A dang shame how Morris, IL TA is now. Not only is R Place Restaurant still closed but the last two times I've showered there there was plenty of easy to clean filth visible right after entering.
I think many will take the opportunity to closed down their restaurants. The restaurant at T/A Bloomington IL is still closed down too. And the Oak Grove Petro is in the process of converting their restaurant space into more aisles of retail products.
Whoa, Oak Grove shut down their Iron Skillet? I hate to say it, but when the Moon family properties start to do that, you know the end can't be too far behind.
bthomann, I have to agree with you my friend. The Petro's have always been the "Cadillac" of truck stops and the Iron Skillets were the go to restaurants whenever possible. The TA corporate footprint of eliminating their company restaurants was sped up with the closing of the sit down restaurants during the Covid situation. Their contract signing with IHOP has been moving forward so they can do like Pilot did to Flying J's in house sit down restaurants with Denny's. They will reduce their "overhead" costs by collecting lease money from IHOP and not pay those employees that worked in Country Prides or Iron Skillets. I am continuing my summer "road trip" in the 5th wheel [ my avatar pic ] and actually enjoyed myself at the Candler, NC TA/Country Pride the other day. It brought back many memories from years ago on the road. The food was still hot and good, the waitress was friendly and efficient and the atmosphere was every bit "old school" truck stop. I for one will miss these almost gone "relics" of days gone by. For the record, they have begun the plans for an IHOP at the Wytheville, Va. this month. I guess it will be better than seeing the restaurant empty and closed. Also I also agree with you that if the Moon family goes this route it is over. It has already happened at the once great White's Petro in Raphine, Va. They built a new Quaker Steak & Lube at the rear of the property and closed the Iron Skillet. I don't know if they will put in an IHOP like their TA in Lexington, Va or not. It is sad and an end to an era for sure.
The 76 truck stop chain was good back in the 70’s and 80’s. They were actually truckstops that actually catered to truck drivers.
They have gutted the building where iron skilet was at raphine..my guess is they’re probably going to put something else in it’s place, another chain restaurant or something..
I always stop there though. The fuel price is always the cheapest in the area with the LS discount. Right now it jumps fifty cents or more the minute you cross into Wyoming.
