Hey guys! My friends and I want to stock up on food in our hotel rooms to save money on meals. Last year we brought stuff for sandwiches and that worked out pretty well, but I was wondering if anyone had other suggestions? We're staying in the Hilton, so we get a mini fridge, but not microwave.
you could add bagels and spread
and some fruits since you got the fridge xD
I'm taking ramen, poptarts, protein bars, energy drink and water.
but I barely eat at con (bad I know xD)
I know it's fairly common for people to bring Cup Noodles and then use the coffee pot to make quick, hot water for the noodles. Heh people get pallettes of them at Costco for the con. Water is also a big one. It's easy to get dehydrated, and buying bottled water at/around the con is REALLY expensive. (Last time I checked a few years ago, it was $4 for a bottle of Dasan.) Protein bars are always good. You could also do cereal for breakfast, and fruit gummy snacks.
One other thing I've heard about (but this could be a potential fire hazard, so not sure if it's really a good idea), is bringing a crock pot, setting it up in the morning, and then coming back in the evening to fresh pulled pork or whatever. I'm not sure where in the room you would do that, though. I doubt the pot would burn the surface of the wood table, but probably best to being something to put underneath the pot so there's a buffer between it and the table.
Since you can't really cook anything (barring the use of appliances [slow cookers, toasters, George Foreman grills, hot plates, waffle irons, etc.] brought in, which I don't recommend), I'll suggest things that are cold or can be made with a coffee maker.
Instant oatmeal packets would be a good option for breakfasts, since you can get hot water from the coffee maker.
Pre-cut (or small) fruits and veggies make for good snacks.
You can probably do a similar concept as sandwiches but with other types of foods that can be served cold. Just change up the type of ingredients. Wraps would be good, as would salads, and if you don't mind cold burritos, you can always stash some tortillas, rice and beans, pre-cooked meat, sour cream, veggies, cheese, etc. in your fridge.
Salads of various types are good, either the ingredients for them or the salads themselves. Think outside of the regular green salad and into pasta or noodle salads, fruit salads, potato salads, etc.
If you feel fancy, just some bread and fruit and nice cheeses can make a good meal. Cold soups, as well. Hard boiled eggs for protein.
Instead of the typical instant ramen, try making your own cup of noodles. Bring fresh noodles (they should keep in the fridge for the few days of the con), some type of broth flavoring, and your veggies and meat. Here's a how-to, with a few recipes. (http://www.seriouseats.com/2014/09/diy-instant-noodle-cups-food-lab.html) This should be a little better for you and lower in sodium than the pre-packaged instant kind.
Otherwise, google "cold lunch ideas" and see what you come up with. There are a lot of options out there!
Hi guys.... Please be safe and do not violate any hotel rules. Not only is your deposit at risk, but you risk being ejected from your room and jeopardize the safety of you and the guests around you/in the hotel.
Please also keep in mind that hotel representatives and housing coordinators regularly check the threads to answer questions.
Thanks
Thanks for the ideas everyone! I wouldn't have even thought of using the coffee maker to get hot water for instant noodles, haha. Clever! Salads are a great idea too, I can stock up on different fixin's and everyone can make their own according to what they like! :)
@Ewu - I'm sure you didn't mean it this way, but I get a creepy, threatening "big brother is watching" type of vibe from your statement that hotel reps and housing coordinators are checking the threads, lol. No one suggested that I should break any hotel rules, and any potentially iffy ideas had a disclaimer along the lines of "not a good idea." We do have common sense!
Well...
Quoteappliances [slow cookers, toasters, George Foreman grills, hot plates, waffle irons, etc.]
probably violate the rules:)
Quote from: Nina Star 9 on May 14, 2015, 02:31:06 PM
Since you can't really cook anything (barring the use of appliances [slow cookers, toasters, George Foreman grills, hot plates, waffle irons, etc.] brought in, which I don't recommend), I'll suggest things that are cold or can be made with a coffee maker.
@ewu But you cut out the rest of the quote lol. Nina said they don't recommend using those things. See? Common sense! :)
Quote from: YaoiCat on May 14, 2015, 03:58:36 PM
@ewu But you cut out the rest of the quote lol. Nina said they don't recommend using those things. See? Common sense! :)
*sigh* you know my intentions:P Just gotta make sure it is clear. Common sense is not as common as you think!.....
