Here in western Canada there are trucker's stops with good food, still independent. Some have phone jacks in the booths, showers, etc. One in particular is a favorite, near Red Deer, on the Hwy. between Calgary and Edmonton. Also the Blackfoot truck stop in Calgary. Great 'blue plate' food and lots of it. Always tons of pies.
Lots of little places, independent, in business and industrial areas in Calgary (and I am sure in other large centers. Drive into these areas, outside of downtown, and you will find them. Also dozens of fine little restaurants that are not chain-controlled.
Even on the big island of Hawai'i, there is one in Kona, in a little industrial area, that is a favorite of mine.

Ossonflags is talking about the UK, but all you would ever want in Canada-U. S. A. The fast-food congloms are there too, usually in high-visibility high-rent locations on close-in hwy. strip malls, but so are the others, maybe a block or two off the bright-light strip.