Anybody remember "The Chopper" at the old T/A restaurants?

Discussion in 'Truck Stops' started by Ex-Trucker Alex, Jan 25, 2025.

  1. Ex-Trucker Alex

    Ex-Trucker Alex Road Train Member

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    Nothing too special; just a Salisbury steak with peppers and onions mixed with the meat, but boy did the advertise it!!! I think it was $7.99 back circa 1990...
     
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  3. northstarfire0693

    northstarfire0693 Heavy Load Member

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    That was good. I used to get the little smokies at TA back in that timeframe for breakfast. Hated they did away from it
     
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  4. Ex-Trucker Alex

    Ex-Trucker Alex Road Train Member

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    Yes, gone are the days when you could look forward to a leisurely hot meal in a sit-down restaurant for less than $20. I'd do my paperwork while waiting for my food to come, then get a shower and go back to my sleeper. Kinda predictable, but I made some good $$ back then..
     
  5. navypoppop

    navypoppop Heavy Load Member

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    Everything from way back when was better. No computer controlled logs or trucks, less traffic, more driver brotherhood and going into a truck stop was enjoyable. Fueling by truck stop employees, windows cleaned, have a shower, sit down to a hot meal even if it wasn't the best it was affordable.
     
  6. snicrep

    snicrep Heavy Load Member

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    That went away with the advent of foreigners.
     
  7. Ex-Trucker Alex

    Ex-Trucker Alex Road Train Member

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    You must be quite a few years older; by the time I started driving, full-serve diesel was getting rare. As for truckstops being 'enjoyable', well there were several exceptions to THAT; the big T/S north of Baltimore on I-95, the T/A's in Gary and Atlanta, and most of those small, old independent T/S's along the Central Valley in CA. I think NJ stops were pretty much ALL terrible, but that was to be expected.
     
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  8. navypoppop

    navypoppop Heavy Load Member

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    I started driving in 1969 and the Pure Oil, Union 76 and original Truckstops of America were the places to go. Full service at the fuel pumps, sit down restaurants and free parking were all standard. I'm glad I was able to be driver back then.
     
  9. 7speed

    7speed Bobtail Member

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    FWIW, you can get a chicken fried steak with gravy, 2 sides, roll & a drink for $10 and change at Cox's Country Buffet (Webber Falls OK opposite the Loves)
    The buffet doesn't have much and the inside is a throwback to the 80's, but a meal for less than a #1 at McDeath or Burger King is rare these days.
     
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  10. Pigdude

    Pigdude Light Load Member

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    I started in ‘89, and I remember the chopper. My favorite, though, was that ridiculous 16 oz. hamburger steak at Iron Skillet. They had a killer good fish dinner, too. And a fresh salad bar…

    This thread is making me sad.
     
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  11. Pigdude

    Pigdude Light Load Member

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    Hood’s in Bois D’Arc MO still has full service diesel. Placed lovingly in your tanks by gentlemen who take your info with paper and pen. It’s like a brief little trip to the old days.
     
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