Food Camps Past and Present
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DangerBunnie_JekJek
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Mon Jul 30, 2012 4:53 pm
- Burning Since: 2009
- Camp Name: M*A*S*H 4207th
Food Camps Past and Present
I would love to hear about Burning Man food camps. ALL about them, existing still or not. I want to know how they started, why they started, why they ended and I would especially love to see pictures. To you food camps, what are some of your secrets on keeping food so well throughout the week? (like bread for instance!) Oh, also, I would like to know who started these food camps and if the camp unfolded the way they intended it to.
Thank you!!
Jek Jek
Thank you!!
Jek Jek
- theCryptofishist
- Posts: 40312
- Joined: Mon Feb 23, 2004 9:28 am
- Burning Since: 2017
- Location: In Exile
Re: Food Camps Past and Present
I have absolutely nothing useful to say, but it's good to see you on here again!
The Lady with a Lamprey
"The powerful are exploiting people, art and ideas, and this leads to us plebes debating how to best ration ice.
Man, no wonder they always win....." Lonesomebri
"The powerful are exploiting people, art and ideas, and this leads to us plebes debating how to best ration ice.
Man, no wonder they always win....." Lonesomebri
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DangerBunnie_JekJek
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Mon Jul 30, 2012 4:53 pm
- Burning Since: 2009
- Camp Name: M*A*S*H 4207th
Re: Food Camps Past and Present
I think they deleted my last profile. I couldn't log on for the longest time. It feels good to be back 
- dragonpilot
- Posts: 1653
- Joined: Tue May 08, 2007 12:53 pm
- Burning Since: 2005
- Camp Name: Retrofrolic
- Location: Seattle, WA
Re: Food Camps Past and Present
A camp called Birch Circle was a full service playa camp. Provided chef-prepared meals beginning on Wednesdays thru Sunday breakfast. I camped next to them in 2006 and was a welcome guest for dinner one night. Camp kept cold drinks in big coolers available 24/7, late night snacks. Camp leader was also a river rafting tour operator, so he had all the logistics skills to pull this off. Out-of-area Burners could order SFO to playa van ride, tentage, a bike, sleeping bags, etc for an extra fee. Base fee for just the meals and other camp amenities (shower/shade) was at the time $550.
They were there in '07, '08, and I think '09, but dissolved after that. He now runs a moving business full time, and, as I understand, voted one of the best in his area near SFO. Don't know why they stopped offering the camp, but my guess is that there's more money and more stability in the moving business.
You could contact Birch Circle Movers in the Bay area if you'd like specifics...ask for Paul. Awesome dude!
They were there in '07, '08, and I think '09, but dissolved after that. He now runs a moving business full time, and, as I understand, voted one of the best in his area near SFO. Don't know why they stopped offering the camp, but my guess is that there's more money and more stability in the moving business.
You could contact Birch Circle Movers in the Bay area if you'd like specifics...ask for Paul. Awesome dude!
Don't bore your friends with all your troubles. Tell your enemies instead, for they will delight in hearing about them.
- portaplaya
- Posts: 365
- Joined: Sat Sep 10, 2005 6:49 pm
- Location: Seattle area
Re: Food Camps Past and Present
Well, the first thing to do would be to go to the Theme Camp archive (http://www.burningman.com/themecamps/) and look up the details for camps of yesteryear.
There are a few hundred food-based theme camps nowadays, including some that rove the playa, like the Dust City Diner (an artcar that serves coffee and grilled cheese). Making a comprehensive list in addition to the listing on the Burning Man website seems tedious and redundant.
Ones I remember eating at:
The Tuna Guys
Dust City Diner
Sunrise Coffee Camp
Shady Waffle
and the Black Rock French Quarter, which features a bakery, a brewery and (by invitation) a chef-catered restaurant. Yum!
There are a few hundred food-based theme camps nowadays, including some that rove the playa, like the Dust City Diner (an artcar that serves coffee and grilled cheese). Making a comprehensive list in addition to the listing on the Burning Man website seems tedious and redundant.
Ones I remember eating at:
The Tuna Guys
Dust City Diner
Sunrise Coffee Camp
Shady Waffle
and the Black Rock French Quarter, which features a bakery, a brewery and (by invitation) a chef-catered restaurant. Yum!
Re: Food Camps Past and Present
I was blown away by Spaghetti Western Camp in the year 2000. They wore red & white exclusively, especially red fur chaps, red fur vests, and white cowboy hats. They served spaghetti to crowds, and showed Westerns projected onto a big screen. I had dinner and watched part of A Fistful of Dollars, I think it was.
I'd had only two months to prepare for that first Burn and spent it all gathering and packing, rather than hearing stories about the culture. I knew little about the creative shenanigans that theme camps would get up to. I'm kinda glad. Everything was a surprise!
