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Photos by J.C. Reid: Chicken fried steak at Dot Coffee Shop
A funny thing happens when you Google "sysco chicken fried steak." You're directed to a page on the website of Sysco Corporation, the foodservice giant. It is a catalog entry for the "Country Fried Steaks" that Sysco sells to restaurants. In the sugary promotional copy, these chicken fried steaks "have a natural shape" and a "made-from-scratch appeal." They're "individually quick-frozen" and "guaranteed to be preserved to perfection." It's enough to make any true Texan weep.
I'm not a Sysco hater. Some people profess to never set foot in a restaurant if they see a Sysco delivery truck outside. In reality, it's a rare restaurant that does not procure something from Sysco, even if it is just something non-food related like to-go boxes. Sysco provides a valuable service to restaurants in a professional manner. But the country fried steak thing bothered me.
I'd been tooling around Houston for a couple of weeks, checking out restaurants known for chicken fried steaks (CFS). Like everything else, some were good and some were bad. But on at least two occasions, I could have sworn I had eaten the exact same CFS at a different restaurant. That prompted my Googling. Sad to say, but at least one of these places - somewhat of a Houston institution - had been recommended for having great chicken fried steak (I can't get them to admit to using Sysco CFS, so they'll remain nameless for now). I came to realize that the quality of chicken fried steak in Houston just wasn't as good as it used to be.
I grew up in Beaumont, Texas. If you went to public school in Texas in the seventies and eighties like me, you probably remember looking forward to "chicken fried steak" day, or sometimes it was called "veal cutlet" day. These breaded steaks were certainly prefab, but they were unusually delicious, and the trick was to take one of the big fluffy rolls you got with lunch and make a CFS sandwich with them. Good eats.
Then in the early eighties, a restaurant called Black-Eyed Pea opened in an old house on Seventh Street in Beaumont. This is the same Black Eyed Pea chain that exists today, before it was corporatized, sold, bought, resold, bankrupted and its carcass picked clean by corporate raiders. Back then, the Black Eyed Pea made one helluva chicken fried steak (some claim it still does - it's on my to-do list). So big it covered the plate it was delivered on, it had a crispy, seasoned, golden-brown coating fused to a well-tenderized slab of top round steak. Peppery cream gravy on the side (always). Creamy mashed potatoes. Also, a basket of freshly-baked pull-apart rolls and sweet, crumbly cornbread. A ginormous glass of iced tea rounded out the experience.
Dot Coffee Shop
Can you still get a classic, made-from-scratch chicken fried steak in Houston? Yes, but it takes some research (tough job, but somebody's gotta do it). I'll spend the next few months traveling around greater Houston, and reporting on my findings. Surprisingly, a lot of the places people swear by for chicken fried steak aren't very good in my opinion. Some are just bad, some try to get fancy with presentation and ingredients, and some do indeed use the dreaded Sysco chicken fried steak.
I start by checking online menus of diners and comfort food restaurants in Houston. I stumbled across Dot Coffee Shop, a Houston institution, and a place I had never been. Diner food is hit-and-miss everywhere, but I had always heard good things about Dot. Dot is owned by the Pappas family of restaurants. In fact the Pappas family empire started with a Dot Coffee Shop downtown in 1967. The Dot on the Gulf Freeway is still going strong. On a recent Saturday morning, I waited about 20 minutes for a table.
Dot's Chicken Fried Steak
The CFS here is appropriately sized, with a crisp, crunchy coating that adheres nicely to the well-tenderized steak. The coating is a golden brown, with light and dark patches (you don't want it too uniform), and a few splotches where the meat shows through the coating (again, the sign of a made-from-scratch CFS). Meat and coating are well-seasoned. It is fork-tender. In a slight deviation from protocol, the CFS is served with French fries instead of mashed potatoes, but that's fine by me.
Rolls and cornbread at Dot's Coffee Shop
The CFS extras are excellent. The cream gravy is served on the side, with the proper consistency and peppery flavor. Curiously, there seems to be an undercurrent of onion powder in the gravy, not unpleasant and not unusual, as traditional cream gravy is often spiced up with the flavor of onions, garlic, or Tabasco. When it comes to CFS and gravy, I'm a spooner, not a dunker. I like to spoon some of the gravy on a section of the CFS, then cut off those pieces and eat them. This keeps the coating crispy. Some people like to cut off a piece of CFS and dunk it on the gravy - that works too. I also like ketchup with my CFS; mixing it up with the gravy and some Tabasco is delicious.
