12 Texas Spots Serving Chicken Fried Steak That Covers The Whole Plate
Last summer, I ordered chicken fried steak at a diner outside Austin and nearly fell off my chair when the server brought out a platter the size of a hubcap.
The golden, crispy cutlet hung over the edges like a delicious, breaded waterfall.
That’s when I realized Texas doesn’t mess around when it comes to portion sizes, especially with this iconic comfort food.
1. Barbecue Inn — Houston
Since 1946, this Houston legend has been slinging steaks so massive they make regular dinner plates look like saucers.
Locals swear by the peppery cream gravy that pools around the edges, perfect for soaking up with their fluffy buttermilk biscuits.
The breading stays shatteringly crisp even after you drown it in gravy. Fun fact: the restaurant survived Hurricane Harvey and came back stronger, just like their portions.
Bring your appetite and maybe a to-go box, because finishing this beast in one sitting is a Texas-sized challenge.
2. Norma’s Cafe — Dallas
Walk into any Norma’s location and you’ll immediately smell what heaven’s kitchen must be like.
Their chicken fried steak is legendary across Dallas, stretching from rim to rim with a crackly crust that sounds like autumn leaves when you cut into it.
They hand-batter each steak to order, which explains why people wait in lines that snake out the door on weekends.
The mashed potatoes come piled high on the side, but honestly, they’re just supporting actors to the main event. This is comfort food that hugs you from the inside out.
3. Hill Country Cupboard — Johnson City
Nestled in LBJ country, this charming spot serves up steaks that would make the 36th president proud.
The meat gets pounded thin as paper, then fried to golden perfection until it practically spills off the plate like edible lace.
Everything here screams Hill Country hospitality, from the checkered tablecloths to the sweet tea that flows like water.
Their version comes with a side of green beans cooked with bacon, because vegetables need flavor too. Pro tip: arrive before noon on Sundays or prepare to wait with half of Johnson City.
4. Babe’s Chicken Dinner House — Roanoke
Famous for their family-style feasts, Babe’s doesn’t hold back on the chicken fried steak either. Each order arrives looking like someone flattened a small cow and deep-fried it to crispy glory.
The best part? Everything comes with unlimited sides, so you can keep refilling those mashed potatoes and corn until you can’t button your jeans.
The atmosphere feels like Sunday dinner at your favorite aunt’s house, if your aunt happened to run a restaurant.
They don’t take reservations, so showing up hungry and early is your best strategy for conquering this Texas titan.
5. Blue Bonnet Cafe — Marble Falls
Operating since 1929, Blue Bonnet knows a thing or two about frying meat to perfection. Their chicken fried steak hangs over the plate edges like a crispy, meaty tablecloth, demanding respect and a serious appetite.
But here’s the kicker: save room for pie. Their pie case holds more varieties than you can count, and skipping dessert here should be illegal.
The locals treat this place like a second home, gathering for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Fair warning: the parking lot fills up faster than a stock tank after a rainstorm.
6. Hickory Hollow — Houston
Hidden in a Houston strip mall, Hickory Hollow proves you can’t judge a restaurant by its exterior. Their chicken fried steak arrives looking like someone tried to smuggle a cutting board under a blanket of gravy.
The meat stays tender while the coating delivers that satisfying crunch we all crave. They’ve been feeding hungry Houstonians since 1977, perfecting their recipe through decades of practice.
Regulars know to order the green beans on the side because they’re cooked low and slow with just enough bacon to make them interesting without stealing the spotlight from the main attraction.
7. George’s Restaurant — Waco
Right in the heart of Waco, George’s has been serving steaks that overflow plates since 1930.
The kitchen crew hand-breads each order using a secret seasoning blend that makes people drive from Dallas just for lunch.
When your server brings out the plate, expect your eyes to widen. This isn’t some dainty portion for folks counting calories.
The gravy comes thick and peppery, clinging to every nook and cranny of that crispy exterior.
Chip and Joanna might have put Waco on the map, but George’s was feeding the masses long before Magnolia became a thing.
8. Koffee Kup Family Restaurant — Hico
This tiny town gem serves steaks that make city slickers weep with joy. The cutlet gets pounded so thin and wide that it practically requires its own zip code, draping over the plate like delicious, breaded fabric.
Hico might be small, but Koffee Kup’s reputation stretches across Texas. People plan road trips around stopping here for lunch, which tells you everything you need to know.
The homemade cream gravy tastes like your grandmother made it, assuming your grandmother was a genius with a skillet. Cash is king here, so hit the ATM before you roll into town.
9. Bubba’s Cooks Country — Dallas
Don’t let the strip mall location fool you because Bubba’s is serving up serious competition for Dallas’s best chicken fried steak.
Each order arrives looking like someone dropped a manhole cover made of meat and breading onto your plate.
The kitchen takes pride in using cube steak that’s been tenderized within an inch of its life, then coated in seasoned flour that fries up golden and gorgeous.
Regulars know Tuesday is chicken fried steak day, when the place fills with folks who’ve been coming here since Bubba first opened the doors. Bring cash, bring friends, bring your appetite.
10. Star Cafe — Fort Worth
Operating since 1950, Star Cafe represents old-school Fort Worth dining at its finest. Their chicken fried steak sprawls across the plate like Texas sprawls across the map, big, bold, and unapologetic.
The breading stays remarkably crispy even after sitting for a few minutes, which never happens because you’ll start cutting into it immediately.
They serve breakfast all day, but honestly, who orders pancakes when this masterpiece exists? Fort Worth locals guard this place like a secret, though the packed parking lot gives it away.
Expect a wait during peak hours, but trust me, it’s worth every minute of standing around smelling that amazing kitchen.
11. Maxine’s Cafe & Bakery — Bastrop
Bastrop’s favorite breakfast and lunch spot serves a chicken fried steak that makes grown adults giggle with happiness.
The portion size borders on ridiculous, cascading over the plate edges like a crispy, meaty waterfall.
What sets Maxine’s apart is the bakery component because finishing your meal with a slice of homemade pie is practically mandatory. The steak itself gets fried to order, never sitting under heat lamps getting sad and soggy.
Weekends bring crowds from Austin, about 30 miles away, who make the drive specifically for this dish. Smart diners arrive early or late to dodge the rush.
12. Texan Cafe & Pie Shop — Hutto
Hutto’s pride and joy, Texan Cafe serves steaks that require architectural support to keep from collapsing off the plate. The kitchen crew takes their frying seriously, creating a crust that crackles audibly with each bite.
Like the name suggests, pie is a big deal here, with dozens of varieties rotating daily. But before you get to dessert, you’ve got to tackle this behemoth of breaded beef that covers your plate like edible armor.
The gravy comes on the side, letting you control your own destiny. Local ranchers fill the booths during lunch, which is always a good sign that the food is legit and the portions are Texas-sized.