Hit the Streets:

The old souk in Kuwait City is one of my favorite places in the Middle East to score great  shawarma, seasoned nuts and koshary, an affordable Egyptian dish made with brown lentils and pasta. The street stalls in Amman, Jordan can always be counted on for a mean falafel, while the curbside bakeries in Beaune, France serve phenomenal quiche that’s perfect for snacking on while you take a break on a park bench. Money saved on a meal out can be redirected towards a world-class wine tasting experience at the Marché aux Vins.

Breakfast is Always a Bargain:

Going out to breakfast is always one of the more affordable options for dining out, particularly here in the United States. So if you’re camping or not staying at an establishment that includes breakfast, searching out a pancake house or local diner is a great way to kick hunger to the curb while you figure out your food options for the rest of the day.

Lunch is Cheap Too:

Look, I love to go out for a nice dinner as much as the next person. However, that doesn’t change the fact that most restaurants have radically different prices for their lunch menu than they offer during dinner hours. So if you’ve been dying to check out the seafood tacos at that little bistro by the bay, heading there at noon is likely your best budget bet.

Deals and Steals:

Many popular chain restaurants offer killer coupons to entice penny pinchers during peak travel season. Olive Garden and Red Lobster come immediately to mind, but there are others. While I like to try out local options when staying in a new place for a period of time, I have to come clean. When I’m on the road moving at a breakneck speed, relying heavily on franchise chains that I’m familiar with is one of my top survival strategies.

When it comes to coupons for takeout food you can bring to your hotel room, Boston Market, Pizza Hut and Dominoes are three of the biggest coupon contributors you’ll find. I especially like that pizza takeout and delivery establishments offer some of the easiest ways to eat vegetarian on the road, even if the brand tends to be more focused on meat. For those attempting vegan travel, you could always leave the cheese off of your pizza order or try the cheese-less breadsticks with marinara sauce and a side salad.

For across the board savings at your chosen destination, explore the local options available with Groupon or Restaurant.com. You’ll be able to sample local flavor and still save some serious cash, provided the establishments suit your tastes and travel itinerary.

Supermarket Menus:

You’ll find them near most gas stations and shopping malls in North America. From ramen recipes you can make in the hotel to healthy road trip snacks and sandwich press selections, incorporating supermarket shopping trips is part and parcel of the affordable  family travel experience. Hummus and sliced artisan bread paired with green salad, veggie dogs in hot dog rolls with organic relish and microwaved Morning Star Farms buffalo chicken tenders with dipping sauce make our list of family faves, but there are certainly many other simple solutions to suit a wide range of palate preferences.

Hotel Freebies:

Breakfast buffets, loyalty lounges with complimentary happy hour selections and light evening meal selections are all on the list of hotel freebies I’ve enjoyed on the road. Knowing what your hotel offers ahead of time will help you plan your vacation food expenditures accordingly. Even less expensive hotels tend to offer a hospitality bar featuring coffee and tea, which is a great no-cost way to warm up when traveling during cold-weather months.

Airport Lounges:

Hitting the hotel happy hour isn’t the only way to score free travel food. Memberships to Priority Pass Lounges frequently include access to wine and spirit selections, light meals and snacks, free Wi Fi and even napping areas. The chairs are always more comfortable than the ones at the gate, and it’s usually much quieter in these lounges as well.

Food Vouchers:

When flight delays derail your itinerary, check with airline’s main desk to see if they are willing to offer meal vouchers. It’s a common enough practice when delays cause you to wait through meal hours, and while the amount isn’t likely to cover a full sit-down meal at the concourse restaurant, you can usually manage to pick up an egg roll with veggie-fried rice at the food court, or a selection of nuts and dried fruit at the sundries store. Tea and fruit from one of the sandwich carts is another favorite solution I like to use, as it gives me something warm to drink right away and lets me pack away another option in case there’s a second departure postponement.

Heritage Restaurants:

I’m talking about those establishments that all the locals know about. You know, the ones that have been in the family for years? These ones usually don’t make the guidebooks, but are frequented by locals who know great quality and value when they experience it. One such gem is El Convento, near Italy’s Lake Garda. It has superior atmosphere, and offers great Italian grub at a value-oriented price point.

All-Inclusive Vacation Packages:

Resorts and Cruises are the usual options when searching out all-inclusive vacation packages, as they are in a unique position to offer a variety of food and beverage options under one roof. If you find a price that works for you in a destination you’ve been dreaming about, then this is definitely an option for enjoying a bit of luxury for less cash than you otherwise might spend. Sandals is one chain that offers this type of arrangement, and they have a number of locations suitable for couples in search of a romantic getaway.

We all want to relax and have a great time while we’re on vacation. Having a strong repertoire of cost-control strategies for meal costs is one way to reduce stress and keep budget concerns at bay.

Photo Credit: Tara Angkor Hotel

Breakfast Cocktails

Tap water and grapefruit juice concentrate pair nicely with your vodka of choice when you’re craving morning cocktails by the pool. You can also use the juice as an alcohol-free addition to the family breakfast menu at your vacation cottage by the beach.

Bulgur

Bulgur can easily be cold soaked for the day in a serving dish on the counter. Season with lemon juice, herbs and your spices of choice before slapping some kabobs on the grill when you return, and dinner will be a snap. (Hint: This tip can also be used when preparing for hurricanes.)

Baby Beverages

This one comes from veteran business traveler Linsey Knerl, and is one she uses frequently when traveling with her infant son. As the mother of five, Knerl often has to travel with children and handles thirst issues for her baby by bringing along powdered drink mixes suitable for the very young. After passing through security, she combines the mixture with fountain water into a baby bottle and shakes until ready. This not only saves security stress, but is also lighter to lug than several full bottles.

