Atlanta etc.: Marilyn Wolf's Food Blog and Restaurant Blog

I needed dinner west of St. Louis and I didn't want to spend a lot of time. I stopped at a Freddie's near the highway. The place was packed with families enjoying a night out, parents and kids everywhere. It was good to see, even if it meant that my hot dog took a few extra minutes to arrive. The hot dog was quite good, by the way. Freddie's is, in my experience, a very enjoyable and reliable stop.

My drive on I-80 eastbound took me through relaxing rolling hills lined with Iowa corn. East of Council Bluffs, I decided to stop for lunch and gas. This classic restaurant and bar greeted me as I rolled off the exit. The interior was very bar-like, fairly dark. The crowd was friendly and the staff were very welcoming. My light lunch started with an iceberg salad. I always enjoy the crunch. My grilled cheese was the perfect main course for my drive. The American cheese gave a soft, warm center to the perfectly toasted outside. Protein, fat, and carbohydrate melded to give a lunch that was delicious and not too heavy. A tankful of gas later, I was on my way.