Rewards: Eat Like A Trucker

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How to tell the frozen from the greazed.

By Mark Barna; Additional Reporting by Darcy Totten

At the Oasis Grill off Hwy. 5, Carol Drummer grabs a couple of plates for her hungry customers. / Photo by Charr Crail

1. 49er Travel Plaza
   Silver Skillet Restaurant 2828
   El Centro Rd., Sacramento,
   Off Int. 80

   Trucker Favorites: “Hungry Trucker Meals:” Chuck Wagon Sirloin and Eggs, $7.99; Porterhouse Steak and Eggs, $15.99; New York Steak and Eggs, $8.99
   Seating: 150, booths and bar
   Amenities: TV, internet access, showers, lounge, laundry, chapel
   Trucker patrons: 60 percent
   Impression: Food is passable but doesn’t really get your motor running. Service depends on where you sit. sacramento49er.com

2. Oasis Grill
   30003 County Rd. 8,
   Dunnigan, off Int. 5

   Trucker Favorites: Oasis Fire Beef, $10.95; New York Steak, $12.95; Spaghetti Combo $9.95; Fire Fried Rice Special, $8.95
   Seating: 120, booths and bar
   Amenities: TV, pool table, lounge
   Trucker patrons: 70 percent
   Impression: Service and a smile, just like the old days. Fresh fruit, vegetables and bread. Homemade cooking and it’s newly remodeled.

3. Highway 99 Travel Center
   Boondoggles
   4142 Hwy. 99, Yuba City

   Trucker Favorites: smoked ham sandwich combo (drink and fries), fried chicken combo, both $4.95
   Seating: Two round tables with eight chairs
   Amenities: TV, laundry, lounge, showers
   Trucker patrons: 60 percent
   Impression: Sometimes you just got to eat. This is fast food at its most frightening, but hey, the lounge has a giant TV.

4. Flying J
   In the Flag City freeway island in Lodi at Int. 5 and Hwy. 12

   Trucker Favorites: buffet Sun.–Thurs. $8.99; Fri.-Sat. $10.99
   Seating: 300, booths and tables
   Amenities: TVs, lounge, laundry, showers, Pepperoni’s (serves pizza), Magic Dragon (serves Chinese)
   Trucker patrons: 55 percent
   Impression: Flying J and other franchise truck stops are all about convenience, for both trucker and average traveler. Though reactions to Flying J’s buffet are mixed, the complex is clean and orderly. Pepperoni’s and Magic Dragon, which are run by Flying J, are good alternatives if you’re not a buffet person. flyingj.com

5. Rocky’s Café and Fine Dining
   In the Flag City freeway island in Lodi at Int. 5 and Hwy. 12

   Seating: 120, booths and tables
   Amenities: TV
   Trucker patrons: 60 percent
   Impression: Start me up, if you start me up, I’ll never stop. Homemade food, fresh fruit and salad, and large portions that make you want to eat, eat, eat.

6. Original Perry’s
   7895 Stockton Blvd., Sacramento

   Trucker Favorites: Porterhouse Steak, $12.49; Steak Omelette, $12.49; Iowa-Style Breaded Pork $8.99
   Seating: 150, booths and bar
   Amenities: TV
   Trucker patrons: 25 percent
   Impression: Food is OK, but the restaurant is in a rough area. The 39-year-old establishment used to be a trucker favorite, with some 60 percent trucker clientele, says Johnny Allen, eatery manager. But Dhami Truck Stop, a diesel seller next to the eatery, started charging for parking and drivers went elsewhere, he says. Original Perry’s and Perry’s are owned by Lloyd Rose. Newly remodeled.

7. Perry’s
   7820 Alta Valley Way, Sacramento

   Trucker Favorites: Weekday Specials: Mon., Rib Steak; Tues., Roast Prime Rib, Wed., Steak and Skewered Shrimp; Thurs., Fried Chicken, all $8.55
   Seating: 150, booths and bar
   Amenities: No typical truck-stop dining amenities.
   Trucker patrons: 20 percent Since Perry’s is not near a diesel fuel stop, drivers make an extra effort to eat there due to Perry’s and Original Perry’s reputation.
   Impression: Yawn. But at least portions are large. Opened in 1973, Perry’s is cleaner and in a better location than Original Perry’s. 
   

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