For the record: "I can't recommend using" those things is my way of saying "absolutely do not use these." (And "my way of saying" = extreme understatement with a heavy dose of snark, but I realize that might not come across on the internet and that it might be taken as a list of suggestions. Though, I have no idea why someone would bring a waffle iron in the first place. ;])
Quote from: Nina Star 9 on May 14, 2015, 08:01:50 PM
For the record: "I can't recommend using" those things is my way of saying "absolutely do not use these." (And "my way of saying" = extreme understatement with a heavy dose of snark, but I realize that might not come across on the internet and that it might be taken as a list of suggestions. Though, I have no idea why someone would bring a waffle iron in the first place. ;])
That's an obvious answer...WAFFLES! =D
yah, some people only read the words they want to read. So they miss all the qualifiers and the warnings... *sigh*
Stoked to get Burger King delivered to my room
Quote from: Jxd666 on May 14, 2015, 08:17:12 PM
Stoked to get Burger King delivered to my room
Does Burger King actually deliver?? That would be amazing, hahaha
Yeah, it would be.
Often, you can call the individual hotels and ask what is permitted when you age going to be there, as each hotel has different policies. Im not saying that you COULD bring a george foreman, but it may be allowed if you ask. When I went up to MT for a conference, I called and asked bout using a electric cooker, they said cool. When in doubt ask the hotel in a call, and ask for duplicate in email. worst thing they can say is no, and you can plan otherwise.
TL;DR Always ask the hotel first.
For me, I plan on heading to Japantown and stocking up on rice balls. Pretty cheap and easy meal to last you through most of the day (And it's healthy too!). But like everyone else said, be sure to stock up on your protein like nuts, and bars. Anything that doesn't need to be cooked or refrigerated is good. When it comes to refrigerated food, I usually get those after I check into my hotel. This way I won't have to worry about it spoiling on the way to the con, or during my stay. Try not to over do it on the stocking and just get what you need.
I looked into Burger King delivery and it's true! Burger King really does deliver in that area, haha. They charge a $3 delivery fee and your order has to be at least $10. So funny!
@touya Ooh, stopping by Japantown and hitting up the market for some yummy snacks is a good idea too :)
So potentially stupid question here, but I've only had rice balls once before, and never from the Japantown groxery stores. Can those be stored in the fridge over the weekend? Because the only time I purchased them they were freshly made and had to be eaten within 4 hours of being cooked. But maybe the stores have a pre-made refrigerated kind that I simply don't know about/haven't seen. If that's the case, I'll have to try and convince my roommate to go there before we check in and stock up lol! We typically eat at local spots 3 blocks down from the CC, but not a bad idea to get some late night snacks.
@kairi
At the Mitsuwa Japanese market, they have pre-made packaged rice balls that can probably keep in the fridge for a day or two depending on the filling you choose. They also have these awesome frozen "grilled rice balls" but you have to microwave them :(.
Quote from: YaoiCat on May 15, 2015, 11:55:59 AM
@kairi
At the Mitsuwa Japanese market, they have pre-made packaged rice balls that can probably keep in the fridge for a day or two depending on the filling you choose. They also have these awesome frozen "grilled rice balls" but you have to microwave them :(.
Sweet! Thanks for the info =). I'll have to see if my roommate's willing to check that out since they're driving us over. The only problem I can potentially see with picking them up is since the Hilton refrigerators are so small, if any will fit after putting a couple sodas and waters in there lol.
EDIT: Do you happen to remember which flavors they have?
They also have them at the Nijiya Market in SJ, but they're always sold out during the con. ):
If you want some other delicious, thematic options, I recommend checking out Clover in San Jose. It's a little bit of a drive from the convention center (rough directions: get on 280 north, travel for 5 miles or so, take the South Saratoga exit, and you'll see the shopping center with Mitsuwa Marketplace. It will be kinda in the back of the shopping center).
They're a Japanese bakery - they have a lot of individually wrapped rolls and things in lots of different varieties. Chow mein roll, spicy tuna roll, beef curry roll, etc. They also have sweet rolls. Paris Baguette is in the same shopping center for a similar selection, although they have far more sweet things than savory things. There's a milk tea place next door that also is delicious, but that's not going to be something for the room). Clover also has a good selection of rice balls. We like to get the beef and ginger ones. Clover's pretty cheap as well; $2.50 or so for a roll, and 2 rolls is a decent meal. Not as cheap as the Cup Noodles route, but it's an option.
