It’s Texas Chicken-Fried Steak Day. Here’s where to eat CFS for lunch and dinner
(Adapted from a column published Oct. 25, 2011.)
Besides politics and religion, nothing can get a bar brawl going like chicken-fried steak.
The “best” is a matter of wide dispute, ranging from the lightly floured steaks at revered Mary’s Cafe in Palo Pinto County to the juicy, thick CFS at better restaurants such as Michaels Cuisine or Lucile’s.
On Oct., 26, Texas devotes an entire day to chicken-fried steak and discussions thereof.
Then-state Rep. Ralph Sheffield of Temple, who had owned a steakhouse, persuaded fellow lawmakers in 2011 to agree on a holiday, if not on a single official state chicken-fried steak.
“I did it because Texas has the greatest chicken-fried steak in the world,” Sheffield said then.
“I’ve had it made from prime beef, and I’ve had it made with scrawny little cutlets. It’s just one of those things Texans love.”
Seven restaurants across Texas helped lobby for the holiday, including Fort Worth’s landmark Paris Coffee Shop, now under new ownership and in its 96th year as a breakfast-and-lunch cafe at 704 W. Magnolia Ave.
One of the favorite chicken-fried steaks locally is served at a chicken restaurant: Babe’s Chicken Dinner House in Arlington, Burleson, Granbury, North Richland Hills and Roanoke.
There’s not much agreement on which local restaurant serves the “best” chicken-fried steak. (The best statewide is generally considered to be Mary’s, an hour’s drive west in Strawn.)
But for Texas Chicken-Fried Steak Day, try Michaels Cuisine, 3413 W. Seventh St.; Lucile’s, 4700 Camp Bowie Blvd.; Old Neighborhood Grill,. 1633 Park Place Ave.; Reata, 312 Houston St.; West Side Café, 7950 Camp Bowie Blvd; Charleston’s, 3020 S. Hulen St.; or Mac’s Bar & Grill in Arlington or Mac’s on Main in Grapevine.
Also, try Fred’s Texas Cafe, 7101 Camp Bowie Blvd. West or 2730 Western Center Blvd. Stockyards mainstays such as the Star Cafe, 111 W. Exchange Ave., are also good options.
For a simple CFS with old-fashioned yellow cream gravy (flavored with chicken broth), the favorite is Jesús BBQ and Family Restaurant, 810 S. Main St.
