Every place I have been will let you bring a factory sealed bottle of water, at the minimum, and sometimes it's obvious that you can bring in food, but some will surprise you! Here are a few cheap and easy tips for venues in the Chicagoland area I have learned along the way ... then look further down for the Top 4 Picnic Tips.
Arlington Park - A recent family favorite! You will pay $5 to bring in your cooler, and they have a few rules as to where you can eat that picnic, but it can really help ad money to your gambling budget. Ha!
Brookfield Zoo - As long as you didn't invite your caterer along (no outside catering rule) and don't expect them to store your food, anything else goes regarding your picnic. Just pack and go!
Brookfield Zoo - As long as you didn't invite your caterer along (no outside catering rule) and don't expect them to store your food, anything else goes regarding your picnic. Just pack and go!
Cubs & White Sox - You can bring a SOFT-sided cooler (6-pack size without the 6 pack in it.). No cans, glass or plastic containers... so go with that small soft cooler filled with sandwiches and snacks in your see-through ziplock bags. Can't wait to try this one. Have everyone in your group carry in their factory-sealed water bottles and you are good to go.
First Midwest Bank Amphitheater - This one blew me away - Did you know you can bring any kind of food in as long as it is in a gallon size ziplock bag or 6 pack soft side cooler? No booze though. Funniest trip ever was going with my good friend who had even poured a jar of salsa into a gallon ziplock bag... not to mention deli meat, cheeses, rolls. Those drunk 20-somethings behind us were drooling over our left overs, amazed at our genius. (Thanks Stacey!). We even shared.
Ravinia - Not only can you pack a picnic, but you can BYOB and even throw in a candelabra! Go early to stake out your spot on the lawn. Now let's say you're a big fan of the show and want a real seat up close... then skip the lawn ticket and instead buy your pavilion seats but then also stake your spot in the lawn. That way you can have some wine, cheese, and then go have a real seat for the show. The perfect scenario is to have a larger group where some people just have lawn seats and can then watch your stuff for you, but I would be willing to bet that it's not a crowd where someone is going to steal your picnic basket.
Now what is actually IN your picnic basket all depends on the type of venue, the time you have to make or buy it and of course your budget, so here's a few of my top favorites.
No time? Go to Subway. Grab your coupon (or just get the footlong deal of the day) Have them cut it into 3 or 4 pieces and then you have the perfect sandwich to shove into that ziplock bag.
More time, less money? Make your own sub sandwich. All it takes is a long loaf of french or Italian bread and your favorite lunch meat and condiments and your good to go. The key is not using your wonder-type bread, it gets so squished in a basket or cooler. Have you been to the new Cosmopolitan Marketplace? Amazing Prices - check out the deli, cheapest prices in town, fresh baked baguettes... you name it.
More time, more elaborate? Stromboli is always my favorite. What the heck is stromboli? "Stromboli is a type of turnover filled with various cheeses, Italian meats or vegetables. The dough is Italian bread dough." (see wikipedia) It's basically like a calzone that is rolled instead of topped. Imagine taking a raw pizza and rolling it up and baking it. Serve it by the slice.
#2 The Snacks
No time? Bag of chips, pretzels or popcorn, opened and put into a ziplock bag (if necessary).
More time, less money? Go to Aldi and buy above chips, pretzels or popcorn. It's way cheap for snacks. Don't forget to pour into your gallon ziplock...
More time, more elaborate? Add some gourmet to your snack. Make your own snack mix for example.
#3 The Healthy Snacks
No time? Pick up your veggies from the produce section ready done or if your grocery has a salad bar type of a set up you can do a quick to-go run. Favorite fruit to pack in a picnic? It's grapes of course, portable, nothing to peel, low waste and delicious.More time, less money? Cut your own veggies up. It's really not hard. And think about it, baby carrots in a bag are ready, done. Celery? It's a wash and quick chop. Plastic cup with lid, pour some ranch dressing in the bottom then pile high with your veggies.
Found these plastic cups with lids but you may be able to find some at a local grocery.
More time, more elaborate? How about some home-made Kale chips? I wrote an entire blog post about Kale ... best eaten same day.
#4 The SweetsNo time? Cookies, any kind. Oreos? Chips Ahoy? Want fancier? Check out the bakery options at your local grocery. Or where you are picking up your subs they usually have some cookie type offerings!
More time, less money? Home-made chocolate chip, of course. Who can resist those? What's your favorite recipe? Mine is Toll-house. I have to say though, my favorite way to make these is the bar-cookie way. One batch made in my favorite Bar Pan and call it a day.
More time, more elaborate? It's hard to get too elaborate in a picnic dessert, especially if you have to bring it in a ziplock bag. So I would say a fancier cookie is the option. If you aren't limited to a ziplock, then you can go Brownies or Lemon Bars or Pie Squares. What's fancy? Macadamia Nut? Multiple chocolate chips or chunks? It's up to you. Here are a few ideas from my Pinterest page. Enjoy.
Wherever you go, bringing food always makes it better.
3 comments:
I'd sure like to go on a picnic with you!
Great tips for a picnic! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for reading! Let's plan a picnic soon!
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