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Seven Stops to Please Your Palate
Serendipity. Happenstance. Dumb Luck. Whatever you call it, sometimes you just happen to stumble upon a place to eat that turns into a unique dining experience when you are on the road. It’s one of the perks of traveling, and sometimes that newly discovered restaurant becomes part of your tradition when returning to that area.
It seems like we discover at least one unforgettable eatery each time we travel, hence why we typically pull out our phones to snap a photo to remember. We penned our first “Road Foodies” story in 2020. Here’s a roundup of some of the more memorable meals we’ve enjoyed while traveling in our Wonder Murphy Bed Lounge, “Lucky Us Too,” including historical places, regional eats, a unique store, and a quirky food truck.
Log House Restaurant 1776, Wytheville, Virginia
I spotted Wytheville while heading south on I-70 toward Savannah, Georgia, looking for a place to stay while escaping a harsh winter in Michigan. A local hotel in this town in Virginia had room for us (it was too cold for us to grab a campsite), and I found Log House Restaurant on my phone.
Once we drove up, I knew I had made the right choice. Housed in a centuries-old log building, this establishment features dishes from a bygone era. This spot is very popular; reservations are suggested after 5:00 pm.
Lake Quinault Lodge, Lake Quinault, Washington
When it comes to breakfast, do you choose sweet or savory? While exploring Olympic National Park, we camped a few nights on Lake Quinault, where we discovered the Lake Quinault Lodge overlooking the lake. One look at the menu told us to skip breakfast at home and instead treat ourselves to their offerings.
Built in the 1880s and rebuilt after a 1924 fire destroyed the original building, the Quinault Lodge has been welcoming visitors since reopening in 1926. The restaurant recently partially closed for renovations, so please call ahead.
Marietta Diner, Marietta, Georgia
How did a logo on the expressway sign announcing the food options at the next stop lure us to a diner voted one of the best in Georgia? Imagine our surprise as we left I-75 north of Atlanta to find the Marietta Diner, an iconic chrome palace open 24/7, featured on “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” on Food Network.
Backwoods BBQ, Fredericksburg, Texas
When traveling through the Texas Hill Country, you need to find good barbecue, and we found an award-winning place, voted best in Fredericksburg, that hit the spot, serving mesquite-cooked pit BBQ and steaks. The only problem at Backwoods BBQ was choosing what to eat—they serve brisket, tri-tip, beef and pork ribs, chicken and sausage, plus ribeye and New York strip steaks. Leave room for homemade peach cobbler, pies, and cakes.
Clayton Café, Clayton, Georgia
Sometimes you are driving through a region and get a hankerin’ for local fare, particularly dessert. This malady struck us in Georgia when we desperately wanted, no, needed a piece of homemade pecan pie. After researching our route and calling ahead to verify they had it HOMEMADE, we stopped in at the Clayton Café, in, of course, Clayton, Georgia. Open for breakfast, brunch, and lunch.
Carroll’s Sausage and Country Store, Ashton, Georgia
Make room in your fridge before you stop in at Carroll’s Sausage and Country Store, just off I-75 near Ashton, Georgia.
Their 50-foot meat counter, ready-to-go sandwiches, sauces, spices, and more will tempt you to fill your fridge, freezer, and pantry. They also have salt-cured whole hams. Pick up a pulled pork sandwich to go and a mini pecan pie. The Georgia Peanut RV Park offers a convenient overnight stop. You can also order online.
Nauti Dogs, Fort De Soto, Florida
Walking the North Beach at Fort DeSoto Park a few years ago on a weekend, we saw a pontoon boat with a line of people. Of course, we had to investigate, and discovered Nauti Dogs—serving hot dogs, drinks, and treats to people on the beach. We’ve been lucky enough to find this food truck on pontoons again on weekends and always stop for a dog.
Wherever you go, there are gastronomical adventures to discover. Give your taste buds a treat. We hope you will find your favorite “on the road” food. We’ll set the table for another story soon!
This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://leisurevans.com/blog/road-foodies-part-ii/