when in memphis, check out marlow's. its just off graceland. Stay in a motel, and they will send a pink caddy limo for you. Not bbq, but a steak the size of a large dinner plate, and you can cut it with your fork. When driving through Little Rock, just east of town there is a group of truck stops just before the loop. take the service road just east of the Petro and there will be a little shack. kick ass bbq there. (random info, my uncle owns Vernon Pesley's old house, it shares a back fence with graceland......and the whole neighborhood is a shithole, best left to daytime hours)
Texarcanna go to the Petro t/s there. There is a chain link fence that runs along the north of the parking lot. Find the break that is cut into the fence. Walk through the bushes, and you will find a little shed....best burgers ever! Get the monster. two half pound patties, bacon, fried egg, and 5-6 slices of cheese. i couldnt finish one!
When you get to tx, you are going to be tempted to try the Big Texan in Amarillo. Dont bother. Tourist trap. instead try arnold's burger. lol, just shoot me a msg when you get to that point. and if you do do the texan, try the calf fries....don't ask, just eat.
and blow in a call when you get to western oklahoma...ill take ya to dennys....violates your rule, but i havent found any local places to try yet