#1 Manhattan Grill & Deli

978 Route 173
Bloomsbury, NJ 08804
(908)479-4822

Exit 7 from I-78 across from Pilot and TA truck stops inside the CITGO gas station.

I love this place because it is clean and well organized. The food in the cooler is always artfully displayed. I am always greeted warmly by the owner and staff. My favorite menu item is the beef Gyro and the Buffalo chicken salad.

You can park briefly in front on the street or at the truck stop and run over. Never a long wait for the grill items cooked to order. They slice meats fresh and have a nice variety of bagels.

#2 Renee’s Hot Stuff Deli

206 Montgomery Rd
Montgomery, NY 12549
845-457-9600

Exit 5 from I-84 upstate New York located on the same road as the TA truck stop with big rig parking.

I love this place because they hand cut all their meat and it is a small deli that offers a personal touch of love to all the food. They also offer complete ready to go heat and eat meals like spaghetti, beef and noodles, assorted pasta salads and very fine hand made desserts; you can dine in or take out. Very short wait time.

My favorite is the Ruben and I will not order from anywhere else in the country. Renee grills the sauerkraut and Rye bread on the grill along with fancy thin shaved corned beef and puts it all together with a blend of cheeses and finishes with Thousand Island dressing.

Second favorite is the Italian…spicy and loaded with meats.

#3 River City Grill

7985 MT-200
Missoula, MT 59802
(406) 258-2758

I love this place because there is PLENTY of big rig parking in the same lot as the Pilot truck stop and the food is AMAZING! The ambiance is casual rustic as the décor reflects the lumber company whose offices were once housed there.  The owner is in the kitchen and you know there is love in every dish. It is clean and prices are modest for such excellent home cooked comfort food dishes.

My favorite foods there are the sweet potato fries that come with a smoky chipotle dip. Again this is another item I will not order ANYWHERE ELSE. The River City Grill’s sweet potato fries actually taste like sweet potatoes and the smoky chipotle dip is unrivaled in my opinion…Finished a whole plate before my dinner came almost ruined my appetite… which leads me to my other first and favorite dish, the Sheppard’s Pie. A large white glass boat dish filled with beef and veggies in a savory sauce topped with homemade mashed potatoes garnished with melting cheddar cheese.  Absolutely fabulous and just as easy you can get this quality home cooked food as opposed to a trip at the truck stop for “fast food.”

#4 18 Wheeler Restaurant

6723 Highway 6
Taylor, MO 63471
573.769.2848

I found this place by accident and never regretted it.  Although they are under new ownership I remain a friend and stay in touch with Tom Taylor the creator and visionary who created this awesome trucker themed restaurant. What I love most is the feeling of being home while in the restaurant. The décor is a masterpiece of imagination including a real 1960 something Peterbilt cab and original trailer. The trailer serves as an entry for the kitchen and is used as a prep and storage area. The artwork on the walls and lighting is fantastic and you travel the road of Tom’s imagination as you dine. There is so much to look at but it is very well balanced. Tom’s former restaurant was featured on the Food Network with Alton Brown. I have been assured that the new owner is keeping the traditional home cooked food and décor alive and will continue to take care of the drivers. The New Owner is Kaylan Koepke. The restaurant also offers a glassed in smokers room with plenty of ventilation…very nice touch. Plenty of big rig parking at this location as the restaurant is attached to a travel center.

I only had one thing there to eat, the carrot cake, all I can say is OMG!

#5 Fire and Ice

Ramada Plaza Springfield Hotel and Oasis Convention Center

2546 N Glenstone Ave, Springfield, MO 65803
(417) 522-7711

I love this place because of the atmosphere. It is elegant yet laid back. The food is pitch perfect in its quality and presentation. A perfect place for any occasion but especially if you want to impress, then this is defiantly the place.

My favorite food here, hands down the Fillet Mignon and the Heirloom Tomato & Mozzarella Salad and Gorgonzola mashed potatoes.

Prime Associates enjoy 25% of food and beverage at Fire & Ice! Just show your badge to the server.

Written by Karl Wiggins (Prime Driver since 2006)