R-Place in Morris to close, reopen as new diner

R-Place Family Eatery in Morris is closing this week.

The popular truck stop restaurant at TA Morris off the Route 47 exit along Interstate 80 served breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as desserts, highlighted by made-to-order cakes. The restaurant also was known for its four pound cheeseburger that rewarded anyone brave enough to finish it with a free meal and a place on its wall of fame.

The restaurant is expected to reopen as a Black Bear Diner in the upcoming months.

R-Place began as the 100-seat Chuck Wagon restaurant and ended up as the 250-seat R-Place Family Eatery. R Place celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2017.

Larry and Kathy Romines opened the restaurant named Chuck Wagon in 1967, with 100 seats and wagon wheels hung from the ceiling, which was a part of the Standard Oil gas station. In 1987, Kathy knew she had to compete with modern restaurants and expanded to a 250-seat restaurant, changed the name to R-Place and added a bakery with a German pastry chef. The business began a catering service. About that same time, the owners sold the property to Travel Centers of America.