NC to LA through deep South

My teenage daughter and I are driving from NC to LA, taking the I-85 to Atlanta, going on to Mobile, through LA (New Orleans and Lafayette), Texas (Houston, San Antonio, El Paso), Phoenix and on to LA.

We're taking 7-9 days so have time to wander a bit. Any suggestions of "don't miss"???

In New Orleans, don't miss Commander's Palace! I also highly recommend Court of Two Sisters for brunch! Other notables include Bayona, Brigtsen's, Uglesich's, and Brennan's. Emeril's place is top-notch, IF you know what to order. The brie & crab fondue, adouille-crusted redfish with glazed pecans and showestring potatoes, and banan cream pie are all superb. Other items there aren't as good. In Lafayette, be sure to stop at Prejean's, on the I-49 service road going toward Carencro. The ribeye smothered with crawfish etoufee is excellent. Cafe Des Amis in Breaux Bridge serves a fine breakfast. Hawk's in Branch (near Rayne) serves the best boiled crawfish in the world.

Make sure to go by Wintzel's Oyster House in Mobile, at 605 Dauphin Street or 6700 Airport Blvd. Even if you don't eat raw oysters (and theirs are delicious) they have a good variety of foods also. The atmosphere is a hoot-----your daughter should enjoy reading all the "signs" in the place.

What are the dates, dboni? I might reccomend different places at different times of the year, so far as scenic routes/attactions go. Too bad the Flor-Ala lounge got ruined in the hurricanes, and won't be reopeniong soon or I'd definately recommend a visit--it's a fun place. Also, Foley Alabama (near Mobile) has the restaurant where the waitstaff throws rolls to you when you need a refill; it's funny and the food is good, but the name escapes me. There's another one of these in Missouri--help, somebody!

Try the Brick Pit in Mobile for bar-be-que. Yum!
If you can get off of I-10 in Louisiana, head down Highway 90 just past New Iberia to the town of Jeanerette. Find the Yellow Bowl. Awesome crawfish and catfish, as well as shrimp, etc. The restaurant has been in business since the 1920's. I promise you'll love it!
In New Orleans, make sure you hit Cafe du Monde for beignets, and for really good pralines, try Loretta's in the French Market. It's hard to find a bad meal in New Orleans. It's hard to stop eating in New Orleans!
Bon Voyage!!!

The place where they throw the rolls is Lamberts Cafe, Home of the Throwed Roll. www.throwedrolls.com

You really have a lot of homework to do. Use the search function on the top of page toolbar and enter each city. All of your destinations have been discussed in depth over the past year or so, with lots of recommendations. Make sure you do a search of restaurants written up by the Stern's and others right from the Home page. There are more than enough good places right there for you to check out.

If you are close to Gastonia, NC at lunchtime, try one of our local favorites-The Shrimp Boat(closed on Sunday and Monday). Their fried chicken is the best I have eaten anywhere. Take Exit 19-Hwy 7-off of I85-take the 2nd exit-Westbound-go to 2nd traffic light (Broad St.)
turn left-cross over Railroad bridge and you will see the Shrimp Boat on the left-it is a popular place at lunch time especially.

Thanks for all the suggestions so far! We are leaving sometime during the last week of Jan. Going South to avoid SNOW! (Lived in Montreal for 6 years. If I never drive in snow again, it will be too soon!)

Regarding lunch in Jackson...

The African American neighborhood is Farish Street, and the best soul food restaurant on Farish is Peaches, a local institution since 1961. You pick an entree, two sides, and get corn muffins and dessert for about $5, tax included. The food is good, not great. I would go more for the history and ambience. The best lunch place is Two Sisters Kitchen, a buffet place on Congress St. just North of the Capitol. They serve the best fried chicken and grits in town. Everything is fresh made and tastes like it (it's pricier: about $11 for all you can eat).

But the best place to go is E&L BBQ on Bailey Avenue just north of Fortification Street. It's a soul food/barbeque restaurant with some of the best pork ribs I've ever had. Be sure to get "dipped wings:" giant fried chicken wings dipped in their great bbq sauce. After E&L, head north on Bailey, go left on Woodrow Wilson, and take a right on Livingston to have the best hot tamales in town at Tony's Tamales. I'd hit E&L, and then grab a dozen hots for the road.