Hungry AF Newsletter & Podcast | Edition 4

Hey Hungry AF Family,

In our last edition, I was buzzing with excitement about a 10-day adventure in Costa Rica with my daughter—visions of pineapple plantations, chocolate farms, and local cuisine filling my head (and my content calendar). But as any seasoned traveler (or home cook) knows, sometimes life has other plans.

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This trip was a lesson in culinary expectations versus reality. Spoiler: I didn’t get to eat my way through Costa Rica the way I’d hoped. But as always, there’s a story—and a few delicious silver linings.

When Culinary Dreams Go Sideways

You know those times you plan every bite, only to have reality serve you a cold, bland plate of “not what I ordered”? That was this trip. From the moment we landed, it was a comedy of errors and missed meals. Here’s how it went down—and what I learned.

My Go-To Tips for Culinary Exploration—Put to the Test

1. Start at the MarketOur first stop? Not a bustling mercado, but a Walmart in San Jose. (Yes, really.) The food court was picked over, nothing was labeled, and the local “flavor” was suspiciously absent. Sometimes “local” means “where locals actually shop”—but not always what you imagine!

Side note: Why are there pigeons inside every Walmart in Central America? If you know, please reply and enlighten me.

We did manage to hit a few neighborhood bodegas later—score one for plantain chips, cassava snacks, and coconut candies.

2. Eat Where the Locals EatOne genuine highlight: a lively local restaurant with live music and the best churrasco steak I’ve had in years.

But most other meals? Tourist traps feeding busloads of hungry travelers. If you’ve ever wondered what “mass-produced casado” tastes like, trust me, you’re not missing much.

3. Try Something New (and Unpronounceable)Gallo pinto at every meal, casado in every permutation, and a tres leches cake for good measure. I wish I could tell you about more exotic finds, but choices were limited—and explanations even more so.

4. Take Notes for HomeI snapped photos and videos (coming soon to @HungryAF), and brought home a bottle of Lizano salsa (Costa Rican gold). Plus, I ordered a Costa Rican cookbook as soon as I got back—because if I can’t eat like a local there, I’ll do it here.

5. Embrace the UnexpectedTravel is unpredictable. This trip proved it.

The Highlights: Chocolate & Pineapple Redemption

Chocolate Farm TourOne tour exceeded every expectation. The Rainforest Chocolate Tour was a masterclass in cacao—history, cultivation, fermentation, roasting, and, best of all, tasting at every stage.

Our guide was a gem (funny, personable, knowledgeable), and the hands-on chocolate making (and hot chocolate tasting) was the kind of immersive experience I crave when I travel.

Pineapple Plantation TourI somehow forgot to mention this in the last edition—but it was a group favorite!

Our guide was hilarious even while wielding a super-sharp machete, the pineapples were so sweet they tasted like caramel (sorry, Hawaii), and yes, the fresh piña colada was a revelation, even without the rum. (It was 9 o’clock in the morning!)

How I Was Really Robbed

No, not by pickpockets or monkeys (though the Capuchins will steal your sh%t if you’re not careful). What I lost was the chance to truly explore Costa Rican food on my own terms. Group travel is fun, but if you’re a food-obsessed planner like me, you’ll want to control your own culinary destiny.

If you’re interested in quick video and photo recaps of each day of my trip, check them out: Costa Rica 2025 playlist on YouTube

Turning Disappointment into Deliciousness

So what now? I’m taking my own advice—diving into Costa Rican recipes at home. Cookbook in hand, Pinterest board ready, and kitchen prepped for experimentation.

Do you have a favorite Costa Rican recipe, or a hidden-gem ingredient I should try? Hit reply and let me know! I’d love to feature your tips (with credit, of course) in a future edition.

Programming Note: A New, Tastier Format for Hungry AF

Travel has a way of clarifying what matters. On those long bus rides (and even longer waits for food), I realized I want Hungry AF to be more than just my stories and recipes. I want it to be a resource—a place where we share, learn, and get inspired together.

Starting next edition, look for these new sections:

* What’s Cooking? — Recipe of the week

* Hungry AF Reviews — Restaurant or product review

* Reader Remix — Community comments, tips, and remixes

* Quick Tip or Kitchen Hack — My favorite shortcuts and tools

* Family Table — Stories about food, family, and tradition

* On the Menu — Sneak peek at what’s coming next

* Additional Resources — Links, sources, and further reading

Which of these sections are you most excited about? What would make Hungry AF your go-to food newsletter?Reply with your thoughts, stories, and suggestions—or just say hi. If you’d like to be featured, let me know!

On the Menu: Coming Soon

* My first attempt at Costa Rican picadillo

* Behind-the-scenes of my pineapple salsa experiment

* Your Reader Remixes—send in your best travel food hacks!

Stay hungry, stay curious, and remember: sometimes the best adventures are the ones you cook up at home.

With love (and a little Lizano on everything),

Jennifer

💡 Want to share your own story, tip, or recipe? Just hit reply! I read every message and love featuring your contributions.

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