pecans and cocoa nibs may also make it into my bag~ Boxes of Alecer Emergen-C’s and herbal Supplements~ 
 Stockans Oatcakes are a satisfying snack without making me feel to full~ I like to feel empty/light when playing~ 
 I tend to “splurge” if I’ve banged out 7 loads or more in a row~ Makes me hungry and I can get a bit carby~
 Seems I mostly want to drink juice, water and tea~
 The UK and italy are easiest for me to navigate with dining at home~ The grocery stores and mom and pop specialty markets are an adventure and offer charm to the experience of traveling~ Even Tesco is pretty fun… especially late night.

 

Edited February 3, 2022 by Tygerscent