I'm about to go on a road trip to SC, and I refuse to eat healthy. There's a handful of places that I cannot drive past, such as Bojangles (bo-berries), or Freddy's (that fry sauce, tho). In Texas, it's Buc ee's (or however you spell it) because I honestly thought it was a supermarket the first time I saw it. What are some places you have to stop once you see it?
Used to be Chick-fil-A, but they now exist in Massachusetts/southern New England so its no longer a treat. Im not huge into fast food, but I do enjoy In-n-Out when Im in California or Austin, but mostly for the novelty. I still think Five Guys is better. And speaking of Texas, last few times I've been, I've made a point to go to the Salt Lick or Franklin BBQ, even with the hours-long wait. When I was a kid we used to always eat at the same Howard Johnson's on the road trip to my grandmother's house. Bump.
If I see a vintage toy store or "antique mall" ( usually more of an indoor flea market ) then I stop if at all possible. Not only do I collect action figures, but I love roaming around, browsing through the old stuff.
Bass Pro or Cabellas. There’s a bass pro about 15 minutes from me so that doesn’t help. They’re always a lot more expensive than their competitors on stuff, but it’s cool to just look around.
When I lived in southern California, I became mildly obsessed with historic Route 66. I'd spend weekends driving across the desert, stopping at every weird little place I could find. Roy's Motel and Cafe was a favorite. Back in 2002-03 it was abandoned and just looked like it was paused in time.
Poker rooms. I'll almost always stop and play for a couple hours when I'm on a road trip and I see one, provided I have time.
There are a few flea markets in the NC/VA corridor and if I time it right on a Saturday/Sunday morning, they are tremendous. Old books, comics, video games, some incredibly rare snacks, and truly impossible to explain people watching. Worth a stop every time.
My new hometown has a Freddy’s and I’m a fan. Not the best burgers I’ve ever had...but damn, that fry sauce is good. FOCUS: Record stores. I inherited records from my parents and I’ve been adding to it. Flipping through the stacks is like a treasure hunt. Yeah, there’s ways to buy records online and get what you’re hunting for...but the dopamine rush from finding it out in the wild is worth the wait.
Del Taco. There are none anywhere near me so I don't miss the chance to eat at one. Taco Bell, however, I'll pass every fucking one of them till the day I die.
U-Pull-It junk yards. I like to go and just browse around for used parts at junkyards, but these days most of them won't even let you in, or if they do, you have to be escorted by some dipshit employee who is rushing you. It's really cool finding upgrade parts for cheap, or finding something that someone else is looking for (Toytoy). Another thing is that junkyards usually employ the dumbest dipshits imaginable, and there have numerous times at "full service" yards where the part I wanted was ruined by the ape tasked with removing it. When I remove it, I know what condition it's in. Lastly, it's really cool to run across some old classic car in the yard, and get to see how things were 50+ years ago. I understand most of y'all won't understand this, so I'll let you get back to talking about regional restaurants.
@Juice - next time you are in Austin, try P. Terry's and tell me what you think. There are also great BBQ places where you don't have to wait. Stiles Switch, for example, is excellent.
I have a weird obsession with grocery stores/meat markets. Anywhere I've lived or visited for an extended time, I'm always on the hunt for the best grocery options. CT had Stew Leonard's. Western New York was Wegmans. NYC was the South Street Seaport before it became the tourist trap shithole it is today. Austin is Central Market. I get weird looks though when people ask me what's something I enjoy doing in my free time and I respond with, finding cool grocery stores.
P. Terry's is the shit. When heading out to Austin, I always stop at a few Buccees, get something to eat and buy some stupid shit. Depending on the way I drive out there, I will stop at Hruskas for some kolaches. If heading north toward dallas, Czech stop is where I get my kolaches and other various road trip foods.
Good to hear Stews is still going strong. When I lived in Newington I used to go there at least once a week. The other good thing about that part of CT is the surprisingly amount of good places to get a hotdog. And New Haven-style pizza is the best pizza on Earth. As for Wegmans, they’re all over eastern MA now too, and they wipe the floor with Whole Foods. @joule_thief will do. Im heading down there for a a wedding in September (maybe), so I’ll check it out.
Going to Wegman's hungry is an expensive mistake. I've left my gym and gone straight there, and had to stop, eat $20 worth of sushi and then collect provisions, to avoid a $200 bill. Strongly recommend.
When ever i am in Calgary, i have to stop by Blackfoot motors. 2 Story motor cycle shop with all the Japanese and European bikes.