Eating out on vacation? Whether you plan to dine-in or take-out, avoid misadventures in popular Summer travel destinations with these 4 Pro tips.
How to avoid eating misadventure this Summer
Summer travel is all about having fun and creating memorable experiences. However, dining at popular destinations can sometimes be tricky. Whether you’re planning to dine in or take out, we have some invaluable tips to ensure your culinary adventures are delightful.
The humorous, true account below is by Founder & Chief Enthusiast Leigh Balkom.
Navigating Eating Out During Summer Travel
via GIPHY
But reality brought a few bumps…
Ravenous Memorial Day crowds seemingly ate through the town!
We found ordering systems offline or dysfunctional. Some places didn’t even answer phones until two days after the holiday when they’d replenished and recovered.
oh the best-laid plans of mice and (wo)men
Some restaurants faced with eager diners and staff shortages were having a tough time covering it all.
Of course, hindsight is always 20/20. Here’s what we learned:
Navigating eating out during Summer travel: lessons learned
#1 Traveling on or around a holiday? Reservations, pre-orders, or provisions-in-hand are a must.
I’d planned to order from an artisan market during our drive down, so we’d pick it up just as we passed by (yes.. clockwork)
The morning we departed, it was available – I checked! But as we neared and I went to place the order, that beautiful handmade grass-fed local beef ravioli was sold out — along with everything else. 😬 Stymied!
Don’t assume that mouthwatering dish you’ve been eyeing will still be available come game time on a holiday weekend. Get it early or risk not getting it at all.
If I could do it over, I would’ve called in our order that morning or before, or had a backup in mind (which brings us to #2).
#2 Always Have a Backup Plan
via GIPHY
I’m queen of being prepared and having sufficient backup. But I hit a snag on that fated holi-day. By the time we checked in, most all nearby places were closed.
That was O-K, we had lunch leftovers to tie us over.
In fact, leftovers saved us more than once over the week! When a good breakfast spot reopened post-holiday, we ordered enough for 2 mornings and had no problem polishing it off before we left.
#3 Pick Up the Phone (During Off-Peak Hours)
via GIPHY
An offline system doesn’t always mean the restaurant won’t take your order or be able to get you in. It’s worth a call to check.
I had great success calling early morning and late afternoon, right after opening. They were cordial and accommodating.
#4 Utilize Local Markets
The natural food store in town was our salvation more than once. We enjoyed fresh organic green juice and grab-and-go sandwiches in a pinch.
They also had beautiful local organic produce, including a small head of heirloom lettuce – handy to augment and extend salad leftovers. 😉
How to eat healthy with ease?
Don’t fret! With a bit of preparation, creativity, and patience, you’ll be set for culinary adventures this Summer.
Do support as many good places as you can and don’t forget your empathy.
And the best part? At Healthy Anywhere, we’re rounding up the best healthy, sustainable, and delicious places – so you’ll have ample backups at your fingertips.
Check out our celebration of good food and subscribe to access our ever-growing mobile and service.
Discover the best healthy, sustainable, and delicious food near you.
Healthy Anywhere
Conscious. Clean. Curated.™
