Restaurants you frequent on the road

[roadman65]

I would like to know what restaurants do you frequent when you hit the road.

Well, in the Garden State it is the Diner scene for me.  Most are open 24/7 and you can get a breakfast anytime.
In Florida, its Millers Ale House (a regional chain) where the Food is good and if you like Miller Lite there are $6 Buckets.
In Fort Lauderdale there is Lesters Diner on FL 84 between I-95 and US 1 that is good as any NJ Diner.
In Dodge City, KS it is Casey's Cowtown Restaurant for a nice juicy steak.
In Kansas City, MO it is the Flamingo Casino as there restaurant has a great buffet lunch.  Even if your not a gamer, stop by at lunch.
Then there is Golden Corral, but only Orlando, FL (at select ones) serves all three meals.  There buffet is to die for.

[Dr Frankenstein]

In Canada: Tim Horton's, A&W, St. Hubert Express, Harvey's.

In the U.S. of A.: Denny's.

Everywhere: McDonald's, KFC, Burger King, DQ.

Oh, and Ben & Jerry's.

(yeah, I have bad habits).

[Takumi]

Denny's, various buffets, and Cook Out if I'm in North Carolina, even though we have one here.

[realjd]

Then there is Golden Corral, but only Orlando, FL (at select ones) serves all three meals.  There buffet is to die for.

Golden Corral's food does tend to have that effect on people!

I'm not much of a diner guy myself. My favorite places to eat when I'm on the road are Chick-fil-A, Chipotle, and Panda Express for lunch. If I can't find any, McDonalds, Wendy's, Burger King, or whatever will do.

For dinner I usually try to find a local microbrewery. They always have interesting beer, and I've never had a bad meal at one. If there aren't any around, Buffalo Wild Wings is probably my favorite chain for dinner. Or I'll use Yelp to find something interesting and local. Chili's and TGI Friday's will do in a pinch, but I much prefer to find something I can't get at home.

[US71]

Often Applebee's, Chili's, Red Lobster or Olive Garden. Usually because I cash in my credit card points for gift cards.  Breakfast is often Waffle House unless I can find a local "greasy spoon". I rarely stop at Denny's and maybe stop at Shoney's once a year...usually in Hattiesburg, MS for their breakfast buffet.

[OCGuy81]

I generally try to avoid chains, at least ones that can be found in California.  Though travelling with kids, that is MUCH easier said than done. Driving in northern California, my oldest said she wanted In & Out, where we have one right by us! Oh well. If I go chain, I'll try and find something I can't get back home.  Waffle House is the top one that comes to mind!

I'll usually go for a good brewery.  I'm with realjd on this.  Good beers and consistently good food! (Waiting on my flight to Portland as I type this and all excited about Deschutes and possible Cascade Lakes this weekend!)

I'm a big fan of going where the locals go, trying to find the best kept secrets.  The age of Yelp has helped a lot! I've found some good "off the Interstate" type places. 

[agentsteel53]

I tend to be pretty lazy and hit up a Jack in the Box, Carl's Jr., Wendy's (a good national choice), or Del Taco ... usually I go through the drive-thru, the better to be on the road again as quickly as possible.

I figure I can eat, sleep, and go to the bathroom when I'm back at work.  when I'm on vacation, I'm on vacation!!

[hbelkins]

Sheetz!!!!!!!!

If I'm traveling in Sheetz territory, that is automatically where I stop for lunch. If not, I will drive through McDonald's or Taco Bell.

In the evenings, if I have time, I will always choose Five Guys, then Cracker Barrel, then Bob Evans if I have those choices nearby. If not, I'll opt for some fast-food place that I don't frequently get to patronize, such as Sonic or Arby's or Long John Silver's.

[1995hoo]

I try to patronize local places when I reach my destination or if I'm not on the Interstate. When I'm en route somewhere, I'll just hit whichever fast food chain is the most convenient. I never use the drive-thru because food is not allowed in the car, even for take-home purposes.

I agree with the comments about brewpubs when available. Irish pubs are always high on the list as well. If we're visiting relatives, I'll ask them what they like. (Visiting relatives is often an exception to the "local places" rule if we're visiting the relatives who have little kids.)

