It's not so much the restaurants. I either choose wisely, or I've made the decision to eat what I want!
Catrin, the beef jerky intrigues me. Back around 10--12 years ago DS ate lots of beef jerky (though no the nitrate free kind) when he was riding. I thought it was gross, but he may have been on to something. I do sub my dried cranberries, nuts, and chocolate mix for most local rides. But, sometimes, we do longer, 30-50 mile rides, with considerable climbing, where we stop and eat our own lunches in a scenic spot. I can't do that on nuts and dried fruit.