15 Iowa Chicken Fried Steaks So Large They Take Up The Entire Plate
In Iowa, big portions are practically a point of pride, but nothing captures that spirit better than a chicken fried steak that sprawls across the entire plate.
These massive meals have become local legends thanks to golden crusts, rich gravies, and cuts so oversized they can surprise first timers.
Each spot has its own secret touch that keeps regulars coming back hungry. If you love comfort food served with confidence, Iowa’s giants are ready to challenge your appetite.
1. Bubba
Walking into Bubba means accepting that your plate will disappear under a mountain of breaded, fried beef goodness.
This legendary spot serves a chicken fried steak so absurdly large that first-timers often laugh out loud when it arrives.
The crispy coating stretches from edge to edge, drowning in creamy country gravy that pools around the sides.
Regulars know to skip lunch if they’re planning a Bubba dinner because finishing this beast is a legitimate accomplishment that deserves bragging rights for weeks.
2. Waveland Cafe
Waveland Cafe doesn’t mess around when it comes to portion sizes. Their chicken fried steak hangs over the plate rim like it’s trying to escape, and honestly, you can’t blame it for being ambitious.
Locals have been coming here for decades, drawn by the perfectly seasoned breading and the gravy recipe that’s probably locked in a vault somewhere.
You’ll need both hands and serious determination to tackle this Iowa icon, which pairs beautifully with their famous mashed potatoes piled high enough to need their own zip code.
3. Drake Diner
Situated near Drake University, this retro diner serves students and locals a chicken fried steak that could double as a textbook for size comparison.
The cutlet is pounded thin but stretches so wide that side dishes get relegated to separate plates entirely.
Between bites of the crunchy, peppery crust and tender beef beneath, you’ll understand why college kids consider conquering this meal a rite of passage.
The gravy flows like a delicious river, making every forkful an adventure in comfort food paradise.
4. The Machine Shed (Urbandale)
Farm-fresh portions are the name of the game at The Machine Shed, where the chicken fried steak looks like it was meant to feed an entire harvest crew.
This place celebrates Iowa’s agricultural roots with servings that would make any farmer proud.
The steak itself is tender as can be, wrapped in a crackling shell of seasoned breading that shatters satisfyingly with each cut.
Smothered in their signature gravy and surrounded by farm-style sides, this meal turns dinner into a full-blown event worth canceling plans for.
5. University Library Cafe
Don’t let the academic name fool you because there’s nothing quiet or studious about the portion sizes here.
University Library Cafe plates up a chicken fried steak that demands your full attention, covering the dish like a delicious, edible tablecloth.
Students cramming for exams often fuel up here, knowing the protein and carbs will power them through all-nighters.
The breading stays crispy even under the generous gravy pour, and the meat inside is fork-tender enough to cut without a knife, making multitasking between eating and studying totally possible.
6. Tommy’s Restaurant (Cedar Rapids)
Cedar Rapids locals whisper about Tommy’s chicken fried steak like it’s some kind of delicious urban legend. Spoiler alert: the rumors are true, and this thing is genuinely enormous.
Crispy on the outside with a juicy interior that stays moist despite the serious frying action, this steak practically requires a map to navigate.
The gravy situation here is next-level too, with a peppery kick that keeps things interesting bite after bite.
Bring your appetite and maybe a friend to share, though finishing solo earns you serious street cred around town.
7. Morg’s Diner
Morg’s Diner operates on the philosophy that nobody should leave hungry, and their chicken fried steak proves they mean business.
This slab of breaded beef joy extends to every corner of the plate with zero apologies.
The cooking technique here creates an almost lacy, crispy edge where the breading gets extra crunchy, while the center stays thick and satisfying.
Regulars often order this beauty with a side of hot sauce to cut through the richness, creating a flavor combination that keeps them coming back week after week for their fried steak fix.
8. Cedar Falls Family Restaurant
Family restaurants know how to feed people properly, and Cedar Falls Family Restaurant takes that responsibility seriously.
