One of the most prominent recurring motifs in Better Nate Than Ever is food—which relates to the theme of Little Town Versus Big City. In general, Nate Foster likes sweets; Libby packs him a box of 24 chocolate donuts to take on his trip. However, Nate is dazzled by the variety of food that New York offers compared to the bland fare of his gray hometown. He is determined to buy a street pretzel and says, “Imagine: pretzels sold on the street! It’s as if anything is possible. Do they also sell hopes on the street? Do they sell hugs and dreams and height-boosting vitamins? Or hot dogs? I bet you they do” (4). Initially, Nate’s greatest aspiration is to visit what he considers to be the world’s biggest Applebee’s. However, Heidi is an experienced New Yorker who says that food from a chain restaurant doesn’t compare to local fare.

During the course of his adventure, Nate buys several helpings of one-dollar pizza as well as free chips and salsa while trying to recharge his phone. Then, after arriving at Aw Shucks where Heidi works, Freckles gives him a soft drink and a dish of free crackers.