Best Restaurants for Truck Drivers

When you’re out on the road for weeks at a time, it can be a challenge to find a place to stop for a satisfying meal. Options are usually limited to the closest truck stop, and revisiting the same chain spots over and over can get exhausting. Fortunately, there are plenty of gems scattered across the U.S…if you know where to look! Nobody knows the roads better than truck drivers, so we asked some of our drivers for their recommendations on the best places to stop for a meal. Whether you’re looking for an easy breakfast or a huge barbecue feast, keep reading for some of the top recommended restaurants for truckers!

Nick’s Bar-B-Q and Catfish – Carlisle, AR

Are you hungry for some authentic southern barbecue? Look no further than Nick’s Bar-B-Q and Catfish in Carlisle, AR. Their menu is packed full of comforting classics like ribs, brisket, baked potatoes, and fried okra. Nick’s also features three different sizes of their classic fried catfish dinners, and a great selection of fried pies for dessert. With an average of 4.5 stars from nearly 6,000 Google reviews, many of whom are from OTR truckers, it’s safe to say you can’t go wrong stopping at Nick’s if you’re in the Little Rock area!

Check out more reviews and photos here!

Whitewater Travel Plaza – St. Charles, MN

The exterior of the Whitewater Travel Plaza in St. Paul, MN.

Whitewater Travel Plaza looks unassuming on the outside – many people drive by without ever realizing there’s a restaurant inside! Once you make your way downstairs, you’ll find yourself in a charming dining room that smells like baked goods and comfort food. The menu contains a variety of classics like burgers, chili, and chicken pot pie, along with a breakfast menu that’s perfect for a trucker who’s tired of grab-and-go breakfast food. Once you’re done eating, you can check out the shop with all kinds of Amish goods for you to take with you. Many of their reviews highlight the friendliness of the staff – one reviewer even tells a story of the employees letting them stay the night when their alternator went out! NOTE: the restaurant is temporarily closed. Keep an eye on their website for updates about when they’re returning!

Check out more reviews and photos here!

Boise Stage Stop – Boise, ID

The exterior of the Boise Stage Stop in Boise, ID, a well-liked truck stop restaurant.

If you can’t decide what you’re hungry for, this may be the restaurant for you. Open from 5am-12am daily, Boise Stage Stop’s extensive menu features breakfast, lunch, and dinner options, including southern classics, burgers, steaks, and salads, as well as notable Mexican and Italian food sections. Other features of this truck stop include a trucker lounge, arcade, and a shop with gifts like wine and jewelry to bring home to your loved ones. Reviews rave about the large menu as well as their spacious parking lots.

Check out more reviews and photos here!

Philly’s Steaks and Lemonade – Gary, IN

The exterior of Philly's Steak and Lemonade in Gary, IN.

This pick may seem out of the blue, but the reviews for Philly’s speak for themselves. This shop, right across the street from a TA/Petro truck stop, has a great selection at very fair prices. The menu has plenty of sandwich options (including cheesesteaks, of course), along with rice bowls, salads, nachos, and more. For something to drink, you can try one of 12 lemonade flavors. This spot is also open until 2am every night, meaning it’s the perfect spot for those late-night trips. Customers praise many of their menu items, however, the classic Philly cheese steak and fries seems to be the all-time favorite.

Check out more reviews and photos here!

Big Texan – Amarillo, TX

Photo of the front of the Big Texan in Amarillo, TX, one of the best restaurants for truckers.

If you’re looking for a place to eat and a great story to tell, be sure to check out the Big Texan in Amarillo! Located right on Route 66, this restaurant is easily recognizable by its large bright exterior. This one in particular is a favorite amongst our drivers for their fantastic Texas barbecue and burgers, but the most famous meal of all is their 72 oz steak challenge. If you’re feeling up to it, customers who can finish a 4.5 lb. sirloin along with several side dishes in under an hour get their meal for free! (And if you’re curious, the world record for that challenge is a staggering 4 minutes and 22 seconds!) Be sure to stop by the gift shop on the way out for a t-shirt or your own bottle of steak seasoning for your truck.

Check out more reviews and photos here!

Dottie’s Family Restaurant – Cuba, MO

The interior of Dottie's Family Restaurant, a good restaurant with a truck stop in Cuba, MO.

Located inside the Midwest Truck Stop, Dottie’s is a buffet-style restaurant with a great old-school diner theme. They have a large variety of food out daily, plus anything featured on their made-to-order menu. They specialize in comfort food like mashed potatoes, chicken and dumplings, and meatloaf. However, the most popular item featured in reviews is their fried chicken. Are you up for a challenge? You can attempt their 3lb burger challenge that comes loaded with cheese and bacon, along with a side of veggies and a pound of fries. The convenient location of this truck stop restaurant along with the high-quality, all-you-can-eat food, makes this a great choice for any meal!

Check out more reviews and photos here!

Finding good food on the road may have its challenges, but with some research and experience, it becomes easier to scope out great restaurants, no matter how far from home you might be. If you’re tired of the usual fast-food joints and truck stop snacks, these stops are trucker-certified and make great choices for any time you’re stuck on what to eat. Check out some of our other blogs about the life of a truck driver below!

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