These Ohio Chicken Fried Steak Plates Barely Stay On The Plate
Ohio takes chicken fried steak seriously. You can walk into almost any small-town diner and spot it on the menu, served up with mashed potatoes and a side of something buttery.
The portions are big, the gravy’s rich, and there’s always that crispy edge that makes every bite worth it. It’s the kind of meal that fills you up and makes you want to linger a little longer.
I’ve seen people drive out of their way just to get a plate like that, and once you’ve tried it in Ohio, you’ll understand why.
1. Tommy’s Diner, Columbus
Walking into this Columbus spot feels like stepping back in time. The chicken fried steak here stretches across the entire plate, with edges hanging over the sides.
Thick white gravy pools everywhere, soaking into the golden crust. They serve it with real mashed potatoes and whatever vegetable they made fresh that morning.
Regulars know to come hungry because finishing this plate takes serious effort. The meat stays tender under all that crispy coating, and the gravy has just enough pepper to keep things interesting without overwhelming your taste buds.
2. Fitzy’s Old Fashioned Diner, Columbus
Fitzy’s keeps things simple and does them right. Their chicken fried steak comes out sizzling hot, breaded thick and fried to a perfect golden brown.
The gravy flows like a river, covering everything on your plate including the sides. Real comfort food that reminds you of Sunday dinners at your grandmother’s house.
The meat gets pounded thin before battering, making it tender enough to cut with your fork. Locals pack this place on weekends, so expect a wait during peak hours. Worth every minute though, especially when that steaming plate arrives at your table.
3. The Breakfast Club, Lebanon
Lebanon’s breakfast favorite doesn’t limit chicken fried steak to dinner hours. They serve this monster all day long, often paired with eggs and hash browns for a complete meal.
The steak itself gets hand-breaded every morning using their own seasoning blend. Creamy gravy blankets everything, turning your whole plate into one delicious mess.
Small town charm fills this place, with friendly servers who remember your name after just a couple visits. The portions match that generous Midwest spirit, giving you more food than you probably need but exactly what you want.
4. The Schoolhouse Restaurant, Camp Dennison
Eating inside an actual old schoolhouse adds character to your meal. The chicken fried steak here comes out on vintage-style plates that still can’t contain the whole portion.
They use a thicker cut of beef than most places, giving you more meat under that crispy shell. The gravy tastes homemade because it is, prepared fresh in small batches.
History buffs appreciate the building’s story while everyone else just appreciates the food. The combination of good cooking and unique atmosphere makes this worth the drive out to Camp Dennison, especially on a lazy Sunday afternoon.
5. Tony’s Family Restaurant, Parma
Parma has plenty of restaurants, but Tony’s stands out for serving chicken fried steak the old-fashioned way. Hand-breaded and cooked to order, never sitting under heat lamps losing its crunch.
The gravy recipe hasn’t changed in years because it doesn’t need to. Thick and creamy, it complements the crispy coating without making everything soggy.
Reasonable prices and generous portions explain why families keep returning. The staff treats everyone like regulars, even if it’s your first visit. Good neighborhood food that reminds you why simple dishes done right never go out of style.
6. Southside Diner, Parma
Another Parma gem, Southside Diner plates up chicken fried steak that requires serious appetite. The cutlet gets pounded thin and wide, then breaded and fried until it crackles.
Gravy arrives in a separate bowl because there’s already so much on the plate. They use real potatoes for the mash, not instant flakes, which makes a noticeable difference.
The diner atmosphere feels authentic, with worn booths and coffee that flows freely. Workers stop in before their shifts, families come after ball games, and everyone leaves satisfied. Classic American diner food that hits all the right notes without trying too hard.
7. Tee Jaye’s Country Place, Columbus Area Multiple Locations
This local chain has been feeding Columbus families for years. Their chicken fried steak doesn’t mess around with portion sizes.
You get a hand-battered cutlet that covers your plate completely, topped with their homemade country gravy. The crust crunches perfectly when you cut into it, revealing juicy meat inside.
They pair it with their famous hash browns or home fries, which soak up all that extra gravy. Several locations mean you can find one near you without driving too far. Breakfast or dinner, this plate hits the spot every single time.
8. Jim’s Open Kitchen, Solon
Out in Solon, this neighborhood spot serves up chicken fried steak that barely fits on standard diner plates. The breading has a homemade quality that you can taste right away.
They make their gravy fresh throughout the day, never letting it sit too long. Each bite gives you that satisfying crunch followed by tender beef.
The kitchen doesn’t skimp on seasoning either, with black pepper adding nice flavor to both the crust and gravy. Regulars swear by coming here after a long day when you need real food that fills you up proper.
9. Canary’s Family Restaurant, Cleveland And North Olmsted
Canary’s has two locations serving the same oversized chicken fried steak that made them popular. The breading sticks perfectly to the meat, creating that ideal texture contrast.
White gravy flows generously, and they never charge extra if you want more on the side. The steak itself gets seasoned well before battering, so flavor goes all the way through.
Families fill the booths here, with kids and grandparents all enjoying comfort food together. Prices stay reasonable despite the huge portions, making it easy to bring the whole crew without breaking the bank on dinner out.
10. Country Inn Restaurant, Withamsville
Withamsville might be small, but Country Inn serves chicken fried steak that could feed two people easily. The crust fries up light and crunchy, never greasy or heavy.
Cream gravy covers everything in sight, made with real butter and whole milk. They serve it alongside green beans or corn, whichever vegetable looks best that day.
The dining room fills up fast during lunch and dinner rushes, with working folks stopping by for a solid meal. Nothing fancy here, just good honest cooking that satisfies your hunger and doesn’t cost a fortune to enjoy regularly.
11. George’s Kitchen, Cleveland
Cleveland locals know George’s Kitchen for breakfast, but their chicken fried steak deserves equal attention. The portion size borders on ridiculous, with steak draped over every edge of the plate.
Peppery gravy adds a nice kick that wakes up your taste buds. The breading achieves that perfect golden color that tells you it’s been fried just right.
Counter seating lets you watch the cooks work their magic on the flattop. Quick service means you’re not waiting forever, even when the place is packed. Simple, satisfying food that keeps people coming back week after week.