If we’re listing good ones.
Apart from Dougs and Cowfold I mentioned.
Red Moss pub on old A74, now a B road, between Happendon and Abington.
Newtonmore on A9.
Cedar Cafe on A1 Grantshouse near Berwick on Tweed, in a lay by but you can get a parking ticket if you ask. 
Brians Cafe on the Services at Newton Aycliffe A1. He’s a big Stobbie fan for all you elves on here on here,… but nobodys perfect. 
Quinny:
Tris:
For the disgusting food and the miserable woman who serves it - Markham Moor.In the same vein…
Stopped there a while ago with the missus, and had always found the place ok, but on this particular occasion asked the old bag behind the window at the entrance if they had female showers, only to be told very rudely that they didn’t despite the fact that the girls behind the food counter took my money for a one, and she wouldn’t refund me it until I kicked off an almighty stink about it.
To be fair, my missus would have used the mens if I had have been stood outside the cubicle as a prude she most certainly isn’t, but we had a long day that day and she couldn’t be arsed with anymore drama.
You would have thought though, with the growing amount of female drivers these days, a couple of ladies showers in there would be a good idea.
Ken.
Stood at the serving bit and decided on the steak pie
“Carrots or parsnips”
“Can’t I have both”
“Carrots or parsnips”
If I have to park there again, and it could be so good because the facilities are fine, I will do my own food.
robroy:
Punchy Dan:
it would be easier to name the better ones .Spot on, the majority of them today dish up second rate, greasy grub, poor quality ingredients, frozen chips and veg, all of which that have probably been microwaved to [zb] death
, in other words total crap,… and don’t get me started on most [zb] lay by burger vans, why do drivers continue to eat this [zb]? Why settle for it?
My criteria for good food in a truckstop or transport cafe is whether or not I would take my Mrs and kids there for a family meal on a day out (in theory only btw, I aint that much of a cheapskate
The only couple that spring to mind that are excellent (imo) are at the opposite ends of the country, The Chalet Cafe at Cowfold Horsham, and Doug’s Diner Penrith. (I called in there one Sat morning and it was locals that outnumbered truckers, which says it all)
I couldn’t see me taking them for a ‘treat’ at Lincoln [zb] Farm or Trucker’s rest or such crapholes.
I live near the Chalet Cafe at Cowfold and worked nearby I stopped using it because of all of the grease,the fried bread was the worest, haven’t been there for about three years,and can’t see me rushing back either.
the old star cafe at lesmahagow pre truckstop days . went in for a meal when i was on nights , never seen so many flies , thought i’d time travelled to india . i spent more time batting the flies off my food than eating . never bothered again . dave
bobbya:
robroy:
Punchy Dan:
it would be easier to name the better ones .Spot on, the majority of them today dish up second rate, greasy grub, poor quality ingredients, frozen chips and veg, all of which that have probably been microwaved to [zb] death
My criteria for good food in a truckstop or transport cafe is whether or not I would take my Mrs and kids there for a family meal on a day out (in theory only btw, I aint that much of a cheapskate
The only couple that spring to mind that are excellent (imo) are at the opposite ends of the country, The Chalet Cafe at Cowfold Horsham, and Doug’s Diner Penrith. (I called in there one Sat morning and it was locals that outnumbered truckers, which says it all)
I couldn’t see me taking them for a ‘treat’ at Lincoln [zb] Farm or Trucker’s rest or such crapholes.I live near the Chalet Cafe at Cowfold and worked nearby I stopped using it because of all of the grease,the fried bread was the worest, haven’t been there for about three years,and can’t see me rushing back either.
Really? That is a pity.
Come to think of it, it’s somewhere near 3 years since I last stayed 
, time just bloody flies.
On that occasion rang an hour before and ordered my meal, as I knew they closed early, my food was ready, it was a good meal and free parking, he gave me a ‘parking ticket’ for value of the food, he even closed late for me.
I also had brekkie next morning there as I was heading for a late booking, that was also a good meal, I hate greasy breakfasts, could not fault the food or the service.
If what you say is right, I suppose nothing good lasts forever though eh?
robroy:
If we’re listing good ones.
Apart from Dougs and Cowfold I mentioned.
Red Moss pub on old A74, now a B road, between Happendon and Abington.Newtonmore on A9.
Cedar Cafe on A1 Grantshouse near Berwick on Tweed, in a lay by but you can get a parking ticket if you ask.
Brians Cafe on the Services at Newton Aycliffe A1. He’s a big Stobbie fan for all you elves on here on here,… but nobodys perfect.
Ye cedar n Newtonmore great too ,but red moss hmm good but came out stinking of chip far after my shower .
robroy:
bobbya:
robroy:
Punchy Dan:
it would be easier to name the better ones .Spot on, the majority of them today dish up second rate, greasy grub, poor quality ingredients, frozen chips and veg, all of which that have probably been microwaved to [zb] death
My criteria for good food in a truckstop or transport cafe is whether or not I would take my Mrs and kids there for a family meal on a day out (in theory only btw, I aint that much of a cheapskate
The only couple that spring to mind that are excellent (imo) are at the opposite ends of the country, The Chalet Cafe at Cowfold Horsham, and Doug’s Diner Penrith. (I called in there one Sat morning and it was locals that outnumbered truckers, which says it all)
I couldn’t see me taking them for a ‘treat’ at Lincoln [zb] Farm or Trucker’s rest or such crapholes.I live near the Chalet Cafe at Cowfold and worked nearby I stopped using it because of all of the grease,the fried bread was the worest, haven’t been there for about three years,and can’t see me rushing back either.
