Meskwaki Travel Plaza

Meskwaki Travel Plaza recently opened just west of what used to be the Meskwaki Trading Post along Highway 30 near Tama. I was happy to see this new facility also carries 91 octane gasoline, the minimum that my prima donna vehicle requires. High octane gas is not always easy to find in rural Iowa. This location has a BP gas station, with a full complement of fuel, including a separate diesel area for trucks.
The convenience store is bright and clean, with a little diner, «Meskwaki Route 30 Diner» tucked down the hallway. I was sincerely hoping to try a sandwich — maybe the buffalo burger (fresh locally grown bison), or the «hand breaded porkloin». Unfortunately my mom treated me to a home-​cooked BLT before I got on the road. I just couldn’t manage another sandwich, no matter how good it sounded, so I settled for a shake and a tasty snickerdoodle cookie.
The store carries a small selection of native American craft items — jewelry, pottery and blankets. Oddly most of the items seem to be imported from Navaho country. Nothing local that I could see.
Also, if you are a fan of dried, salted sunflower seeds in the shell, this is the stop for you. Who knew someone makes salt & vinegar, BBQ, and Ranch flavored sunflower seeds? Ditto for meat jerky — there are a lot of choices. All in all, a good place to stop for a quick refuel — both the car and I left happy.