This is a review based on my observations and experiences. I haven't talked to any of the truck stop personnel about this post....this is entirely my own personal opinions
The Oasis TruckStop is my idea of what a REAL truck stop should be.
It's not one of the Fabulous Four chain for one thing....being one of 140 truckstops nationwide that belong to the AMBEST Cooperative association
It's located at Exit 53 on Interstate ten. Years ago there was a "greeter" gal in a tower that was on the property. It might have been an old Forest Service Fire Spotter lLook Out tower...it looked like it....sure was tall. (Sadly...the tower is gone now) Any way...this gal...she'd be up in the tower. She knew enough about trucks to know the difference between a PeterCar and a FreightShaker or a KayWhopper. She'd holler out on the CB...channel 19.
"How bout that shiney blue PeterCar eastboun!!! You huuuungry honey? Need some cofee? Need some fuel....well guess what? This is your luckeeeey day....you're HERE!"
.........and like that. For hours. They rotated gurls....must have. Had to have had shifts.
I thought it was kinda neat. Back then I was single. I thought the sound of a friendly female voice was kinda nice.
They don't do that anymore.....more's the pity.
They remodeled the place a few years ago. It's all bright and shiney on the inside....still a dirt (sand...this is south Alabama) lot on the outside. A HUGE dirt lot. They can park a LOT of trucks here.
Dirt lot...no ammenities. Park where you want to.
Several fuel pumps....maybe ten?
Inside it's nice. Lots of trucker stuff...unlike the Fabulous Four (you KNOW the chain stores I'm talking about) which have (at most) an isle or two of trucker stuff...this place has a whole section of the store filled with trucker stuff. Maps, Logbooks, stuff for flatbedders (a chain here...a binder there...Straps even), some chrome...oil, additives, lights ......you know...stuff....you find precious little of at the Fabulous four.
There's another part for food....as much as I've seen in a normal convenience store. Food like in "put in your truck" kind of food. Dry Cereal, Milk, canned goods.
And then there's the Restaurant. It's unusual in several ways. One way is that it's one of the few places left that allows smoking. There's s smoking section. I don't smoke when I eat but I don't see why others shouldn't be allowed to...if they're separated from ME so's I'm not affected. They do well enough here.
And the service is friendly. They're happy to see you and prompt.
And the food was GOOD.
Hamburger Steak with grilled onions and gravy complete with three side dishes and unlimited Ice Tea for .............ten dollars.
I recommend them completely. I wish there were more like em and less of the Fabulous Four.
2 comments:
Have you ever been to the Bosselman's at Grand Island NE? I've only seen truck stops in the Midwest, but this one seems to me to be the most interesting. It's two story, lots of paved parking, huge chrome and truck shop, DVD movie theaters, CB shop, convenience store, restaurant, a couple fast food kiosks, barber, laundromat, and a Motel 6 with a fair amount of truck parking on the property as well. Since I run a day cab, that's pretty important.
Bosselmans seem to be fairly inconsistent - their fuel stop in Alma NE is kind of a dive. The one in GI is their corporate headquarters.
yup...been there.
I've noticed over the years as it's been remodeled, improved, and expanded. They have one in Salina Kansas of similar quality as well as one in Big Springs Nebraska.
Bosselman's is pretty good. I was nervous for a while there when I noticed Pilot on their sign...I guess Pilot didn't buy them out ....really...just some kind of a working agreement.
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