Dearfolk,
Although it sports a Truckstops Of America "TA" logo, Perlis’ Truckstop on I-75 down by Cordele, Georgia is a good one, and still family-owned (last time I checked). It seems consistent enough that travelers stop there; it’s better than anything else I’ve ever lucked upon in that area. (Until you get to Tifton, home of Lankford Manor, that is. But that’s a WHOLE nother story.)
For sheer home-built funkiness, there is a truckstop/repair service/motel on I-20 at the Ga. 22 exit near Crawfordville, Georgia. It was amazing to find out that the cafe is always open, and – as the waitress drawled – "We get right busy at th’ oddes’ hours. Folks get tired of them Waffle Houses and chain-done places and all."
Only a mile or so down GA. 22 toward Sparta is a rubble-filled eatery of significant local renown, Heavy’s Barbecue. Heavy Grant and family have been cooking and serving from their amazing jam-packed building for about 25 years. This place is also well worth a stop, although it’s only open Friday through Sunday.
At this point, let me salute the memory of Mrs. Annie Lou Bonner, who operated the Liberty Cafe in Crawfordville from 1926 until her relatively recent death – in 1999, I believe. For those of you who are unaware, the Sterns featured her place in the original Roadfood book: "Biscuits light enough to be bench-pressed by a gnat," they opined. It’s descriptions like that one that have endeared them – and their work – to my heart. I intend to keep turning up "Sternable" eateries as long as possible! So many miles to go, so many meals to eat….
Hungrily Submitted, Ort. Carlton, the Travelling Trencherman of Athens, Georgia.