Too bad you weren’t motoring on up a bit further on I-95 because when you would reach Bangor, Maine, there be Dysart’s the best darn truck stop I ever was at. Breakfast you do the corned beef hash with poached eggs atop and a side of baked beans. Later in the day a Fisherman’s platter and/or lobster stew with a dessert of incredible bread pudding. There are decent motels nearby where you can collapse and digest the gi-normous servings. Now that I live in the west, do I miss Dysart’s!

On I-95 in Northern Virginia, there is Potomac Mall. In that mall is a seafood restaurant called, "Chesapeake Bay Seafood Restaurant." They serve a buffet and a-la-carte meals. Although the buffet may be appealing, the a-la-carte meals are extremely plentiful and good. Their cod fish is my favorite..

I have a friend (who grew up in SC) and swears that Fuller’s is "the real thing". When he’s back home, he and his mom will go two or three times a week.

After many miserable years of enduring horrible chain eateries along the road, I have finally found a few nice culinary diversions along I-95 (with a little help from Roadfood)…From NC to the North: Kings BBQ in Petersburg VA. Not NC BBQ, but not bad. On the US 301 exit in Petersburg (about 2 miles off 95).. Smokey Pig in Ashland VA. Once again not as good as NC BBQ, but better than Burger King/Wendy’s et al, they’re about a mile off of 95 at the Ashland exit… In the DC area YOU HAVE to detour off of 95 and visit any 5 Guys in Alexandria VA. There is one about 2 miles from the King St. exit off of 395. A short diversion for one of the finest burgers on the planet. In Baltimore, take the time to visit the Inner Harbor. Stay away from the tourist traps and make sure you visit Attman’s Deli. It’s a little bit off the beat and path, but very much worth it! Little Italy in B-more is often critcized by people who are used to NY and Phila food, but it’s the southernmost Italian neighborhod in America, and there are some OK spots. Make sure you get a box of cookies at Vaccaro’s Bakery. Along 95 there are a couple of crab joints around Aberdeen, but their names escape me. In DEL, you can’t miss the hot dogs at The Dog House on US 13 South in New Castle, just off of I-95. Ditto for the Charcoal Pit, just off of 95 North in Wilmington, on the Concord Pike exit. After 5 Guys, THE BEST BURGER ANYWHERE!! Of course Philly has Geno’s and Pat’s off of 95 in South Philly and Tony Luke’s a little further up 95 in the City of Brotherly Love…Happy Motoring..and leave the Cracker Barrell to the little old ladies on tour buses!

When I am traveling I-95, which if often, I try to arrange to have a meal at Fullers in Lumberton NC. It is located about a quarter mile west of Exit 20. Good Eastern NC barbeque, but also a great "Country Cookin" buffet. Tremendous variety of meats and veggies at very resasonable prices. No alcohol, but great "sweet tea."

When I drove from Rhode Island to Miami this Past November I stopped at 3 great Barbeque places on the way down and back. For great North Carolina "Q" go to Wilbur’s in Goldsboro. It is quite aways from 95 but it’s worth the extra hour or so round trip. My other suggestion for South Carolina mustard style is Dukes in Waltersboro. Just take the Waltersboro exit and follow the signs. They have a buffet and you won’t be dissappointed

Tony Luke’s in Philadelphia is less than five minutes from I-95 and serves exceptional Philly Style sandwiches. I L-O-V-E the Roast Pork Italian (served wet in the bun with super sharp provolone and optional greens on top). TL’s is on this site, use Mapquest for directions.

We also had a really good piece of coconut cream pie at the Summerton (SC) Diner last summer. Make a right when exiting I-95 (Summerton) and then another right down the road a mile or so at the next major intersection. It was very tough to find. Also any meal in the Carolinas should be washed down with Southern Sweet Tea, it’s very addictive.

Just missed you, I guess, but I just posted on this topic in another thread (Mass. to Mannassas).

http://www.hollyeats.com and
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/travel/features/i95/north/survivalguide.htm
are useful.

I should have read this more closely, because I could fhave included this in my previous note. Exit 76 in Midway, GA is an exit where you can find Holton’s, a seafood restaurant. Always good and a spot for locals. Further west on GA Rte 84 and on US 17, check out Capt Joe’s for good seafood. This is another favorite spot for locals.

Exit 193 in Dillon, SC has Capt Larry’s Seafood, about one mile on the right from I-95. From the north, turn left after you leave the Interstate. The lunch meals are great, and so is the catfish. It is a regular stop for me when I pass by.

Lee LeFort
Jacksonville, FL

Mitchell’s Barbecue on Hwy 301 in Wilson, NC is excellent for eastern style NC barbecue.(Michael and Jan take note…) They serve good barbecue and a great assortment of country/soul foods. Parker’s fried chicken may be worth a visit, but their "barbecue" is really gas-cooked pork. Moore’s Barbecue in Kenly, NC gets good reviews, but I cannot personally attest to their roadfood. In SC DO NOT MISS Sweatman’s Barbecue in Holly Hill. Hands down the best barbecue in SC and one of the top 3-5 in the South. Call first. They may be open only Friday and Saturday. It’s just a short (and WELL worthwhile) side-trip off of I-95. I’d also mention The GA Pig in Brunswick, GA, but if you get to Sweatman’s, I doubt you’d be interested. In the world of roadfood in general and barbecue in particular, Sweatman’s is a tough act to follow.

Barbeque at Parkers in Wilson, NC used to be good (10 years ago). Stay away from South of the Border at the border. It’s an over advertised tourist trap. I’ve picked several good places by going into the towns that border I-95 on US-301 but can’t remember them now.