5 Kentucky Chicken Fried Steak Plates So Huge They Hang Over The Plate
Nothing says Southern comfort quite like a chicken fried steak so large it can’t even be contained by its plate. In Kentucky, this classic dish is taken to new heights with portions that defy both gravity and appetite, arriving at the table as golden-fried masterpieces smothered in rich country gravy.
I’ve traveled across the Bluegrass State in search of these oversized treasures, each one leaving me both amazed and happily stuffed.
These aren’t just ordinary dinners—they’re culinary challenges disguised as comfort food, wrapped in crispy breading, served with a smile, and guaranteed to make you loosen your belt before dessert.
1. Log Cabin Inn’s Legendary Country-Fried Monster
Last summer, I nearly fell out of my chair when the server at Log Cabin Inn in Covington brought out what looked like a crispy-fried hubcap! Locals don’t just eat here – they make pilgrimages from counties away for this beast.
The seasoned cooks pound each steak thin before double-dredging it in their secret flour mixture. The result? A crunchy exterior that somehow stays crisp even under rivers of pepper-speckled gravy.
My favorite part might be the homemade sides that fight for remaining plate space – usually losing the battle as they slide to the table’s edge. Worth every mile of the drive and every loosened notch on your belt!
2. Back Home Restaurant’s Plate-Eclipsing Comfort
“You’ll need a bigger plate!” joked my waitress at Back Home Restaurant in Elizabethtown when I ordered their country fried steak. She wasn’t kidding!
The kitchen staff tenderizes these beef slabs until they’re practically the size of welcome mats. Then they’re hand-breaded and fried to golden perfection. What makes this version special is the gravy – a velvety concoction with just enough pepper to wake up your taste buds without overwhelming them.
Fun fact: I watched three separate tables snap photos of their meals before diving in. One gentleman even placed his wallet next to the steak for size comparison – the steak won handily!
3. Ramsey’s Diner’s Borderless Beef Beauty
The first time I saw Ramsey’s chicken fried steak, I genuinely thought it was meant for sharing. The server laughed and said, “That’s all yours, honey!” Their multiple Kentucky locations all serve this showstopper that refuses to acknowledge plate boundaries.
What sets Ramsey’s apart is their impossibly light breading that shatters with each fork cut. Beneath lies perfectly tenderized beef that practically melts away. Their signature move? Ladling gravy only on half so you can appreciate both the naked crispiness and the smothered goodness.
The regular customers come prepared – I’ve spotted folks wearing stretchy pants specifically for their Ramsey’s visits!
4. Claudia Sanders’ Mammoth Southern Tradition
Colonel Sanders’ wife knew a thing or two about comfort food! While her Shelbyville dinner house might be famous for fried chicken, their country fried steak left me speechless – and that rarely happens.
Each portion stretches across the plate like it’s trying to escape. The breading has a distinctive hint of paprika that gives it a beautiful color and subtle warmth. Their gravy includes tiny bits of country ham that add unexpected pops of saltiness.
The elderly gentleman at the next table caught me staring wide-eyed at my plate and winked, “First time? You’ll be dreaming about that one tonight.” He was absolutely right!
5. Northern Kentucky’s Hidden Roadside Miracle
Sometimes greatness hides in plain sight! This unassuming roadside spot (which locals still call by its original name, Log Cabin Inn) serves what might be Kentucky’s most ambitious chicken fried steak. My jaw dropped when I saw other diners’ plates from across the room.
The no-frills atmosphere belies the extraordinary care taken with each mammoth steak. Pounded thin yet somehow remaining juicy, the meat receives a coating that crackles audibly with each bite. Their gravy is the perfect consistency – not too thick, not too runny.
I overheard one regular tell his out-of-town guests, “Measure your hunger by counties, not calories, when you order here!”