You know - these aren't bad words to live by on the road.....

[Strider]

I was digging on Alton Brown's Feasting on Asphalt site and these ain't bad words to live by when you are on a road trip.

As per Alton Brown:

"The American story is an ode to movement. We’ve never been able to stay put, which explains the intricate mesh of highways and byways that connects this country to it inner self. It is any wonder then that our national cuisine evolved at tarmac’s edge? Let’s face it, not matter what sophisticated urban chefs create deep down what we really crave is what the diner, the café and the truck stop can offer. Alas, the modern Interstate has rendered our palates comfortably numb with its rolling miles of paved pabulum. And that is a shame because if we don’t savior the flavor road then our editable heritage will soon become history. So, America it is with full tank and an empty stomach that I say to you in the words of my forefathers… let’s ride!"

His rules of the road for Feasting on Asphalt:

"Feasting on Asphalt Rules:
1. There will be not freeways. By pass them at all costs
2. Not eat any industrial chain fast food
3. No whining
4. Seek authentic food and tell the stories attached to it so we will know more about who we are and where we’re going."

I can dig it!!!!  Hard6 and I have found some awesome places to munch on back roads, in small towns - by asking locals!

Not bad rules to live by!!! 

Somewhere in Tennessee.....we may need to start a places to see - places to eat thingie.....

[Strider]

I think JP is keeping his distance because we had just grooved on tamales and red pickles in Rosedale, Mississippi the day before - because of Alton Brown's show - Joe's White Front Cafe or something....... (And I swear, I think Bird ate 2 dozen - yes, 24 tamales I think!) 

[fudgie]

Your right Strider. I went to Mammoth Cave KY in 06 and took the back roads 'scenic hiway' back to Ind. I stopped at a really small diner somewhere in a town of 100. Forgot what I ordered but they offered me some fried corn bread. "Fried what??"  ??? Sure, never had it 'fried'. Always had it like 'cake style'. They gave me a WTH look  and knew I was outta state! Came out looking like a pan cake. It was really good!
Its those little things in life that stick with ya that makes riding worth while.

[SteveL]

"Feasting on Asphalt Rules:
1. There will be not freeways. By pass them at all costs
2. Not eat any industrial chain fast food
3. No whining
4. Seek authentic food and tell the stories attached to it so we will know more about who we are and where we’re going."

I can dig it!!!!  Hard6 and I have found some awesome places to munch on back roads, in small towns - by asking locals!

Not bad rules to live by!!!   

Fabulous post and exactly my take on riding. Not in any real hurry, enjoying the backroads, the culture and the fine food of the traditional New England Diner.

PS don't forget the waitresses!

[Strider]

Needless to say, I am also digging on some old pictures, but you never know when you take a back road - because the Interstate was chocker blocked on the way to Ranger's BBQ and find a joint that the food is so good, you can't have a piece of home made pie, because you didn't realize HOW BIG the chicken fried steak was going to be.  Then, a year later, you decide to have a piece of that pie and do a "ride for pie" run back into Texas.

Next thing you know, you got folks riding in and even flying in from Minnesota for a piece of pie.......

And it was worth every mile!!!!!!!

[Popeye]

Stopped in the town of Ten Sleep Wyoming. Walked into a small diner, building built a long, long time ago.
We ordered the open faced hot roast beef sandwich and a Coke.  Waitress walked out with what looked
like food for 6. She stopped at our booth.  Man, was it good. We both ate everything on our plates.
Total cost for 2 was under $10.  Which Wyoming was much closer.


Same buddy, somewhere in Kansas.  Passed a mom/pop diner with a big Biscuits and Gravy sign. Told
my buddy I knew where we were having breakfast. He asked why. Told him after a biscuits and gravy breakfast, we could ride all day and not be hungry til dinner. He never had it before. Now he knows.
Also great but don't remember the price.

[3fan4life]

Several years ago I read a book titled, "Blue Highways"

The following is the Wikipedia entry about the book:

Blue Highways is an autobiographical book by William Least Heat-Moon, born William Trogdon.

In 1978, after separating from his wife and losing his job as a teacher, Moon, 38 at the time, decided to take an extended road trip around the United States, sticking to only the "Blue Highways," a term he coins to refer to small, forgotten, out of the way roads connecting rural America (which were drawn in blue on the old style Rand McNally road atlas). He outfits a white van with a bunk, a camping stove, a portable toilet and a copy of Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass and John Neihardt's Black Elk Speaks. Referring to the Native American resurrection ritual, he christens the van "Ghost Dancing," and embarks on a 3 month soul-searching tour of the United States, wandering from small town to small town, often just because they have interesting names. The book chronicles the 13,000 mile journey and the people he meets along the way, as he steers clear of cities and interstates, avoiding fast food and exploring local American culture. Well researched and intriguing stories and historical facts are included about each area visited, as well as verbatim conversations with characters such as a born-again Christian hitchhiker, a teenage runaway, a boat builder, a log cabin restorer, a prostitute, fishermen, an American Indian medical student, owners of western saloons and remote country stores, a maple syrup farmer, and Chesapeake island dwellers.


