Texas is the best state in the union to get an incredible steak—we dare you to argue otherwise. And when you take something already exceptional, batter it, fry it, and smother it in gravy, it somehow becomes even more irresistible. Heck, the dish even has its own state holiday every October.
To help you track down the best of the best—from mom-and-pop spots and southern-inspired chain restaurants to less expected places, such as an Italian restaurant—we’ve gathered some exemplary chicken fried steaks from around Dallas-Fort Worth. You’ll even find two spots that deserve a full-on road trip.
Luckys
Head to this classic diner for farm-fresh versions of southern classics, especially egg dishes and biscuits each morning. Come lunchtime, it’s all about the chicken fried steak, which comes with a basket of cornbread and biscuits, along with a choice of two scratch-made sides. Pro tip #1: Get the gravy on the side for dipping so that the steak stays crispy from first bite to last (this applies to any chicken fried steak in the city). Pro tip #2: Each Tuesday, Luckys features chicken fried steak as its daily special, saving you a few bucks at lunch or dinner. 3531 Oak Lawn Ave., Dallas, luckysdallas.com
Reata Restaurant
In the heart of Downtown Fort Worth, this iconic restaurant has been serving Texas fare for more than three decades. Get a table on the rooftop for some fresh air and Downtown views, a Millionaire (or Billionaire) Margarita, and a heaping platter of chicken fried steak. Reata’s version comes with cracked pepper gravy and arrives piping hot on a mound of mashed potatoes and sauteed veggies. 530 Throckmorton St., Fort Worth, reata.net
Company Cafe & Bar
Don’t let the fact that Company Cafe’s only open for breakfast and lunch throw you off the chicken fried steak trail. They’ve got a great one, gluten-free to boot. Order it at breakfast, and it comes with eggs your way, a slice of toast, and black pepper gravy. Order it at lunch, and sub out the eggs and toast for green beans and perfect garlic mashed potatoes. 2104 Greenville Ave., Dallas, companycafe.com
Cattlemen’s Steakhouse
Mosey on up to the northside of Fort Worth’s historic Stockyards District for a beauty of a chicken fried steak. Accompanied by a generous mountain of mashed potatoes and topped with a rich Wagyu sausage gravy, it’s worth venturing away from traditional steaks for a little deep-fried indulgence. You still get the classic steakhouse experience, because even chicken fried steak deserves to be eaten by candlelight with a nice glass of red. 2458 N. Main St., Fort Worth, cattlemenssteakhouse.com
Lounge Here
Tucked away in a nondescript small strip of shops in East Dallas, Lounge Here attracts fans from around the neighborhood and beyond each night into its cozy space. On a menu filled with several greatest hits of mostly Southern American fare, the chicken fried ribeye with shaved brussels sprouts always stands out. Crusted in panko, the well-marbled beef bursts with pockets of flavor after being fried, and the duck fat gravy delivers a bit of extra indulgence. Add on potato chip-crusted five-cheese mac and have no regrets. 9028 Garland Rd., Dallas, theloungehere.com
Haywire
It’s all about technique when it comes to the Haywire chicken fried steak. Each piece of meat gets pressed, hand-battered, and coated in intensely seasoned flour. Then it’s fried to order in beef tallow for extra flavor, revealing a super-crispy exterior, and tender, juicy steak inside. The scratch-made gravy features jalapeõs and house-smoked sausage to ramp up the flavor even further. Mashed potatoes and sautéed green beans accompany each order. Multiple locations, haywirerestaurant.com
Norma’s Cafe
Since 1956, Norma’s has been feeding Texans the very best comfort food morning, noon, and night. Every bite of chicken fried steak comes with 60 years of expertise in making their award-winning version. Get it at breakfast with eggs, grits, and a biscuit; or later in the day with rolls, cornbread, and two selections from more than two dozen daily and rotating sides. (Try the black-eyed peas and broccoli, rice, and cheese casserole when available.) Multiple locations, normascafe.com
Tolbert’s Restaurant & Chili Parlor
Poor timing by a server delivering soup at the same time as the entrées led to the discovery of an incredible hack. When the chicken fried steak arrived (gravy on the side, of course) at the same time as the cream of jalapeño soup, it became one of the best pairings since peanut butter and chocolate met inside a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup. Choose from two sides, and you’ll have one unforgettable meal. 423 S. Main St., Grapevine, tolbertsrestaurant.com
