This was our third RAGBRAI and we had never stopped at Mr. Pork Chop before, so we had to give it a shot this year.  Despite all the great things we had heard, it was very disappointing.  Heard that the old man has retired and the sons have kind of let things slide. 

Toady said: This was our third RAGBRAI and we had never stopped at Mr. Pork Chop before, so we had to give it a shot this year.  Despite all the great things we had heard, it was very disappointing.  Heard that the old man has retired and the sons have kind of let things slide. 

 
I guess it all kinda depends on how you like your pork chops!!!!  As for me, this year was a little too hot to chew down a chop sitting alongside the road!!!!!

Guess I am so hungry and thirsty I enjoy everything.  Some items cost a bit much, some are a real bargain, and at the end of the week my money held out and all was well.

RaleighRider said: Guess I am so hungry and thirsty I enjoy everything.  Some items cost a bit much, some are a real bargain, and at the end of the week my money held out and all was well.

There was just too much good food and drink to sample everything, LOL!!!!

The Hy-Vee grocery store is always my first stop. You can eat on the cheap there and by golly, it might even be healthy at times.

Best value: Pizza Ranch in Altoona…all you can eat pizza, salad, pasta for $10 and a $1 discount for riders.  Plus, blessed air conditioning.

I am learning to go toward the local fare (but beware, some not so good), as I love Pastafari at that time of day when I need a carbo boost…I can do sooooo much better for $7 in my own house, so it kills me to pay that for a meatless thing of pasta. Also can’t do the Mr. Pork Chop or Tom’s Turkey (I tried) as they are 3x more than I can eat at a sitting and keep riding my bike. Of course, the PBJ guys are really making a killing. Come on…it’s bread, pb, J, and some other stuff…which they are alway out of by the time I come around.

Found a couple of grocery store in the small through towns that served deli sandwiches out of the back of the store.  FABULOUS  and reasonable.

I have found the best deal on RAGBRAI the last couple of years.  Ride later in the day when the vendors are either selling there food half price or free like in Willey.  Me and my fellow team members received free corn and pork loin sandwhiches from the church ladies.  Always pays to ride late in the day!

My vote was “WARM” watermelon on top of the big hill riding into Wiley. Would have loved a nice cold one!

I think the biggest “surprise” I got was in Glenwood. One vendor asked $6 for a helping of fried sweet potatoes! I was hungry and foolish, but I hadn’t seen sweet potatoes the entire evening.

I thought the fruit smoothies were a good deal and same with the Hy-vee breakfast buffet for around $8.00. The biggest rip was the pb & j sandwiches at $4.00 You can buy four loaves of bread for that price. 

iceman:
Oh man, I’m hungry just reading this. I truly wish the Counties/Cities would back down on their vendor fees.I want Mama Ralphaels back!!!

Iceman, if you get Mama back, I want the Fair Trade Coffee Hippies!!!

banana the town know that the riders eat them so they jack up the prices

roggie:
banana the town know that the riders eat them so they jack up the prices

Maybe they were home grown!!!!