12 Oklahoma Chicken-Fried Steak Plates That Could Outsize The State Fair
Oklahoma takes chicken-fried steak seriously, and some plates are so generous they could rival anything at the state fair.
Crispy, golden crusts envelop tender, juicy meat, often paired with creamy gravy and hearty sides that make every bite a feast.
Locals know these spots for their indulgent portions and unforgettable flavors.
Sitting down to one of these meals is more than dinner. It’s a celebration of comfort food done bigger, bolder, and better.
1. Chuck House’s Famous Steak That Needs Its Own Table
Regulars at this Oklahoma City institution swear you’ll need a bigger booth when ordering their legendary chicken-fried steak.
Serving crispy, golden perfection since 1974, Chuck House doesn’t mess around with dainty portions.
The seasoned cooks pound each steak thin before battering it twice, creating that signature crackly crust that extends well beyond your plate’s edge.
Drowning in peppery cream gravy, it’s the kind of meal that demands a post-dinner nap.
2. Del Rancho’s Steak Sandwich Supreme That Requires Two Hands (And Maybe A Friend)
Forget everything you thought you knew about sandwiches. Del Rancho’s famous Steak Sandwich Supreme features a chicken-fried steak so enormous it makes the bread look like an afterthought.
Founded by J.R. Holt in the 1950s, this Oklahoma City staple serves their breaded masterpiece on a toasted bun with lettuce, tomatoes, and mayo.
The steak itself extends a good 3-4 inches beyond the bread in every direction. Locals joke you need a knife, fork, and possibly reinforcements to tackle it.
3. Clanton’s Cafe: Where Your Steak Needs Its Own ZIP Code
Standing tall on Route 66 since 1927, Clanton’s might look unassuming, but don’t be fooled. The oldest continually owned family restaurant in Oklahoma serves a chicken-fried steak that could double as a welcome mat.
Four generations of Clantons have perfected their recipe, hand-breading each steak to order. The crispy exterior gives way to tender beef that practically melts with each bite.
Guy Fieri himself couldn’t stop raving when he featured their plate-eclipsing creation on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.
4. Meers Store & Restaurant’s Longhorn Steak That Needs Its Own Area Code
Housed in an old mining town’s general store, Meers serves chicken-fried steaks cut from their own Texas Longhorn cattle. When your meal arrives, you might wonder if they accidentally brought you the whole cow.
The century-old establishment sits at the foot of the Wichita Mountains, where they raise their free-range longhorns.
Their hand-cut, fresh-never-frozen steaks get dipped in buttermilk before being coated in seasoned flour. Each massive portion hangs off both sides of their famous 10-inch plates.
5. Hammett House’s Pampered Chicken Fried Steak That Demands Attention
Claremore locals call it the “Pampered Chicken Fried Steak” for good reason. Hammett House pounds, tenderizes, and seasons their beef with such loving care you’d think they were preparing it for royalty.
Family-owned since 1969, this homestyle haven serves their masterpiece draped dramatically across the entire plate. The feather-light crust shatters perfectly with each bite.
What really sets them apart is their legendary “lambasting” technique—a secret family method for achieving ultimate tenderness that they refuse to reveal.
6. Nelson’s Buffeteria: The Downtown Tulsa Legend With Steak Bigger Than Your Face
Tulsa businesspeople have been loosening their ties and unbuttoning their slacks at Nelson’s since 1929. Their chicken-fried steak isn’t just a meal—it’s practically a landmark.
The downtown institution hand-breads each cutlet to order, creating a craggy, crispy exterior that maintains its crunch even under a waterfall of cream gravy.
Though they’ve moved locations over the decades, their commitment to steak-the-size-of-your-head portions remains steadfast. Old-timers claim the recipe hasn’t changed since the Great Depression.
7. The Bros. Houligan’s Irish-Inspired Monster That Requires A Bigger Plate
Mixing Irish pub vibes with Oklahoma comfort food, The Bros. Houligan created a chicken-fried steak so legendary that first-timers often gasp when it arrives.
The Tulsa favorite doesn’t just hang off the plate—it practically needs its own table.
Founded by brothers Wayne and Glenn Houligan in 1976, their secret lies in a double-dredge technique using specially-seasoned flour.
Each mammoth portion gets hand-tenderized until it’s nearly fork-tender before frying. Locals swear by the “smothered” option with extra gravy and melted cheese for the full experience.
8. Savoy’s Historic Downtown Feast That Laughs At Standard Plate Sizes
Since 1925, Savoy has been serving what might be Tulsa’s most perfectly-proportioned chicken-fried steak—if by “proportioned” you mean “absolutely massive.”
Located in a historic Art Deco building, this downtown gem doesn’t skimp on tradition or portion size.
Each hand-breaded beauty arrives golden-brown and crackling, with a meat-to-breading ratio that old-school enthusiasts consider the gold standard.
The third-generation family owners still use the original recipe from nearly a century ago. Their secret? Oklahoma-raised beef and a splash of buttermilk in the batter.
9. Tally’s Good Food Cafe: The Route 66 Behemoth That Tourists Can’t Believe
Route 66 travelers stop for the nostalgia but remember Tally’s for their jaw-dropping chicken-fried steak.
This retro diner serves a portion so colossal that tourists often pull out their phones for proof before attempting to conquer it.
The neon-lit Tulsa institution hand-cuts each steak before battering it in their signature seasoned flour mixture. The result?
A crispy-on-the-outside, juicy-on-the-inside masterpiece that requires serious commitment. Owner Tally Alame has been known to jokingly offer t-shirts to anyone who can finish the entire meal in one sitting.
10. Click’s Steakhouse: The Small-Town Giant That Cowboy Hats Can’t Hide
In tiny Pawnee (population 2,200), Click’s has been serving their legendary chicken-fried steak since 1962. Cowboys drive from counties away just to tackle what locals affectionately call “The Hubcap.”
Each hand-cut steak gets tenderized multiple times before being dredged in a secret flour blend with 16 different spices. The resulting behemoth arrives crackling hot with a golden crust that shatters perfectly.
Third-generation owner Beverly Click still oversees every batch of their famous cream gravy, which customers have been known to drink straight.
11. Wright’s Family Diner: The Military-Approved Monster That Could Feed An Army
Located near Fort Sill, Wright’s Family Diner serves a chicken-fried steak that’s become a rite of passage for hungry soldiers.
The Lawton institution doesn’t just serve big portions—they serve portions that could qualify as military training exercises.
The family-run spot pounds each steak paper-thin before giving it the signature Wright treatment: a buttermilk soak followed by seasoned flour dredging.
Their gravy, made from scratch every morning, contains a hint of garlic that locals can identify blindfolded. Even the hungriest military personnel often leave with a to-go box.
12. Country Cottage Restaurant’s Farm-Fresh Feast That Requires A Bigger Fork
Nestled in tiny Locust Grove, Country Cottage Restaurant serves a chicken-fried steak so impressive that first-timers often ask if there’s been a mistake. “Nope,” servers smile, “that’s our regular size.”
This unassuming farmhouse-style spot sources beef from local ranchers, tenderizing each cut until it practically melts.
Their distinctive crust has just enough pepper to cut through the richness of their made-from-scratch cream gravy.
Regulars know to come hungry or be prepared to take half home. The Sunday after-church crowd often lines up 30 minutes before opening.
