The Plank’s Guide to Street Eats on the Cheap

Skateboarding can be a physically and mentally draining activity, as it is often performed by enthusiasts for hours at a time. These same devotees are often have a lighter wallet than a wad of skate-stickers.  Many skaters already know that food and drink are a must for keeping a session going, but for those who don’t; here’s "the Plank’s Guide to Street Eats on the Cheap".  

Convenience Stores

Convenience stores are a staple in the diet of most urban skateboarders. These stores can be found anywhere and there usually open all hours. As skateboarders combat law enforcement, in our quest for art in trespassing, we often use the night’s darkness as a cloak. This makes late night eats essential to the skater.

-Gallons of Water

This is perhaps the most important and frugal item for any skater looking to extend the session length through his own stamina. Hydration is key. Instead of spending that dollar on a can of soda, why not get something that will last you and your friends all day, and will actually hydrate you, which soda does the opposite. Gallons of water are also a great symbol of community in skate culture, as there is usually one at a skate spot or park, that is considered the ‘community jug’. All skaters are allowed to drink from such jug’s, but beware; all jugs are not ‘community jugs’. Just ask and you shouldn’t have a problem. Or bring your own and make some new friends.

-Gallons of Colored ‘Drank’  

Colored ‘drank’ as we call it, is a juice imitation drink, sold in gallons in all different colors and flavors for around a dollar. Although the different colors signify flavors, we refer to the blue one as ‘blue drank’ and so forth. This item follows many of the same principals as the gallon of water. It can still be considered a ‘community jug’ and still costs around a dollar. Buyer beware: ‘drank’ is not hydrating like water. If you must have flavor in your beverage consider buying a gallon of ‘drank’ and one of water, to stay hydrated. Drinking only ‘drank’ throughout the course of a day, with no water, has been known to cause colored sweat and excrement.

-Slim Jims and Beef Jerky

These items may not be as cheap as some of the others on the list however, protein is essential to the athletic pursuit. If fast food cannot be found, consider dried meat products such as Slim Jims and beef jerky. You’re better off with value and taste from a fast-food dollar-menu, but sometimes you can’t find one.

-Tasty Cakes

Prepackaged sugary cake snacks are usually the cheapest breakfast a skater can find. Whether it be a Little Debbie “Swiss Roll” or a Coffee cake, you shouldn’t have to spend more than fifty cents on this breakfast of champions.

Fast Food

This is the cheapest and closest thing to real food you’re going to find while you’re out skating. Here’s a list of tips for getting the most food for your buck so you can refuel and shred.

- Don’t be tempted by the value meals which saturate the value with oversized fries and soft-drink. Stick to the dollar menu, and bring your gallon of water or ‘drank’ with you to avoid spending an extra dollar on a cup.

-To avoid the whole debacle described in the first tip, you can just ask for a free water cup with your order. Many fast-food employees are open minded people just like us and will turn the blind eye to any other drink that may enter the cup.

-Chicken nuggets are usually a good value because you get all meat, and not bread and condiments like with one dollar burgers. The more protein, the better.

-If you need energy or your beverage must embody the blackness felt in your heart and soul, coffee at fast places usually costs a dollar for any size.  

-Be respectful and clean. I know this sounds like bullshit, but if you treat the people well at the fast-food places you frequent, you might find yourself with some extra fries in your bag.

Now go burn those calories skating and remember, the ultimate deal on food is located in your mom’s cupboard.