I’ll be driving from Texarkana to Chicago over the next few days and would like some recommendations on good places to eat. I’m looking for good hole in the wall places to fine dining and anything in between. I will be traveling northeast across Arkansas to Memphis, then north through western Kentucky then up I-57 to Chicago. What places would you all recommend along the way?
There’s McClard’s in Hot Springs, Arkansas. It’s a little off the direct route but it only adds about ten miles to the overall trip.
One tip though: stick to the barbecue (which is great). They talk about their tamales but apparently tamales means something different in Arkansas than it does elsewhere. A tamale at McClard’s is a rolled up cylinder of ground beef and cheap taco seasoning.
How far off the highway do you want to go? On your way up I-57 you are going to pass lots of cool places.
Here’s one.
http://www.flossmoorstation.com/
No specific recommendations, but Yelp is a great way to find local restaurants if you have a smartphone.
Here’s one we found while driving through Quebec a week or so back.
Are you sure you want to go through W. Ky? Take I-55 north from Memphis to Sikeston, where you can connect with I-57 and stop at Lambert’s Cafe, Home of Throwed Rolls.
If you do go through Kentucky, try Starnes Barbecue in Paducah.
What he said.
I drove through those places many times. Take I-55N out of Memphis and take the I-57N split. As for neat places to go, I was limited to places I could park a 65’ big rig. Lambert’s is worth stopping for a meal. You should try to avoid driving through Little Rock during either rush hour in an 18 wheeler if you can. You’ll have an easier drive in an SUV or something smaller. There’s a Petro truckstop in Effingham, IL. If you want to try the truckstop experience, that’s a good one. There’s separate parking for 4-wheelers, intriguing shopping, and a buffet and off the menu restaurant.
Thank you all for the recommendation 
The Rendezvous in Memphis. Best dry-rub ribs. ever.
A road trip from Texarkana to Chicago? With the appropriate supporting characters and a dash cam, you could film “The Bandit and the Blues”. Instant summer crossover hit!
[sub]ETA - for you young un’s out there, that references “Smokey and the Bandit” and “The Blues Brothers”.[/sub]
Those are Mississippi or Delta-style tamales.
https://www.southernfoodways.org/interview/hot-tamales-the-mississippi-delta/