One key ingredient to good road food is your own willingness to be adventuresome. Sadly, I am shackled to two of the pickiest humans walking the earth, so my forays off the beaten path are limited. And, to be totally honest, I’ll take that burrito over a four-star seafood dinner any day.

But the foodies on Chowhound may have inspired me to take a different tack next time the choice is between Burger King and that local truck stop.

One Chowhounder named Cathy responded to my plea for help with this excellent bit of advice: “In more than 21 years of cross-country driving, we have found that truckers stop where [the food] is good and don’t stop where it isn’t. If there are more than three trucks, we stop and have never been disappointed. I am talking mom-and-pop places, not a major truck stop/fueling area.

“One time west of Omaha, we spotted seven trucks [in a restaurant’s parking lot]. The aroma of hot baked fruit pies coming out of the oven [hit us] as we walked in. The place had the best burger ever. Fresh, good coffee, too.”

You know, Omaha ain’t too far from these here parts. I might have to go get me some fresh, hot pie.

Other Chowhound tips I picked up are:

• Ask other people who may have traveled the same route to make recommendations.
• When you stop for gas and/or bathroom breaks, ask locals where to eat.
• Be willing to take a chance on local delicacies, such as barbecue in North Carolina or that run-down but packed clam shack in Maine.

• Steakhouses and diners are popular roadside truck stops.
• kookalamanza

Oh, and Diane in Bexley offers this: “Hey, what’s the worst that can happen? Indigestion? Bring some Tums!”

Of course, as responsible (ahem) parents, you may also want to heed the recommendations of Jule Anne Henstenberg, professor of nutrition at La Salle University in Philadelphia. She says that when faced with an array of fast foods, stick to the rules you apply at home.

Henstenberg points out that most kids will eat what you give them, and that you should choose foods that are both age-appropriate and healthy. While that is challenging on the road, it can be done.

“A good choice would be a plain hamburger or chicken nuggets, apple slices and a milk,” she says, adding that you should take advantage of newer, healthier choices that most fast-food chains are offering these days.

She also says that if you are in a position to pull off the main road, look for coffee shops and delicatessens that typically offer more choices than your basic burger joint.

“There are all kinds of little funky places where you can get a grilled cheese,” Henstenberg says.

Sounds good to me. I have just one more question.

Can I get fries with that?