Chesapeake House Travel Plaza — Attraction in Maryland

On February 8, 2025, at 4:40 PM, I stopped at the Chesapeake truck stop on I-95 in Maryland and decided to grab a meal at KFC. Unfortunately, I encountered some of the worst customer service imaginable.

When I approached the counter, I initially stood behind someone I assumed was in line, only to realize he was simply waiting for his order. That made me the next customer to be served. However, despite my presence, the two employees working at the counter—one Caucasian and the other Black—completely ignored me.

The Caucasian employee was engaged in conversation with another customer of the same race who had already received his order and appeared to be leaving. Even after making direct eye contact with me, he continued his conversation and then walked away to the back without a word. Expecting the other employee to assist me, I was shocked when he, too, walked off rolling his eyes and swinging his arms dramatically, like an unset woman would. without acknowledging me or offering any indication that my order would be taken. Not even a simple “I’ll be right with you.”

After driving for eight hours with more miles ahead, I was too exhausted to argue and simply left. This level of disregard for customers is unacceptable. To make matters worse, both employees appeared to be under the influence of something, particularly the second one, whose behavior was highly unprofessional.

I will never return to this location, nor would I recommend it to anyone. These employees have no place in customer service, and management urgently needs to...

It’s a good place to stop while traveling through. It has a few restaurants, a coffee shop, a quick shop deli and store, a military gift shop, massage chairs, a mini kiddie area, and outdoor seating with a fountain out back. We got the tenders from KFC because the sandwiches from Earl of Sandwich looked lacking. The soda fountains were great and kept up. The ladies wiping down tables in between guests were on their game and quick.. though a smile or two would have been better. The ladies and gent in the shops weren’t very welcoming and hospitable. They looked like they hate their job and would much rather be elsewhere. The bathrooms were a bit rundown, and there was tape on the toilet seats. Do not waste your money on the vending machines, three of them took our money. I called the company listed on one to no avail. I asked the lady in the shop close by if they were responsible for the vending machines and she made it very clear that they were not. All in all, there are plenty of tables and spots to find a seat and a little bit of something to eat for everyone. Just keep in mind that somethings (like the chicken caesar salad- $10.99) are a bit more pricey than...

As far as rest areas go, this one is not particularly egregious, I guess; it's got fast food, coffee, snacks, and places to sit.

I really want to know who designed this place. All of the budget went to making it look like a cafeteria from a science fiction high school (not a compliment). The doors to the memorial in the back are perfectly obstructed by support pillars, and the "accessible" door has one of these pillars perfect centered in front of it (see photo). Now, I don't use a wheelchair, but I can't imagine someone with a mobility disability easily navigating between the pillar and the planters. What a silly design.

When we stopped at this rest area, it was extremely muggy outside, just miserable. Inside was no better; in fact, it was worse, because there was no breeze. I don't know if there's no air conditioning in there at all, or if it just wasn't on while we were there, but we were swimming in our own sweat by the time we finished eating. I can't imagine how miserable the workers must have been, working around all those hot ovens in what amounted to a swamp.

The place is just unnecessarily huge while being unusable and uncomfortable in...