I'd had only two months to prepare for that first Burn and spent it all gathering and packing, rather than hearing stories about the culture. I knew little about the creative shenanigans that theme camps would get up to. I'm kinda glad. Everything was a surprise!
*** The Burning Man Survival Guide ***
"I must've lost it when I was twerking at the trash fence." -- BBadger
"Snark away, ePlaya, you magnificent bastards." -- McStrangle
"I must've lost it when I was twerking at the trash fence." -- BBadger
"Snark away, ePlaya, you magnificent bastards." -- McStrangle
- Ugly Dougly
- Posts: 17612
- Joined: Wed Sep 10, 2003 9:31 am
- Burning Since: 1996
- Location: เชียงใหม่
Re: Food Camps Past and Present
Wayback Machine, baby.
Iglesia de Santo Pollo or Iglesia de la Sagrada Pollo
- some guy had vivid colored signs and I guess cooked up a shitload of chicken.
Bean King
- somebody else cooked up a shitload of beans and served them with tortillas and salsa.
McSatan's

Iglesia de Santo Pollo or Iglesia de la Sagrada Pollo
- some guy had vivid colored signs and I guess cooked up a shitload of chicken.
Bean King
- somebody else cooked up a shitload of beans and served them with tortillas and salsa.
McSatan's

- vargaso
- Posts: 785
- Joined: Mon Sep 17, 2007 11:26 pm
- Burning Since: 2007
- Camp Name: Suburbanoya
- Location: Lincoln, CA
Re: Food Camps Past and Present
We camped next to the Bus Depot camp in 2009, a guy named Chili Man brought out a full chef's kitchen and served up the some of the best ribs and steak I've every eaten. Oh man, when he'd start to throw the meat on the fire, the smell would instantly attract a crowd.
- brushfire on the playa
- Posts: 41
- Joined: Tue Oct 12, 2010 9:29 am
- Burning Since: 2008
- Camp Name: Miso Horny
- Location: Santa Cruz, CA
Re: Food Camps Past and Present
I've always been fortunate enough to be camped close to Nacho Mamas the past few years - those nachos have damn near saved my life on many an afternoon on the playa!
i'm on the playa, bitch!
bigger and better next year, every year...
bigger and better next year, every year...
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Shawn til Dawn
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Wed Jan 19, 2011 8:30 pm
- Burning Since: 1998
- Location: Cottonwood, CA
Re: Food Camps Past and Present
This year I made a food cart and will be giving out Jhal Muri at night on the playa on the 2:00 side and around the Man. I have a 200 watt bucket light on a 10 foot pole. Find me M-F for some healthy puffed rice snack! It's your Happy #1 Jhal Muri from Kolkata to Black Rock City baby! 
1998-2005, 2009, and 2012 -- Boy, have things changed. Let's do this!
- CarrieSnarf
- Posts: 107
- Joined: Tue Jan 17, 2012 5:17 pm
Re: Food Camps Past and Present
We are doing a mobile 50's retro kitchen that makes grilled cheese sandwiches. I came up with the idea after witnessing what could best be described as a grilled cheese riot on the playa in 2010. I like making food for people, grilled cheese seemed popular and easy, add in being able to rock a beehive and there you go.
thesammiewagon.blogspot.com
Re: Food Camps Past and Present
^ Good! Burn City Diner's not coming this year! 
- Katiebaby25
- Posts: 87
- Joined: Thu Jul 21, 2011 2:57 pm
- Burning Since: 2011
- Camp Name: Space Gnomes
- Location: Calgary, Alberta
Re: Food Camps Past and Present
Excellent! I've always wanted to try Jhal Muri but thought I'd have to go to India! Very excited about this!Shawn til Dawn wrote:This year I made a food cart and will be giving out Jhal Muri at night on the playa on the 2:00 side and around the Man. I have a 200 watt bucket light on a 10 foot pole. Find me M-F for some healthy puffed rice snack! It's your Happy #1 Jhal Muri from Kolkata to Black Rock City baby!
*Sgnoflake*
Space Gnomes <;)
Space Gnomes <;)
- StevenGoodman
- Posts: 474
- Joined: Sun Dec 18, 2005 11:52 pm
- Location: Top Secret - be eaten after entering
Re: Food Camps Past and Present
Various camps doing grilled cheese.
The french fries in the giant ketchup bottle.
Random Pizza Experience
Lost Penguin Lounge (wine, chocolate, stuff)
Pancake Playhouse
Dusty City Diner
Black Rock Diner
The Golden Cafe
Martini Steve
The french fries in the giant ketchup bottle.
