Kansas City to Fort Worth & back in August

Going to TCU in August for moving in day, will probably take 71 to 44 to 35 one way&I35 straight back the other way

I could make recomendations along 69 to 44, but can't help with 71.
 
Along I-35, there are obviously lots of good options around Wichita. Is there anything in particular you would like?
 
I'm hearing good things about Susie's Chili Parlor in El Dorado.
 
Not a restaurant, but the European Bakery in Hartford, a little east of Emporia, is wonderful.

Joplin Fred and Reds chili and tamales.
Cafe on the Route in Baxter Springs.
Clanton's in Vinita for Chicken Fried Steak & diner food
Hammett House in Claremore for pampered fried chicken, chicken fried steak, Hot hamburgers, Lamb & Turkey fries and darn good pies. The Will Rogers memorial and museum is worth a stop.
Tulsa My home town. If you want to stop here we have great burgers, Coneys, BBQ, Tex Mex, authenic mexican, and White River Fish market a timeless seafood restaurant that is no where close to the ocean. Narrow it down for me if you want to eat in Tulsa and I will give you recomendations.
 
From Tulsa I go to McAlester and Krebs to Dallas. Which way are you going?
I like Krebs for homemade raviolis and as I think Tiki said "Okie talian"
Three Oklahoma style Italian restaurants in the small town of Krebs, OK and a great italian market Lovera's.
Pete's place my favorite of the three, Home of Choc Beer micro brewery
Roseanna's for lunch and a more reasoniable prices
Isle of Capri is like being stuck in a time warp out of the 50's
If you want suggestions on what to eat in Kreb's just let me know.
Johnny McClanahan

Here is a 2nd vote for Cafe on the Route.

Darn it.  I just stayed at the Downstream Casino and must have driven right by Cafe On The Route on my way back to KC.  I will put this on the must stop list next trip by there.
 
Any other tips on the 69 highway route.  I have done the chicken places in Pittsburgh including Bartos Idle Hour my last trip (good chicken but steak was rank) and Jim's Steak House.  Anything I am missing there.
 
On the 71 route I have found Boomer Sooner BBQ to be pretty darn good. 

And I just found out I missed another called "4 Women on the Route" in Galena which is right there also.  Two new ones to try ASAP.

4 Women on the Route is a cool stop, but not for the food, which is just ordinary snack bar.
 
In Fort Scott, stop at Nu Grille
http://www.kansastravel.org/nugrille.htm

Nu Grille looks good.  It reminds me of the White Grill in Nevada, Missouri which would be on the US71 route.

I did a reply in this thread about Emporia options as you cruise on I-35 South:  http://www.roadfood.com/F...th-Kansas-m667064.aspx
 
Also on I-35, you might try Beto Junction near Lebo, KS.  It's a truck stop that's been around for decades, and they have wonderful buffets.  Really, anything off the menu is good as well.  Huge cinnamon rolls, too, as well as towering slabs of pie.
 
Good luck with the TCU move-in!  Bittersweet, but so exciting for the students at the same time as they start new chapters in their lives.

It isn't far out of KC but a stop at Guy and Mae's Tavern in Williamsburg, Ks is always good.  Terrific ribs (not a lot of smoke but very tasty).  It is only a mile off I35 about 45 minutes south of KC.

Thanks for the suggestions. Going back next week for family day. We'll try to check out all the places we missed last trip.

North of Dallas about 20 minutes East of I35 is Clark's Outpost in Tioga, TX for really good BBQ...beautiful drive through horse country as well.