Loveland Restaurants

4 more images

First of all, we do not generally eat at truck stops. But Johnson's Corner is a kind of legendary place in Colorado. Way, way way back in the 1950's and '60's I remember stopping there for their awesome cinnamon rolls while traveling from Ft. Collins to Denver.

Recently the Food Network ranked the top five truck stop meals in America, and guess who was numero uno? Johnson's Corner, number one in the nation. So of course we had to try it again.

They have completed a major remodeling project, so they are all spiffed up for you.

Oh, and don't forget to get a Johnson's Corner T-shirt, too. I did.

Favorite Dish: This is American comfort food, and lots of it. I ordered the turkey dinner and my wife had the meat loaf dinner.

First they brought us a very nice salad and of course our drinks. But then they brought the main course. Oh my gosh. We could have split either meal. They didn't serve it on plates, it was on platters! And the platters weren't big enough so the green beans, dinner rolls and butter were served on a separate, full-size dinner plate! yow!

The turkey was fine but we thought the meat loaf was outstanding, very flavorful. (By the way, you get TWO slabs of meatloaf, not just one.) The waitresses were very nice.

They still make those awesome cinnamon rolls, too.

Be sure you are hungry when you visit Johnson's Corner.

Carl's Canteen in Loveland advertises that their burgers are "Made Rite" and "World Famous". Well, first we have to clear one little thing up.........

They're not really burgers, they're loose meat sandwiches, kind of a sloppy joe without the sauce. This creation is very popular back in Iowa, which appears to be where "Carl" and company are from. Good quality ground beef is simmered with spices and then heaped onto a hamburger bun. Other items are added, per the customer's wish. (for example, cheese, onions, ketchup, mustard, horseradish-mayonnaise, etc.)

The canteen has a VERY limited menu, adding chips and a few desserty items to the afore mentioned "burgers". Not much here, actually, but it's pretty tasty.

One damned funny thing.....they have joined the national nuttiness over this Atkins Diet business. They advertised a "loose meat" Atkins meal, which is basically a bowl of cooked ground beef. At least they didn't have the nerve to charge more for the low-carb version of their feature item.

Favorite Dish: Well, the ONLY dish is really Carl's "Made Rite, World-Famous Burger", aka the loose meat sandwich.

Not bad, not great, OK.

The lady working at the place was extremely nice, like about everyone we met in Colorado.

Hell, don't take your girlfriend to Carl's before the prom, but if you just want to slap on a quick feedbag, give it a whirl. I suppose everyone needs to try a loose meat sandwich at least once in life.