Rest Stop Eateries: When You're Starved, Where to Go

We've all been there - driving down an endless interstate for hours with a nagging hunger pang that's only becoming more insistent. Unfamiliar with the area, or simply desperate to appease your stomach, you pull off at a promising exit in hopes of finding food. Common sense suggests that you bypass the unknown local dining joints and go for a national name brand establishment, but which one? While this review is by no means all-encompassing, it covers five well-known restaurants: Bob Evan's, Friendly's, Olive Garden, Chili's, and Applebee's. Let's begin.

For me, the name Bob Evans will always trigger visions of the old ad campaign featuring Bob's silver-haired cousin, Dan Evans, strolling past a big red barn and urging viewers like me to go scarf down some biscuits and sausage. But don't think that Bob Evans is one dimensional. Aside from the usual breakfast options - including those truly tasty biscuits - the restaurant offers sandwiches and surprisingly good salads. Who can hate a salad topped with ham, turkey, bacon and bacon dressing? The countrified atmosphere includes lots of plaid and heavily-glossed oak furnishings.

While the idea of a drink called the Fribble sounds so appealing to me, my last visit to the restaurant behind the Fribble - that would be Friendly's - was less impressive. Maybe this was because I ate at an especially high volume Friendly's in a tourist trap town, but nonetheless, my opinion was not favorable. A quick browse of the menu reveals little in the way of healthy selections; burgers, melts, and quesadillas, all accompanied by golden fries, comprise the majority of the menu. Granted, the place built its reputation on ice cream and burgers, but the presence of lighter menu offerings is a must in today's image conscious society. Sandwiches were small and salty, and my salad paled in comparison to one I had recently consumed at rival Bob Evan's. My fellow diners ordered meals that included free sundaes; they felt jilted when a narrow glass dish arrived overflowing with whipped cream and very little actual ice cream. The atmosphere felt stale and dated.

My parents swear by Olive Garden on road trips. I would have to agree that Olive Garden is a good choice - the food has been consistent from one restaurant to the next. Pasta, meat, and red sauce are always an appealing combination, particularly after you have been sitting in a car for five hours. The basic, expected Italian entrees are all on the menu, as are pizzas and the "endless salad and breadsticks." If you're not in a pasta mood, many of the meat and poultry entrées feature potatoes, risotto, or pasta on the side. White table clothes, servers in the classic black and white, and Frank Sinatra make for a pleasing atmosphere.

So how is the chili at Chili's? Actually, it's not bad - and they now have chicken chili, too. The sandwiches and salads are reasonable for the price - nothing exceptional, but nothing terrible. The oppressive television ad campaign suggests that this place is doing well, which in turn makes me feel more comfortable eating there. Perhaps this is poor rationale, but I figure that means that the kitchen must be doing something right and that the ingredients might be a little better. The atmosphere is on the cavernous side and sports bar-esque.

Applebee's is on the rise. The grammatical incorrectness of its slogan - "Eatin' good in the Neighborhood" - does bother me a little bit, but the restaurant itself is a good bet. Besides, Applebee's now has Tyler Florence, the likable Food Network chef with the southern drawl, whipping together menu items. He lends a sense of credibility to this tier of eatery. The food offerings are similar to what you'll find at a Chili's, but I felt the quality was a little fresher. There is a Weight Watchers listing, and everything from the usual sandwiches to Asian or Italian-infused faire can be found on the menu.

The next time you're on the road, consider these options. Overall, there are respectable choices at any of these places, and when your mind has been numbed by hours of driving, most anything will taste good. But always - always - be wary of anything involving gravy.