| When you are a trucker, you often find the only | | | | shop. I had never stopped there other than for a |
| place you can count on a sit-down meal is at one of | | | | quick meal or a place to sleep until recently when a |
| the many truck stops out there. Petro has the Iron | | | | friend of mine told me about the train. I had no idea |
| Skillet, TA has the Country Pride, Flying J has the | | | | there was more than fruit and food there. From the |
| Country Market. But the same-old, same-old leaves | | | | map of the place you can see they have a little train, |
| you longing for more every now and then. | | | | a zoo, and a gaggle of peacocks walking around. The |
| The problem is that a big rig can be 75 feet long or | | | | restaurant is 24-hours and has a variety of options. |
| longer. We can't just pull into a Chili's parking lot, toot | | | | I've only had breakfast there, but it was very good. |
| our horns, and say "We're here." Our choices are | | | | Sam's |
| often limited by the size of our vehicles. Over the | | | | In Fairfield, Texas, on I 45 at exit 197, there is a |
| years, though, I have found quite a few places to | | | | restaurant good enough to make Sam Houston |
| park my rig that make my tummy glad. | | | | proud. Another driver suggested dinner at Sam's, and, |
| The Beef House | | | | to be honest, at first glance I didn't expect much. |
| In Covington, Indiana, on I 74 at exit 4, there is a | | | | The outside of the building looks like any truck stop |
| Pilot truck stop. Right across the street, is one of the | | | | along the I 45 corridor, but what's inside those walls |
| best restaurants I have ever been to. It's called The | | | | will surprise you. This place has a little gift shop with |
| Beef House. They are open for lunch or dinner. A | | | | all kinds of cute nick-knacks to browse- though I've |
| good steak dinner for two will set you back about | | | | never had to wait for a table. It's not too fancy but |
| $40 or $50 depending on what you order. I go for | | | | it's very nice. They have a nice salad bar, fantastic |
| the petite filet mignon- and I promise you, it's worth | | | | catfish and great BBQ. They are located just east of |
| every penny. There's not a bit of fat on it, it's | | | | I 45 and have a dirt lot for truck parking. Don't |
| wrapped in bacon and aged. I've never tried it but I | | | | mistake it for the truck stop on the west side of the |
| imagine you could cut it with your fork, it's so tender. | | | | freeway. |
| They have a meat counter and you can buy from | | | | (903) 389-SAMS |
| them and take it with you to grill later, too. They | | | | Boomtown |
| have a fresh salad bar that comes with your meal | | | | (currently truck parking/truck stop is closed for |
| and wonderful soups (also included). Their service is | | | | construction of Cabella's and a new truck facility) |
| top rate. Plenty of folks dine wearing suits and | | | | In Verdi, Nevada, at exit 3, there is a Casino and |
| dresses, but you can wear a pair of jeans and a | | | | truck stop called Boomtown. Truckers can park at |
| sweatshirt if you so choose, and you won't feel out | | | | the truck stop and take the free shuttle to the main |
| of place. There are two buildings- a banquet hall and | | | | casino. On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights, the |
| the restaurant. Be sure to go to the restaurant (not | | | | buffet's main attraction is the all-you-can-eat lobster. |
| the banquet hall)- it's the building further west. They | | | | It's not like what you might expect up in Maine, but it |
| have room for several trucks to park in the gravel | | | | is a nice change from your typical truck stop fare. It |
| areas of their lot, but, for the less adventurous, you | | | | will set you back $24 per person ($19.99 each if you |
| can park at the Pilot. It's within walking distance. | | | | show your Player's Club card). The lobsters are on |
| (765) 793-3947 | | | | the small side, but it is, after all, all-you-can-eat, so |
| Nick's Catfish and BBQ | | | | who's complaining? Other than that, it is a typical |
| In Carlisle, Arkansas, on I 40 at exit 183, there is a | | | | casino buffet. |
| little restaurant that doesn't look like much on the | | | | (775) 345-8699 |
| outside. Come to think of it, it doesn't look like much | | | | Jubitz |
| on the inside either, but what comes out of the | | | | In Oregon on I 5 at exit 307 (don't miss the exit |
| kitchen is worth stopping for. I've never had the BBQ | | | | because you can't just flip around at the next exit |
| but I have friends who have ordered it and been | | | | (the two overlap and there is no ramp when you get |
| very happy with it. The catfish is some of the best | | | | back on the freeway) is a poorly marked truck stop |
| stuff I've ever had. It's not a place to dine if you're | | | | called the Jubitz- follow the small signs along the |
| on a diet, but if you're looking for a good meal, it's a | | | | route marked "Jubitz." I wanted to stay away from |
| sure bet. They have limited truck and rv parking on | | | | truck stops, but this is one that deserves mention. |
| their dirt lot. They are just a little ways south of I 40 | | | | The Cascade Grill restaurant inside the main building is |
| on state route 13. | | | | top rate and they also have a bar that boasts live |
| (870) 552-3887 or (870) 552-7845 | | | | entertainment. It's a nice change from the traditional |
| Spires | | | | truck stop with all the services a truck stop provides |
| In Carson, California, on the 405 freeway at the | | | | (diesel, tires, showers, laundry, etc.). Definitely worth |
| Wilmington Ave exit, there is a diner with food that | | | | stopping by. |
| will rival your favorite "chain" restaurant. There is only | | | | (503) 283-1111 or (800) 523-1193 |
| legal parking for 2 or 3 trucks on the street (unless | | | | Other places I have had recommended to me but |
| you're bobtail- then you can fit in the lot). The spots | | | | have not tried: |
| are marked 1-hour truck parking and are just long | | | | The Farmhouse |
| enough for a big rig. I can't even begin to delve into | | | | In Wendell, Idaho. The Farmhouse has truck parking |
| their menu offerings- meatloaf, pot roast, stir fry, | | | | available (unconfirmed), large portions, friendly |
| salads... I've never heard of anyone being dissatisfied | | | | service... and sure beats the regular fare at truck |
| with their choice. The wait staff has been top notch | | | | stops, if you know what I mean! |
| anytime I've eaten there. I know of drivers' who | | | | The Big Texan |
| have parked their rigs a mile away in no parking | | | | In Amarillo, Texas. This place is known for the 72 oz |
| zones and walked to Spires to get a good meal. It's | | | | steak you get free if you eat it in one hour. Other |
| definitely worth a trip around the block to get a | | | | than that, I hear their "regular" steaks are out of this |
| truck parking spot. | | | | world. |
| (310) 830-8170 | | | | (800) 657-7177 |
| Casa De Fruta | | | | Rainbow Casino Steak House |
| Just outside of Hollister, California, on route 152 | | | | In Wendover, Nevada. Reservations are |
| (between Gilroy and Santa Nella) thre is a diner with | | | | recommended. There is plenty of truck parking and a |
| a twist. The food isn't the main attraction here, | | | | free shuttle (although, the casino is right across the |
| though it's a very pleasant change from a truck stop | | | | street and safe to walk to). I have heard that their |
| restaurant. This place is an entire casa de EVENTS- | | | | filet mignon and jumbo prawns combo is better than |
| there is a wine shop and wine tastings (not before | | | | hitting a jackpot. |
| you drive, please), a sweet shop, and a fruit and nut | | | | |