These Ohio Chicken Fried Steaks Are So Huge, They Can’t Even Stay On The Plate
Ohio has a secret that’s barely contained on restaurant plates across the state.
Chicken fried steaks here don’t just fill your plate—they conquer it, spill over it, and make you wonder if you accidentally ordered for three people.
From family-style diners to beloved local institutions, these establishments have turned the humble chicken fried steak into an edible monument that demands respect, a hearty appetite, and maybe a to-go box.
1. Der Dutchman – Walnut Creek, OH
Amish country cooking doesn’t mess around when it comes to portion sizes, and Der Dutchman proves it with every order.
Their chicken fried steak arrives like a culinary UFO landing on your table—golden, crispy, and absolutely refusing to respect plate boundaries.
The breading crackles with perfection while the tender beef inside practically melts under your fork.
Smothered in homemade country gravy that cascades down the sides, this behemoth comes with all the fixings you’d expect from authentic Amish hospitality.
Located at 4967 Walnut St, Walnut Creek, OH 44687, this spot has been feeding hungry travelers portions that defy physics and common sense for years.
2. Der Dutchman – Bellville, OH
When one Der Dutchman location serves steaks this gigantic, you know the other spots have to keep up the tradition.
The Bellville outpost delivers the same jaw-dropping portions that have made the Der Dutchman name synonymous with “bring your appetite and reinforcements.”
Each steak gets hand-breaded and fried to a gorgeous amber hue that catches the light like edible gold.
The meat tenderizes to perfection beneath that crunchy exterior, creating texture contrasts that food dreams are made of.
Find this monument to Midwestern generosity at 720 State Route 97 W, Bellville, OH 44813, where plates struggle valiantly to contain their delicious cargo.
3. Blue Ash Chili – Blue Ash, OH
Chili parlors aren’t usually known for steaks, but Blue Ash Chili rewrites the rulebook with rebellious flair.
Their chicken fried steak special has become the stuff of local legend—a breaded masterpiece so expansive it makes neighboring tables do double-takes.
The crispy coating stays remarkably crunchy even under rivers of peppery white gravy that adds just the right kick.
Regulars know to pace themselves because finishing this plate-defying protein slab is a marathon, not a sprint.
Swing by 9565 Kenwood Rd, Blue Ash, OH 45242, and prepare for a meal that challenges both your appetite and your plate’s structural integrity.
4. The Pine Club – Dayton, OH
Steakhouse excellence meets comfort food extravagance at this Dayton institution that’s been wooing diners since 1947.
The Pine Club takes its steaks seriously—including the chicken fried variety that arrives looking like it bench-pressed its way out of the kitchen.
Premium beef gets pounded, breaded with seasoned flour, and fried until the crust achieves that perfect crackle-crunch ratio.
Old-school atmosphere adds nostalgic charm while your server delivers a plate that practically needs its own zip code.
Located at 1926 Brown St, Dayton, OH 45409, this legendary spot proves that upscale steakhouses can deliver down-home portions with sophisticated flair.
5. Golden Lamb – Lebanon, OH
Ohio’s oldest inn has been serving travelers since 1803, and their country fried steak has grown legendary over those two centuries.
The Golden Lamb’s version arrives with historical gravitas and contemporary portion sizes that would make pioneers weep with joy.
Each steak gets the royal treatment—tenderized, seasoned, breaded, and fried until it achieves golden-brown perfection that photographs beautifully.
Creamy gravy blankets the meat like a delicious avalanche while classic sides struggle for real estate on the crowded plate.
Visit 27 S Broadway St, Lebanon, OH 45036, where history and hunger collide in the most delicious way imaginable.
6. Cracker Barrel – Springfield, OH
Chain restaurants usually standardize portions, but this particular Cracker Barrel earned a reputation for generosity that borders on legendary.
Springfield locals rave about the chicken fried steak servings here, which somehow exceed even Cracker Barrel’s typically hearty standards.
The familiar comfort of that peppery breading and tender beef gets amplified by sheer size—this isn’t just dinner, it’s an event.
Mashed potatoes, gravy, and biscuits complete a meal that practically requires tactical planning to finish.
Head to 105 W Leffel Ln, Springfield, OH 45505, where this location has quietly become the stuff of chicken fried steak folklore among those in the know.
7. Uncle Beth’s BBQ – North Lewisburg, OH
Barbecue joints know how to satisfy serious appetites, and Uncle Beth’s applies that philosophy to their fried steak specials with spectacular results.
When a BBQ spot famous for ribs and brisket puts this much effort into chicken fried steak, you know something special is happening.
Their version combines smoky undertones with classic Southern-fried technique, creating flavor profiles that surprise and delight.
Portions arrive looking like they escaped from a county fair eating contest—massive, golden, and gloriously unapologetic.
Find this hidden gem at 6262 OH-245, North Lewisburg, OH 43060, where meat mastery extends far beyond the smoker into the fryer with impressive dedication.
8. Hartley’s Restaurant – Medina, OH
Small-town diners often hide the best kept culinary secrets, and Hartley’s guards one of Ohio’s most impressive chicken fried steaks.
This Medina mainstay serves comfort food that comforts through sheer volume as much as flavor—their steak arrives looking like it could feed a small village.
Perfectly seasoned breading clings to fork-tender beef that’s been fried to crispy-edged perfection.
The friendly atmosphere makes tackling this massive meal feel like a hometown challenge you’re happy to accept.
Located at 325 W Liberty St, Medina, OH 44256, Hartley’s proves that sometimes the biggest flavors come from the most unassuming places.
9. The Spot To Eat – Sidney, OH
Sometimes a restaurant’s name says it all, and The Spot To Eat delivers exactly what hungry folks hope for—real food in real portions.
Their chicken fried steak has become the talk of Sidney, drawing diners from surrounding counties who’ve heard whispers of its legendary size.
Golden-fried to perfection with a crispy coating that stays crunchy bite after satisfying bite, this classic preparation respects tradition while supersizing expectations.
Homestyle sides round out a plate that looks like it was designed for lumberjacks with championship-level appetites.
Visit 201 S Ohio Ave, Sidney, OH 45365, where this beloved diner proves that simple done right—and done BIG—never goes out of style.