Chicago to Memphis...then on to Texarkana

To be honest, I'm not really holding out any hope for the second leg of the trip. But surely, SURELY, there must be something worthwhile not too far off the highway, for those of us who cringe at the thought of McD's or Taco Bell?

We've done Lambert's. That was a few steps up. But we'd like to investigate other options.

Cuisine type unimportant, since our alternative is so vile.

If you take the southern route through mississippi you wull run through the delta where every gas station serves a bbq bonanza. otherwise my experiences in arkansas, direct through little rock is the fastest way to texarkana, have been pretty dismal with the exception of Bill Clinton's favorite restaurant, Doe's Eat Place in Little Rock. They have great tamales and world class french fries. Also one of the biggest dumps in the universe. Perfect Arkansas

Doe's Eat Place
1023 W. Markham St.
Little Rock, AR 72201

I was really underwhelmed by Doe's when I ate there in fall 2005. Everyone had raved about the tamales but I didn't think they were any better than those served in my high school cafeteria. I also had a decent pub burger and the french fries were good. The atmosphere of the place is convivial. It is a dump, but a dump to which you could take your mom for a meal.

In Little Rock I enjoyed:

Bene Vita
3701 Cantrell Road
Little Rock, AR 72202
Phone: 501-666-8482
Website: www.benevita.us
Solid representation of northern Italian and good grilled fish. Locals took me here for a "fancy" meal.

Flying Fish
511 President Clinton Avenue
Little Rock, AR 72201
Phone: 501-375-3474
This is located in the renovated part of downtown known as the River Market district. It's a former car dealership or auto repair garage space they they've done a decent job of turning into a representation of the coastal fish/crab/shrimp shacks on the SE. You go through a cafeteria line and get your drinks, order your food and pay, then they yell out your number for pick up. The catfish, fries and hush puppies I had were excellent and the atmosphere is laid-back and fun. Not too expensicve either.

Boscos
500 President Clinton Ave., Suite 105
Little Rock, AR 72201
Phone: 501-907-1881
Fax: 501-907-2394

Also in the River Market district, Bosco's makes handmade pizzas in a wood-fired oven. They're very good, but not having had CoalFire or Spacca Napoli yet (hope to this winter!) I couldn't compare to the offerings in Chicago. Bosco's also offers it's own craft beers on tap.

Don't have anything for you south to Texarkana. Hope you have a nice trip - Davooda