cross country trip need recs esp from Memphis TN to Albuquerque NM

[bythebayov]

My cousin and I are driving cross country from Norfolk, VA to LA CA and need recomendations for places to stop, visit, eat, sleep, etc. Have planned out and mapped out the majority of the trip but this stretch seems to be the hardest to plan (we have time to stop and sight see if the sights are worth it and will stop for a nice meal if it is worth stopping for). Any recomendations for must see attractions and places to eat are greatly appreciated. I know from research the the Big Texan is on the way and we will prob have either a steak or eat breakfast here. Thanks!

[wyogal]

I'll be watching this thread as we'll be going from Va Beach to Mesa, AZ in June. That is the second leg of our trip, the first is from WY to VA.

[bythebayov]

awesome! It's my first cross country trip and my first time in quite a few of these states including AR, AZ, TX (besides Dallas airport!) and NM. Def going to try some green chilis and I will look for the powder :-) Are you taking 40 or another route?

[wyogal]

Yep, 40. Will drop down to Mesa before Flaggstaff, though, we get off at Holbrook. We hate going through Phoenix, so avoid it whenever possible. The drive in to Mesa, the back way, is beautiful, and much less traffic.

[bythebayov]

I have to pick and drop off people at the airport there (only reason im going) but plan on doing a 2 day camping trip at the grand canyon. going to follow 40 till albuquerque.

[finlero]

You should definitely get some green chile and other regional Mexican when you come through NM -- the chow roster goes a lot deeper than this, but it's probably the way to go if you're just passing through.

Blake's Lotaburger is a remarkably good fast food chain, and a great place to try a green chile cheeseburger. You'll find branches all along the NM stretch of I-40, including in Tucumcari, Moriarty, Albuquerque, Gallup, and Grants.

In Albuquerque, some of the best NM cooking is at Mary & Tito's near downtown. Breakfast burritos at the Frontier are also excellent. And I'll also throw in a plug for the phenomenal NY-style pizza topped with green chile at Giovanni's.

A few hours east, also check out the Turquoise Room in Winslow AZ, a surprisingly delicious upscale hotel restaurant.

[bythebayov]

ohh sounds awesome :-) will def have to have some green chilis while there. You have any recs from Albuqerque to Phoenix? then going to grand canyon to camp for a couple of days. Thanks for the recs!

[finlero]

Definitely Turquoise Room in Winslow. You can do a search for Flagstaff and Sedona, not really my stomping ground but there are some great tips on the board.

Phoenix is a big, often horrible city (I grew up there, I can say that), but there's great chow to be had if you search the Phoenix board.

[bythebayov]

ok thanks!

[wyogal]

Get some dried green chili powder if you can find it. It is heaven!