[corco]

I never use the drive-thru because food is not allowed in the car, even for take-home purposes.

If you don't mind my asking, how do you buy groceries?

[1995hoo]

I never use the drive-thru because food is not allowed in the car, even for take-home purposes.

If you don't mind my asking, how do you buy groceries?

I knew some smartarse would say that. You know what I meant. 

[Ian]

Considering my family likes to eat really fast and save cash, we almost always stop at terrible fast food places like McDonald's, Burger King, or Wendy's (whatever is at a given exit) while on the road. VERY rarely do we eat at sit down restaurants while on the road.

[formulanone]

50/50 on chains versus local places. In some of the small towns I visit, you don't have much choice, save the McDonald's and Subway that are virtually ubiquitous if the town has at least one stop light. Generally, I'll get verbal responses first on the local eateries. Typically, I'll visit the chain stores that I don't get on South Florida.

That said, there's almost always an Applebee's or Chili's within a few miles of my hotel...service varies at some of these places during lunchtime, though...sometimes they don't understand an hour lunch includes my drive time and is inclusive of the time between greeting and getting my receipt back.

[Brandon]

Let's see (I swear we did this thread before)...

Breakfast: A decent donut place usually works for me.  Homecut Donuts here at home, Sweetwaters in southern Michigan.  Anyplace that serves a decent cinnamon roll.

Lunch/Dinner: Subway, Popeye's, Wendy's, Arby's, Culver's, Rocky Rococo's.

I don't really like sit-down places when I'm by myself.

[US71]

If you're on I-40 in Arkansas, check out CJ's Butcher Boy in Russellville. 

[WillWeaverRVA]

Sheetz!!!!!!!!

If I'm traveling in Sheetz territory, that is automatically where I stop for lunch. If not, I will drive through McDonald's or Taco Bell.

I like the way you think, sir. Sheetz has pretty good coffee, too, and their breakfast selection isn't bad either. Before I was diagnosed with celiac disease, that's pretty much where I stopped whenever possible. Wawa is also a good alternative since I liked their sandwiches, but Sheetz' variety is unbeatable for what it is.

Nowadays I also opt for Five Guys (if possible), Wendy's, or Sonic for fast food. Eating in, I'd opt for Denny's, O'Charley's, or local restaurants. I'll go with Applebee's or Chili's if I have no other options.

[realjd]

I don't really like sit-down places when I'm by myself.

That's why most restaurants have a bar. You'll notice most evenings that restaurant bars are full of lone business travelers. It's much less awkward than getting a table for one.

I forgot to mention Publix earlier. They're all over the southeast and have amazing fried chicken, hand made subs, and other fresh food. I'll go to a Publix over most fast food places. I'm addicted to their chicken tenders in particular.

[corco]

I don't really like sit-down places when I'm by myself.

That's why most restaurants have a bar. You'll notice most evenings that restaurant bars are full of lone business travelers. It's much less awkward than getting a table for one.

That used to really faze me, but if I'm on the road these days I've sort of stopped caring. But yeah, sitting at a bar is ideal.

It's still sort of weird when you're in a strange location that doesn't have many through travelers (much less awkward to eat alone right off the freeway than in the middle of nowhere), but whatever. I bring something that looks like work with me- often a notebook to jot down roadtrip notes, and focus on that.

[formulanone]

I don't really like sit-down places when I'm by myself.

I don't mind for lunch — usually I just want to get some work/play done on the laptop — sometimes for dinner, but if there's a ginormous crowd in the evenings, I steer clear...I get a gut feeling that I'm not going to great service because the resulting tip for waiting my table isn't generally as cost-effective as a group of four. Secondly, I've had enough noise and banter to deal with all day, and the last thing I want to do is hear a couple of LOUD LUSHES WHO DON'T REALIZE ALCOHOL APPARENTLY MAKES THEM PARTIALLY DEAF in the table next me (who are actually having a bit more fun than I am).

On the other hand, I think of the part of a movie (which title escapes me), where Steve Martin is introduced as a "party of one". He sees a friend at the restaurant later on, and asks him to join him at their table. "What about your bill?"...to which Steve pulls out a notepad just as the chef is coming by, assumes he's a food critic, and gives him a complementary meal.

