411 Miles of I-40 To and ...

[Holly Moore]

In early October I'm going to be spending way too much time on I-40 between Virginia and Mississippi.

What is most frustrating is that I know I will be speeding past some great barbecue and down home cooking.

I'm pretty familiar with Nashville though open to suggestions for places I have missed. But beyond that, figuring a negotiable 20 mile radius of any I-40 exit, where are the places I have to eat: Barbecue, fried chicken, country fried steak, sausage gravy and biscuits - even burgers and dogs.

Where do I have to stop and eat?

[FL Heat]

Brooksie's in Jackson, Tennessee.

The best barbecue ever? No. . .but if you go for the dinner buffet, one of the best values ever. And all you can eat pulled pork. It's like love on a buffet table. And their pineapple fritters are yummy.

And the tamale guy at the Jackson/Madison County farmer's market.

And Dixie Castle in Jackson. Steak and baked potatoes. That's it. And sour cream, if you get there before they run out. It's not that great, but very strange, at least for me. Plastic chairs, lineoleum floor (though they might have remodeled since the tornado).

Lordy, but my family lives in some backwards places.

Diana

[Varmint]

Holly, I'll get you a dozen barbecue joints not far from I-40 well in advance of your trip to Oxford. Give me a few days.

[Holly Moore]

Holly, I'll get you a dozen barbecue joints not far from I-40 well in advance of your trip to Oxford. Give me a few days.

Thank you kindly, Sir.

[pogophiles]

Hay's Smoke House in Lexington, TN. Wonderful fellow. Former farmer who now runs the local slaughterhouse and has an excellent whole-hog barbecue operation open Thursday - Sunday. Make sure he shows you his smoker -- it is truly impressive. Highly recommended!!

[k62hall]

Try Bozo's BBQ and /or Gus's Fried Chicken in Mason , TN (not too far from Memphis). Gus's burned down but I understand it has been re-built. There is a second Gus's in downtown Memphis now.

Harry's Detour in Memphis is just delightful. Very innovative dishes with a roots feel. Ther's on on Cooper and a second on G.E. Patterson @ S. Main.

The Memphis BBQ list can get long but try to work in ribs at Cozy Corner and the sandwich at Payne's (on Lamar - dont forget the fried pie while you're there) . Also sandwich at A&R(on Elvis Presley Blvd). Hog Wild is a caterer only and doesn't have a restaurant but if you ever get hold of their Q, you'll be awfuly happy.

Wild Bill's Blues Club on Vollintine has chittlin's if you really feel the urge, but I'm usually satisfied with excellent weekend music and 40 ounce beverages. Wiles Smythe Pharmacy in Midtown has an actual soda fountain.

Have a safe trip(s).

[Holly Moore]

Thanks all. I'm adding all of these to my list.

I'm packing and will be leaving Sunday AM. Any further suggestions come to mind?