These South Carolina Chicken Fried Steak Plates Could Feed A Family Of Four
South Carolina has a talent for comfort food that fills you up and makes you feel right at home. When hunger hits, chicken fried steak is the kind of meal that never disappoints.
It’s crispy on the outside, tender inside, and usually comes with mashed potatoes, gravy, and maybe a biscuit or two.
Families across the state have their go-to spots for it, each with its own loyal crowd. In South Carolina, this classic dish isn’t just dinner, it’s tradition done right.
1. Lizard’s Thicket, Columbia Area (Multiple Locations)
Walking into any Lizard’s Thicket location feels like stepping into your grandma’s kitchen. The chicken fried steak here comes out hot and massive, covered in thick white gravy that pools around the edges of the plate.
You get real mashed potatoes and two vegetables on the side, which means everyone at the table gets their fill. The portions are so generous that most folks end up taking home leftovers for lunch the next day.
With multiple locations around Columbia, you’re never too far from a plate that’ll make your family smile.
2. Page’s Okra Grill, Mount Pleasant
This Mount Pleasant spot has built a reputation on serving food that tastes like home. Their chicken fried steak is hand-breaded and fried until the crust crackles under your fork.
The gravy is made fresh daily, and it shows in every creamy spoonful. What really sets this plate apart is the sheer size, easily enough to split between two hungry adults or feed a couple of kids with room to spare.
The casual atmosphere makes it perfect for families who want good food without any fuss.
3. Early Bird Diner, Charleston
Breakfast and lunch collide beautifully at Early Bird Diner. Their chicken fried steak gets served all day, which is a blessing when your family can’t decide between breakfast and dinner.
The steak itself is tender inside with a perfectly seasoned crust that holds up under a blanket of peppery gravy. You can order it with eggs and hash browns or swap in traditional sides like collard greens.
Either way, the portion is substantial enough to keep everyone happy and full for hours.
4. Stax Omega Diner, Greenville
Stax Omega brings that classic diner vibe to Greenville with red booths and friendly service. The chicken fried steak here is a crowd favorite, arriving at your table on a platter that barely fits all the food.
Crispy edges give way to juicy meat, and the gravy is rich without being too heavy. Families appreciate the value here because one plate can easily be shared among younger kids, leaving room in the budget for milkshakes.
The relaxed setting makes it easy to linger over a satisfying meal.
5. Seewee Restaurant, Awendaw
Tucked away in Awendaw, Seewee Restaurant serves the kind of food that keeps locals coming back for decades. Their chicken fried steak is no exception, with a golden crust that stays crispy even after you drown it in gravy.
The sides come in generous portions too, so your family gets a full spread without ordering extra dishes. Everything tastes homemade because it is, from the creamy mashed potatoes to the tangy coleslaw.
If you’re driving through the area, this stop is absolutely worth the detour.
6. Western Sizzlin, Florence
Western Sizzlin in Florence offers a buffet option, but their made-to-order chicken fried steak is where the magic happens. The steak is pounded thin, breaded thick, and fried until it reaches that perfect shade of golden brown.
Gravy comes on the side so you can control how much you want, though most people ask for extra. With the buffet sides available, your family can customize their plates to include everything from mac and cheese to fried okra.
It’s a solid choice for feeding everyone without the fuss.
7. The Mill Street Tavern, Daniel Island
Mill Street Tavern takes chicken fried steak and gives it a slightly upscale twist without losing the comfort food soul. The steak is hand-cut and breaded with a seasoned flour mixture that adds extra flavor to every bite.
Instead of traditional white gravy, they offer a peppercorn version that adds a little kick. The portion is still family-friendly, with enough food on the plate to satisfy hearty appetites all around the table.
The atmosphere is more polished than your average diner, making it nice for a special family dinner out.
8. Wade’s Restaurant, Spartanburg
Wade’s has been a Spartanburg institution for years, and their chicken fried steak is a big reason why. The meat is tender, the breading is crispy, and the gravy is exactly what you’d hope for, smooth and flavorful.
What really stands out is the consistency, every visit delivers the same great meal. The portions are large enough that splitting one plate between two people is completely reasonable, especially if you add an extra side or two.
Families love the straightforward menu and the welcoming staff who treat you like regulars.
9. Josey’s Chuck Wagon, Taylors
Josey’s Chuck Wagon brings a little bit of the Wild West to Taylors with hearty portions and down-home cooking. Their chicken fried steak is a showstopper, covering most of the plate before you even add the sides.
The breading is thick and crunchy, and the gravy has just enough pepper to keep things interesting. Families appreciate the casual, no-frills atmosphere where kids can be kids and everyone leaves full.
The value here is tough to beat, making it a regular stop for many local families looking for a satisfying meal.
10. Maverick Biscuit, Taylors
Maverick Biscuit specializes in breakfast, but their chicken fried steak holds its own any time of day. The steak is served with fluffy biscuits on the side, which you can use to soak up every last drop of gravy.
The portion is generous enough to share, especially if you order a few extra biscuits for the table. Everything is made fresh to order, so expect a little wait, but the quality makes it worthwhile.
Families who love breakfast food will find this spot hits all the right notes without any pretense.
11. The Clock Restaurant, Greer
The Clock Restaurant in Greer has been serving families for generations, and their chicken fried steak is a menu staple that never disappoints. The steak is hand-battered and fried until the outside is perfectly crisp while the inside stays juicy.
White gravy covers the plate in all the right ways, and the sides are classic southern fare done right. The portions are huge, making it easy to feed multiple people from one order.
If you want reliable comfort food in a welcoming environment, this is the place to bring your family.