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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 8,916 Likes: 29
Campfire Outfitter
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OP
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 8,916 Likes: 29 |
When I was a kid in the ‘70s, Dad always took Mom and us kids out for supper on Saturday evening. We’d usually go to the same places repeatedly, switching to another, I guess Mom & Dad would get tired of the same place every week. But one place in particular they went back to for over a year! That place was called Spaghetti Town USA, in Widber. It was right on Graham Avenue, where the Sheets plaza is now. We all loved their Eggplant Parmigiana. We hared to see them close around 1980. Anyway, I’m sitting here loafing and watching “The Virginian”, and I got to thinking about places we would frequent back then. It seems that the Mom & Pop Restaurants And Truck Stops are becoming a thing of the past, replaced by Fast Food or chain franchises now. I know of two truck stop diners still open, one on the east end of Everett and another on old 220 south of Claysburg. I know there were at least 5 around the area back then. As to restaurants, tho only remaining one I’m aware of is the Tower Ridge iInn, West of McConnellsburg. It’s a shame, but I guess this is what is called “progress”. Thoughts?
"Preserving the Constitution, fighting off the nibblers and chippers, even nibblers and chippers with good intentions, was once regarded by conservatives as the first duty of the citizen. It still is." � Wesley Pruden
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 19,092 Likes: 3
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 19,092 Likes: 3 |
Around here there is still a good many local resturants.
Everything from the chicken places, BBQ, steaks, mexican, etc…
Either they make or not, which depends on quality and service.
A benefit of not having a chain of resturants to prop up a crappy one.
Dave
�The man who complains about the way the ball bounces is likely to be the one who dropped it.� Lou Holtz
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 31,298 Likes: 11
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 31,298 Likes: 11 |
We are blessed with a goodly number of Mom&Pop places, diners, and restaurants next to major truck stops, all of which are great. We go to a place called Ramblin' Road quite often (there are three of them) for their large menu, larger portions, and moderate prices.
We used to have a place called the "Big Z" that was famous for unfinishable portions. Their menu started with an item simply called "Breakfast". It came with no less than six eggs, at least a pound of bacon, and separate platters of hash browns and Buick hubcap-sized pancakes. For $5. Back in the days of CB, I heard one trucker coming in from the east ask about where to eat, and the answer was to go to the Big Z - unless he had eaten since Nebraska, in which case he'd not be able to finish his meal. The Big Z closed and recently re-opened, but not with its previous glory.
Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult.
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 8,916 Likes: 29
Campfire Outfitter
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OP
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 8,916 Likes: 29 |
Yeah. We’ve found that chain restaurants , the food quality and service usually isn’t consistent from location to location. Driving Truck I’ve also seen the same thing with Wal Mart stores. Poor management, I’d guess. I forgot one other local stop, up on Rt 322 near Munster! Haven’t been up there in a while, but Carol and I loved it. 7mm
"Preserving the Constitution, fighting off the nibblers and chippers, even nibblers and chippers with good intentions, was once regarded by conservatives as the first duty of the citizen. It still is." � Wesley Pruden
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 67,543 Likes: 68
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 67,543 Likes: 68 |
Savannah Ga
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 15,289
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 15,289 |
Our gun club always has a lunch after our Friday morning shoots, we go to a local truck stop for good food and good prices, they always save a table for us.
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Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 4,402 Likes: 4
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 4,402 Likes: 4 |
We are not lacking in Mom & Pop restaurants in my area. They the places we eat, very seldom go to Chain restaurants and don't eat fast food to often.
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 30,961 Likes: 22
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 30,961 Likes: 22 |
Pickin's are slim on my local turf
That's why we eat at home a lot
Beer can chicken tonight
T R U M P W O N !
U L T R A M A G A !
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 67,543 Likes: 68
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 67,543 Likes: 68 |
Mama always said, “we’ll be home in 5 mins, we can eat at home”
BOOOOOOOOO!!!!
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 12,893 Likes: 5
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 12,893 Likes: 5 |
Our truck stops are LOOOONGG gone. We do have a couple of decent local places. We can get in and out of our local Mexican eatery for under $30 including tip.
One of our long time local diner/eateries has really slipped after the orignal owner died, and the next generation isn't up to the task. It's like watching a train wreck in slow motion. Painful, and the outcome is certain.
