A sit-down meal is always nice. It's a relaxing break from the rest of the day and it practically requires us to concentrate on the food in front of us. It turns food into an event. Still, sometimes food needs to conform to us instead. There are three instances when the right way to eat gets some new rules, times when physical limitations necessitate simplicity and innovation without sacrificing flavor. Three such situations are when we're on the road, on the town or at a party.
Road Food
The road trip is an American institution. We have the world's most complex, extensive system of highways, off-ramps and local roads in the world. Taking to those pathways can be a downright adventure, but it can also be time consuming. Getting from Point A to Point B on the road can take hours or days, certainly enough time to intersect with a meal. Eating on wheels can be a dicey prospect because of the confined space of a car, the potential mess of bumps and swerving, and the need to keep moving. All good road food, the best road food, has one thing in common: It's utensil-free. Sandwiches, wraps and stuff on sticks are all favorites of highway eating, but there are some other things to consider. Messy stuff, that's sandwiches that tend to deposit half their contents beneath them and burritos that tend to squirt under pressure, are all bad ideas. That's why simple is better. A good Southern-style barbecue sandwich can't be beat. It's smoked, thinly shaved pork with just a little vinegar to liven up the taste. No sloppy sauces, no slippery garnish, just high-density satisfaction.
Street Food
Food from carts and trucks in public spaces has more versatility than road food if only because mess and utensils aren't as big an issue. It's easy enough to lean against a wall with a paper container of bourbon chicken or let some lettuce fall from a taco onto the street. Dropped food is what urban animals are for. The mark of good street food is that it's well-made but not fancy. Don't mess around with the perfection of the hotdog. It doesn't need crazy sauces and unexpected veggie companions. Street food needs to satisfy the particular hungers of those who would rather not spend the time and money to eat at a restaurant, or those who are heading home from a night of drinking. When fast, savory and cheap are the name of the game, nothing beats the old taco truck. A hard shell filled with grilled meat, fish and/or vegetables hits the spot like nothing else, especially with a cane sugar soda alongside.
Party Food
People don't come to a party to eat, but it's always good to have some incidental munchies around anyway. Some traditional party foods are a bad idea, like meatballs. Whether Swedish style, marinara or in barbecue sauce, meatballs are messy and difficult to eat discreetly. They fly off of plates, dribble down chins and leave a strong scent on the breath. Party food should stick to being dry finger food, like pretzels, unsalted nuts and grapes. The standard vegetable platter is also a bad idea, unless you like it when your guests get celery stuck in their teeth and end up fighting over the inevitable double-dipper. Keep it simple, keep it clean and remember to make your party eats conducive to socializing.