At DeBoer’s Auto, we’re all about helping people live life uninterrupted—and let’s face it, making a mess behind the wheel is the opposite of that. Whether it’s spilling sauce in your lap or losing a nugget to the floorboard abyss, bad food choices can turn a smooth ride into a sticky situation.
So in honor of National Drive-Thru Day, we’re breaking down the best and worst meals to eat while driving—because just because it comes in a bag doesn’t mean it belongs in your lap.
🚗 The Best Foods to Eat in the Car
These road-trip-ready bites are easy to handle, relatively mess-free, and 100% worthy of your cupholder.
🥯 1. Bagels (Especially in NJ!)
If you’re from New Jersey, you already know—we don’t mess around with our bagels. They’re compact, hearty, and made for life on the go. Whether it’s a plain bagel with butter or a full-blown Taylor Ham, Egg & Cheese (yes, Taylor Ham), this classic breakfast favorite is the MVP of morning commutes.
🍔 2. Burgers (Tightly Wrapped, Please)
A well-wrapped burger is a car-eating staple. The wrapper acts like a little food glove, keeping your fingers clean and your lap ketchup-free. Pro tip: request it cut in half for easier handling.
🍟 3. Fries (Snack Royalty)
Let’s be honest—fries are practically designed for cupholders. Easy to eat, satisfying, and they rarely betray you with surprise messes. Just accept that one fry will vanish between the seats forever.
🌮 4. Soft Tacos
Notice we said soft tacos. The soft shell keeps everything in place—mostly. Plus, they’re compact, flavorful, and easier to control than their crunchy cousins (who you’ll meet below).
🍗 5. Nuggets & Chicken Tenders
Perfectly portioned, dunkable, and not prone to collapsing in your hands. Bonus points if you’ve got a place to store the sauce... or a passenger willing to be your official dip holder.
🍕 6. Pizza – The Great Debate
We had to include it. As New Jerseyans, we have access to the best pizza in the country (don’t @ us). A folded slice is totally doable in the car—if it’s not overloaded and the crust holds strong. Floppy slices and heavy toppings? Park it or skip it.
🛑 The Worst Foods to Eat in the Car
These are the meals that belong anywhere but your front seat. Proceed with caution—or better yet, don’t proceed at all.
🥄 1. Soup (Just… No.)
Yes, we’ve seen it happen. No, we don’t recommend it. Between potholes, braking, and turns, soup in a moving vehicle is a recipe for disaster—and dry cleaning.
🥣 2. Utensil-Required Meals
If it needs a fork or knife, it needs a table. Pasta, pancakes, salads—they all seem innocent enough… until you realize you’re balancing a container on your lap while trying to spear a meatball mid-lane change.
🌮 3. Crunchy Tacos
One bite and boom—you’ve got shredded lettuce, ground beef, and salsa in your lap. The hard shell crumbles, the fillings escape, and you’re left wondering what went wrong. (Everything.)
🥪 4. Overloaded Sandwiches & Subs
We’re looking at you, mile-high deli stackers. These are notorious for slippery meats, sneaky sauces, and structural collapse. You’ll need two hands, ten napkins, and a deep sense of regret.
🍦 5. Ice Cream Cones (Especially on Hot Days)
Sounds dreamy… until it’s 85° and the whole thing starts melting faster than you can eat it. Now you’ve got sticky hands, a drippy cone, and possibly a stain on your seat you’ll never fully explain.
🎉 What’s Your Drive-Thru MVP?
At DeBoer’s Auto, we’re all about helping people live life uninterrupted—and that includes making sure your car stays clean and your focus stays on the road. We’ve shared our picks… now we want to hear yours.
What’s your go-to drive-thru order to eat behind the wheel?
Tag us on social or drop a comment to join the conversation. Bagel lovers, pizza folders, and nugget dunkers—we see you.
And as always, no matter what’s in your takeout bag—
Live life uninterrupted.
