Don't know what route you're going from FL to Vicksburg, but if you are within 100 miles of McComb Mississippi anywhere near lunchtime (11 am- 2 pm) you need to visit The Dinner Bell. Huge amounts of delectable southern cuisine. If you plan your trip, you can probably make it there either on the westbound leg or the eastbound.

They sit you at a huge table with a lazy susan in front of you, and keep refilling the dishes. They're only open for lunch. Famous for their fried eggplant. Check out the link for their web site. My parents lived in Baton Rouge, and thought nothing of driving the hundred miles to McComb just to have lunch there.

In Vegas, the dining choices can be overwhelming. The days of the cheapo buffet are long gone, but some of the places make up for it by having excellent quality food on their buffets. IMHO a good deal is the Buffet restaurant at the Wynn casino. It isn't cheap (if I recall, it's somewhere around $25-30 per person, may be more by now) but the food is excellent.

I haven't been there yet, but Thomas Keller has a $$$ bistro in the Venetian called 'Bouchon'. I imagine you'd need reservations (his other restaurant, the French Laundry, is booked up a year in advance). Next visit to LV, I'm gonna try to make it there.

At the Bellagio, there's a restaurant called Olives. ($-$$) It's mediterranean cuisine, and it's good, but what's nice is that it overlooks the lake and every ten minutes or so they have the fountains erupt. Cool. Also at the Bellagio, there is a nice Asian fusion restaurant called Noodles ($-$$). I had a very good meal there. If you go to the Bellagio website you can check out details.

Here is a link that might be useful: The Dinner Bell

I live 90 miles from Amarillo and if you love mexican food go to Abuelos. It is our favorite place to eat in Amarillo. There are many good BBQ places, Cattle Call or Tylers. The Big Texas is the big tourist attraction, but in my opinion, that is what it is! If you have time drive through Palo Duro Canyon.

In Santa Fe go to The Shed, it is so good and authentic. Another good place is La Plazuela at La Fonda, you won't be disappointed with either.

In Vegas, The Bellagio has a very good buffet. It is a little pricey, but good. If you like BBQ The Salt Lick is so good and very afordable. It is Texas BBQ, based in Austin and inside the Red Rock casino. It is off the beaten path, but really good. If you want to go all out and like steak, go to Vic and Anthony's, downtown at The Golden Nugget or the Del Frisco's, both very good choices.

When we are traveling I always look on Tripadvisor and Fodors for restaurant recommendations, but tastes vary. Above all, have fun and enjoy your vacation!!

I don't have any recommendations at all, except that if you go to the north rim of the canyon instead of the south rim, it's much less "touristy" and not as crowded, but it's still pretty crowded.

No food recommendations at all, but I'm glad you decided to turn this into a vacation. Have fun!

Annie

Places to eat in Vicksburg:

Rusty's on Washington Street
Walnut Hills on Adams,a round table similar to the Dinner Bell
The Beechwood on Clay Street; nothing fancy; good steaks in an old motel restaurant. Don't be put off by how it looks.

Be sure to take the audio tour through the National Military Park (battlefield). I think you pick it up at the park visitor's center. While in the Park, stop to see the U.S.S. Cairo and its museum and take in the view of the river from Fort Nogales.

The Biedenharn Candy Store on Washington Street is now a museum. It is where Coca Cola was first bottled.

There are several homes you can tour. Cedar Grove and Anchuca are open daily, I think. Someone at the City Visitor's Center can tell you.

You might also consider taking a short side trip from Vicksburg to Port Gibson, the town that Grant thought was too beautiful to burn. Of note there is the Presbyterian Church steeple (a finger pointing toward Heaven) and Windsor Ruins just outside of town.

Here is a link that might be useful: Natchez Trace Travel - Windsor Ruins

I had lunch at La Plazuela in La Fonda a month ago. It's always pleasant and always good. We've eaten there almost every time we've been in Santa Fe.

Lee

Your trip sounds like a lot of fun, I hope you have a great time!

I'll second Olives (Chef Todd English) at the Bellagio. Go in the evening and sit on the outdoor terrace overlooking the dancing fountains. The view is fabulous (and romantic) and the food is excellent. Last time I was there I had a Pacific swordfish with fresh pea puree that was amazing!

sounds like you will be coming on I30 through Sulphur Springs (depending where you go North to hit I 40 and Amarillo).... On June 30 7:30 pm we will be having the dedication of the Veterans memorial and opening of the newly renovated square. The courthouse, built in 1895, granite and sandstone totally restored. Symphony and fireworks. 1Mile north of I30 exit Broadway. To eat, San Remos, owned and operated by Italians is on Broadway lunch and dinner Tues-Sunday. Downtown on Main Lou Viney Winery open Tues-Sat lunch and dinner, or the Pioneer Cafe Mon-Fri Breakfast and lunch.

Foods I discovered (some I like, some I don't) after moving to the south, probably as common in MS as in AL:

Fried pickles, boiled peanuts, cheesy grits, catfish, sauceless BBQ, chicken fried steak, cornbread dressing with boiled eggs in it, fried okra, crawfish, sweet potato pie, scuppernogs, tea so sweet it makes your teeth fuzzy.

I've lived below the Mason-Dixon since 1984. Very, very used to true southern cooking. Love everything on your list except for boiled peanuts and crawfish. Just haven't developed those tastes yet. I'm marked as a Northerner because I order unsweetened ice tea. I KNOW better than just to say iced tea, even here in FL.

Don't feel alone. I was born and have spent most of my life in the South, and I still can't hack 'sweet tea'; at least the version in the Carolinas and Georgia, which tastes like half unsweetened tea and half Karo syrup. Ick. Although the restaurants here do offer 'unsweet' tea that you can sweeten to your taste.

If you are staying in Amarillo, try to take in the outdoor play, 'Texas' in the Palo Duro Canyon. Very fun experience.

I don't know if Doug's BBQ is still in Amarillo, but it used to be my all time favorite.

I love the idea of making a trip into a food adventure.