The truckstop, where did they go?

The independents have always been preferable to the chains. The food is still usually cheaper and better than the chains. They also seem to appreciate your business, too. I like doing business with those who appreciate my business. There are still a few independents who are pretty much like most were 30 or 40 years ago.

 

if most drivers had been to Secondi Bros in 1980
they wouldn't complain about the places today
or the places that were 300 miles between TS's and
you rented a room to get a shower
it wasn't all better in the "good ole days"

 

I remember when TA was Truck Stops of America and Pilot was Pilot truck stops. The game changer was when TA and Pilot got into money trouble in the early 2000s. Then someone in Westlake Ohio came up with the bright idea to incorporate the truck drivers and motoring public under one roof. I m wondering now since kids now eat free at TA and Petro, I wonder how long will it be before they take out the game rooms and driver s lounge or take up some truck parking spaces and turn them into a playground or indoor play area

 

My husband and I would try and find the "Mom & Pop" Truck stops or at least not the big name ones. We didn't have much of a choice on fuel ( and shower credits make that free) but in everything else, smaller stops. Like someone else said they tend to be quieter and still have spots left at later hrs.

One of the things I had started to do was to keep tract of resturants that have truck parking. Even a mcD's. Mostly places we could sit and eat a good meal. Like Nick's BBQ and Catfish in Carlisle AR. I probably wouldnt want to stay overnite, but it was a great place to stop and eat.

Port's to plains in Lamar Co, it's not exactly a "hidden" treasure, but the food was great, parking was good ( even with the potholes it looks like they are trying to fix), not a great c-store, but whatever.

 

Left to my own devices I would run from about 5AM to about 5PM and knowing I had to be shut down by 7PM. If possible I would take a mom and pop place whenever possible.
But I did get to liking the Pizza at Flying Hook.......

 

Then some of these drivers will never get any work done, they'll be too busy in the playgrounds....

Oh, and I remember when you could of put the whole Iowa 80 in what is now the food court area and there was a good 76 truck stop at what is now the RV store.

 

ewwwww Tried it a time or two, some weren't....terrible, most weren't good. You like Pizza the Valero in Marietta OK is right acrossed the street from a Pizza Hut. For that matter we got caught "with no hr's" at a couple shippers or receivers and ORDERED delivery, to the truck. ( Was also between trips to wally world and didn't have food in the fridge). Asked the Shipper/receiver if they had any delivery pamplets one did ,one didn't but I looked that one up.

 

I pull a trailer with a major retailers name on it only run into truckstops for a shower the rest of the time Iam parked at stores right now I am within 100 feet of a starbucks and have my choice of pizza bbq subway mcdonalds and two chinese resturants as well as the supermarket deli tonight .

 

Four score and seven years ago on your birthday T/A would give you a free meal..So that would mean 3 T/A on that day, However the past is history...if you are with a big name company you will have to go where the company gets the discount...why can I not buy fuel for the same price as the great pumpkin... I really think this is racist...I love to hate trucking, However I love to truck....I think I should get a carzy check...please send money ....I will spend it ...

 

When there was a 66 fuel stop just past it w/a Great Bar&Grill next door!