Random Pizza Experience
Lost Penguin Lounge (wine, chocolate, stuff)
Pancake Playhouse
Dusty City Diner
Black Rock Diner
The Golden Cafe
Martini Steve
Playawaste Raiders and Megaton Bar and Grill
- Ugly Dougly
- Posts: 17612
- Joined: Wed Sep 10, 2003 9:31 am
- Burning Since: 1996
- Location: เชียงใหม่
Re: Food Camps Past and Present
There was a camp next to us doing grilled baloney sandwiches in the morning. Every morning there was a line.
- theCryptofishist
- Posts: 40312
- Joined: Mon Feb 23, 2004 9:28 am
- Burning Since: 2017
- Location: In Exile
Re: Food Camps Past and Present
Popcorn Palace count?
There was a cereal place in 09? I had breakfast there two or three times.
There was a cereal place in 09? I had breakfast there two or three times.
The Lady with a Lamprey
"The powerful are exploiting people, art and ideas, and this leads to us plebes debating how to best ration ice.
Man, no wonder they always win....." Lonesomebri
"The powerful are exploiting people, art and ideas, and this leads to us plebes debating how to best ration ice.
Man, no wonder they always win....." Lonesomebri
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maryanimal
- Posts: 4045
- Joined: Wed Jul 28, 2010 9:41 am
- Burning Since: 2011
Re: Food Camps Past and Present
I really LOVE your idea! I hope to have one of your delicios sammies!CarrieSnarf wrote:We are doing a mobile 50's retro kitchen that makes grilled cheese sandwiches. I came up with the idea after witnessing what could best be described as a grilled cheese riot on the playa in 2010. I like making food for people, grilled cheese seemed popular and easy, add in being able to rock a beehive and there you go.
Sometimes I'm confused by what I think is really obvious. But what I think is really obvious obviously isn't obvious.
Re: Food Camps Past and Present
Fried Baloney sammies at KFC: Kentucky Fried Camp 9-11am. We'll be back at 3:00 Plaza!
kell
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seantildawn
- Posts: 30
- Joined: Fri Aug 07, 2009 9:17 pm
- Burning Since: 1998
- Location: Redding, CA
Re: Food Camps Past and Present
[quote="Katiebaby25"][quote="Shawn til Dawn"]This year I made a food cart and will be giving out Jhal Muri at night on the playa on the 2:00 side and around the Man. I have a 200 watt bucket light on a 10 foot pole. Find me M-F for some healthy puffed rice snack! It's your Happy #1 Jhal Muri from Kolkata to Black Rock City baby!
[/quote]
Excellent! I've always wanted to try Jhal Muri but thought I'd have to go to India! Very excited about this![/quote]
Did you get some?
Excellent! I've always wanted to try Jhal Muri but thought I'd have to go to India! Very excited about this![/quote]
Did you get some?
1998,1999,2000,2001,2002,2003,2004,2005,2009,2012
Re: Food Camps Past and Present
Grilled Cheese Camp served grilled cheese at noon every day this year. Line moved fast too—you'd have a gooey grilled cheese in your hands within 5 minutes. We lunched there three days in a row, and sometimes went up for seconds. It was an awesome gift that was much appreciated.
Snow Koan Solar handed out snow cones. That was awesome.
We also had spaghetti once at the Twilight Spaghetti Theater.
The French Quarter, of course, was serving baked goods and food, but their lines were pretty intense due to their location.
Two years ago, I was near a camp that started serving soft serve ice cream mid-week... and continued serving it for days and days. It was like they never ran out.
Snow Koan Solar handed out snow cones. That was awesome.
We also had spaghetti once at the Twilight Spaghetti Theater.
The French Quarter, of course, was serving baked goods and food, but their lines were pretty intense due to their location.
Two years ago, I was near a camp that started serving soft serve ice cream mid-week... and continued serving it for days and days. It was like they never ran out.
Re: Food Camps Past and Present
I heard of grilled cheese camp, but never found it!!!!
Re: Food Camps Past and Present
coming upon 'homojito bar' in the middle of the playa was a sweet surprise. they even grew their own mint which you could 'pick' and make a wish. yumll!!!
Re: Food Camps Past and Present
There was a place called Midnight Poutine* in 2010, I think it was. Friends insisted on calling it Midnight Poontang. The line was an hour long, unless you were brazen or laden with bribes. I was neither! I skipped it. But I was impressed.
*Poutine = French fries with fresh cheese curds & brown gravy.
*Poutine = French fries with fresh cheese curds & brown gravy.