Mitsuwa Marketplace is a grocery store you could check out if the Japantown Nijiya is sold out of things. They're a quite a bit bigger than Nijiya as well, and they have some little mini stores inside you could also get snacks from.
I recommend getting there earlier (9:30-10:00) for a couple reasons. They do sell out of things, and the later you wait in the day, the crazier the center is. It can be really difficult to find parking later in the day.
As far as how long they keep: eating them sooner is better, but we've been able to stick rice balls in the fridge and eat them later without any issue.
Quote from: Enkai on May 16, 2015, 03:27:16 PM
If you want some other delicious, thematic options, I recommend checking out Clover in San Jose. It's a little bit of a drive from the convention center (rough directions: get on 280 north, travel for 5 miles or so, take the South Saratoga exit, and you'll see the shopping center with Mitsuwa Marketplace. It will be kinda in the back of the shopping center).
They're a Japanese bakery - they have a lot of individually wrapped rolls and things in lots of different varieties. Chow mein roll, spicy tuna roll, beef curry roll, etc. They also have sweet rolls. Paris Baguette is in the same shopping center for a similar selection, although they have far more sweet things than savory things. There's a milk tea place next door that also is delicious, but that's not going to be something for the room). Clover also has a good selection of rice balls. We like to get the beef and ginger ones. Clover's pretty cheap as well; $2.50 or so for a roll, and 2 rolls is a decent meal. Not as cheap as the Cup Noodles route, but it's an option.
Mitsuwa Marketplace is a grocery store you could check out if the Japantown Nijiya is sold out of things. They're a quite a bit bigger than Nijiya as well, and they have some little mini stores inside you could also get snacks from.
I recommend getting there earlier (9:30-10:00) for a couple reasons. They do sell out of things, and the later you wait in the day, the crazier the center is. It can be really difficult to find parking later in the day.
As far as how long they keep: eating them sooner is better, but we've been able to stick rice balls in the fridge and eat them later without any issue.
Thanks for the awesome information =). One question, though. You mentioned that parking can get really difficult later on in the day. Would you not recommend going there at around 2-3 pm, then? If my roommate and I go, it will likely be before we check in to the room, and that's roughly when we get to the CC on Friday. Heh after we get to the room they don't like to leave and give up the parking space.
When all else fails, there's Calorie Mate Balanced Food Block.
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6a/Calorie_Mate%2C_Block%2C_Chocolate_Flavor.jpg/500px-Calorie_Mate%2C_Block%2C_Chocolate_Flavor.jpg)
It's humanoid chow from Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Tokyo. Popular with Japanese salarymen. Appears in Metal Gear Solid 3. Nijiya Market stocks these in several flavors, along with Pocky and canned beverages from Japan.
Quote from: SpiritOfKairi on May 16, 2015, 03:50:56 PM
Thanks for the awesome information =). One question, though. You mentioned that parking can get really difficult later on in the day. Would you not recommend going there at around 2-3 pm, then? If my roommate and I go, it will likely be before we check in to the room, and that's roughly when we get to the CC on Friday. Heh after we get to the room they don't like to leave and give up the parking space.
I think Friday is probably okay, but since I'm typically working at that time, I haven't been around there to check. Saturday and Sunday though will definitely be crowded. We do go out there sometimes that time, but we often end up parking on one of the residential streets nearby
Quote from: SpiritOfKairiThanks for the awesome information =). One question, though. You mentioned that parking can get really difficult later on in the day. Would you not recommend going there at around 2-3 pm, then? If my roommate and I go, it will likely be before we check in to the room, and that's roughly when we get to the CC on Friday. Heh after we get to the room they don't like to leave and give up the parking space.
2pm - 3pm on a Friday shouldn't be too bad other than the smash of traffic trying to get on 280 at the beginning of the evening commute. The problem with that shopping center is there are a lot of different stores in a small area with a parking lot that was really only designed to handle the traffic from three anchors - a grocery store (Shopwell), stationery store (McWorthers), and pizza parlor (Round Table) - all of which closed years ago. You have the massive Mitsuwa with a Kinokuniya inside (as well as a handfull of other stores / restaurants within the Mitsuwa), a Daiso, a couple bakeries, hair salon, I think there are still at least two noodle places there, a local bar that has been there for decades, and at least a dozen more tenants. Thankfully I live a 10 minute walk away because as Enkai said, parking there can be pretty crazy.
