Road trip from Florida to South Dakota

Hey guys, im posting in this forum because my girlfriend and I are making a long road trip from Florida to South Dakota to see her family. This will be my first time meeting them and she barely ever gets to see them as well. As a result this trip is already highly anticipated. We decided a few weeks ago that we wanted to try and also stop and eat at some great places along the way and I was just wondering if yall could offer any suggestions as to where to go. We are estimating that we want to spend 3 days on the way up with stops at some great lunch and dinner places (possibly breakfast but Sausage Biscuits may have to suffice lol). Bare in mind though that we dont have much money (were saving for the gas alone as it is) and we dont want to turn the trip into much longer of an excursion then it already is going to be but if we could find 4-6 great places to eat along the way that arent too expensive but pretty authentic that would be great. Any advice/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance
Gatorfanatic1123 aka Max Mitchell

If you told us the route you will be taking it would make it a little easier to make suggestions. Thanks.

Yes the route would surely help. As for biscuits and and breakfast...you'll want to stop in the Chapel Hill, NC area at either Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen or Time Out Chicken (personally I'd recommend SBK).

...also be sure to stop into the Beacon Drive-In in SC (get it A-Plenty and a side of hushpuppies).

Get some breakfast (biscuits) and Lemon Ice Box Pie at the Silver Skillet if stopping in Atlanta.

....but give us the route and we can offer more!

EatingTheRoad


Yes the route would surely help. As for biscuits and and breakfast...you'll want to stop in the Chapel Hill, NC area at either Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen or Time Out Chicken (personally I'd recommend SBK).

...also be sure to stop into the Beacon Drive-In in SC (get it A-Plenty and a side of hushpuppies).

Get some breakfast (biscuits) and Lemon Ice Box Pie at the Silver Skillet if stopping in Atlanta.

....but give us the route and we can offer more!

Hey ETR...What? No onion rings at the Beacon? You know you love them (me too)

I'd sooner chop off my left thumb than visit the Beacon without having some of those onion rings ( and I'm a southpaw! ) 

If you drive thru Atlanta - the Varsity!
The World's Largest Drive-In!
A Dawg, Onion Rings!

http://thevarsity.com/

Ok sorry completely forgot that. Tbh my route is just on mapquest and I think the best bet is going to be to tell you guys what states im going to go through and then see what yall suggest that may be near our route. Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa and finally South Dakota. Any of these states are going to be the places we could go. Below im gonna try and post a url to the mapquest im using and see if yall can see from there. I really really appreciate the suggestions and please let me know if im not doing this correctly or need to provide more info.

Thanks again,
Max Mitchell

Link to Mapquest Route.
http://www.mapquest.com/m...100.350601&2v=CITY

Wow, that's some roadtrip you've got planned ( take me with, please? ) Here's a couple of suggestions... when you're passing through Birmingham, make a short detour westward to Bessemer AL and Bob Sykes BBQ; great ribs and spectacular lemon meringue pie. In Kansas City, Stroud's fried chicken is a must, and, although I haven't been yet, I've heard nothing but good things about the barbecue at Oklahoma Joe's. Also, in Omaha, Johnny's Cafe is known for great steaks and chops.

Pancho

Hey ETR...What? No onion rings at the Beacon? You know you love them (me too)

No no no...that's why I said "...also be sure to stop into the Beacon Drive-In in SC (get it A-Plenty and a side of hushpuppies)."

About the only RF suggestion I can make is to get a pork tenderloin in Iowa.

When are you leaving?  Your girlfriend will probably know this already, but it's not unheard of for a blizzard to strike the Plains states so be sure you pack a survival kit in your car if the weather forecast's at all iffy.

Brad

Brad_Olson


About the only RF suggestion I can make is to get a pork tenderloin in Iowa.

When are you leaving?  Your girlfriend will probably know this already, but it's not unheard of for a blizzard to strike the Plains states so be sure you pack a survival kit in your car if the weather forecast's at all iffy.

Brad

To me Roadfood in Iowa is a nice thick juicy pork chop (well at least Roadfood  in Iowa used to be about that "Pre website" ) You can't leave Iowa without trying an Iowa Chop, there's nothing quite like it anyplace else.

If you should get off to a late start, Hunt's Seafood Restaurant and Oyster House in Dothan, AL is wonderful.  A dozen on the half-shell is still $5.29.  To reach it turn left about 50 feet before you reach the Dothan ring road.  If you get off early, consider it on the return trip.  It's what Florida places were like in the 1950s.

I second Oldlowes suggestion. Hunts is great seafood !

In Holly Springs, MS there is Phillips Grocery.  See the Sterns review.

In Tupelo

http://www.roadfood.com/Forums/tm.aspx?m=432570&mpage=1#432572

I would also suggest using the search method explained in the first message on this forum. 

Sounds like your route might lead you through Sikeston MO -- home to Lambert's Cafe.  Decent fare and lots of it.  More than the food -- it is the Lambert's experience that is to be savored.  It made for an interesting evening.

Thanks
Scott C

You probably should get a bit more creative with your route and get off the interstates at times. You will be heading north into Iowa and you do for instance have a chance to make a diversion on US 71 north and go to Atlantic, Iowa and give the Farmer's Kitchen a shot. The Farmer's Kitchen is discussed here...

http://www.roadfood.com/F...-the-news-m549058.aspx

It looks like you are driving through Tuscaloosa and therefore a stop at Dreamland for ribs is mandatory. You will also being going close to if not through Memphis where you will find many ROADFOOD places, including Interstate BBQ, one of my favorites.