How do you even find these places, just random exits or do you have a method? I'm so done with crowded tourist traps, but I always worry I'll just find a gas station and a sad diner. Tell me your secrets before I get back on the highway.
Look for exits that still have those old paper map rest stop signs with town layouts drawn on them. The ones that show the actual main street before everything moved out to the strip malls. I head for towns where the map still points to a "historic district" or shows a little cluster of buildings right off the ramp, not just a list of chain logos. That's usually where you'll find the old feed store turned brewery or the family diner that's actually good.