When you say "shallow slide", how shallow. Our HTT has a small slide that moves out about a foot. While we've only used it one season so far, I haven't seen anything that would prevent us from using any site we have in the past. We looked at HTTs with the 3rd bed. For us it would have been used for nothing more than storage. We found we like the extra floor space the slide out gives us. We would love an outside kitchen!
Really you have to balance what will work best for you with any disadvantages you see. Just from your description it sounds like that outside kitchen may be just the ticket for you!
