I normally don't leave reviews, but my experience at the Arby's inside the Love's Truck Stop in Nebraska was so disturbing that I feel compelled to speak out, especially for those who may find themselves in similar situations.
When I approached the counter, I made direct eye contact with the employee, greeted him with a warm smile and a clear, friendly "Hi, how are you?" He stared at me, completely unresponsive. No acknowledgment, no reply. It was uncomfortable, to say the least. I tried to brush it off and asked politely if they had tots available, as the menu behind him was difficult to see. He looked at me with what I can only describe as open disdain, paused, and said harshly, "We have fries."
I was taken aback by the tone and demeanor. Trying to deescalate what felt like an unnecessarily hostile interaction, I asked if he was okay. He responded, again with a defensive and aggressive tone, "Yeah. Didn't say I wasn't." I told him he seemed a little perturbed, and rather than take the opportunity to clarify or adjust his tone, he remained cold, curt, and entirely dismissive.
There was no apology, no effort to treat me like a valued customer or, frankly, like a human being. The unprovoked rudeness, combined with the glaring lack of basic decency, made me feel singled out, disrespected, and unwelcome.
As a Black person traveling through Nebraska, this experience was especially disheartening. It felt less like a bad interaction with an employee and more like I wasn't wanted there at all. Whether it was overt racism or something more subtle, the message was painfully clear: I wasn't worthy of the most basic courtesy.
I left with my fries and a pit in my stomach. I will never return to this location, and I strongly advise other travelers, especially Black travelers, to reconsider stopping here. If you believe in dignity, respect, and equal treatment, this Arby's and this truck stop do not embody those values.
This kind of behavior has no place in a service industry, and it's time we start holding businesses accountable not just for what they serve, but for how they treat people. His name tag said "1 Dawg" or something like that. read more