10 Kansas Chicken Fried Steaks So Big They Can Barely Stay On The Plate
In Kansas, chicken fried steak isn’t just a meal, it’s a full-blown event. Served golden brown and smothered in creamy gravy, these hearty plates push the limits of portion size and appetite alike.
Each bite delivers the perfect mix of crunch, comfort, and country flavor that locals can’t get enough of.
From roadside diners to small-town cafes, Kansas has perfected the art of serving chicken fried steaks that barely fit on the plate.
1. Hays House 1857 Restaurant & Tavern (Council Grove)
Walking into Kansas’s oldest continuously operating restaurant feels like stepping back in time, but the portion sizes are anything but old-fashioned.
Hays House has been slinging massive chicken fried steaks since before the Civil War ended, and they haven’t skimped on size once.
Their legendary steak cascades over the plate edges like a delicious waterfall of breaded beef.
Regulars joke that you need a strategy just to figure out where to start cutting. The crunchy coating stays crispy even under a river of peppery white gravy that could feed a small army.
2. Carriage Crossing Restaurant & Bakery (Yoder)
Nestled in Amish country, this family-run gem serves a chicken fried steak so massive it makes their already-generous dinner plates look like appetizer dishes.
The secret? They hand-pound each cut until it’s thin enough to bread properly but still thick enough to satisfy.
Every order comes with a side of their famous homemade bread, though you’ll barely have room after tackling the main event.
Local farmers stop by after morning chores specifically for this beast of a breakfast. Good luck finishing without loosening your belt at least once.
3. Spear’s Restaurant & Pie Shop (Wichita)
Spear’s has been a Wichita institution since 1948, and their chicken fried steak recipe hasn’t changed one bit.
What makes theirs special is the cracker-thin pounding technique that creates more surface area for that addictive crunchy coating.
The result? A steak that sprawls across the entire plate and then some. First-timers always do a double-take when their order arrives because it genuinely looks like someone brought out two meals by mistake.
Save room for pie, though, because their dessert case is equally legendary and skipping it would be a crime.
4. Doo-Dah Diner (Wichita)
If you think the name sounds quirky, wait until you see the steak. Doo-Dah’s version practically requires its own zip code, stretching beyond the plate boundaries like it’s trying to escape.
They serve the gravy on the side so the breading stays shatteringly crisp, which is a smart move when you’re dealing with this much real estate.
The seasoning blend includes a hint of cayenne that sneaks up on you after a few bites.
Weekend brunch crowds pack this place specifically for this monster, often sharing one order between two people and still taking home leftovers.
5. Old 56 Family Restaurant (Olathe)
Located along historic Highway 56, this family spot doesn’t mess around when it comes to portion control, or rather, the complete lack of it.
Their chicken fried steak looks like it was made for a giant, hand-breaded with a secret seasoning mix that’s been passed down for generations.
The meat hangs off the plate so dramatically that servers deliver it with a warning.
Locals claim it’s the perfect cure for a long day, providing enough comfort food to erase any stress. You’ll definitely need a to-go box unless you skipped breakfast and lunch.
6. Pegah’s Family Restaurant (Shawnee)
Pegah’s treats every customer like family, which apparently means feeding them enough food for three people.
Their chicken fried steak is tenderized to perfection and then battered in a seasoned flour mixture that creates an impossibly crunchy shell.
When it arrives at your table, you’ll wonder if they accidentally brought you a platter meant for sharing.
They don’t skimp on the gravy either, ladling on enough to create a creamy moat around your mashed potatoes.
First-time visitors often pull out their phones to document the absurd size before digging in, because nobody back home will believe it otherwise.
7. The Chef Café (Manhattan)
College students at Kansas State University have fueled themselves on The Chef’s legendary chicken fried steak for decades, probably because one order can provide leftovers for two more meals.
This isn’t some delicate culinary creation but rather a glorious monument to excess. The breading achieves that perfect balance between substantial crunch and tender beef underneath.
It droops over the plate edges like Salvador Dali painted it. Professors and students alike tackle this challenge, though finishing it in one sitting earns you serious bragging rights around campus.
Pro tip: come hungry or bring friends willing to share.
8. Ladybird Diner (Lawrence)
Ladybird puts a slightly upscale spin on this Kansas classic, but they didn’t get the memo about portion control.
Their version still sprawls across the plate like it owns the place, with a perfectly seasoned crust that shatters under your fork.
What sets theirs apart is the quality of the beef and the herb-flecked gravy that adds unexpected depth.
Lawrence locals and University of Kansas students pack this spot for weekend brunch, often posting photos of the comically large steaks on social media.
Even with the modern twist, this remains pure Kansas comfort food, just with better lighting and hipper music.
9. Bradley’s Corner Café (Topeka)
Tucked away in Topeka, Bradley’s serves a chicken fried steak that’s become the stuff of local legend.
Politicians from the nearby state capitol building sneak over during lunch breaks to tackle this behemoth, often failing to finish despite their best efforts.
The steak gets pounded thin, breaded thick, and fried until golden perfection radiates from every inch. It literally cannot be contained by standard dinnerware.
Regulars know to wear stretchy pants and clear their afternoon schedule because a food coma is practically guaranteed. The café walls are covered with photos of brave souls who actually cleaned their plates.
10. Applewood Restaurant (South Hutchinson)
Applewood doesn’t just serve big chicken fried steaks but rather serves steaks that redefine what big actually means.
Their kitchen somehow produces cuts that seem to violate the laws of physics, extending past the plate rim in every direction.
The meat stays juicy despite being pounded thinner than a pancake, and the breading maintains its crunch from first bite to last.
Locals bring out-of-town visitors here specifically to watch their jaws drop when the food arrives.
After one visit, you’ll understand why South Hutchinson residents consider this a point of civic pride worth bragging about to anyone who’ll listen.