When you're out cruising long distance (outside the areas you know) on highways especially, what are some of your tips for finding good restaurants/cafes? I don't know how we allowed it to happen but you can drive 1000 miles on the highway and see nothing but the same 5 fast food crap servers.
How do you seek out real food?
We use a variety of methods. Sometimes its just taking whatever presents itself. This depends on a good deal of luck for finding a good spot. Usually you can get the feel of a place by how busy it appears. Finally, ask a local, they usually know the hidden gems. That has led us to some of the best finds.
Ed Miller, Calgary, AB
2008 K1200GT, 2009 F800GS
I can't wait to retire and have a fixed income. The one I have now is always broke.
"We" allowed it to happen because "we" wanted the fast food chains. "We" obviously doesn't mean "all of us".Originally Posted by Expatriated
I get off the slab and ask at gas stations where local folks go for a good meal that's NOT a national trademark.
But for the most part, I stay off the slab in the first place, and try to follow the old highways that pre-dated the Interstates. A full parking lot at a restaurant is always a good sign!
'72 R75/5 toaster, '09 VStrom 650, '07 Ural Patrol, 09 WR-250R
I have found a couple by asking the clerk at the motel. I found Biltoki, a Basque restaurant in Elko, NV, this way. Also, The Idle Spurs in Barstow, CA.
A friend once told me that, when you're cruising through Texas and you want some good BBQ, watch the parking lots of the road houses you go by. If you see one that's busy, with a mix of beat up pick ups and Mercedes, stop right there! It has worked a couple times for me!
In the great plains and southwest it is easy. We travel on back roads as much as possible, traveling through small towns. So .....
Look for the pickup trucks.
That's where the farmers, or ranchers, and townsfolk will be .... right there at Mabels, or Roy's, or the Lazy Lizard, or whatever it's name is.
Now, if you are on the interstate - good luck. The best food won't be at the interchange. It probably won't be within sight of the interchange. But if you head toward town, then ....
Look for the pickup trucks.
Paul Glaves - "Big Bend", Texas U.S.A
"The greatest challenge to any thinker is stating the problem in a way that will allow a solution." - Bertrand Russell
http://www.bigbend.net/users/glaves
Independent restauranteurs are my bread and butter. My business depends on them. The chains do nothing for me, my pay check, or my company. As a general rule, I try to avoid them but when travelling, however, in a pinch, I can usually depend on their consistency so I will venture in now and then.
If given the option tho, I always ask the locals where to go. I also check out parking lots that are full. there are a few good web sites with candid and unsolicited reviews although sometimes they need to be taken with a grain of salt.
www.roadfood.com is a great place to start.
Food Network, it's on two or three times a week.
Oh wait, I'm out riding . . . . never mind.
+1
...or any vehicle loaded with ladders and construction tools.
Salty Fog Rally 2007, 2009, 2011, 2012
-Tom (KA1TOX)
Look for a full parking lot, or ask the locals.
McDonalds, Subway, Burger King, IHOP, mom and pop. When I'm hungry I eat, I'm not out on a cycle trip as some culinary exercise. Best is camping and you go to a grocery store and buy some beer (cheapest), cheese, crackers, sausage, stuff like that. Light a camp fire and try to remember where yo packed the food before you run out of the beer.
Gilly
87 K75S, bought new, now sold
07 K1200GT Bought new, now traded in
13 C650GT
MOA 44606
Ask "who makes the best sandwich?", or pie, or whatever you have in mind. That usually gets a better response than just "where's a good place to eat?".
You have to head into town, as stated a number of times already. The places near the highway have business due to location, the places near town have business due to either good food or good service, or if you are really lucky, both! You might wait longer at a place with a full lot, but you will probably be happy about it once your food arrives. While running through the Poconos with a buddy we bi-passed a diner with a full lot in order to save time and found a less busy place at the other end of town.........dumb movenot only was the service lacking, the food was pretty poor. If we don't want to spend time on a meal, we'll grab snack bars and fruit and water at a gas stop, but if we are going to pay for a meal, it might as well be worth eating!
john1691
2006 K1200GT
i think BMW makes a food searching farkle, hahaha
i usually save the good meal for night and eat at gas stations during the day on a long trip, but i hate stopping for too long. when the riding's done and the tent is up, that's when i search for "the good stuff".
04 GS ADV
Some of us have different goals. Look at the line above my avatar.
Yes, Trucks are good, but a mix of Trucks and Cadillac’s are a sure bet. A Lincoln or two? That works as well. The reason? If you are searching outside the normal hours of fine dining, the trucks are still a working, so the retirees and the Cadillac’s and Lincolns mark the spot.
Examples:
"Snoopys" Outside (South 10 miles or so) of Corpus Christi, TX (stinks like rotten fish outside from all the boats parked around the docks on the channel..
Cadillac’s, Lincolns, old Fords and Chevys
"Bubbas" just south of Mobile Alabama near the Florida line.. (Bubba is a drop dead Gorgeous raven haired violin musician with a band) Cadillac’s, Lincolns, old Fords and Chevys Live music, cold brew, and seafood extraordinaire!
"La Blanca Paloma" Fort Morgan Colorado...what a dive...hard to get a waitress that speaks English....hand made tortillas right there, chicken mole..You get the picture.. Cadillac’s, Lincolns, old Fords and Chevys
"Los Tres Reyes" Grand Junction Colorado one word..yumm...Grand Junction, CO ... Los Reyes Restaurant (970) 245-8392 811 S 7th St, Grand Junction, CO What a dive in the industrial area, what service, what food OUT OF THIS WORLD authentic Mexican cuisine!
The Grill Bar and Cafe..Leadville...only place I would even consider eating in Leadville, "Viva Mexican" closed Tuesdays, beware...can be crowded with Anglo and Mexican families, and overrun by firefighters and outward bound employees...be sure and say "hi" to Mrs. Martinez! Off the main beat, have to look for it in the residential area a block off highway 24 towards Buena Vista and Twin Lakes...
All of these spots knock your socks off....all look like dives, but ALL have Cadillac’s, Lincolns, old Fords and Chevys mixed up in the parking lot...We found most of these by riding around...
God this is making me hungry!!!
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
