Who would have thought the home of the best Vanilla Slice in the nation would be at Birchip, on the Wimmera-Mallee border?

Not all the best takeaway food is in the cities.

One of joys of travelling in the country is finding an unexpected treasure.

Today we are going to tell you how to find the best places for a quick bite, and it's not Google.

How many times have you motored country roads and spied a pensioner couple at one of those roadside stops enjoying a home-made sandwich, slice of cake and a thermos of tea or coffee?

I am guilty of envy.

But in the busy-ness of life, especially with a car-load of kids, there's not always the time to be so prepared, and thrifty.

We pass through country towns generally on our way from one place to another without knowing what we are passing.

Let's be honest, not all eateries are the same, city or country.

Generally, our country stop is determined by the restlessness from the back of the vehicle - hunger or toilet, sometimes both.

The "I Spy" game has run its race.

Electronic devices have powered down.

Country councils spend a lot of money making sure their public toilets are up to scratch, knowing visitors are attracted to such things.

But some country towns have an even better reason for delaying the trip.

There's some surprisingly good bakeries, fish and chip shops, or updated country pubs along the way.

So how do you find them?

Ask.

Word of mouth people.

You can ask before you head off, or inquire off a local at the toilet stop.

"Where's the best place to eat?"

Locals will happily fill you in, you can be sure they will be regular customers.

Whether it's in their town, or the next.

The best pies, sandwiches, slices, even coffee.

Some towns are roaring back into life because of their bakeries.

If you are too shy to ask, look for the line of cars outside.

It is hard to imagine Bridgewater on the Calder Highway in Victoria these days without its bakery.

Who would have thought the home of the best Vanilla Slice in the nation would be at Birchip, on the Wimmera-Mallee border?

Every state has them.

Competition winners for the most part, but much loved by locals - that's why they are happy to share their joy.

Of course, you can take it a step further.

With an Esky in the back you are ready to seek out all sorts of goodies.

Local butchers with award-winning snags, roadside stalls selling fruit, melons and berries. Even a dozen eggs for $5 complete with yolk more yellow than anything you've ever seen before.

Craft shops and stalls, home-made jams.

Don't be shy, just ask.

Your stomach will thank you. And it makes a long trip much more fun.

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