*** The Burning Man Survival Guide ***
"I must've lost it when I was twerking at the trash fence." -- BBadger
"Snark away, ePlaya, you magnificent bastards." -- McStrangle
"I must've lost it when I was twerking at the trash fence." -- BBadger
"Snark away, ePlaya, you magnificent bastards." -- McStrangle
- graidawg
- Posts: 3179
- Joined: Thu Jan 20, 2011 5:50 am
- Burning Since: 2011
- Camp Name: CAMP Hooker
- Contact:
Re: Food Camps Past and Present
Savannah wrote:There was a place called Midnight Poutine* in 2010, I think it was. Friends insisted on calling it Midnight Poontang. The line was an hour long, unless you were brazen or laden with bribes. I was neither! I skipped it. But I was impressed.![]()
*Poutine = French fries with fresh cheese curds & brown gravy.
i'll have some midnight poontang sav. if its still there that is
FREE THE SHERPAS
Burners with torches is right and natural and just.-fishy.
CATCH AND RELEASE.
Burners with torches is right and natural and just.-fishy.
CATCH AND RELEASE.
Re: Food Camps Past and Present
I hope to find grilled cheese camp next year. I have read great reviews about it in several places online!
"Success is not the result of spontaneous combustion. You must first set yourself on fire."~~Fred Shero
- ultratang7
- Posts: 58
- Joined: Sun Jul 17, 2011 2:37 pm
- Burning Since: 2011
- Camp Name: Camp D.O.A.
- Location: Steamboat Springs, Colorado
- Contact:
Re: Food Camps Past and Present
I found The Grilled Cheese Incident, sooo good. You could choose between Cheddar, swiss, or pepperjack.
I
I
Did someone say Crisco-Twister???
- Box Burner
- Posts: 5803
- Joined: Mon May 01, 2006 2:33 am
- Location: Kentucky
Re: Food Camps Past and Present
That was KFC (Kentucky Fried Camp) I found them when I was looking for your camp on morning. Best baloney sandwich I ever ate. They were a group from Kentucky. While you were waiting in line they would serve you shots of Kentucky bourbon. They said that they like to move around each year.Ugly Dougly wrote:There was a camp next to us doing grilled baloney sandwiches in the morning. Every morning there was a line.
Guess I should have read a little further:
kellnoel wrote:Fried Baloney sammies at KFC: Kentucky Fried Camp 9-11am. We'll be back at 3:00 Plaza!
Dance in the heart of chaos. . . . .
ὁ δὲ ἀνεξέταστος βίος οὐ βιωτὸς ἀνθρώπῳ
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - --- Σωκράτης
.
ὁ δὲ ἀνεξέταστος βίος οὐ βιωτὸς ἀνθρώπῳ
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - --- Σωκράτης
.
- Box Burner
- Posts: 5803
- Joined: Mon May 01, 2006 2:33 am
- Location: Kentucky
Re: Food Camps Past and Present

In the morning they start making pizza. Then they throw darts at a map of black rock city and wherever the darts land is where the deliver it. We got on at the Eplaya Bar on '06.
Dance in the heart of chaos. . . . .
ὁ δὲ ἀνεξέταστος βίος οὐ βιωτὸς ἀνθρώπῳ
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - --- Σωκράτης
.
ὁ δὲ ἀνεξέταστος βίος οὐ βιωτὸς ἀνθρώπῳ
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - --- Σωκράτης
.
- theCryptofishist
- Posts: 40312
- Joined: Mon Feb 23, 2004 9:28 am
- Burning Since: 2017
- Location: In Exile
Re: Food Camps Past and Present
Yes, yes we did. The pizza was maybe a bit undercooked, but pizza out of the blue on the playa...Wow, I'll love those guys forever.Box Burner wrote:We got on at the Eplaya Bar on '06.
The Lady with a Lamprey
"The powerful are exploiting people, art and ideas, and this leads to us plebes debating how to best ration ice.
Man, no wonder they always win....." Lonesomebri
"The powerful are exploiting people, art and ideas, and this leads to us plebes debating how to best ration ice.
Man, no wonder they always win....." Lonesomebri
- 9ah
- Posts: 835
- Joined: Sun Apr 17, 2011 8:37 am
- Burning Since: 2017
- Camp Name: Lamplighters
- Contact:
Re: Food Camps Past and Present
Miso Soup Camp was nice to wake up to.
Incendiary Intent offers a nice chili challenge. I highly recommend.
The PB&J cart is a yummy snack.
Popcorn Palace, they've got some great seasonings.
Champagne Lounge and The Lost Penguin were always nice stops.
I'm sure there are a ton I can't think of right now... I'm starving at this point.
Incendiary Intent offers a nice chili challenge. I highly recommend.
The PB&J cart is a yummy snack.
Popcorn Palace, they've got some great seasonings.
Champagne Lounge and The Lost Penguin were always nice stops.
I'm sure there are a ton I can't think of right now... I'm starving at this point.
Illuminate. Navigate. Celebrate.
What would you do if you knew you couldn't fail?
What would you do if you knew you couldn't fail?