Sneaking food into movies
Yesterday before going to see Julie and Julia (loved it!) I headed down to the Copley Farmers market (where I will start working on Friday--please come visit, SE-ers!) and picked up a baguette and herbs de provence goat cheese, which I snuck into the theatre and enjoyed throughly while watching the movie.
What kind of yummy snacks do you all (or don't you?) sneak into the movie theatres? Does it vary depending on what you're going to watch?
Add a comment:
Previewing your comment:
HTML Hints
Some HTML is OK: <a href="URL">link</a>, <strong>strong</strong>, <em>em</em>
Comment Guidelines
Post whatever you want, just keep it seriously about eats, seriously. We reserve the right to delete off-topic or inflammatory comments. Learn more at our Comment Policy page.
If you see something not so nice, please, report an inappropriate comment.
Start Talking!
Need a question answered? Have advice to share? Start a Talk topic now!
Sign up to get your questions answered and share advice.
52 Comments:
when i watched Julie & Julia, my friend and I split a chipotle burrito. Quite messy. Oh and chips and guac. :]
Other movies have involved homemade toffee bars and take-out sushi (the sushi was better than the movie, though).
This usually only happens when we're strapped for time or something. Or if i have food i need people to help me eat.
engmcmuffin at 4:44PM on 09/02/09
My husband used to buy sushi and beer at one of the movie theaters we go to. These days, he just spends $15 on a large popcorn and soda...
I don't sneak in food anymore. The last time I did, I was in 7th or 8th grade and saw Mr. Mom. The ticketperson asked if we were carrying in any outside food, my friends and I quickly responded, "no, no, no," as we looked at each other, reeking of BK burgers and fries, with grease-spotted shopping bags, sloshing with each step.
Cassaendra at 5:00PM on 09/02/09
once i snuck in an actual bottle of wine! my boyfriend uncorked it in the dark and we poured the wine into pixie cups. classy all around!
i also enjoy gummy bears.
kristin314 at 5:02PM on 09/02/09
Haha, I did this just yesterday. It was a jar of Peanut Butter & Co.'s Dark Chocolate Dreams, and a spoon. I don't know why this idea had never occurred to me before, but you better believe I'll be doing it again. Now if only I can figure out a way to bring some milk as well...
kimberlymac at 5:05PM on 09/02/09
I remember once sneaking in some chinese food in the little to-go containers, it was The Best! Hmmmm, I should do that again for shits'n'giggles!
GretchinF at 5:12PM on 09/02/09
Not food i eat before or after a flick and the restaurant depends on what I just viewed. i have been known to smuggle booze into the flick though.
pjracz10 at 5:13PM on 09/02/09
i just come armed with a salt shaker to add to my popcorn as i eat down the bag..
gastronomeg at 5:22PM on 09/02/09
Back in the Day
In the late 70s I use to go with my girlfriend to Chinatown, buy a ton of Chinese food and then go watch kung fu movies. Back then there were a lot of movie theaters in Chinatown showing great kung fu movies. Everyone was eating food they brought in. The first few rows of seats were ripped out so kids could run wild while their parents ate.
I guess I missed the thread because no sneaking was involved. Sorry I just had that flash back.
rob1eats at 5:50PM on 09/02/09
@kimberlymac
Best. Idea. Ever. I've never snuck in anything creative, just crackers or dry cereal is all, but now I'm going to have to try that!
cycorider at 6:22PM on 09/02/09
@Pjracz: we are soul mates! I didn't think anyone else would say it! I don't do it all the time, but once I polished off an entire pint of Crown Royal during Sex & the City.
The only time I really "sneak" food into a movie theatre is if I'm watching a kid movie with my nieces. Kids are ALWAYS hungry and I refuse to spend $25 on junk food at the concession stand. I always carry a huge purse, so sneaking in fruit salad, sandwiches, granola bars, and water is an easy task.
PumpkinBear at 6:24PM on 09/02/09
I've made sandwiches, and my friends and I've hidden a bucket of KFC in my large oversized leather shoulder bag. It was hilarious trying to muffle the delicious aroma of the chicken! We got in only because the movie staff never cared, and told us that they totally understood people trying to smuggle their own snacks in! That particular night, the ticket guy looked at us and smiled as he mouthed the word yum! Of course it helped that they were our age! They probably do the same thing.
sassy at 6:40PM on 09/02/09
My daughter turned 3 on Monday, marking 3 years that I haven't been to the movies.
But, back in the day when I had a life I would take a flask and some gummy bears, or happy colas, yummy!
