One of the pieces of Americana that the interstate highways destroyed were roadhouses. I recall family road trips through the South and meals at Howard Johnsons were as corporate is it got.
Everywhere else was a restaurant steeped in years of tobacco smoke, coffee stained tables and friendly waitresses who called everybody “Hon”.
The food was always good and the pies were outstanding.
And there was always a glass case with cigars at the cash register and accommodating cashiers who would give a kid an empty cigar box when asked.
I miss those places. My favorite was one located around Alexandria, LA. It was already a divided four lane highway in the 60’s and the median was lined with pecan trees. Good times.
I loved Ho Jos!