Photo byFacebook/Heartland Express Market and Truck Stop.

Truck stop food has a special place in the hearts (and stomachs) of many travelers. One popular spot in Southeast Missouri is Heartland Express at 4155 South Westwood Boulevard in Poplar Bluff. It's no surprise these roadside eateries have gained popularity over decades for serving up hearty meals to keep drivers and vacationers fueled up for their road trips.

I remember seeing truck stops when I was a kid and they were large venues where travelers fueled up and grabbed a box meal and soda. Sometimes there would be a small convenience store and souvenir shop adjacent to a small dining area.

Heartland Express is a family-operated business and has probably built its own customer base. This facility has ample parking, daily specials off the menu, takeout food, a store, and an in-house bakery. This place is an amazing spot for any traveler. It also has a market that carries items including fresh produce.

This truck stop has a cafe and a dine-in area. But this place is so much more than a truck stop. Cook-to-order meals are provided daily from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Photo byFacebook/Heartland Express Market.

Heartland's kitchen is open daily until 9:00 p.m. There's a trucker's lounge with internet service. There are showers and even a small laundromat facility.

Whether you're craving a classic burger and fries or comfort food with meatloaf, truck-stop food offers a taste of nostalgia. The next time you're on a road trip, don't hesitate to pull over at one of these stops for the experience. Heartland also has a smoker for preparing BBQ.

Truck stops

During the 1940s, truck stops became a reliable source of diesel fuel which wasn't commonly sold at a regular filling station. Many of these began cropping up near major highway systems. Also, because tractor-trailers are huge, these stations had to accommodate their sizes by having wide and tall enough bays, and adequate parking spaces.

In the late 1990s, Travel Centers of America (T/A) and other truck stop chains such as Love's Travel Stop and Flying J also served recreational vehicles.

Truck stops have also had a negative connotation in films and books. This is probably an old stereotype but for stops in a sordid area. Today, so many modern truck stops are typically clean and safe. For many drivers, they're helpful facilities.

According to Trucker Daily, "A well-maintained truck stop often has security teams that make sure that the premise is safe for innocent truckers who just want to grab a bite as they take a break from the road." (Source.) These truck stops are also well lit.

Said to be the world's largest truck stop in Walcott, Iowa is the Iowa 80 Truckstop that's been operating since 1964 and it's celebrating its 60th anniversary this year.

The Heartland Express in Poplar Bluffs is open 24/7. Since this is not a chain, this facility most likely goes out of its way to establish friendly relationships with all its customers whether local or passing through.

Thanks for reading.