We're going out of town...?

[tranquilmama]

to a place where we've been told you are likely to pay $22 for a hamburger. So dh and I decided that to save money we'll be taking food with us. I usually don't buy prepared frozen foods so I'm pretty much lost in that aisle. I need ideas for what to get by the end of next week.
I have barilla (ETA I meant bertolli) meal 1/1 q's, and 1/1 birdseye steamfresh q's. Are they any good? What about the voila steamer meals? There were some q's at GE for $2/3 and they were 2/7.98.

We'll have access to a microwave in our hotel room. And a fridge.

Can you microwave the hot pockets paninis or do they need a toaster oven?

TIA - I didn't know where to post this and Giant Eagle is my regular couponing grocery store so...

[shelleyf]

I know with regular hot pockets you can microwave them. Not sure about the panini's. I don't think they look very appetizing, but has to be better than paying $22.00 for a hamburger. lol Wow that is highway robbery. Check the back of the box and see what it say. I don't like a lot of frozen foods, therefore I cook from scratch most nights. I do cook some frozen foods but not often. The Voila is gross, but then again we don't like any of the prepackaged frozen meals. The Stoueffer's are horrible and very expensive. I guess my family got spoiled from my home cooking. I do hope you have a fun time. Where are you going if you don't mind sharing. I am trying to figure out where to buy a 22.00 hamburger. lol :smile:

[julie13]

Is the fridge in your hotel a small one or a full size one? Wasn't sure if you were planning on buying the freezer stuff there or taking it with you, but there probably won't be much room if it's a typical small hotel fridge...just something to think about. Where are you going? I'm sure there is SOME place that is reasonable? Maybe there is a local supermarket and you can shop when you get there?

[willow78]

You could prepare some meals ahead of time and just heat them up in the microwave there.

[MamaSvs]

What about those microwaveable bowls of soup and crackers? You could also take a can of chuck chicken or tuna, mayo and relish and make your own tuna or chicken salad to have on crackers or bread. For breakfast we really like those Kraft Bagelfuls (there are $.55/1 q's and they are typically $3 a box.) They are really good either toasted or just right out of the fridge. They are sold int he freezer section but can be kept in the fridge for several days. Packets of oatmeal are great as well (just take your own microwaveable bowl and spoons.) We also really like the precooked bacon. Only needs to be thrown in the microwave for a few seconds. We get the big packs (72 strips) at Sams Club for $8. I guess you could cook up your own. I do it in the oven and it stays good for 2 or 3 days after cooking in a container in the fridge (great idea if you freezer is stocked with Farmland Bacon.)

The HP Paninis only require a microwave. As others mentioned if it is a typical hotel fridge then you won't really have room for that kind of stuff in a freezer. I would stick with shelf goods that do not require refridgeration. Fruit is a good thing to take along that will keep and doesn't require a fridge. If you have any Nature Valley bars from the recent sale those are a great thing to take along for a portable snack or breakfast.

When we go to Orlando, we usually stay in a studio so we have learned a lot of tricks around using only a microwave and very small fridge for our meals. Have a great trip!!!

[daniellematis]

I was in NYC and Chicago this year and I ate in some very nice places and I never saw a $22 hamburger. It is pricey to eat out every meal but cooking in a regular hotel is pretty difficult.

Is it just the 2 of you? This is one option that a few of my friends have done but this is a bad time of year for it. Buy an entertainment book for that city. They are about $25 but it is full of BOGO coupons for restaurants and even attractions and the later in the year it is they mark them down. Then you get to experience some of the nicer places. It is only worth it of you are there for a week. There are a lot of coupons that are for the whole country so it can still be used when you come home. I would think you could trade them on here too.
The bad thing is they are coming out with the new ones soon so you may not be able to get one you can use right away or it will expire soon.
Have fun!


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This place has a $41 hamburger but it is Kobe.

Oh and if you have a discover card resturants get 5% back right now (just a little help but every bit counts!)

[pittsburgh24]

Are you driving or flying? I'm wondering how you'll keep everything cold enough - especially if you're travelling to a warm area (I think that's where you're heading).