There's also a Marukai Market in Cupertino... *thinks* it feels like I've typed this before... *search* AH! - http://forums.fanime.com/index.php/topic,19419.msg479036.html#msg479036
...anyway, the Marukai is a straight shot down San Carlos / Stevens Creek Blvd. but it is quite a ways down. As I said in the post I linked to, you can essentially follow San Carlos until it turns into Stevens Creek, take a left at Saratoga Ave. and hit the Mitsuwa and assorted stores. Then go back to Stevens Creek and head down to Marukai and then take Stevens Creek / San Carlos all the way back to the Convention Center.
Quote from: aetherltd on May 16, 2015, 03:57:15 PM
When all else fails, there's Calorie Mate Balanced Food Block.
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6a/Calorie_Mate%2C_Block%2C_Chocolate_Flavor.jpg/500px-Calorie_Mate%2C_Block%2C_Chocolate_Flavor.jpg)
It's humanoid chow from Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Tokyo. Popular with Japanese salarymen. Appears in Metal Gear Solid 3. Nijiya Market stocks these in several flavors, along with Pocky and canned beverages from Japan.
...Big Boss is a liar about that being delicious.
You can also pick up perishable food at The Market Safeway, which is an easy walk, at the corner of S Second St and E San Fernando.
I grab all my dry goods before I leave then grab milk, juice, cheese, etc. there.
I am also a big fan of sandwich makings which keep well in the fridge and are easy to slap together for that 3 am fix.
The hotel that my group is staying at off-site has a full kitchen, so we're doing crockpot dinners and sandwiches for lunch. Cliff Bars are pretty good granola bar snackage (not a fan of their protein bars, but great for sweets/fiber with the regular ones.) Another thing to consider (again, check with your specific hotel first!) are larger electric tea kettles that can do bigger quantities of water faster than the dinky hotel coffee pots. That can open up a variety of meal edibles from soups to oatmeal to instant mac-and-cheese.
For those driving up from down south, if you're going up I-5, we usually cut over 152 through Gilroy to pick up the 101, and you can stock up on an assortment of fruits and snackage at the various farm stands along the road. ... Probably should avoid the garlic pistachios though unless you're going to nuke your face with mouthwash a couple of times a day at con. :P
Quote from: Firefury Amahira on May 16, 2015, 08:37:35 PM
The hotel that my group is staying at off-site has a full kitchen, so we're doing crockpot dinners and sandwiches for lunch. Cliff Bars are pretty good granola bar snackage (not a fan of their protein bars, but great for sweets/fiber with the regular ones.) Another thing to consider (again, check with your specific hotel first!) are larger electric tea kettles that can do bigger quantities of water faster than the dinky hotel coffee pots. That can open up a variety of meal edibles from soups to oatmeal to instant mac-and-cheese.
For those driving up from down south, if you're going up I-5, we usually cut over 152 through Gilroy to pick up the 101, and you can stock up on an assortment of fruits and snackage at the various farm stands along the road. ... Probably should avoid the garlic pistachios though unless you're going to nuke your face with mouthwash a couple of times a day at con. :P
I want garlic pistachios now.
On a related note, also on 152 is Casa de Fruita. It is going to be more expensive than the stands, but is going to have pretty much all the snacks you could want in one place. Their main market (there are several stores) has bulk bins of loads of dried fruit, candy, and other snacks.
Fridays 10-2 there is a farmers' market at San Pedro Square, which is walking distance from the convention center. Walk up Market past the Fairmont. Cross San Fernando and keep going a block to Santa Clara. Turn left, the next street will be San Pedro, which you will turn right till you get to the San Pedro Square market. Just another option if you want fresh produce.
Quote from: SpiritOfKairi on May 15, 2015, 12:16:20 PM
Do you happen to remember which flavors they have?
I don't eat fish, so the only two flavors I get are the Ume (pickled plum) and Karaage (fried chicken), but they also have a few different ones with seafood in them :)
Quote from: Enkai on May 16, 2015, 11:40:33 PMI want garlic pistachios now.
I also recommend the garlic ice cream, but generally that wouldn't keep very well for the remaining drive time. ;) And your mouth
will taste like garlic for the next several hours after consumption.
Thanks for the tip about the farmer's market and stuff! Hafta keep that in mind for my group. :D