The Walmart AMP runs a couple of shows a week all summer, and every one of them ends the same way: a few thousand people trying to get off the lawn and back onto I-49 at once. The easy fix is to eat before you ever pull into the lot. Do it in Rogers, sit down, then drive over with time to spare. Here are three local spots for it, none of them chains, all under five miles from the amphitheater, plus what is left on the July calendar.

What's playing at the AMP in July

Three shows are still on the amphitheater calendar this month:

• The Australian Pink Floyd Show, Friday, July 17 at 8 p.m. A full tribute set, and the AMP lawn is the right place to watch a Pink Floyd light rig after dark.
• Jimmy Buffett's Coral Reefer Band, Tuesday, July 21 at 7:30 p.m. A Margaritaville night, and a weeknight, so plan the drive.
• Turnpike Troubadours, Saturday, July 25 at 7 p.m. The Oklahoma red-dirt band always pulls a big Northwest Arkansas crowd, so buy early.

The AMP sits off I-49 in the Pinnacle Hills part of Rogers and holds a 4.5 rating across more than 5,000 Google reviews. If none of those nights work, two other big July shows are close by. Post Malone brings his stadium tour to Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville on Saturday, July 11 at 7 p.m. And Lord Huron plays The Momentary in Bentonville on Tuesday, July 21 at 6 p.m., the same night as the Buffett band, so that evening you pick one.

Where to eat first

All three of these are in Rogers, all independent, and all a short drive from the lawn. We measured each one from the AMP so you can plan the timing.

Tokyo House of Rogers

This is the closest, about 2.4 miles out. It runs $$ on our price scale and carries a 4.5 rating across more than 3,600 Google reviews, which makes it one of the most-reviewed independent restaurants in town. It is a sit-down hibachi and sushi place, so if you want a real meal and still plan to make an 8 p.m. curtain, get there early. The tables fill up fast on show nights.

Smokin' Joe's Ribhouse