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A cheffy version of chicken-fried steak can be found at Stampede 66.
A cheffy version of chicken-fried steak can be found at Stampede 66.
Photo credit: Stephen Masker/EDFW

14 of Dallas' Finest Chicken Fried Steaks

More gravy, please.

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A cheffy version of chicken-fried steak can be found at Stampede 66.
| Photo credit: Stephen Masker/EDFW

Is there a dish that's more quintessentially Texas than chicken-fried steak? Absolutely not. The Lone Star State is happy to take credit for this deep-fried wonder, and of course, Dallas has plenty of excellent options.

The next time you find yourself with a hankering for a great CFS, head to one of these fourteen. Whether you're searching for a gluten-free take on this classic dish, or something fancier, like dry-aged ribeye, you'll definitely find a worthy contender.

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All Good Cafe

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The CFS at All Good Cafe has a substantial crust that's perfectly crisp and not greasy, though it's not as absurdly large as others in town. Extra-fresh veggie sides ease the guilt a bit.

Babe's Chicken Dinner House

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Babe's is the chicken-fried steak by which all other CFS in Dallas are measured. All-you-can-eat means time to break out the elastic waist pants.

Bubba's Cooks Country

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The food at Bubba's is basically the same at Babe's, including the killer CFS; what it lacks in charming rusticity, it makes up for with a convenient Snider Plaza location and a drive-thru.

Company Cafe

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Grass-fed, gluten-free chicken fried steak sounds like a bit of a travesty, but even people who don't avoid wheat will find it worthwhile. Honey-jalapeno gravy might anger purists, though.

Ellen's Southern Kitchen

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The cooks at this relative newcomer in the West End know their way around a deep-fryer, as evidenced by the crunchy, greaseless crust on the huge CFS.

Jonathon's Oak Cliff

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Jonathon's is the king of hangover meals, including a killer chicken-fried steak and eggs that often shows up on the daily specials. The silky, perfectly spiced gravy thankfully avoids the dreaded wallpaper paste texture.

Ozona Grill & Bar

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Once declared the best CFS in Dallas by D Magazine, Ozona's is tender and flavorful, but ask for gravy on the side if you don't want it drowned in the stuff.

Stampede 66

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Stephan Pyles' hyper-Texan eatery pays homage to the classic chicken-fried steak with a tasty buffalo version that comes flanked by mashed potatoes and braised greens.

Tillman's Roadhouse

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Another fancified version can be found at Tillman's, where the extra-tender filet cut is fried to glorious golden brown and served with poblano gravy.

Celebration Restaurant

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This Preston Hollow establishment has been serving up chicken fried steak in Dallas for nearly fifty years, in which time they've perfected the perfect homestyle CFS. Skip the traditional cream gravy for Celebration's spicy jalapeno gravy, and order up a few of the daily rotating vegetables to pretend that you're having a semi-healthy meal.

Neighborhood Services

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Chicken fried steak gets a serious upgrade at Neighborhood Services. Dry-aged inside round from Southeast Family Farms is dredged in a thick and crispy batter, then topped with plenty of bacon-sage gravy. Pro-tip: ask for extra gravy for drenching the pile of buttermilk mashed potatoes underneath.

Norma's Cafe

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It doesn't get much better than a chicken fried steak from a great greasy spoon, and Norma's is one of the best options in Dallas. For less than $10, you can pile your plate high with a respectably large (and perfectly fried) CFS, three veggies, and biscuits and rolls.

Pink Magnolia

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The chicken fried ribeye is one of Chef Blythe Beck's signature dishes, and it might be at its best at Pink Magnolia. In addition to the gigantic ribeye and plentiful golden-brown crust, Beck's "naughty creamed corn," braised mustard greens and lots of red-eye gravy round out a truly massive plate. You're going to need a nap after this CFS.
Kyla Davidson/EDFW

Sissy's Southern Kitchen & Bar

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Chef Lisa Garza's chicken-fried steak is straightforward and simple, with flat iron steak substituted for the typical cube steak. Served with rich whipped potatoes and traditional cream gravy, it's a little fancier than the average CFS, but doesn't skimp on the authenticity.

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All Good Cafe

The CFS at All Good Cafe has a substantial crust that's perfectly crisp and not greasy, though it's not as absurdly large as others in town. Extra-fresh veggie sides ease the guilt a bit.

Babe's Chicken Dinner House

Babe's is the chicken-fried steak by which all other CFS in Dallas are measured. All-you-can-eat means time to break out the elastic waist pants.

Bubba's Cooks Country

The food at Bubba's is basically the same at Babe's, including the killer CFS; what it lacks in charming rusticity, it makes up for with a convenient Snider Plaza location and a drive-thru.

Company Cafe

Grass-fed, gluten-free chicken fried steak sounds like a bit of a travesty, but even people who don't avoid wheat will find it worthwhile. Honey-jalapeno gravy might anger purists, though.

Ellen's Southern Kitchen

The cooks at this relative newcomer in the West End know their way around a deep-fryer, as evidenced by the crunchy, greaseless crust on the huge CFS.

Jonathon's Oak Cliff

Jonathon's is the king of hangover meals, including a killer chicken-fried steak and eggs that often shows up on the daily specials. The silky, perfectly spiced gravy thankfully avoids the dreaded wallpaper paste texture.

Ozona Grill & Bar

Once declared the best CFS in Dallas by D Magazine, Ozona's is tender and flavorful, but ask for gravy on the side if you don't want it drowned in the stuff.

Stampede 66

Stephan Pyles' hyper-Texan eatery pays homage to the classic chicken-fried steak with a tasty buffalo version that comes flanked by mashed potatoes and braised greens.

Tillman's Roadhouse

Another fancified version can be found at Tillman's, where the extra-tender filet cut is fried to glorious golden brown and served with poblano gravy.

Celebration Restaurant

This Preston Hollow establishment has been serving up chicken fried steak in Dallas for nearly fifty years, in which time they've perfected the perfect homestyle CFS. Skip the traditional cream gravy for Celebration's spicy jalapeno gravy, and order up a few of the daily rotating vegetables to pretend that you're having a semi-healthy meal.

Neighborhood Services

Chicken fried steak gets a serious upgrade at Neighborhood Services. Dry-aged inside round from Southeast Family Farms is dredged in a thick and crispy batter, then topped with plenty of bacon-sage gravy. Pro-tip: ask for extra gravy for drenching the pile of buttermilk mashed potatoes underneath.

Norma's Cafe

It doesn't get much better than a chicken fried steak from a great greasy spoon, and Norma's is one of the best options in Dallas. For less than $10, you can pile your plate high with a respectably large (and perfectly fried) CFS, three veggies, and biscuits and rolls.

Pink Magnolia

The chicken fried ribeye is one of Chef Blythe Beck's signature dishes, and it might be at its best at Pink Magnolia. In addition to the gigantic ribeye and plentiful golden-brown crust, Beck's "naughty creamed corn," braised mustard greens and lots of red-eye gravy round out a truly massive plate. You're going to need a nap after this CFS.
Kyla Davidson/EDFW

Sissy's Southern Kitchen & Bar

Chef Lisa Garza's chicken-fried steak is straightforward and simple, with flat iron steak substituted for the typical cube steak. Served with rich whipped potatoes and traditional cream gravy, it's a little fancier than the average CFS, but doesn't skimp on the authenticity.

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