AyeEat at 7:11PM on 09/02/09
We take our kids to the local rite aid or 5 below and they pick out the movie sized bags/ and/ or boxes. Hubby and I will indulge in our guilty pleasure: Munchos. Those things are so baad for u, but, oh, soo good.
I have the pleasure of shoving all this in the kids pockets, my oversized gucci. U know, the one thing you do no want food all over. Hey, whatever works so we're not spending a small fortune to snack.
@gastronomeg--I can't believe Im no longer alone. Salt shaker travels everywhere wth me!
donnie at 7:48PM on 09/02/09
My sister had a genius idea to smuggle 7-11 nachos into a theater. She made the nachos and decided to also get sodas. Not somewhat inconspicuous bottles of soda, mind you. No, she filled up two big gulps of Diet Coke. I emptied out my book bag to hold the sodas and she fit the nachos into her purse. Every step I took you could hear the ice sloshing around, and to my horror, it had leaked and was leaving a nice little trail throughout the theater. They either didn't notice or thought it was too absurd to bother with.
yankeesgal at 7:54PM on 09/02/09
Just last night I snuck Momofuku pork buns in to Inglorious Basterds! But that clearly wasn't enough food, so I got some cream cheese wontons from a Chinese takeout place, too. Milk Bar should really make more savory stuff.
Admittedly, it was kind of an odd snacks/movie match.
jingtastic at 8:02PM on 09/02/09
I almost always bring a few beers.. my favorite theater and beer store in brooklyn are right across the street from eachother! I've also brought Chipotle Bol's, burgers, sandwiches.. you name it. I don't make a mess, and it's not like I'd eat candy or popcorn or soda anyways, so I don't think of it as cheating the system, just multitasking.
I really do wish movie theaters had better food options.. at least some sort of healthy snacks and alcoholic beverages.
cheflaura at 8:57PM on 09/02/09
I never bring osso bucco into the movies... that or paella.
Peanut M&M's..... mmmmmm.......
Pavlov at 8:49AM on 09/03/09
cocktails for sure!
DELICIOUS at 10:21AM on 09/03/09
I've snuck in sandwiches, candy, hummus and mini pitas, all sorts of things. My teenage years consisted of stuffing the front pocket of my over-sized hoodie with Taco Bell. It must have been detectable. I think the employees who have to do the grunt work of kicking you out don't really care, since it's not a possible legal issue like an underage movie goer, and no one wants to hassle anyone else.
jesswalker9 at 1:49PM on 09/04/09
During the time my husband was going to see Lord of the Rings weekly he always brought a mini flask with coconut rum in it. He would buy a ginormous Hawaiian punch, pop into the bathroom and tip a bit out then add the rum to the juice.
suzilightning at 1:12PM on 09/05/09
I used to work at a movie theater when I was in college and saw all sorts of ridiculous things being smuggled into the theater. I personally didn't care as long as people were discreet, cleaned up after themselves, and didn't bother other moviegoers. The only time I got really annoyed was when a woman who came to the movies frequently actually had the cojones to have Chinese delivered to the theater on a slow afternoon. Amazingly, I actually went in to the theater and told the woman her food had arrived -- mostly because I didn't want the delivery guy to get stiffed.
As for me? I usually take a big bottle of water and maybe candy, but I've smuggled in a giant salad, burritos, and beef jerky.
fanghsing at 11:25PM on 09/06/09
I'm LOL at all these antics. Yes, I've snuck in my own popcorn, cans of pop, wine coolers, candy, etc. I just hate the prices they charge for horrid popcorn and watered down fountain soda. I wait until the previews come on so loud you can barely stand it and then bust open the cans of pop or beer.
We've been going to the MET Opera HD broadcasts at our local theatre the past couple of years and one day the local performance critic met several of his friends at the theatre and were seated a few rows ahead of me. I don't recall which opera performance, but it was going to be a long one 4+ hours, here's George with a pretty colored handled shopping bag in hand and he pulls out a big bagful of burgers from Micky D's Supper Club!
Other friends take a bottle of wine and 2 wine glasses up the sleeves of winter coats.
lurah at 12:34AM on 09/07/09
I had a grand spread of olives, cheeses and bread watching Ratatouille at the Ziegfeld theater!
Robbin_G at 9:08AM on 09/07/09
My friends and I always hit Walmart to grab snacks before movies - my favorite combo is juice boxes and dried cranberries for some reason.
katalyst23 at 9:18AM on 09/07/09
sandwiches, salads, dinner leftovers, Swedish Fish, gummy frogs, crackers, chips, nuts, beef jerky, yogurt, apples, grapes...almost anything I feel like eating except hot food. I feel like I'm too obvious and other people will notice the smell and catch me. What I really want to bring is a bag of microwave popcorn but I've never had the guts to do it.
