The food is killing us!

I have a microwave, frig and keep my truck stocked. I eat 99.9% of my meals in the truck and feel much better and much more energy than when I was eating at the truck stop. I know I could do better - I still eat a little too much processed food - but it's still better than that garbage at the ts. Just be careful when you cook in the truck that your food gets to temp -- if you've ever had food poisoning while driving a truck you will understand that the few seconds it takes to check food temp with a food thermometer is well worth it. Got food poisoning at the TA in Limon, CO and my co-driver got food poisoning at a TA in Missouri (I think). I WILL NEVER EAT AT A TA EVER AGAIN! Co-driver is on his own truck now and has an electric burner that he cooks fresh fish, chicken and beef in. Cooks the veggies and sides in his microwave and he eats like a king on the road. He's cooked for me a few times when our paths crossed on the road and it was delicious. Only takes a few minutes to prepare and clean up and is so much better for you.

 

In this day and economy,I dont see how your average driver can afford to eat truck stop food and still have any paycheck left.
I have one of those plug in coolers,and stock it before I leave the house with sandwich makings,fruit,yogurt,cheese and fruit juices. I keep canned beans and meats,cereal,bread,crackers and anything else that strikes my fancy. Every now and then,I stop at the privatley owned truckstops (yeah there still out there) and get a homestyle meal. The chains dont care about driver health,just the bottom line to the shareholders....I wish truckstops had outdoor driver areas with a roof,and a grill or two,where you could hang out during your break,and cook for yourself,and maybe find a decent conversation..

 

Back in the day I used to blow all my paychecks on TS food and booze when laying over.
Coupled with running too far too fast too long...I worked my butt off for nothing.
Sometimes there would be a breakout of grills in the back row, occasionally a guitar or two. Good times.

 

Ya know, my Uncle used to come home, and tell us stories about that "back row".Maybe he spared us kids about some of the "goings on" in that back row, but the good stories about "Barby-Q's", good men singing along to a few "GI-tars" was what made my brother become a driver, many years ago.
And what made ME become one, and marry one.

And, believe it or not, sometimes, when hubby and I break out our portable grill, it ALMOST feels like the stories we've been told of "the old days"!!

Judi Kay

 

I agree with you 100%.

 

Another old school truckstop goes away.
Exit 104 I-85 in SC was where you could find one of the original Union 76 Truck stops.
T/A never took this one over and it remained as an independent all this time. Nothing fancy, but good food, nice people and room to park.
I rode by there monday and was saddened to see a Loves taking it's place.

 

after the third bout with food poisoning within a year, i have stopped eating t/s' "food". i'll walk down the street to find some better place to eat, and i don't care how hot, cold, or snowy it is. since then, i haven't gotten sick, nor have i had "the runs", or anything terribly similar.

 

I, too will forego the "back row" stories, but I still seek out good "Barby-Q", or other regional cooking for that matter.
I'm one of those guys that makes it a point, whenever possible, to spend my money at the mom & pop establishments.
When I had my own trucks, I didn't mind one bit spending a little more for fuel to help keep these old places going.
There's probably not enough of us like minded people left to stem the tide of the big chains, but I will continue to support the little guy as long as he survives.

 

my wife got me a frg and got a micowave also in the truck'so i fix my own food to fix and taste so much better.