Dubuque-Area Truck Stop Restaurant Reopens Under New Ownership
A truck stop located just outside Dubuque off of U.S. Highway 20 has recently reopened under new ownership, and is back to serving up breakfast, lunch, and dinner for hungry travelers.
Per Telegraph Herald, 311 Fuel and Food Restaurant, located at 15060 North Cascade Road, is back open again, under the ownership of Shawn Thomas Sr. and his wife, Peggy. The location was originally known as Highway 20 Auto Truck Plaza, but the Thomases bought the establishment with the intent to give it a new look and new life.
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A "Home" on the Road:
The Thomases told the Telegraph Herald that they intended to build and reimagine the restaurant with a homey feeling in mind. Being that travelers, especially truckers, are generally far away from home, they've cultivated a 1950s look and feel for 311 Food and Fuel Restaurant, investing $75,000 in a new kitchen, a repainting dining area, and a polished checkered floor.
Shawn Thomas Sr's parents used to own Dottie's Café in Dubuque; now, his sister runs that establishment. Peggy worked at the café for over 30 years, and is now honing her decades of cooking skills in 311's kitchen. Meanwhile, the truck stop's adjacent convenience store and accompanying gas pumps have been updated too. It is open 24 hours a day.
A Mouth-Watering Menu with Options:
As for the menu, the couple has all the bases covered. Skillets, omelets, corned beef hash, pancakes, and steak and eggs assure everyone is covered for breakfast. Their lunch menu boasts burgers, "the best" chicken tenders, a fish sandwich, and (sure to be popular) the "Big Rig Roast Beef," which features roast beef on Texas toast with fries and gravy.
Finally, for dinner, shrimp, cod, sirloin steak, and fried chicken are the featured items, but country fried steak, chili, and rotating soups, salads, and dessert pies will also complement any meal, per Telegraph Herald.
More Updates to Come:
While they're currently open for business, the Thomases plan to add to the second floor of the business. A driver's lounge, offices, and a showroom for SP Chrome Truck Repairs and Accessories (also owned by Thomas Sr.) are all in the works, per Telegraph Herald.
311 Fuel and Food Restaurant is open Monday through Friday (5am - 10pm) and Saturday and Sunday (6am - 10pm). You can find out more about the new and improved restaurant on their Facebook group and the Telegraph Herald's website.
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Gallery Credit: Steve Pulaski