Make it Stylish

If plain tap water just feels tired, consider making your own flavored water on the road by adding bits of lemon, wine and other simple flavorings. You’ll feel less deprived and remain on budget at the same time.

Powdered Sports Drinks

This one comes from Frugal Upstate’s Jenn Fowler, who uses tubes of powdered sports drinks from the dollar store when traveling for teen sporting events. The individual tubes of beverage mix tuck easily into her pocketbook or the kids’ duffels, and can be mixed with fountain water in the water bottles the kiddos always carry with them anyway.

Sun Tea

When packing healthy road trip snacks, many people forget to plan alternative beverages. Using tap water from the rest area and some tea packets, you can easily brew sun tea in the back of your hatchback by bringing along a large canning jar to pack carefully in your treat tote.

Protein Powder

Powdered Protein drinks are a fave of Lisa Maxbauer with First for Women magazine. She carries the protein drink mixes and uses them in a way that’s quite similar to the Fowler and Knerl strategies. According to Maxbauer, the protein drinks keep her full and satisfied during business travel delays and eliminate airport security woes.

BYO Bottle

Water bottle, that is. Not only can you avoid airport security stress like the women above, but you can easily hydrate at any public water source during road trips, business meetings or while waiting for the next train or bus on an inter-state or international trip. It’s also perfect for avoiding bottled water prices when you’re stranded due to a flight delay.

Not every travel supply has to cost big bucks. Tap water is free, and helps solve a number of vacation stresses for a song.

Photo Credit: Dbgg1979

It’s been awhile since I’ve been to Phoenix. When it comes to food, first thoughts lean toward Tex-Mex or Mexican. Decisions are not easy.  However, having a local help with the picking makes all the difference. My first meal in Phoenix was at Manuel’s on Cave Creek.

Manuel’s is a mid-priced restaurant, has 7 locations in and around Phoenix, and was voted the Best Neighborhood Restaurant in azcentral.com’s 2009 Reader’s Choice.

I was quite hungry having traveled all day. Chips and a very tasty fresh salsa were delivered immediately. Manuel’s doesn’t skimp on the salsa. They keep it coming for chips AND for the meal. For dinner, I enjoyed a Rolled Quesadilla with extremely flavorful beef.  The portion was generous and included sour cream and guacamole. I enjoyed this quesadilla both at dinner and the following day at lunch.

If you’re in Phoenix, know you want local flavor and can’t decide on a restaurant, I can tell you that you won’t be disappointed if you dine at Manuel’s Mexican Restaurant and Cantina.

Photo credit: naotakem

What I love is when a recommended restaurant lives up to the recommendation. I’ve been hearing about P.F. Chang’s China Bistro for a while now…in t.v. shows, from friends, from family.  The nearest location to home is well over two hours away.  So, on a recent trip to Phoenix, I was happy to finally have a meal at P.F. Chang’s.  We visited the mothership location in Scottsdale, and there was nothing disappointing about the experience.

Our meal started with the very popular Chicken Lettuce Wraps.  Then, we sampled two meals served family style with white or brown rice.  The two entrees were Chang’s Spicy Chicken (P.F. Chang’s take on General Tso’s Chicken) and Orange Peel Chicken. Both were spiced to both our tastes and there was adequate not only  for dinner but for lunch the following day!  Delicious meal. Two thumbs up for both entrees AND the lettuce wraps!

Of note is the large number of gluten free items on the menu, including a recently added gluten free beer. Service is spectacular. Ambience is warm.

Visit P.F. Chang’s website to find locations, see the menu, make reservations, order take-out, see the new line of P.F Chang entrees in your grocery’s freezer section.

Photo credit: wolfgrins

As a rule, I don’t tout chain restaurants.  There’s too much room for inconsistency from store to store.  I believe I’ve found an exception.  I recently had the opportunity to dine at Texas Roadhouse in two different states.   The quality was consistent.  It was fun…unlimited peanuts in the shell and an invite to drop those shells to the floor (warning to those with peanut allergies).  The food was fresh and delish — I had pulled pork once and a remarkably tender and perfectly prepared sirloin on the other occasion.   The service was great — friendly, attentive wait staff, and a quality check at the end of the meal.

Above and beyond  the dining amenities, a notable plus for the budget wise is the list of 10 meals offered for 7.99 during the week for early diners. Hours vary by location.

All-in-all Texas Roadhouse is an enjoyable dining experience.  I have no complaints and look forward to my next visit, no matter where I may be.

Photo credit: BKM_BR

Flickr Photo Credit: Ninja Poodles

In almost any country we’ve ever been in, the following items have always been available. . .  Sliced bread, butter and cheese. Throw in some lunch meat and a slice of tomato . . . meal complete!

It may not be the fanciest meal option when sharing a hostel kitchen, but the ingredient list is minimal. This is particularly helpful when you are changing locations every other day and do not want to spend a large chunk of your daily travel budget on items you will need to leave behind. If you are looking for something more elaborate however, you can check here for more sandwich ingredient ideas.

Flickr Photo Credit: Moriza

With a huge loaf of French, Italian or similar type of bread and a selection of pot-luck filling options (peppers, sliced cheese, meats, condiments, etc.), this can make for a really fun gathering.

I was at a PTA meeting once where they did this. Everyone had a great time, and no one had to break from their budget goals. Add some fruit or other crunchy snack, some beverage options and paper products.

Your fellow travelers at the hostel will appreciate your throwing this evening activity together. Here are some additional sandwich ideas if you really feel like going the extra mile.

Have any pics or details from a dinner party you had on the road? We’d love to know about them.

This sandwich discussion was submitted to the September 23, 2009 edition of Wanderfood Wednesday.