I’ll second Akavar’s suggestion of a fried onion burger in El Reno. There are 4 places reviewed under the Oklahoma section here on Roadfood. An essential roadfooder experience.

Take exit 35 about 10 minutes north to Gus’s chicken in Mason, TN. This place has been named the world’s best fried chicken by several publications. They have a location in Downtown Memphis just off of Beale St. But the original is worth the extra few minutes.

Anything in particular you’d like to try? Just ask, someone will have a suggestion.

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Originally posted by Sundancer7

quote:

Originally posted by tiki

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Originally posted by brlawson

Craig’s Barbecue–DeValls Bluff Arkansas–a couple of miles off I 40 between Little Rock & Memphis–a true dive, but awesome barbecue.
b

AND–dont miss the tiny Pie Shop across the street!!!!! Awesome fried pies, as well regular pies–the sweet potato is killer![:p]

Tiki, is that the pie shop you stopped at on the way to Memphis?

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

YEP[:p]

FWIW –

Depending on my schedule and objectives for the day, I generally do not mind driving 40 or 50 miles off the interstate to sample a Roadfood restaurant. I have rarely been disappointed. Your version of "too far" and your method of travel will of course be different than mine.

As they say YMMV. (Your Mileage May Vary)

quote:

Originally posted by tiki

quote:

Originally posted by brlawson

Craig’s Barbecue–DeValls Bluff Arkansas–a couple of miles off I 40 between Little Rock & Memphis–a true dive, but awesome barbecue.
b

AND–dont miss the tiny Pie Shop across the street!!!!! Awesome fried pies, as well regular pies–the sweet potato is killer![:p]

Tiki, is that the pie shop you stopped at on the way to Memphis?

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

quote:

Originally posted by brlawson

Craig’s Barbecue–DeValls Bluff Arkansas–a couple of miles off I 40 between Little Rock & Memphis–a true dive, but awesome barbecue.
b

AND–dont miss the tiny Pie Shop across the street!!!!! Awesome fried pies, as well regular pies–the sweet potato is killer![:p]

quote:

Originally posted by Akavar

.

To understand what eastern Tennessee BBQ is all about go to Dixie BBQ in Johnson City, TN and Ridgewood BBQ in Bluff City, TN. I found them both to excellent BBQs and have a slightly different slant on the eastern TN BBQ theme.

Enjoy.

I know it is just a pesky detail but I-40 passes no where near Johnson City or Bluff City.

May I recommend to hole in the walls…King Tut Grill and Ali Baba Deli, both in Knoxville.

If you have never been to the Big Texan Steak House in Amarillo TX then you have to stop or the 400 +miles of their "free 72oz.steak" advertising signs will drive you crazy wondering what’s that all about………. if”in you do have a hankering for a steak then hold off till you get to Oklahoma City and visit Cattlemen’s Steakhouse, smack in the middle of Oklahoma City’s Stockyards City A true roadfood cafe and what Linda and I both believe the best steakhouse while on the road……….. http://www.roadfood.com/Reviews/Overview.aspx?RefID=160

or
http://www.cattlemensrestaurant.com/

Craig’s Barbecue–DeValls Bluff Arkansas–a couple of miles off I 40 between Little Rock & Memphis–a true dive, but awesome barbecue.
b

Just before you get to OK City you will come across El Reno, OK. Do yourself a favor and stop in at Sid’s for an onion fried burger and a malt. The onion fried burgers in El Reno are legendary and I have never seen anywhere else that makes burgers like this.

The onions are pressed into the ball of meat as it is squashed onto the grill to make the burger shape. this called a "French" style burger. When the burger is flipped, the onions caramelize and become part of the burger. I found that Sid’s made one of the best burgers I ever had. When I drove up I could smell the onions from my car and knew that this would be one great meal. I was not disaapointed.

Try the BBQ cornish hen at Cozy Corner in Memphis and get a side of BBQ spaghetti to go with it.

To understand what eastern Tennessee BBQ is all about go to Dixie BBQ in Johnson City, TN and Ridgewood BBQ in Bluff City, TN. I found them both to excellent BBQs and have a slightly different slant on the eastern TN BBQ theme.

Enjoy.

Midpoint Cafe in Adrian, TX (on TX-NM border). Their rendition of the whole Route 66 kitsch thing does not detract from the fact that they are a great little restaurant. Great burgers, friendly staff, and good PIE! It’s about 1/4 mi. off the road to the north. Depending on your timing (early from NM?) you can still stop for the pie. Don’t back into the pole out front!
Some more info at [code]http://www.uglycrustpies.com/[/code].

Not sure if Nick’s is still open. The last 2 times we stopped they weren’t but it could have been on a Sunday (my memory fails me). They are immediately off the interstate so not much time lost if they aren’t open.

The Catfish N’ in Dardanelle is ~8 miles south of Russellville which is on I-40. Take the hwy 7 exit and head south. Dardanelle has another worthwhile restaurant named Savannah’s. Outstanding food. Same exit.

The Sterns reviewed Whattaburger in Russellville and the review can be found on this website. This is not part of a chain. Also on the hwy 7 south exit about 1/2 mile from hwy 40.

For good BBQ take the same hwy 7 exit but head north to Dover about 8 miles. Straight shot and easy driving. Look for Dewaynes BBQ on your left as soon as you hit Dover. Cinder block building with the smoker and piles of wood in the back. Great breakfast also. Portions are large.

Where in Eat Tennesse are you going. I can help you if you if I know your destination.

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

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Originally posted by lostnthemail

We were pleasantly surprised at Nick’s Bar-B-Que & Catfish two years ago. Found just off of I-40 at Carlisie, AR (just east of Little Rock)Nick’s serves wonderful BBQ, sides of onion rings, fried dill pickles & the like. Enjoy!!

Ditto.

We were pleasantly surprised at Nick’s Bar-B-Que & Catfish two years ago. Found just off of I-40 at Carlisie, AR (just east of Little Rock)Nick’s serves wonderful BBQ, sides of onion rings, fried dill pickles & the like. Enjoy!!