Food on the Road for Musicians

Highway Snax

Musicians who travel are troubadors. Some have spent most of their life on the road, like Rickie Lee Jones. Finding and remembering good food en route to gigs can really improve the humdrum vibe of long travel.

I ran into Dar Williams at the post office in NY once- we didn’t talk about music, just where to eat in Nebraska and Kansas !

Writing for Yelp as an elite reviewer, I try to share great spots with the populace.

E.G. - when driving between KC, Lincoln, Des Moines, etc.—- stop at Tacos El Pueblito in Nebraska City. Cute little town and the birthplace of Arbor Day.

Known locally just as The Little Pink House, El Pueblito has delicious, low cost Mexican food of the highest order. Rajas con crema is worth driving for alone.

Now with internet, we can check if a destination is open when driving through. It seems during covid, calling ahead anyway is a must, as googlemaps doesn’t always have the latest hours info.

Some happy accidents:

Odgen, Utah - Pig And A Jelly Jar- breakfast

Emporia , Kansas - Radius Brewing

Pine Plains, NY- Pine Plains Platter.

A combination of Yelp, and following your nose (and your instincts can yield gems.

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Regular Faves: Places you return to on much traveled routes:

Latitude 45 - Baker City, OR;

Aiea Bowl - Aiea, Hawaii ( near Honolulu)

Tokyo Station - Ogden ,Utah

Happy Hour - if you can find good Happy Hours with food, the trip improves immeasurably. Some great joints for excellent, cheap food during happy hour:

Koko’s Bartini - Kennewick WA

The Observatory, clarklewis, Marco’s - all Portland, OR

Deluxe - Seattle, Capitol Hill

Tora Sushi - Tillamook, OR

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Casual breakfast /lunch &/or coffee

Coal Train Coffee Depot - Rock Springs, Wyoming

Cozy Inn - Salina, Kansas ( famous burgers)

Sage Port Grille- Richland, Washington

Once Upon a Thyme - Chehalis, WA

Hi Rise Bakery - Cambridge, Mass.

RB Little Store- Rockaway Beach, OR

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