Chicago to Chattanooga, any suggestions?

I apologize for the late notice, but I leave in a few days heading down to the land of meats and threes. Any suggestions would be well received. Here is the route:

On the way down I will be heading down I 65 most of the way through Indianapolis, Louisville, and Nashville (I have some stops to make along that way) before getting to Chattanooga. On the way back, I am planning on taking I 24 until it links up with I57.

Indiana I think I have pretty well covered, but would love to try something new. Previously I have tried Frank & Mary's Catfish parlor (Pittsboro), Triple X and South Street Smokehouse (West Lafayette), a couple of BBQ places in Lebanon, several places in Indy, Byrds Cafeteria, and Joe Hubers Farm (Starlight).

I will likely have at least one meal, and maybe two in Louisville. I was thinking about the Mayan Cafe which looks really interesting (http://www.themayancafe.com) or the Hillbilly Teahouse (http://www.hillbillytea.com).

Frome there I head down to Nashville (maybe with a bbq stop somewhere in between like at Big Bubba Bucks in Munfordville, or Split Tree in Alvaton).

Chattanooga, I definitely need recommendations. And on the way back along I24 is where I need the most help. I would love to hit some of the BBQ places at the southern tip of IL which there are some excellent ones. Anyone have experience in that region? I would actually like to spend a whole weekend touring that area, but not on this trip.

I will report back next week with what I find.

Glenn

On the way back along 24 from Clarksville TN to Paducah there are many small towns with BBQ joints, country ham stores and catfish restaurants. Cadiz, KY, Kuttawa, KY, Eddyville, KY. You will pass right along Barkley and Kentucky Lakes. There is a place at Grand Rivers called Patti's that is worth a stop. The food is above average but the place is hard to describe. It's one of those Southern joints that has evolved over the years from a drive in to a nice sitdown restaurant. You'll walk through the place both inside and out, with a WTF expression on your face. A good WTF but WTF nonetheless.