Midwest Truck Stops (Dixie)?

When I travel in the car on the highways for business or vacation, I avoid fast food places, I enjoy sitting at a counter or booth. Many people stay away from truck stops, but I think most have great food with big portions. Are there any recomendations for good midwest truck stops? Does anyone know if the Dixie truck stops are still in existance in Southern Illinois? I remember them in the 1980's when I was visiting friends in Champaign or Macomb Illinois and the food was great.

[amy_rc]

BETO Junction is famous around these parts (east-central KS). It is located between KC and Emporia (about 45 minutes south of KC) on I-35. I have not been there in about 10 years, but I do believe that I have eaten several patty melts there. It is always packed!

Ahhh, the Dixie on I-55. The cherry pie is too sweet and gloppy. The grilled cheese and fries too greasy, soggy and cold. The coffee is merely adequate. Its not always a clean place. But back in 1988 they fixed my broken-down Delta 88 for free, so I'll always have a soft spot for the Dixie.

[jword2001]

Things have changed Dixie truckers home, has the best truckstop breakfast i have ever eaten,and is better than most breakfast you will find ,even in IHoP,Denny's,Village Inn ,etc, they (last time i was there) have an omelet station,and also make fresh waffles on the bufett,and easilt the best bacon i have ever eaten anywhere,period.

Actually, what was probably the worst restaurant meal that I've ever had was at a truckstop somewhere in TN or AR. The special was catfish, which I ordered. Apparently their method of preparing catfish was to just chop the fish into fist-sized chunks, dip the chunks in wallpaper paste (bones and all) and deep-fry them!!! Absolutely horrendous...

On the other hand, when I lived on the East Coast there was a place in Hancock, MD called the Park-n-Dine which was absolute heaven. All fresh ingredients, and the portions were comparable to the late lamented Tony's near Birch Run outlet mall. Two people could eat from one order and still have leftovers!

I have a very fond, stomach-fulfilling, 20+ year-old memory of the "I-80 Truck Stop" just outside the Quad Cities {I think just over the Iowa line near Davenport]. I remember healthy servings of pork chops and individual, fresh-baked rounds of bread at the table. Don't know if it's still there and/or still good, but I hope it is.

Yes still there and bigger than ever. It more like the half-way point between Davenport and Iowa City.

The Dixie Truck Stop is still open at McClean at the intersection of Rte.136 and I-55 in central IL. I stopped recently and had the breakfast buffet. It was all good and the omelets were fresh and made to order.