If you're traversing the country east to west or west to east, you're probably going to find yourself along the I-70 at some point. Beginning in western Utah, Interstate 70 passes through the scenic high desert and mountain scenery of the American Mid-West as well as several major cities including Denver, Kansas City, St. Louis, Indianapolis, and Baltimore.
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However, if you don't know where to look, you'll find yourself stuck with a selection of shame-inducing fast food or locally-owned mediocrity. Don't worry though - we're here to help you avoid that tragic situation. Here are 11 delicious stops along the I-70 to help you refuel at regular intervals.
Bookmark that map and add it to your Google Maps for the drive! Read more about each stop below.
Tacos La Pasadita
215 E Main St, Green River, UT
A food truck parked in a permanent location in the middle of Utah. Why not? The truck was obviously popular enough that it stopped having to tour around to find customers.
From Yelp: "FANTASTIC!!! My sis and I had a couple of the street tacos each (TONS of meat for the price)"
Empanada Express Grill
4301 W 44th Ave, Denver, CO
Here the food is inexpensive and made to order. Each empanada is bursting with filling and flavor. You won't be able to limit yourself to just one.
From Yelp: "Do you like freshly fried hot empanadas? Have you been looking for good Venezuelan chow? Do you like fresh-squeezed tropical juices and milkshakes? The food here is heartfelt home cooking.
Westbound & Down Brewing Company
1617 Miner St, Idaho Springs, CO
Beer tasting from an on-site brewery and good food all in one place. What's not to love.
From Yelp: "Awesome atmosphere, delicious food, and the beer is great! Good spot to stop in on the way up or down the mountain."
Joe's Kansas City BBQ
3002 W 47th Ave, Kansas City, KS
Kansas City barbecue is world-famous for a reason. Those slow-smoked ribs smothered in a deeply sweet sauce are just too good to resist. And Joe's does them best.
From Yelp: "Its Joes, I would leave it at that, but Yelp won't let me post something so short. So I go into some detail. Order the burnt ends, its perfect, right amount of crisp and tender juicy meat. I have never been a big fan of sauce, so the meat flavor was perfect for me."
Blues City Deli
2438 McNair Ave, Saint Louis, MO
This is a deli with live blues and jazz music on Thursday nights and where the deli master speaks Sicilian. You can't get a more authentic deli experience than that.
From Yelp: "So, it's just a sandwich shop - why the hype? You are really there for the experience and yes - a damn good sandwich."
The Eagle
310 Massachusetts Ave, Indianapolis, IN
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Juicy fried chicken, sharable sides, easygoing service, and extensive beer selection. What's missing? Answer: nothing.
From Yelp: "I rarely day drink, but when I do it's usually at the Eagle. I also rarely enjoy fried chicken, but when I do it's at the Eagle. Two for two!"
Young's Jersey Dairy
6880 Springfield Xenia Rd, Yellow Springs, OH
This outdoor ice cream shop is on a plot of land that also includes mini-golf, a driving range, and some batting cages. The ice cream though is what keeps folks coming back.
From Yelp: "The ice cream would be my favorite part about this place. So good and so many seasonal flavors to choose from. I have been coming here since I was a kid and hope my kids pass on the tradition."
Starliner Diner
4121 Main St, Hilliard, OH
Kitschy and cozy, this diner serves up comfort food at its finest. The homestyle cooking is pretty much what you expect but with a California health food twist. Major plus: they bake their own bread.
From Yelp: "Absolutely. Hands down. My favorite breakfast place. EVER! I don't think I've had anything here that I didn't like."
Schmidt's Sausage Haus und Restaurant
240 E Kossuth St, Columbus, OH
German ham, German cheese, a full sausage sample, and tangy German sides. The menu just screams authenticity. So do the reviews.
From Yelp: "Wow! $10.00 for a buffet with 4 kinds of amazingly tasty sausage, several authentic German side dishes, soup, and salad."
Gaucho Parilla Argentina
1601 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA
Argentinians like barbecue. So do Americans. So you know that when you're smacked in the face with the intoxicating smells of roasting meat that you're in the right place.
From Yelp: "Waited in line for an hour and 40 minutes on a Saturday during dinner time...but let me tell you it was so worth it!!"
Thames Street Oyster House
1728 Thames St, Baltimore, MD
For East Coast seafood, Baltimore has you covered. This oyster house only serves the freshest of the fresh and there is a view of the ocean to prove it.
From Yelp: "Each perfectly prepared main course was paired with unique spices, sauces, and side dishes."
Have you ever made the drive? It's a sure shot right into the heart of the West with its beautiful national parks that make the perfect family summer road trip.
