Forget Cracker Barrel, These 8 Spots Are Better Options on Your Next Road Trip

When heading down the interstate, we often find ourselves stopping for food at the same chain of restaurants. Why not begin a new culinary journey on your next road trip? Swap out chain restaurants like Cracker Barrel and KFC and try hidden culinary gems waiting to be discovered. These unconventional eateries offer amazing comfort food that is sure to satisfy your cravings for a delicious, unique meal. Apart from fantastic food, these hidden gems offer a taste of local culture and hospitality. So, forget Cracker Barrel, these 8 spots are better options on your next road trip.

• Address: 306 2nd St NE, Aitkin, MN 56431, United States
• Rating: 4.5 stars

If you’re on your way home or heading to a cabin and looking for a place to stop off on 169, then look no further and head on over to the Roadside Restaurant. Here you will discover perfectly cooked eggs and pancakes that are bigger than your plate. The staff are super friendly, and the atmosphere is great.

The menu has a large variety, but it’s not too overwhelming. They serve soups, chili, salads, sandwiches, hot sandwiches, specialty wraps, burgers, steaks, chicken, meatloaf, omelets, pies, and more.

Recommended dishes:

• Plate-Sized Pancakes and Gravy.
• Hot Beef Sandwich

• Address: 810 OH-97, Bellville, OH 44813, United States
• Rating: 4.5 stars

This unique, small, Ohio-themed diner is inside a vintage rail car. You walk in order and take a seat. You can either sit outside in a caboose or a railroad dining car. The portions are quite large and taste excellent. All drinks are self-serve.

All wraps and sandwiches come with delicious, crispy, homemade fries. The locomotive baskets come with half-pound burgers. The biggest burger on the menu is the Locomotive Buckeye Pounder which includes a whole pound of beef, 4 pieces of cheese, 4 pieces of bacon, tomato, lettuce, and onion on Vienna bread. Furthermore, Buckeye Express Diner serves wraps, subs, salad, and 3 different types of dessert.

Recommended dishes:

• Buckeye Mega Dog
• Any Hamburger

• Address: 1936 US Hwy 78 E E, Oxford, AL 36203, United States
• Rating: 4.3 stars

If you’re taking a road trip to Southern Outlaw Adventures and want to stop off for great Mexican food, then you must try Los Mexicanos Restaurante. Lunch is served between 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. The service is great, and the place is clean and tidy. The food portions are quite large, including the salads.

They have a lunch and dinner menu, and both menus have a variety of options. They serve burritos, enchiladas, quesadillas, fajitas, nachos, tacos, soups, and salads.

All fajitas are cooked with tomatoes, onions, squash, peppers, and mushrooms. Served with rice, beans, lettuce, guacamole, sour cream, pico de gallo, and flour tortillas.

Recommended dishes:

• Burritos Jalisco
• Camarones A La Diabla

• Address: 4500 Interstate 55 North Frontage Rd, Jackson, MS 39211, United States
• Rating: 4.6 stars

The atmosphere and service at the Char are warm and inviting. Experience modern Southern cuisine and specialty dishes that include choice cuts of lamb, veal, and beef, as well as shellfish and seafood roasted to perfection.

Char Restaurant has an appetizing starter selection. The Sin City BBQ Shrimp consists of shrimp, garlic cheddar stone grits, mushrooms, and spicy Creole garlic butter. The chicken and strawberry salad is full of flavor. They specialize in egg dishes, chargrills, sandwiches, and burgers. The main courses include chicken, seafood, and steak.

Recommended dishes:

• Crab Cake
• Grilled Pork Chops with Peppercorn Sauce

• Address: 303 Fort Crook Rd N, Bellevue, NE 68005, United States
• Rating: 4.6 stars

A road trip is a way for the whole family to spend time together and annoy each other in interesting and new places. While out on your next road trip, if you're feeling hungry, forget Cracker Barrel and head on over to The Special Restaurant, where you can experience home-style cooking that makes everyone feel special.

All sandwiches and burgers come with your choice of fries, soup, or salad. Their menu features a variety of meals such as Turkey, Bacon Swiss Sandwiches, Grilled Reuben, Pepper Jack Bacon Burger, Parmesan Chicken Salad, and Fish and Chips. They also have an impressive breakfast menu that will certainly get your taste buds going. Guests are raving about the Ham & Eggs, which consists of a huge, thick slice of ham, two eggs, and hashbrowns. Furthermore, there are breakfast skillets, omelets, pancakes, and more.

Recommended dishes:

• Garden Skillet
• Ham & Eggs

• Address: 623 12th St, Las Vegas, NM 87701, United States
• Rating: 4.5 stars

Sometimes, all you need is a great friend, a tank of gas, and somewhere amazing to stop for good food. On your next road trip, you must make a stop at The Skillet. The food is delicious and creative. It’s well worth stopping off the interstate to enjoy good, toothsome food. The service is great, and the décor and atmosphere are funky and retro.

Add a bit of Mexican to your meal and enjoy a la carte tacos, burgers, sandwiches, burritos, tasty bowls, salads, and more.

Recommended dishes:

• Spicy Brisket
• Elote Fries

• Address: 211 Broadkill Rd, Milton, DE 19968, United States
• Rating: 4.5 stars

A road’s just an opinion about which way to go. The Backyard is a bakery and restaurant that focuses on local and seasonal foods with traditional twists. The restaurant is beautiful, and the food is well-presented. Highly recommended. 

The portion sizes are excellent, and the prices are great too, about $10-$20 per person. The menu is great, and there is a variety of breakfast and lunch options to choose from, such as the Twisted River Side, Which Came First, Shrimp Tacos, and my favorite, the Honey Jalapeno Burger. The Honey Jalapeno Burger consists of a black Angus beef patty, goat cheese, honey-glazed jalapenos, and smokey bacon on a brioche with hand-cut fries.

Recommended dishes:

• Southern Caesar Salad with Pulled Pork
• Sausage Biscuits and Gravy
• Tuna Tacos

• Address: 2119 E Camelback Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85016, United States
• Rating: 4.6 stars

Sometimes the most scenic roads in life are the detours you didn’t mean to make. Maybe you’re taking a day trip to the zoo or the Desert Botanical Garden. However, on your next trip, forget Cracker Barrel and make a pit stop at The Macintosh. Reviews via Google are incredible; the food and service are amazing, and the smoked salmon is phenomenal.

Mouthwatering, dainty dishes created by innovative chefs and bringing you Southern cuisine in a way you have never experienced before. The Macintosh is renowned for being the heart of Phoenix, bringing family and friends together, creating laughter, and creating memorable moments through delicious food. 

Recommended dishes:

• Heavenly Biscuit Bread Pudding
• Shrimp Po Boy

I have to sign off; we’re going camping. I need to pack and look forward to eating. Forget Cracker Barrel; these 8 spots are better options on your next road trip.