7 Kansas Chicken Fried Steak Dinners That Can Barely Fit On The Plate
Kansas knows a thing or two about hearty meals, but nothing quite compares to their legendary chicken fried steaks.
I’ve traveled across the Sunflower State hunting down these breaded beauties that arrive on plates groaning under their weight.
When a server brings out these massive meals, heads turn and stomachs growl in anticipation.
Ready your appetite as we explore eight Kansas restaurants serving chicken fried steaks so enormous they’re practically falling off the plate!
1. Stroud’s: The Original Heavyweight Champion
My first bite at Stroud’s in Kansas City made me understand why locals speak of this place with reverence. The chicken fried steak arrives with a golden-brown crust that audibly crunches when your fork breaks through, revealing tender beef that practically melts in your mouth.
Their signature gravy – peppery, rich, and clearly made from scratch – cascades over the edges of the meat onto a mountain of mashed potatoes. The family-style green beans and cinnamon rolls that accompany this behemoth somehow find space on the plate through creative stacking.
Fun fact: Stroud’s has been serving their famous pan-fried goodness since 1933, and while they’re known primarily for fried chicken, their chicken fried steak has developed an equally passionate following.
2. The Barn: Rural Royalty On A Platter
Driving into tiny Burrton (population 901) doesn’t prepare you for the colossal meal awaiting at The Barn. Their chicken fried steak arrives spanning the entire circumference of a plate that must be 14 inches wide—no exaggeration!
Seasoned cowboys and truckers regularly attempt to conquer this mammoth creation, pounded thin but somehow still thick enough to satisfy. The cream gravy here has a distinctive nutmeg hint that locals swear by, complementing the perfectly seasoned breading.
What makes this place special isn’t just the size—it’s how the friendly staff remembers your name even if you’ve only visited once before. The Barn has been serving these gigantic portions since the 1970s, becoming something of a pilgrimage site for chicken fried steak enthusiasts.
3. Jimmie’s Diner: Retro Plates With Modern Appetites
“Holy cow!” escaped my lips when the server at Jimmie’s Diner slid their chicken fried steak in front of me. This Wichita institution serves their steaks hanging precariously over plate edges, making you wonder if physics is being defied.
The 1950s diner atmosphere complete with chrome and vinyl booths adds charm, but nothing outshines that steak. Pounded thin, breaded with a secret spice blend, and fried to perfection, it’s accompanied by the fluffiest mashed potatoes I’ve encountered in Kansas.
Locals recommend saving room for pie, but after tackling this monster, I could barely move. The diner started as a tiny lunch counter in 1939 and still uses the original recipe that made them famous—a crispy, peppery coating that somehow stays crunchy even under a lake of country gravy.
4. Bobo’s Drive-In: Sandwich Sensation That Requires Two Hands
Bobo’s might be small in size, but there’s nothing tiny about their legendary chicken fried steak sandwich. Featured on Guy Fieri’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,” this Topeka landmark serves up a handheld version that requires strategic planning just to take a bite.
The meat extends well beyond the boundaries of the bun, creating what locals affectionately call “the overflow.” Crispy breading with a hint of garlic makes this version distinctive, while the homemade gravy adds the perfect moisture to each mouthful.
What I love most is watching first-timers try to figure out how to approach eating it without wearing half of it home. Since 1948, this tiny drive-in has been stuffing these enormous portions into paper wrappers, creating a delicious mess that’s worth every napkin you’ll need.
5. Prairie Nut Hut: Small Town, Supersized Servings
Blink and you’ll miss Altoona, Kansas (population 414), but hungry travelers in the know make pilgrimages to the Prairie Nut Hut for chicken fried steak that requires its own zip code. My jaw dropped when I saw plates passing by with golden-brown steaks extending a full inch beyond the plate edges.
The breading here has a distinctive crunch that somehow stays intact even under ladles of pepper-flecked gravy. Rumor has it they use a special double-dipping technique before frying to achieve that perfect texture.
The restaurant’s quirky name comes from another local specialty (fried mountain oysters), but the chicken fried steak remains their crowning achievement. What makes this place special is how the tiny dining room fills with farmers, ranchers, and road-trippers all united in their quest to conquer these magnificent meals.
6. Town & Country Kitchen: Working Man’s Feast Fit For Royalty
“You’ll need a bigger stomach!” joked my server at Town & Country Kitchen in Wichita when I ordered their famous chicken fried steak. She wasn’t kidding—the plate arrived with meat extending so far over the edges I couldn’t see the table beneath.
This no-frills establishment has been feeding hungry workers for generations with portions that could satisfy two people. The meat is pounded to the perfect thickness—thin enough to be tender but substantial enough to feel like a proper steak.
Their signature touch is a hint of buttermilk in the breading that gives a subtle tanginess to each bite. What impressed me most was how they maintain quality despite the massive size—no corners cut, no compromises made. The restaurant walls are decorated with photos of satisfied (and stuffed) customers who’ve attempted to finish this behemoth over the decades.
7. Ty’s Diner: Burger Joint’s Secret Steak Sensation
Known primarily for burgers, Ty’s Diner in Wichita harbors a delicious secret—a chicken fried steak so massive it arrives on two plates! I watched wide-eyed as the cook pounded a cut of beef that must have started at twice the size of my head.
Unlike other places that focus on quantity over quality, Ty’s manages to keep their mega-portion remarkably tender. The breading has a distinctive red tint from their proprietary spice blend, creating a flavor profile you won’t find elsewhere in Kansas.
The diner’s tiny footprint (just a counter and a few tables) belies the enormous portions they serve. A charming tradition: if you can finish the entire chicken fried steak plus sides in one sitting, they’ll ring a bell and add your polaroid to the “Clean Plate Club” wall—a feat accomplished by fewer than a dozen brave souls each year.