Meewlee at 9:42AM on 09/07/09
I used to sneak in alot of snacks...like king size twix and muchies that i would have bought in the grocery before the movie...saves alot of money...concessions are pricey. I have also snuck in cocktails with my friends as well. Big purses rule!
tenille10 at 10:03AM on 09/07/09
A few years ago, my wife and I went by White Castle before going to the movies. we snuck about a dozen in her purse and in the middle of the movie started to eat. My God, when she opened her purse the smell of cooked onions spread every where in the theater, I think even the lobby. There is a wonderful smell from White Castle and there is nothing like it. We were the envy of every one at the theater.
old chef at 10:19AM on 09/07/09
My best friend is full Korean and her mom owns a store, so on Thanksgiving, they're still open, and she usually has to work. It was our tradition to see a movie that evening, so I would always bring her little containers of leftover turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing and cranberry sauce!! She loved it!
machellebelle at 10:58AM on 09/07/09
I've never snuck food into a theater cause I'm just too chicken. If you do sneak in food and wanna save money on snacks, go to a dollar store and stock up.
Worsel at 11:10AM on 09/07/09
It's not always a big deal because some theater chains don't have a "no outside food" policy. For example, I know that the AMC Theater chain doesn't have this rule. There is one other chain that I recently took outside food into, despite a very obvious "no outside food and drink" sign just past the ticket counter. My food was fairly obvious, and I didn't really try to sneak it other than to hold it in my hand that was away from any employees.
But, I still like to keep in practice anyway, and sneak in food when I feel like it. Flasks are awesome too, and I've brought in any number of adult beverages in the past. QuikTrip cups are the best!
Subvert at 11:11AM on 09/07/09
I think taking food into the movies is fine, except if it smells. Some of you are over the limit. You should consider eating before you go. I know popcorn smells, but we expect that at the movies, not fried foods,and deliciously aromatic stuff, etc. Another place fried food should not go is the airplane---why can't people eat before they get on--it is such a small area. Sometimes I feel like barfing at the smells. Yes, I do like those foods, just not on an airplane or in the movies theaters. Be respectful.
foodie09 at 11:29AM on 09/07/09
i would stop at Grey's Papaya on B'way & 72 St in NYC...and load up on hot,grilled doggies, snap up a few bottles of screw-top Snapples...then head to the movies..yep!
ChelseaGuy52 at 11:45AM on 09/07/09
For the love of gawd, people! Please consider those around you. I have been victimized by crunching cellophane bags throughout entire movies, not to mention those lingering hot dog belches (and worse!). You've come to watch a film, yes? Please bring something that is quiet and inoffensive -- then have at it with my blessings.
janeth202 at 11:59AM on 09/07/09
For the sake of the people that work that the theater, STOP. You all sneak in the food and then don't have the basic decency to throw your crap away. Nobody there gets paid enough to clean up after you slobs even when you buy stuff at the concession stand, let alone when you sneak in food. If you don't want concession items, then you can eat before or after; there's no rule stating that you have to eat during a movie. If you can't go two hours without shoving something down your gullet, then you may have an issue.
Thanks,
MGMT
automne_aki at 12:42PM on 09/07/09
friends and i planned a summer evening around seeing La Vie en Rose - gathered on a bench in a nearby garden to the movie theatre and shared a bottle of roseĢ; once inside - popcorn w/ truffle oil:) was lovely.
kl_kits at 1:02PM on 09/07/09
I'm all for sneaking in food, and don't get me wrong, I still do it now. But has anyone ever wondered why concessions are so expensive? It seems like one of those things that the film industry does and gets away with, but I had a friend who worked in concessions during college and apparently this isn't always the case.
Allegedly, movie theaters don't make much money off of ticket sales. They have to make up their profits through concessions. You can thank Hollywood for controlling all the profits. I'm sure that big theaters like AMC or Loews probably has better control over profits or what not. Either way, whenever I visit theaters, I try and compromise by at least getting a drink (and sneaking in booze). I'm not saying that sneaking in food is right or wrong, just thought I'd contribute this little bit.
Oh yeah, the salt shaker idea is genius btw!
Julian at 1:52PM on 09/07/09
p.s.
1. *have, not has.
2. Landmark Theaters are my favorite. Some of which even serve good beer.
Julian at 1:54PM on 09/07/09
I do it all the time. I can't see spending $8 for a medium popcorn and a box of candy so I buy candy when it is on sale and I make my own popcorn and I put it in a bag and I put the bag at the bottom of my handbag, covered with other stuff. They never check my bag. When my son & I get into the theatre, I pull it out. Last time it was popcorn and Raisinets. Sometimes we buy something at the theatre.