Their chicken fried steak looks like it was designed for a giant, stretching across the plate in all its golden-brown glory.
What makes this version special is the seasoning blend in the breading, which adds depth beyond the standard salt and pepper routine.
Paired with creamy mashed potatoes and vegetables that barely fit alongside the main attraction, this meal transforms a regular Tuesday into something worth celebrating with your whole crew.
9. Brightside Cafe
Brightside Cafe earned its name by serving food that genuinely brightens your day, especially their comically large chicken fried steak. This thing arrives at your table looking like it might need its own seat.
The crust achieves that perfect golden color that Instagram dreams are made of, while staying remarkably crispy despite the gravy waterfall.
Cutting into it reveals meat that’s been tenderized to perfection, making each bite melt-in-your-mouth tender.
Fair warning: you’ll probably need a to-go box, but those leftovers make incredible next-day breakfast material when reheated properly.
10. Horizon Family Restaurant
Horizon Family Restaurant pushes the boundaries of reasonable portion sizes with their chicken fried steak that seems to expand beyond the laws of physics. Seriously, how do they fit this much food on one plate?
The breading here has a slightly different texture, almost like a really good fried chicken coating that adds extra crunch factor.
Smothered in a gravy that tastes homemade because it actually is, this dish represents everything right about Iowa comfort food.
Pace yourself, take breaks, and remember that finishing isn’t mandatory when the portion could feed a small village.
11. The Villager Family Table
Small-town hospitality meets ridiculous portion sizes at The Villager Family Table, where the chicken fried steak has achieved near-mythical status among regulars.
This behemoth covers the plate so completely that you can’t even see the pattern underneath.
What sets this version apart is the meat quality, which tastes like it came from a local farm rather than a factory somewhere.
The breading clings beautifully without being too thick, and the gravy has just enough black pepper to give it personality without overwhelming the dish. Finishing this earns you respect from the staff.
12. Bluebird Diner
Bluebird Diner serves up nostalgia with a side of holy-cow-that’s-huge chicken fried steak that hangs off the edges like it’s staging a delicious rebellion.
The retro vibe here matches the old-school portion philosophy: bigger is always better. Their secret weapon is the gravy, which has a slightly different flavor profile that regulars swear by but can never quite identify.
The meat stays incredibly juicy even though it’s fried within an inch of its life, creating that perfect contrast between crispy exterior and tender center that makes chicken fried steak legendary across the Midwest.
13. The Ankeny Diner
Ankeny Diner doesn’t play around with wimpy portions, serving a chicken fried steak that looks like it hit the gym before hitting your table.
This muscular slab of breaded beef completely dominates the plate with confidence.
The preparation here involves some serious pounding and tenderizing, resulting in a cutlet that’s both massive and surprisingly easy to chew.
Drenched in their peppery white gravy and flanked by whatever sides can squeeze onto the table, this meal represents peak Iowa diner culture.
Come hungry, leave happy, and maybe loosen your belt a notch or three before digging in.
14. 100th St Corner Cafe
Tucked into a corner location, this cafe serves up a chicken fried steak that’s anything but small-time.
The portion here could probably be seen from space, stretching across the plate like a delicious, edible landscape.
What makes this spot special is the consistency because every single time you order, the steak arrives perfectly cooked with that ideal crispy-tender balance.
The gravy flows generously without making things soggy, and the seasoning hits just right without being too salty. Regulars time their visits around this dish, planning their entire day’s eating schedule accordingly.
15. Ankeny Cafe
Ankeny Cafe rounds out our list with a chicken fried steak that refuses to be contained by normal plate boundaries.
This final entry proves that Iowa’s obsession with oversized comfort food runs deep and wide across the entire state.
The kitchen here nails the breading ratio, creating a coating that’s substantial enough to stay crunchy but not so thick it overwhelms the meat.
Covered in gravy that tastes like someone’s grandmother made it with love, this dish represents everything wonderful about Midwestern cooking.
Finish it if you can, but nobody will judge if you wave the white napkin in surrender.