Really? That is a pity.
Come to think of it, it’s somewhere near 3 years since I last stayedOn that occasion rang an hour before and ordered my meal, as I knew they closed early, my food was ready, it was a good meal and free parking, he gave me a ‘parking ticket’ for value of the food, he even closed late for me.
I also had brekkie next morning there as I was heading for a late booking, that was also a good meal, I hate greasy breakfasts, could not fault the food or the service.If what you say is right, I suppose nothing good lasts forever though eh?
Shame really even the cafe is looking very tired itself,wouldn’t surprise me if they end up building on it seems like they build everywhere they can down this end of the country.
Some blame has to go on the drivers too. The new Cornwall Services thaught about drivers an put a toilet/shower block in the lorry park so dont have to walk miles like some places. Then typical knuckle dragger jumps out cab urinates all over wheel an floor, leans back in cab grabs a towl an walks 5 spaces along to the toilet block.
Portsmouth is the pits, staff have the attitude if you don’t like it, then fling off and don’t come back.
It is a dirty dust bowl full of junk and rubbish.
Broken down vehicles from 20 years ago, scrap metal.
I ate and drank in the Hilton nearby, and in walks Fiona Bruce as the BBC were filming Antiques road show.
Ross on Wye flea pit truck stop in the cattle market, ok if you.like road kill for a mixed grill, the guy cooking looks like a rough sleeper homeless man that with the culinary experience of an ant .
Lincoln farm ,Marmite place, like it or hate it.
The chimney is for the wood burner, they get free pallets to burn, to save costs .
Staff are friendly enough, mixed grill is not too bad, atmosphere ok and have a good craic with other drivers .
Portsmouth is the pits, staff have the attitude if you don’t like it, then fling off and don’t come back.
It is a dirty dust bowl full of junk and rubbish.
Broken down vehicles from 20 years ago, scrap metal.
I ate and drank in the Hilton nearby, and in walks Fiona Bruce as the BBC were filming Antiques road show.
Ross on Wye flea pit truck stop in the cattle market, ok if you.like road kill for a mixed grill, the guy cooking looks like a rough sleeper homeless man that with the culinary experience of an ant .
Lincoln farm ,Marmite place, like it or hate it.
The chimney is for the wood burner, they get free pallets to burn, to save costs .
Staff are friendly enough, mixed grill is not too bad, atmosphere ok and have a good craic with other drivers .
This is why firstly I take my own food for the whole week, and secondly I opt for an industrial estate to stay on if possible rather than truck stops as I find them overall better and just have a shower on break at services or at depots.
Maybe T&D could ask some of the worst places for comments? It’d be interesting to read why the likes of Swindon Truckstop think it’s acceptable to douse their “food” in used hydraulic oil.
Lymm is another turdhole, but hey, they have a truckers’ shop selling overpriced crap so it must be okay? Take a syringe or water pistol full of adblue into the toilets and squirt it through the glory holes and listen to the observer sing like a scalded cat who’s overdosed on antifreeze. 
Talking of Marmite places, I always had a good meal at Stibbington and Kates Cabin. Another good one I found was/is the Little Moss cafe just outside Colne.
Rowley010:
This is why firstly I take my own food for the whole week, and secondly I opt for an industrial estate to stay on if possible rather than truck stops as I find them overall better and just have a shower on break at services or at depots.
Likewise I do much the same.
But if we’re singing praises the food at Bromsgrove truckstop is pretty good.
Birmingham Truck Stop has to be amongst the worse but at leasr its cheep 7 pound last time i was unfortunate enough to stay there
So to sum up it appears that the majority of t/stops and transport cafes are crap holes, with one or two good ones, and the odd very good one being the exception rather than the rule.
It’ s the same with the lack of adequate parking places, crap attitudes at RDCs, and all the rest of the ■■■■ including liberties taken by employers…it is just taken for granted that we are all second class that will just ■■■■ it up, the problem is that most do just that. 
Not sure exactly where it was now as I was double manning and the other guy who was driving took us to place a few miles south of the NEC, possibly on the A452.
The whole place was very run down and I remember the stench coming from the toilets, and after seeing the state of the food that other drivers were eating I decided to go hungry.
This was 20 years ago, so if it’s still there it may have improved.
robroy:
So to sum up it appears that the majority of t/stops and transport cafes are crap holes, with one or two good ones, and the odd very good one being the exception rather than the rule.It’ s the same with the lack of adequate parking places, crap attitudes at RDCs, and all the rest of the [zb] including liberties taken by employers…it is just taken for granted that we are all second class that will just ■■■■ it up, the problem is that most do just that.
Wasn’t there a bloke on here recently that wanted to change all that? 
GORDON 50:
Not sure exactly where it was now as I was double manning and the other guy who was driving took us to place a few miles south of the NEC, possibly on the A452.
The whole place was very run down and I remember the stench coming from the toilets, and after seeing the state of the food that other drivers were eating I decided to go hungry.
This was 20 years ago, so if it’s still there it may have improved.
Yeh Lincoln Farm, where we were on about… and no it hasn’t 
The Horseshoe at inchture deserves a mention here for good food and free parking although it has no shower .
In the UK, Swindon LOL.
In the USA, exit 21B on the NY thruway (I-87), disgusting poop hole. Second place goes to the original Rhode Island truck stop, at one time it was the only truck stop in the state, rump steak served with plastic utensils LOL.