I have also snuck other foods into movie theatres. Ones that don't smell such as candy that they don't sell there, or baked goods from home. Never sushi or burritos. - Too smelly and possibility of spillage.
RisaG at 3:27PM on 09/07/09
My daughter and her friends go to Whole Foods (close to the theatre) and load up on whatever they like and giggle all the way in. I think its funny! I just buy the outrageously expensive popcorn + drink and load it with that terrible-for-you "butter" and the popcorn salt stuff. Biggest issue--take a bunch of napkins because that butter stuff leaks out of the bag! Sometimes my ex used to buy the big candy boxes and a grab a water from home. I buy the popcorn because I seldom go to movies and I kind of like the stuff if it is just popped.
richopp at 5:22PM on 09/07/09
I once snuck a Pizza Hut tak-out box under my sweat-shirt, lol, the whole thing!
KWBrown at 5:38PM on 09/07/09
Too funny! Me and sis saw Julie & Julia in Braintree last night, but we weren't so refined. Chex Mix, Milanos, green tea, and Diet Coke. Once in the past, Raisinets, and another time yogurt. I've paid for enough overpriced popcorn!
irleshay at 7:10PM on 09/07/09
I can't believe what I'm reading. Back in the 40's when I was a kid, they showed double features. I would go to the movies with sauerkraut on a roll and butter. Sounds strange now. Wouldn't think of bringing anything in. No wonder that we have a weight problem in this country. People just can't keep their mouth shut for a movie and now they just show one feature.
surrah at 10:24PM on 09/07/09
Sort of sneaking in reverse...
When in college, my son and a half-dozen fraternity brothers spent - lost -a weekend in a fancy Chicago hotel on Michigan Avenue. (Could only afford it because they all stayed in one room.) When they regained consciousness (late) on Sunday morning, they noticed the self-serve refrigerator-bar was completely empty. They pulled out the inventory/price list and realized they owed the hotel just a little over $400.
My son remembered there was a Walgreen store with a liquor department a few doors up the street. He took the list there and found miniatures to match virtually everything in the inventory. He sneaked them into the hotel, restocked the bar, and it came to a couple bucks over $50.
MikeLM at 1:16PM on 09/08/09
No guilt if you support the Belmont Studio Cinema in Belmont, MA. You can bring the delicous fresh sandwiches or some gelato from next door (Angelato, http://www.angelatofoods.com/) with you to that theatre 'legally'. This is so much more satisfying for me than popcorn.
brigittesm at 3:04PM on 09/08/09
This has also been discussed here:
http://www.seriouseats.com/2009/05/large-movie-popcorn-with-butter-1220-calories.html
SEAtoNYC at 4:09PM on 09/08/09
Have always and always will need to keep my mouth happily occupied during entertainment at the movies! Only rules I insist upon are that snacks are quiet (no crackly plastic bags, or loud munching foods) and no imposing smells (garlic, or hot fragrant pizza/sandwiches). Admittedly a little seduced by other movie patrons eating KFC, the smell and the noise was irritating. We are, after all, in a closed indoor situation trying to enjoy a movie theater experience and are not at home where we can hit the pause button.
Not Yukio at 5:27PM on 09/08/09
I live in a relatively low-income neighborhood that, for some reason, has a pretty snazy movie theater. I kid you not, I have seen families carry pizzas into the theater. The worst was a family of four that brought a medium-sized watermelon and four Subway sandwiches. I felt so bad for whoever was in charge of cleaning up after them.
oh_no_eric at 8:29PM on 09/08/09
I put soup in a soda cup once and sipped on it during the movie. Other than that I always go armed with lots of water.
GinaPet at 8:36PM on 09/08/09
Living in the upper midwest, I spend about 9 months out of the year being cold. It's not a scandalous sneak, but I like smuggling coffee/latte/gas station cappaccino into theaters--the key is a travel mug with a good seal.
thehostess at 10:48PM on 09/08/09
I usually sneak some food into the movies.. generally I will bake some chocolate chip cookies (I keep several pounds vacuum sealed in the freezer) about an hour before the show. They are still just slightly warm by the time I get in, and perfect to watch a movie with.
jason at 11:25AM on 09/09/09
Not to sound annoying, but I think I'm actually good at that. I do remember the time I had to make room for the churros in my bag and made my male cousin hold it. (Unfortunately, they forced my uncle who had the second batch eat them before he entered, shame).
mtgall at 9:14PM on 09/09/09
I always pack a banana-pb sandwich for those late-night movies
mk2305 at 2:31AM on 09/11/09