Tulsa to Chicago via I-44 & I-55

I'm getting ready to do the trek from Tulsa to Chicago via I-44 & I-55 & thought I'd line up a number of restaurants along the way. I often stop at a lovely little Chinese restaurant in Rolla just off I-44 that has good food at dirt cheap prices. It's on the main drag, I believe. Service is fast as can be, and it's cooked to order. None of that steam table buffet crap. Does anyone remember the name of this place?

I've heard good things about South City Diner in St. Louis. How far is it from I-44? Directions?

I remember hearing something about a terrific Italian deli in The Hill in St. Louis. Does anyone know the name of this place? Directions? (The Hill is just off I-44, so it's not too much of a problem to get on/off the highway.)

What about places in Illinois? Or other Missouri places, especially in Springfield & Joplin?

Just off I-55 at the Rt 136 exit in McLean IL is the Dixie Truck Stop. It is a mecca for the truck Stop Historical Society..or whatever one calls the people who go nuts over Truck Stops.
It has received mixed reviews from some folks on this site since it changed hands a year or so ago, but we ate there this summer and it was pretty much the same as it was over the years, with the typical truck Stop Menu being quite good for us.

In Illinois the Ariston Cafe is a cool vintage route 66 era ballroom/supper club. It's in Litchfield right of 55 at exit # 52 - easy on and off.
What's really funny is that it is completly surrounded by corprate fastfood. These days the food is good diner fare, I always smile when I'm getting back on the road and see those giant fastfood signs in the rearview...

Shane,

Thanks for the suggestion of the Ariston Cafe. I've seen that place mentioned several times, and I see them listed on the blue "food" sign approaching Litchfield. Yup, I've been to McDonald's & Wendy's in that fast-food zone -- gotta give the Ariston a try, I guess!

Al,

When I was in high school our family stopped at the Dixie Trucker's Home off I-55 in McLean and had a terrific meal. I can still taste the wonderful fried chicken, the real mashed potatoes & delicious cream gravy. A couple of years ago on my way to Chicago I stopped in, and was quite disappointed. The chicken did not have the flavor I remembered, the mashed potatoes tasted like instant, and the gravy tasted either canned or from a mix. Not to mention the service was terrible. What a shame. Hope they get some new owners who can restore the restaurant to its former glory.

Folks -- I remembered the name of that wonderful little Chinese restaurant in Rolla. It's the Fortune Inn, 1901 North Bishop. Take the U.S. 63 exit off I-44, head south (not even 1/4 mile), and the Fortune Inn is on your right (south side of the street). Great food, freshly made & served piping hot, and fast, friendly service. Cheap, too -- I think the most I've ever spent here has been $9-10, including tip. They serve a great egg drop soup with corn, which feels oh-so-good after spending hours on the road. Check this place out!

Has anyone ever eaten at Zeno's Steakhouse in Rolla? What's your take on that?

It's been awhile . . . but I wanted to report that I took Shane's suggestion, and on my return trip made a stop at the Ariston Cafe in Litchfield. You have to keep your eye open, because, as Shane says, it's surrouded by the usual fast-food chains and it can easily be overlooked admidst the sea of KFC, McDonald's and the like. And it's about a minute more driving than the chains. But it's worth it.

I had a fried chicken "sandwich" that was brimming full of chicken! The chicken was served up piping hot, full of flavor and moist. I believe the fries were homemade, too . . . but I well remember that chicken! I also remember how friendly my waitress was.

This is worth the stop. You'll never recreate this at a KFC. I recommend Ariston Cafe for a slice of Illinois road food!