Street’s Fine Chicken
If Arlington’s too far a drive for that famous Black-eyed Pea chicken fried steak, fear not. Two locations of this southern cooking restaurant hail from Mr. Street’s family. In fact, the Cedar Springs location occupies the original Black-Eyed Pea building that opened in 1975. The chicken fried ribeye here ramps up the quality with additional enhancements to the classic, including jalapeño cream gravy and green onions.It’s all served with a side selection and a big fluffy biscuit. Multiple locations, streetsfinechicken.com
Prego Pasta House
Like any celebrated Italian joint, Prego Pasta House serves the classics: pepperoni pizza, Caesar salad, spaghetti and meatballs, eggplant parm, and—you guessed it—chicken fried steak. The off-menu “secret” item has been the go-to order of anyone in the know for years. Now with the addition of a smaller lunch version of the steak, it’s one of the best in town, regardless of your appetite. And how about this for another crazy hack? Order it with a side of marinara for dipping. Mangia, y’all! 4930 Greenville Ave., Dallas, pregopastahouse.com
Saint Ann
Housed inside a historic building that once served as St. Ann’s Parochial School, this spot carries on a kind of divine tradition—because, like the nuns who once ran it, the chicken fried steak here feels nothing short of heaven-sent. It all starts with high-quality steak, which chefs dredge in well-seasoned flour, fry, and top with a luscious, bacon-laced gravy and crisp green beans on the side. Enjoy one on the lush patio, whether you’re there for lunch, dinner, or weekend brunch. 2501 N. Harwood St., Dallas, saintanndallas.com
Bubba’s Cooks Country
Sister restaurant to Babe’s Chicken Dinner House (home to some awesome family-style chicken fried steak), Bubba’s not only lets you order a la carte, but you can choose a smaller portion of CFS. The yeast rolls and cornbread you can choose between are both good, but if you arrive right at 11 a.m. when the switchover from breakfast to lunch takes place, try to snag a biscuit to sop up any cream gravy that falls off your steak. 6617 Hillcrest Ave., Dallas, bubbascookscountry.com
Black-eyed Pea
Once one of the biggest and most beloved chains in North Texas for homestyle comfort food, the Gene Street-created icon now has only one location remaining. But the decor, friendly service, and food are exactly as you remember them, from the crunchy chicken fried steak (available in regular and Texas-size) to the baked squash casserole and cornbread dressing. Even the plain old iced tea somehow tastes better than anywhere else. 4000 Bagpiper Way, Ste. 150, Arlington, theblackeyedpea.com
Cotton Patch Cafe
Sure, it’s a Texas chain restaurant with dozens of locations, but that simply means its cooks must be trained to execute chicken fried steak consistently on a statewide level. By hand-breading each cutlet and giving customers the choice of regular cream gravy or a slightly spicy jalapeño gravy for a little kick, they succeed every time. Each order comes with two hearty sides (fried orka and a baked sweet potato, anyone?). Plus, on Mondays, it’s less than $10. A penny less, but still a fantastic deal. Multiple locations; cottonpatch.com
Heritage East
Those passionate about chicken fried steak know that the city limits can’t contain enthusiasm for the meaty staple. Head east to Downtown Tyler (100 miles from downtown Dallas) and treat yourself to chef Lance McWhorter’s take on CFS. Each plate is made to order and gets a decidedly cheffy spin with horseradish gravy, and a finishing touch of Parmigiano Reggiano and fresh chives. It’s all served with a side of charred sweet onions and chicken liver mousse. Add a bit of Cajun flair to the mix with family-style crawfish mac and cheese. 118 W. Erwin St., Tyler, heritagetyler.com
Mary’s Cafe
If your travels (or your hunger) lead you westward, drive 110 miles to Strawn, a tiny town with a population of only about 500. There, you’ll find Mary’s Cafe, a no-frills eatery with no website or social media presence, just positive word of mouth and fiercely loyal locals and epicurious folks from all over. The pan-fried chicken-fried steak comes in three sizes: small, medium, and large, which correspond to one, two, or three steaks, respectively. No matter which size you choose, you’ll get your choice of baked potato, mashed potato, or French fries, along with salad, toast, and gravy, which (amen!) always comes on the side. 119 Grant Ave., Strawn.
