Neptune Diner, Oneonta, NY

Bob S. in New York emails us to say that the Neptune Diner in Oneonta, NY has very good meatloaf. He particularly liked the mushroom gravy. He sends this photo:
The diner is open 24/7, as all diners should be. The plate that the meatloaf is on looks rather fancy for a diner, don't you think?

Hoss's Steak and Sea House, Wheeling, WV

Hoss’s Steak and Sea House is a family restaurant chain with 38 locations in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Bigger than a mom and pop place, but smaller than Applebee's, for sure. Even though it's mainly a steak and salad bar place, the waitress told me that many folks do order the meatloaf. After trying it, I can see why. It had a great texture, not hard, and yet held together well, with bits of onion inside. I opted for ketchup instead of gravy this time (hence the inelegant stream of Heinz in the photo), and was not disappointed. This was one fine meatloaf. The stuffing with gravy was better than average, too. I would recommend this to anyone who is searching for a good meatloaf while on the road. And they receive one bonus point for wifi in the restaurant. You may notice a lack of veggies in the photo, there was a large salad on the plate next to this one, I swear.
Update: I am saddened to learn that the Wheeling location has closed, but other Hoss's remain open.

Sonny Boy, Bridgeport OH

Sonny Boy is a local diner that's been around seemingly forever. Located on the National Road, it's a good place for inexpensive, no-nonsense food. It's always busy, which is a good sign for folks who seek out these kinds of places. During all my visits there, I have only ever heard three different CDs playing: Anne Murray, Johhny Cash, and assorted polkas.
The meatloaf was pretty good, once I got past the extreme "brown-ness" of the gravy. It had a very uniform taste, no bits of onion or other things popping onto the taste buds (not that it's a bad thing). I think next time I eat there, I will order it without gravy and apply ketchup instead.

Meatloaf Musings

From guest contributor Molly B in NY:
Is meatloaf inherently a manly food? Is there something about its saucy, savory solidity that specifically appeals to the Y chromosome? There’s much to recommend a food that can be eaten in slabs. And perhaps this predilection is hard-wired into the DNA of men. I’m not suggesting a government study, but we can speculate.

Does it remind men of their mothers and happier times round the Formica table, when people actually drank milk with dinner and ate Jell-O for dessert? Does it represent a more wholesome and orderly universe not yet pervaded by scary foods that you can’t pronounce? If you had to ask me what the opposite of meat loaf is, I’d have to say “quinoa.” Not only can you not pronounce it, nobody knows exactly what it is, and it tastes terrible, although it is reported to be good for you. About as far from comfort food as you can get, I’d say. Or maybe arugula. Not a comfort food. Definitely not a guy food. Guys may eat lettuce and even spinach on occasion, but anything that looks too much like a weed is not making the cut.

Or is it the ground beef aspect of le loaf that gives it such masculine appeal? Its consanguinity with burgers and chili and some canned substance that I myself cannot identify called “Manwich?” See? It’s even got “Man” in the title. This is unquestionably a man thing. Ground meat and some kind of gravy on a bun. For my money, the bun is a poor substitute for mashed potatoes, but I can see the appeal.

I want to hear from guys and girls on this. Yes, I know girls love meat loaf. I love meatloaf as much as the next gal. But, I do not worship at the shrine of Loaf. Ground beef holds no mystical appeal for me, nor does A1 sauce or any other topping—except gravy (see earlier entry). What makes us traverse the nation in search of the Holy Grail of meat loaves? Because I am prepared to do just that. I want a meatloaf that will make me cry tears of joy. Bring it on, America.

Perkins Restaurant, Wheeling, WV

I ate at Perkins, a chain restaurant, mainly because they are open 24 hours on weekends. Of course, I ordered the meatloaf. It wasn't nearly as disappointing as I had expected. The crust had a nice hint of tomato, and the gravy did not overwhelm the meat. As premade meatloafs go, it was better than average. As a bonus, the place has free wifi, and great muffins.

Breezeway Cafe, Wheeling, WV

The Breezeway Cafe is located at the Wheeling Island Casino. Today I tried the Cajun Meatloaf Tower. Described in the menu as "Two thick slabs of seasoned meatloaf with fried onions layered with mushroom gravy and smashed potatoes," it was quite good. The cajun seasoning was on the mild side, and the gravy actually tasted of mushooms. The only drawback was a lack of some kind of green vegetable, but that could be ordered on the side, I suppose. Overall, a good meatloaf find.

Update: The casino has closed The Breezeway, and I don't know if they offer this at any of their other restaurants.

Prime Time Cafe at Walt Disney World

From Molly B in NY:
Believe it or not, there is some very fine meatloaf to be had at the Prime Time Café in Disney's Hollywood Studios—part of the Walt Disney World theme park megalopolis in Orlando, FL. Even better, you and yours will be treated to the full 1950s dinner experience, complete with décor so tasteless that it's become cool and sassy waitstaff who will stand there whilst you shovel the last of your green beans into your mouth and check your fingernails to be sure that there's no dirt under them before you come to the table. My family deliberately misbehaves when we go there just for the fun of getting in trouble and being made to stand in the corner. (For some real fun, blow your straw paper at your server!) The meatloaf served here beats my mom's carapace-encrusted tomato monstrosity by a far cry, and the other comfort food on offer isn't bad either. (Sorry, Mom).

First recommendation!

Bob S in New York says that he always enjoys the meatloaf from Bob Evans, a midwestern restaurant chain. Apparently, it looks like this photo. Any one care to comment?

Welcome!

I was frustrated at not being able to find a good meatloaf meal while on the road. Then it struck me: why not harness the power of the internet for the good of mankind? And so this blog was born. But I can't do it alone, so I'm calling on you, fellow road warriors, to help. Submit the locations of diners, restaurants, roadside stands, or any other place that you feel has a meatloaf so good, it's worth stopping your vehicle for. Descriptions, prices, and photos are more than welcomed. America, won't you join me in this quest?