Sic Semper Tyrannis
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Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 21,954 Likes: 9
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 21,954 Likes: 9 |
It's a problem I'm glad I don't have to deal with. The big truckstops are gone. The ones left push fast food, not real food.(And i like fast food) The T/A at Lamar didn't even have the restaurant open a couple years ago. When we travel I plan stops at old trucks tops or restaurants with parking that I used to like. They usually aren't there anymore. Places that were around for decades are gone.
Glad I'm out of the game. No part of it has improved since the 90s. Except, cell phones and Internet. I sure like Google earth for looking at destinations.
Parents who say they have good kids..Usually don't!
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,950
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,950 |
Pretty much all of the mom & pop owned/operated restaurants that the majority of their business was from highway thru-traffic eventually had to close due to the opening of big interstate highway system that bypassed them.
Nowadays it's big name corporate chain restaurants and truck stops located in clusters at major exits and on ramps.
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 33,817 Likes: 15
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 33,817 Likes: 15 |
We may go out to lunch or dinner a couple of times a month, usually before or after we see one of our plays. We do not really have truck stop restaurants nearby but there is no shortage of quality food of every ethnicity. Tomorrow I'm heading into the city (San Antonio) to shop and will hit a favorite birria place.
Conduct is the best proof of character.
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 8,916 Likes: 29
Campfire Outfitter
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OP
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 8,916 Likes: 29 |
I drove for a little over a year from the Wal Mart DC in Cessna. Since I was usually at a Wal Mart and being short of home on the clock, I’d park and go in a get a deli Samich and tater salad. But Baltimore or Washington I got the hell outta there and go back to Frederick MD to sleep. Mosta those places down there looked like a good place to wake up with your throat cut! 7mm
"Preserving the Constitution, fighting off the nibblers and chippers, even nibblers and chippers with good intentions, was once regarded by conservatives as the first duty of the citizen. It still is." � Wesley Pruden
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 13,246 Likes: 5
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 13,246 Likes: 5 |
Deb’s Fish & Chips on 7th in Eugene, Oregon.
It was a rare treat for a lower middle class family of five in the early 70’s.
Closed years ago.
P
Obey lawful commands. Video interactions. Hold bad cops accountable. Problem solved.
~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~
Member #547 Join date 3/09/2001
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Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 1,781
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 1,781 |
I have determined that Wilmington is the death of franchise restaurants.
Plenty of them and most suck. Even places like IHOP and Red Robin. I don't expect much from either but here they're awful.
No worries though. Plenty of locally owned places that are good.
Ever in the area and need a recommendation, hit me up.
Bore size is no substitute for shot placement and Power is no substitute for bullet performance. 458WIN
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Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 9,190 Likes: 11
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 9,190 Likes: 11 |
The covtards forced a lot of mom and pops down.
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 7,827 Likes: 16
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 7,827 Likes: 16 |
It seems that the Mom & Pop Restaurants And Truck Stops are becoming a thing of the past, replaced by Fast Food or chain franchises now. My experience is the opposite. Boomers absolutely love Fast Food and chain restaurants. Part of their ruining the food supply was was killing off anything that wasn't a cookie cutter lowest bidder type outfit. Subsequent generations are pointing things back to better quality food and are willing to pay for it. That chain joints are still many of course, still enough Boomers to prop up the Golden Corrals and Chilis and Old Country Buffets. They'll eat absolute trash as long as it is cheap. But if you put in the effort a lot of places are competing on quality rather than quantity and cost. More every day as Boomers die off.
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,068
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,068 |
Sad, but many of the great local spots have been closed. Replace with typical chain options. Locally we lost quite a few good spots on I-70 ramps. Locals have moved more to the interior of our area. We have some good spots still, just not the selection that once was available.
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 16,436 Likes: 2
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 16,436 Likes: 2 |
We've got a few Mom&Pops still in operation. One has been in the same family since 1947, I believe. I went to school with the brother and sister who currently own it - both in their lower 70's. They tried, a few years back, to let the kids run it - place went to hell in a handbasket - quickly and completely. They took it back over, the food was better, service was better, heat was on in the building. Kids tried to cheap out - didn't work! Even took a couple of years to get over that "experiment". Our last "Mom & Pop" truckstop just sold - and now is a cannabis dispensary. They used to have pretty good food - 'til the covid!
I've always been a curmudgeon - now I'm an old curmudgeon. ~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~
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