I'd stick with soups, tuna, oatmeal, pb&j, maybe some of that new Ronzoni pasta that comes in a pouch and you microwave (doesn't require refrigeration and they have one that looks particularly good - some kind of chicken and alfredo - there are even $1/1 q's that came out a couple weeks ago). The Healthy Ones fresh starts are pretty good (or so my son has told me LOL - I've yet to taste one) - they don't have to be refrigerated and they have quite a few varieties.

If you can google the area you're going to and look for grocery stores - you may be able to look in their forum here to see what kinds of deals they have this week and what q's you have to go with it.

[tranquilmama]

I know with regular hot pockets you can microwave them. Not sure about the panini's. I don't think they look very appetizing, but has to be better than paying $22.00 for a hamburger. lol Wow that is highway robbery. Check the back of the box and see what it say. I don't like a lot of frozen foods, therefore I cook from scratch most nights. I do cook some frozen foods but not often. The Voila is gross, but then again we don't like any of the prepackaged frozen meals. The Stoueffer's are horrible and very expensive. I guess my family got spoiled from my home cooking. I do hope you have a fun time. Where are you going if you don't mind sharing. I am trying to figure out where to buy a 22.00 hamburger. lol :smile:


Yeah, that's what I'm thinking. We're going to Orlando (walt disney swan and dolphin resort) for work. We will have our baby with us and no transportation other than walking out of the resort. And all the other conferences we've been to like this, any restaurants within walking distance have 1/2 hr waiting lines when they go on break. Don't feel like dealing with that.

[tranquilmama]

Are you driving or flying? I'm wondering how you'll keep everything cold enough - especially if you're travelling to a warm area (I think that's where you're heading).


We are flying.


Thanks everyone. If anyone has any other suggestions, lmk:biggrin:

[julz5272003]

Coming from someone who lives close to Orlando, you will not have any problem finding CHEAP food around here. There are tons of places, chinese, pizza, etc that deliever even. I would suggest sandwich stuff and snacks for lunch and delivery for dinners.

[pittsburgh24]

Don't they have shuttle buses there (free) to take you to the different areas of Disney World still? If so, if you go to the shopping area (it's all stores pretty much) - a short walking distance away are fast food restaurants and convenience stores (if I remember correctly).

[neekyme]

Fruit salad is a good travelin' food. Grapes, blueberries, melon, orange slices...yum! As long as the little ones won't be eating any, you can use plain yogurt mixed with a little honey and cinnamon as a dressing too.

[tranquilmama]

Coming from someone who lives close to Orlando, you will not have any problem finding CHEAP food around here. There are tons of places, chinese, pizza, etc that deliever even. I would suggest sandwich stuff and snacks for lunch and delivery for dinners.

Will that work even if we are staying at a resort? I don't have much experience with this stuff:giggle2:

Don't they have shuttle buses there (free) to take you to the different areas of Disney World still? If so, if you go to the shopping area (it's all stores pretty much) - a short walking distance away are fast food restaurants and convenience stores (if I remember correctly).

I don't know... we will only have time to go anywhere after aout 6:30 or 7pm and after being in session from 8am I'm sure we'll be pretty tired.

It's so hard to plan since I haven't been there before. Sorry if my questions are silly:rolleyes24:

[MamaSvs]

Yeah, that's what I'm thinking. We're going to Orlando (walt disney swan and dolphin resort) for work. We will have our baby with us and no transportation other than walking out of the resort. And all the other conferences we've been to like this, any restaurants within walking distance have 1/2 hr waiting lines when they go on break. Don't feel like dealing with that.

As for restaurants, the Disney ones will be more filled up because you have to make your reservations far in advance (180 days to be precise.)
There is a very good buffet restuarant at one of the reosrts (Dolphin, I think) called Fresh. Maybe worth checking out for at least one meal. You will be able to utilize the Disney transport system around the WDW area for free so you can check out different resorts as well as Downtown Disney. All of the resorts have a quick service restaurants - none of which will cost you $22 for a hamburger. Prices are reasonable ($6 - 8 for a sandwich and fries.)

I know alot about WDW (we have been 7 times in the past 2.5 years and own at the Disney Vacation Club.) If you have any questions about Disney World, cost savings tips, etc., please do not hesitate to ask. If there is anything that I enjoy talking about more than saving money, it is Disney!!!

[sqbdew]

are you atleast gonna get to spend some time at the parks?