When you’re in Texas, you do like the Texans do! And no, that doesn’t mean you have to run to Whataburger every time you’re craving a hamburger. There is a hamburger stand on every corner. Although I know plenty of Texans who would argue with me about that one! 😂
And sure, that barbecue might be calling your name. We have some mighty fine barbecue here in Texas, and I’m not about to argue with anybody over a good plate of barbecue. But there’s another Texas favorite that deserves a little love, and that’s a good old-fashioned chicken-fried steak with cream gravy! Wall paper paste as my dad used to call it because the gravy should be think not runny and never brown gravy.
Now, if you ask David, you’re going to want some French fries with that chicken-fried steak, and more times than not, he’s going to want that gravy smothered all over them, too. And I mean SMOTHERED! Which is okay with me but I prefer Homemade Taters with no, skin on them. Sometimes a Baked Tater is okay.
Around our house, chicken-fried steak isn’t just something you order at a restaurant. It’s part of our family, our memories, and the meals we’ve loved for years. My daddy made chicken-fried steak, and he taught me how to make it, too. David makes it, and it was one of Suzzane’s all-time favorite meals.
Because its down-home slap yo mamma good. Charlie loves it, too. So when I start talking about chicken-fried steak, I’m not just talking about going out to eat. I’m talking about a meal that brings back memories of my family gathered around the table. And let me tell you something else. Not everybody agrees on what makes the perfect chicken-fried steak!
David likes his chicken-fried steak thin, without a whole lot of crust. That’s one reason we like going to Dixie House sometimes. Their chicken-fried steak is thin and doesn’t have a lot of breading, which is just the way David likes it. Me? Bring on the crust! The more the better.
That crispy coating is part of what makes a chicken-fried steak a chicken-fried steak. It’s just like fried chicken. I want that good, crunchy outside with the tender meat underneath. Don’t skimp on the good stuff! And while we’re talking about chicken-fried steak, let’s talk about chicken-fried chicken.
That’s good, too, and I’m not turning my nose up at it. But, honey, it ain’t steak! Sometimes I want the real thing, the chicken-fried steak my daddy made, the kind he taught me to cook, and the kind David makes for our family. And don’t even get me started on gravy surprises.
I’m talking about good, old-fashioned cream gravy. If there’s something different going on with that gravy, I want to know about it before the plate gets to my table! Now, I’m not running a restaurant, and I’m not claiming to be the world’s leading authority on chicken-fried steak. But if you want some good homemade chicken-fried steak, you can always come on over to my house!
If you can’t make it to my house, though, I’ve got another idea. David and I are fixing to take our taste buds on a little adventure around Fort Worth and the surrounding area. We’re going to visit restaurants that serve chicken-fried steak, share our experiences, and tell you what we honestly think.
We’re calling it our Greatful Moments Chicken-Fried Steak Challenge! We’re going to look at the steak, the breading, the gravy, those French fries, the sides, the prices, and the service. We’re going to talk about whether the meal is worth the drive and whether we’d go back for another plate.
And because David and I don’t always agree on what makes a great chicken-fried steak, you’re going to get both of our opinions. He might be looking for that thin steak with just the right amount of breading, while I’m over here asking where all the crust went! We’ll be revisiting places we’ve already enjoyed, sharing honest thoughts about restaurants we’ve tried before, and discovering new places along the way.
LongHorn Steakhouse is already one of our favorite places to get a good meal. David was worried the steaks would cost more than what we usually paid at places like Texas Roadhouse or Logan’s Roadhouse. But we discovered that the prices weren’t necessarily as high as he’d expected, and we really enjoyed the food. It’s a little farther for us to drive, but sometimes a good meal is worth a few extra miles.
We’ve also tried chicken-fried steak at Texas Roadhouse and Logan’s Roadhouse. They’re okay, but they aren’t our favorite. And that’s exactly why I want to do this series. Just because a restaurant serves chicken-fried steak doesn’t mean everybody is going to love it the same way.
We’ve got some other places on our list, too, including Bluebonnet Cafe, where David enjoys that thinner chicken-fried steak, Blue Mound Cafe, where my brother likes to go for their specials, Moe’s Country Kitchen off Western Center, Cotton Patch Cafe, and Fred’s Texas Cafe.
We’ve got some stories to tell about those places, too! And we’re not forgetting the French fries. If David has anything to say about it, those fries are getting tested right alongside the steak. If there’s gravy on the table, you can pretty much count on some of it finding its way onto his fries. So if you’re a fellow chicken-fried steak lover, I’d love for you to come along with us.
Tell us where you go for your favorite chicken-fried steak. Do you like a thick, crunchy crust like I do, or do you prefer yours thin, like David? Are you a white cream gravy person? And do you put gravy on your French fries, too? We want to hear from you! Because around here, we’re not just looking for another meal. We’re looking for good food, good memories, and places worth sharing with our Greatful Moments family.
And if you happen to have a chicken-fried steak recipe that came from your mama, your daddy, your grandma, or somebody else who knew their way around a kitchen, I hope you’ll share that with us, too. There’s something special about a meal that’s been passed down through the generations. Sometimes the best recipes aren’t found in a cookbook. They’re found in the memories of the people who taught us how to cook.
So saddle on up, y’all. David and I are ready to eat! Stay tuned for the Greatful Moments Chicken-Fried Steak Challenge, where David brings his appetite, I bring my opinions, and we’re fixing to find out which restaurants serve a chicken-fried steak worth driving across town for! Until next time, may your steak be tender, your crust be crispy, your cream gravy be plentiful, and your French fries never be left out of the fun.
Greatful Moments — Grateful, Thankful, and Blessed. 🦋
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
