One of the hardest things about touring is finding a way to stretch your per diem (daily $$) for food. Maybe you'll get a meal out of the club, maybe not. So here's a little guide to some of the best (and cheapest) meals at select locations around the country--Midnight Thunder Express- approved to make your journey on the low road that much better.

The Ox (Downtown Missoula)--Where else can you order "Brains & Eggs" or "JJ's Gravy on Some Chicken Fried Steak" to help calm the stomach after last night's aftershow party? A great place to see grizzled cowboys as well.

The Place to Be (Warren St, Cleveland)--Cheap diner food served by older Eastern European ladies who will yell, so be prepared! I recommend the tricky club sandwich.

Ruby's BBQ (29th and Guadalupe, Austin, TX)--Mouthwatering BBQ food. (Brian sez, "Get the jambalaya.") Well worth looking for even though it's out of the downtown loop.

El Gran Burrito (Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles)--Hands down, California's best Mexican food. Authentic-tasting, and I somehow managed to finish two tortas in one sitting.

Taqueria Cancun (The Mission, San Francisco)--Close runner-up to the Gran Burrito. Located in the Mission, it's a great place to polish off a burrito and then head outside for a hot dog wrapped in bacon from the street vendor.

When there's no city for miles, your top five fast-food choices are these: Chick Filet (the South)--Stu's pick. The best chicken sandwiches, but they're closed Sundays; Wendy's; Jack in the Box (St. Louis and westward); Braum's (Midwest)--lime soda and ice-cream cones; Taco Bell.

But avoid these at all costs: Chipotle (Denver and eastward)--you can't even call this Mexican food; McDonald's; Burger King; Dairy Queens in Eastern Texas; any food in a toll plaza.

Don't say we never done nothing for ya.

The Midnight Thunder Express are working on their second record and preparing for a European tour.

It's My Party will return next week.