Monday, back on the road, just a short hop from Roanoke VA to Charlotte. I-81, which parallels I-95, but further west, is a nicer ride than 95 in some ways. First, there seems to be a little less traffic on this road. 95 is such an iconic route from NY to FL that it gets more than it's share of pinheads. Not that 81 doesn't have them as well, such as the 'gentleman' from South Carolina who moved across four lanes of fast moving traffic, from left to right, without so much as attempting to turn his head or signal, so he could fly up an exit ramp. Much better to do that, and endanger the lives of dozens of people, rather than go on to the next exit and carefully get off and come back to the exit you missed. Oh well....
Lunchtime! And what do we have here? Well, it's a "Cook-Out" shop!

Now, of course it wasn't night when I got there, this shot is off the internet. Cook Out is a fairly local chain which is carry out only, sort of like Checkers is. Nothing inside the building other than the food prep area. Picnic tables are scattered around the outside of the place, but most folks simply eat in their cars. Either walk up and order, or go through one of the two drive through aisles.

 Cook Out boasts that their food is 'grilled', and their logo actually features a spatula made out of flames, indicating, I guess, that the food is cooked on a fire of some sort. I opted for the #1 tray, 2 hot dogs, fries, cole slaw and drink. As you can see, for $5, you get a pretty good value, just enough to fill you up without going over the top. The dogs are smallish, like the Oscar Meyer ones you'd get at the grocery - small enough so that they don't quite fill up the bun. They're not your typical bologna dogs, they have a nice smoky taste, with a little garlic and spice to them. Nothing like the King of dogs, Nathan's, but better than most. The bun seemed especially fresh and soft, and had a nice flavor to it. The fries are thicker than most of the shoestring variety you see at McDonalds and the rest of the usual places, and they were cooked to a satisfying brown, served hot, and with just enough salt on them. No ketchup was needed. The cole slaw recipe must be from the same person who invented sweet tea - got my sugar rush for the day from this stuff! Chopped up similar to KFC slaw, nothing but white cabbage and a VERY sweet, thin liquid at the bottom of the cup. Too sweet for my taste, it needed a shot of vinegar for sure!

And here's the reason you go here - check out the grill marks on the dog. They actually do cook over a flame griller; probably gas fired, but nonetheless, it does impart a nice charcoal flavor to the food. Washed it all down with a Mellow Yello (what can I say, it's a Coke house), and it was a decent, quick lunch.
On to Charlotte!