I-44 and I-40 recs? (Chicago--Oklahoma City-Las Cruces, NM)

I'm headed to Las Cruces, via a half-way stop somewhere around Oklahoma City.
Any can't-pass-by places along the route (basically south to OK, then across to Albuquerque, then south to Las Cruces), or around OK City (or Tulsa, or outside)?
Thanks much.

If you are in the area for a little and wanted to take a trip over to Carlsbad, NM. There is a Dairy Queen run by a guy named Danny Gaulden. He opeates a BBQ restaurant with the Dairy Queen. Over on some of the BBQ food lists, his place is known as one of if not the best places in the country.

If you are interested in BBQ and have them time it would be well worth the trip I'm sure. I think this is the phone # and address.

Dairy Queen South
902 South Canal Street
Carlsbad, NM 88220
505-885-8739

Cattlemen's Steak House
1309 S Agnew Ave
Oklahoma City, OK 73108
(405) 236-0416

Old-style steakhouse in an old Western district of OKC. Small wooden booths, long tables, and very large pictures of cattle everywhere. The T-bone steaks there are the real thing.

I second Bruce's recommendation of the DQ in Carlsbad if you can manage the detour. Best commercial BBQ you will find anywhere. Danny is a great guy and has forgotten more than I will ever learn about BBQ.

In Albuquerque, I can't think of a single "can't-pass-by" place, but if you need to refuel your system while passing through, here is a site I use for ideas: http://www.nmt.edu/~shipman/food/abq.html

I have enjoyed Los Cuates for New Mexican and El Norte for Mexican - very good - not great.

Now if you're going to be near Santa Fe, I can give you a number of "can't-pass-by" suggestions!

I'll be doing a similar trip for Christmas this year - although we'll be stopping in Albuquerque.

So - I thought I'd bump the tread - since perhaps there are some new ideas for places since 2004.

Any suggestions for places to stop on 40/44. I'm especially looking for places in Oklahoma, since I think we'll be there around dinner time.