especially if the travel time delta is less than an hour.
I'd do the Memphis route down and the KC route back. And with dallas as an endpoint, you have the opportunity to taste three distinct BBQ styles.
Lambert's in Sikeston, MO or the Dixie Pig in Blytheville, AR.
We normally took I-57/55/40/30 from Chicago to Dallas. That route avoids St.Louis, which was always a traffic problem.
But dammit, this is really great BBQ
Foods (formerly The Pig Pit) in Arkadelphia. So-so barbecue, but the burgers are worth the Arkansas detour. And the fried pies are very good.
Keep it simple: 1/2 fried chicken, family style, with the side of tortellini and spaghetti. This remains the best spaghetti sauce I’ve ever tasted (though I admit to being influenced somewhat by nostalgia).
If they’re busy, you can go to Capponi’s a couple of doors down and eat off of a nearly identical menu.
Toluca is ~12 min off of 39 before you hit 55.
Places to stop become limited between once you clear Chicago on your way to St. Louis. In Normal, IL, if you want tacos, I would go with either Taqueria El Porton or Tony's Tacos (right by Illinois State's campus. Meatheads is a good spot for burgers, Flingers Pizza Pub for pizza, or Destihl Brewery for a more casual sit down place.
You're next best spot after Normal is probably Springfield, IL. Obed & Isaac's Microbrewery is really good, and if you need something to do, the Lincoln Library (and other Lincoln stuff) is in Springfield.
For St. Louis, there are a ton of options pretty close off the highway, but Byrd and Barrel is one of my favorite places to eat here (Mother Clucker sandwich, FTW). If you just want something quick in the afternoon, swing by Gus' Pretzels for pretzels and/or bratwurst sandwiches. For breakfast, find a local donut place or hit up Pint Size Bakery.
In Springfield, MO, Blacksheep for burgers or Patton Alley Pub.
I’m assuming you meant breaded pork tenderloin.
Any diner on that stretch should have a good one too.
i've heard of Schooners
and - I guess if you really want to put yourself to sleep - you can have a horseshoe in the Peoria area.
That's great drunk grub - but not sure it's road food.
I could go for a BPT about now
Is our go to.
Schooners tenderloin is awesome. You need 4 buns to eat the damn thing. Their wings are also some of the best in town.
with one of my college buddies who is now a judge down that way
and - we was not sober - couldn't tell you the name of the place...
had spent a solid night at SOP's after a Rivermen game
good times...
Small breakfast/lunch place, but makes a mean BPT also.
I’m not a Horseshoe guy. Too much shit going on for me.
so I'd guess not
I'm not against a shoe - but I'll take a BPT over one every time.
Don’t go through St Louis and Tulsa if you don’t have to, my parents found going I80 to Des Moins and then down I35 to be much better and quicker when my brother was living in Norman.
They allege it is slower by 30-40 minutes, IIRC.
Also, I don't believe we go through Tulsa. We bail out on US 69 before getting there. I believe I went this same way over 30 years ago.
You should take 35.
but I would humbly suggest bar-b-que for breakfast, lunch, or dinner
And don’t let the gas station atmosphere scare you off.
It's outside of the top 5 in KC...and has no history or culture associated with it. All large bar-b-que joints are factories...they've been living off their name for a good five years now. except for their fries...they're awesome and also way too expensive
Just because you'll ask:
Jack's Stack
Char Bar
Q39
Gates
Irishrock's house
Slap's
Blindbox
Bryant's...if I'm coming from out of town, I'd hit WAY before Joe's because of culture/history. But you have to go to the Brooklyn location which would work. (Food is a major hit or miss spot...sometimes the sandwich is lousy and sometimes the sandwich reminds me of why I love the place)
I think Joe's is top 5. At the moment, Char Bar and Q39 are at the top of the pile, with Woodyard and Slaps and Joe's right behind them. Gates is a shadow of its former self, as is Bryant's for the exact reason you identify.
Just kidding, Joe’s is very good...I just think overhyped at the moment.
I’m with you on Slap’s, good stuff and feels old school which I like
Which Gates do you go to? I still think it is great 95% of the time. When good, it’s better than most but Char Bar, IMO. They have a platter they call the President Platter...try it with a group sometime. The sausage might be the best item on it
My dream (won’t happen) is to open a bar-b-que joint like a Slaps where I cook a ton of food and serve it and then call it a day when it’s all gone
My meat was always fatty, so I stopped going. Maybe I should give it another shot.
And I agree, Joe's is overhyped right now. There's a right amount of hype for the place, but it gets more than it should at the moment.
I think the burnt ends I had at Char Bar were probably the best I've ever had. Have you tried Smoking Aces? It's very, very good as well.
Agreed on Char Bar...best burnt ends I’ve ever had. I heard them called Bar-b-cue marshmallows and thought it was appropriate
LC’s...sadly I won’t go back. It used to be great, but I’m afraid that LC might have passed away and his nieces and nephews aren’t running the place well. I used to never step foot inside his joint without him being there...I haven’t seen him there in the last year. I hope I’m wrong
No, not the one in Indiana/Illinois toll road.
This one is a rest stop off of I-35 (used to be a McDonalds - might still be).
It is close to where his plane crashed.
I haven't seen the replacement...hopefully they did it. It was 1000x better than one would expect...it was actually well done at a toll road "oasis" spot.