Food at nationals

[Steve Yasick]

I see that there is no meal packages with the food this year. Was it the same last year? Did you basically eat stadium food all weekend? Anyone have ideas about how to keep the costs down for meals?

Thanks for the help.
Steve Yasick

[Anne Shade]

Last year, there was FIRST money as part of the packages which could be used to purchase food at the event. The dome opened it's food stands and the convention center also had stands opened. Selection included the typical stadium food (burgers, hot dogs, pizza) as well as salads and a few other things (can't quite remember).

There are several options other than those stands. Right next door to the convention center (attached to the Omni hotel) there is a food court with lots of selection (Chick-fil-a, Arby's, Blimpie, Don Juan mexican, and more). As for evenings, there is a Hard Rock Cafe within walking distance, Underground Atlanta (http://www.underatl.com/) has many restaurant options, Tech Square (http://www.gatech.edu/technology-square/retailers.php) (accessible by MARTA) also has inexpensive options in a college setting.

I hope this helps.

[Sonya47]

I thought that the food at Nationals was too expensive.

[KathieK]

There were some nicer options at the food vendors/restaurants in the Congress Center, adjacent to the Dome. Just be aware that last year, since these are different vendor companies, they would not allow you to bring food from one venue into the other.

Also, if you have a break during the day, there was a deli at the far corner of the Embassy Suites Hotel building that served nice food (that hotel is across the street from the Congress Center). And the Centennial Park across the street from the hotel would be a nice place to eat it.

[Rocketboy]

Most of the members of my team would stuff themselves at our hotel's complimentary breakfast, and try to luive through most of the day before taking time to go out somewhere. Use all of the free food opportunities you can get!

[Kerry547]

Well I would try to stock up on the complementary breakfast at our hotel which never worked and I ended up eating at the dome every day which if avoidable I would recommend you stay away from by the end I was totally drained.

[tkwetzel]

...As for evenings, there is a Hard Rock Cafe within walking distance, ...

Don't forget the Hooter's right across the street from Hard Rock. I went to Atlanta for a youth gathering the summer of 2003 and we tried to go to Hard Rock, but the wait was like 2+ hours, so we walked across the street to Hooters and got a table in like 15-20 minutes.

[Eugenia Gabrielov]

If you walk near your hotel on the main streets, there are some awesome restaurants just to drop into. There was a great steakhouse across from Hyatt apparantely.

Do what you can to avoid buying bad stadium food. They had like milk and stuff I remember, and there was a starbucks, but as far as keeping you energized there wasn't much supply.

- Genia

[jgannon]

as far as keeping you energized there wasn't much supply.
Dippin' Dots are energy for the SOUL. :p

But yeah, it's stadium food. Great if you're going to a four-hour sporting event. Not so great if you're trying to live on it for three days. You could bring a bag of fresh fruit or something, since it's inexpensive, and it will help to maintain a healty balance of "real" food and greasy $6 pizza.

[robot180]

I have another issue that I didn't see anywhere. I planned to go to the Championship with my team. I believe they are going to stay Saturday night since it takes too long to drive back. That night is a holiday where it is disresepctful and non-symbolic to eat bread that has levened (sp?). I have to decide to go and skip this tradition that is thousands of years old or stay home and just miss it. I will decide myself, but I am just wondering if this affects other people and why FIRST would overlook this very important holiday when selecting the date for the event. I know it is hard to pick a date that doesn't conflict with anything, but I am just wondering what everyone else thinks.

By the way, I am posting this here because this sort of has to do with food.

[KathieK]

That night is a holiday where it is disresepctful and non-symbolic to eat bread that has levened. I will decide myself, but I am just wondering if this affects other people and why FIRST would overlook this very important holiday when selecting the date for the event. I know it is hard to pick a date that doesn't conflict with anything, but I am just wondering what everyone else thinks.

Unfortunately two important religious holidays (Passover and Easter) occur during FRC season (I apologize if there are others that I'm not recognizing). There is little that FIRST can do to avoid this.

Some FIRSTers are looking into holding Seder, check this thread (http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31405&highlight=passover).

[Jon236]

don't forget the Varsity...right across the freeway from Ga Tech....great sliders and onion rings....the shakes are great!!

Jon
(originally from Ga)

[CourtneyB]

I think for breakfast our shaperones and/or the adults of our team are provding pakages of cereal for breakfast for us the students and everyone...and the students and everyone are going to have to bring extra money for lunches, etc. i think thats were doing but not to sure lol