In Florida, its Millers Ale House (a regional chain) where the Food is good and if you like Miller Lite there are $6 Buckets.
In Fort Lauderdale there is Lesters Diner on FL 84 between I-95 and US 1 that is good as any NJ Diner.
Then there is Golden Corral, but only Orlando, FL (at select ones) serves all three meals.  There buffet is to die for.

The Miller's Ale Houses (usually they are named for whatever city they are located in, e.g. Jupiter Ale House, Boca Ale House, Miami Ale House)...and they do offer good food and service, and lots of seating for drinkers and non-drinkers alike. I met the owner back in my days as a service advisor, and he was an alright guy.

Lester's Diner (there's a satellite diner closer to home) is decent, good service, okay food, but definitely one of those places if you have no idea what you want to eat...hey serve just about everything. Great place to take the kids, and overhear the old folks as well...used to hit them up after a night of drinking and such.

Golden Corral doesn't impress me; if I go, I go to the one by my home. Sometimes I'm in the mood for it, but I kind of wish I could get my own drinks. The kids like it (although they seem to enjoy eating whatever's on my plate, rather than their plates).

[US71]

That's why most restaurants have a bar. You'll notice most evenings that restaurant bars are full of lone business travelers. It's much less awkward than getting a table for one.

You get a table for one, and many restaurants will ignore you. I will never eat at Red Robin because of this.

[cpzilliacus]

I would like to know what restaurants do you frequent when you hit the road.

Well, in the Garden State it is the Diner scene for me.  Most are open 24/7 and you can get a breakfast anytime.
In Florida, its Millers Ale House (a regional chain) where the Food is good and if you like Miller Lite there are $6 Buckets.
In Fort Lauderdale there is Lesters Diner on FL 84 between I-95 and US 1 that is good as any NJ Diner.
In Dodge City, KS it is Casey's Cowtown Restaurant for a nice juicy steak.
In Kansas City, MO it is the Flamingo Casino as there restaurant has a great buffet lunch.  Even if your not a gamer, stop by at lunch.
Then there is Golden Corral, but only Orlando, FL (at select ones) serves all three meals.  There buffet is to die for.

In the East (from Maryland south to Florida) it's Waffle House.  I am obese, and for that reason don't eat there very often, but I love their waffles.

In California, I like In-N-Out.

And like H. B. Elkins, I have a preference for Sheetz (which can be found in various exurban and rural parts of Md., Va., W.Va. and Penna. - and perhaps some other states). 

WaWa is also good.

Sonic (found in various places, but not with the critical mass of some fast-food joints) isn't bad either.

And also in the East is Roy Rogers.  The owners of the rights to the chain are trying to make a come-back, and the food is consistently good.

Finally, Chick-Fil-A is the best for a chicken sandwich (hold the pickle, please) - service is usually good and the stores are always clean.

[hbelkins]

I try to patronize local places when I reach my destination or if I'm not on the Interstate. When I'm en route somewhere, I'll just hit whichever fast food chain is the most convenient. I never use the drive-thru because food is not allowed in the car, even for take-home purposes.

Who doesn't allow it?

[Zmapper]

I try to patronize local places when I reach my destination or if I'm not on the Interstate. When I'm en route somewhere, I'll just hit whichever fast food chain is the most convenient. I never use the drive-thru because food is not allowed in the car, even for take-home purposes.

Who doesn't allow it?

How does your family pick up the groceries then? 

[1995hoo]

I try to patronize local places when I reach my destination or if I'm not on the Interstate. When I'm en route somewhere, I'll just hit whichever fast food chain is the most convenient. I never use the drive-thru because food is not allowed in the car, even for take-home purposes.

Who doesn't allow it?

How does your family pick up the groceries then? 

corco beat you to it by several hours.

[berberry]

This is one of the GREAT things about smartphones!  I don't have to eat at any dreadful chain restaurants anymore.  And that's not to say that there are no good chains; only that once you find a good one, you (or at least I) tend to go there frequently until it becomes dreadful.

I enjoy traveling by car more now than ever, and not least because of smartphones.  When I'm hungry I don't have to settle for something I can get at home.