In the book the author develops a rating system for roadside diners.

He rates them according to the calendar on the wall.

He states that the older and more out of date the calendar the better the food.


Whenever I travel for fun or pleasure I always try to stick to the "Blue Highways" and eat in the small "Mom and Pop" places.

[SteveL]

Several years ago I read a book titled, "Blue Highways"

The following is the Wikipedia entry about the book:

Blue Highways is an autobiographical book by William Least Heat-Moon, born William Trogdon.

In 1978, after separating from his wife and losing his job as a teacher, Moon, 38 at the time, decided to take an extended road trip around the United States, sticking to only the "Blue Highways," a term he coins to refer to small, forgotten, out of the way roads connecting rural America (which were drawn in blue on the old style Rand McNally road atlas). He outfits a white van with a bunk, a camping stove, a portable toilet and a copy of Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass and John Neihardt's Black Elk Speaks. Referring to the Native American resurrection ritual, he christens the van "Ghost Dancing," and embarks on a 3 month soul-searching tour of the United States, wandering from small town to small town, often just because they have interesting names. The book chronicles the 13,000 mile journey and the people he meets along the way, as he steers clear of cities and interstates, avoiding fast food and exploring local American culture. Well researched and intriguing stories and historical facts are included about each area visited, as well as verbatim conversations with characters such as a born-again Christian hitchhiker, a teenage runaway, a boat builder, a log cabin restorer, a prostitute, fishermen, an American Indian medical student, owners of western saloons and remote country stores, a maple syrup farmer, and Chesapeake island dwellers.


In the book the author develops a rating system for roadside diners.

He rates them according to the calendar on the wall.

He states that the older and more out of date the calendar the better the food.


Whenever I travel for fun or pleasure I always try to stick to the "Blue Highways" and eat in the small "Mom and Pop" places.

Sounds like a great book! I think I'll find a copy and give ity a read. Sounds a little like a folky "Zen and the Art ...type thing" without all of the philosophy mumbo-jumbo..

I also have a Diner rating system. In my system there are 3 key Diner rating metrics.

- Motorcycle Parking
- Food
- Waitresses

All not necessarily in that order of importance.

[John Schmidt]

Yes, it seems like the smaller and more remote the town, the better the food and the friendlier the folk. My wife thinks I'm nuts when we go through a small burg and I start checking out the restaurants. If I see a "hole-in-the-wall" place with a bunch of pickups in front, it's time to eat. I always found it enlightening to sit back and listen to the coversations around me, and often have been drawn in by the locals....wanting my input as an outsider. Never forget one place somewhere in Illinois....the rather "robust" waitress and I had been chatting, along with a number of the locals around me. At one point she came up and set a marvelous looking cinnamon roll in front of me...."on the house."  I told her "for 2 cents I'd kiss you for that" since those rolls are a weakness of mine. She walked back to me, slapped two pennies on the counter in front of me, then reached across the counter and planted a big lip-locker on my frost encrusted mouth. All the locals howled with laughter, and one old gent yelled out that it's a good thing I didn't suggest a dollar to her 'cause she would have promptly cleared a table. She turned to him and sweetly suggested that "he ought to know." I'm pretty sure I know what was meant by all that. 

[DaveC]

YO, strider,
y'all ever eat @ HOT MAMA'S TAMALES in Natchez,Ms.? Last time i was there i ate a dozen of 'em.
Also in Natchez is the PIG OUT INN, GREAT BBQ..........
OST, Old Spanish Trail Restaurant, Bandera,Tx...........
Favorite places of mine
happy trails,
the hobo

[Hobo]

Good idea Strider, that's what I say "eat to ride, ride to eat"
A get together yesterday for that very thing. Started here in Russellville for breakfast then a stop here for lunch before heading home, about 240 miles of smiles    Ever in Jasper Ar. THE Ozark Cafe is a must stop. Sorry no food pics. 

[SteveL]

Good eats,

[ChromeDome]

Whenever I ride to or from the East or SouthEast I always try and go through the little town of Kentland, IN where they have 'The Good Table Restaurant'. The food is excellent and the staff fantastic. I always make this my first food stop heading out and the last heading back. This is where I met up with the Indiana group on the Valhalla Voyage to hand over the 'Package.' Took a few pictures for Strider because I know how that young man likes his vittles!










And of course there was dessert! 

[Strider]

Looked up Fat Mamma's last night.....Funny you should mention that one!!!

Great minds think alike!