Finally, the CFS at Dot Coffee Shop is served with excellent pull-apart rolls and cornbread. The roll is hot, fluffy, sweet and buttery; the cornbread is moist and crumbly, but not too sweet and not too bitter. A big glass of iced tea and some fantastic people watching round out the classic Texas chicken fried steak experience at Dot Coffee Shop.
Chicken fried steak may be my favorite Texas food, and I share your fond childhood memories of consuming them at the Black Eyed Pea. Some of the ones I've enjoyed recently are Beaver's, Frank's Chop House and Lankford Grocery. I think Bootsie's may have my favorite, even though it's a commitment to drive to Tomball on a Thursday night for it.
Hickory Hollow always comes up as having a good CFS, but it's never done much for me. I hope it is also included, so that you can weigh in on the classic.
I know you'll do this quest justice, and I look forward to the series. Happy eating!
Another must try is Mel's in Tomball. Gret Chicken fried steak and rools to melt in your mouth.
looking forward to your findings! i, too, have recently been craving CFS and wondering who's still good in town. Went to Mama's Cafe a couple of weeks ago. While the fried 'shrooms were delish, the CFS left much to be desired.
As a child growing up in Houston, I subsisted largely on black eyed pea CFS and the rubbery ones served by HISD (which I loved, though perhaps just in comparison to the rest of the fare.)
Try Gravitas. I had a crazy-good one there a while ago.
For me, the best in Houston is still Hickory Hollow on Heights Blvd…
Hickory Hollow Baby!!! That's all I talked about all weekend long...
The best CFS is actually a CFRE- chicken fried rib eye... I make them at home and get raves from everyone who comes over for them!
So please share your wonderful recipe. Sounds yummy.
I have eaten Dot's CFS many times. Muy bueno! I get the baked potato instead of the fries. Their deserts are awesome as well.
Get in the car and drive to Tomball....Goodson's is the place for CFS
Definitely worth the drive to Tomball for Goodsons CFS(in the 70's it was Ma Goodsons)
Goodson's used to be the best but they've gone way downhill in the last ten years. Undercooked CFS, burned out lettuce in their salads, raw chicken.
Goodson's in Tomball is trash. Pre-packages frozen GFS with a ghost of meat in a thick flour coating. Disgusting. I'll never eat there again.
Goodson's has survived over the last 15 years only on the reputation build before that.
I vote no to Goodsons in Tomball. Now Back in the day when Mommy Goodson and the boys were around it was fantastic.
Now it's just greezy & mushey
mary's cafe in strawn, tx has the best cfs.
absolutely, Mary's in Strawn...you will not find genuine, good CFS in a chain and proably not within 50 miles of a metropolitan area...in most cases you'll find linoleum (cracked) on the floor of a great CFS emporium.
Realy - Mary's in Strawn? While eating there is an experience & the CFS is genuine, tasty & huge, the best in Texas, sorry, not even close. Don't get me wrong, I love to go there & I was raised in the area, but even the New York Hill in Thurber is better.
Completely agree. Hand's down the best I have had in Texas.
I agree! The CFS at Mary's Cafe in Strawn is awesome!
I've been to New York Hill recently but haven't tried Mary's. I'll have to sample next time I'm up that way. Any other hints? david at bevil.com
I've been to New York Hill recently but haven't tried Mary's. I'll have to sample next time I'm up that way. Any other hints? david at bevil.com
59 Diner serves a pretty good CFS.
At Lubys, $2 Fried Fish on Tuesdays and $2 Chicken Fried Steak on Thursdays. They are delicious.
Goodson's on Tomball or Pecos Grill on Ella just off of 610
Pecos Grill has been closed for some time so I wouldn't go there for CFS. Goodson's has a good reputation so I had to go. I was NOT impressed one iota. I took my cousin from DC there and she wondered what the big fuss was. What a disappointment.
Pecos Grill on Ella has been shut down for several years now. It closed I'd say back in 2006, possibly 2005. But I agree, if they were still open, the CFS was well worth it. The gravy is what made that dish.
I have to agree....I'm not impressed with Goodsons... Hickory Hollow for me...
Goodson's CFS was pre-frozen with a ghost of meat within thick flour coating. Totally disgusting. I'll never eat there again.
If you are willing to make a trip out to Tomball....stop by Goodson's Cafe. They have good CFS. Also, you should try googling places that serve CFB...chicken fried bacon.
Goodson's Cafe in Tomball used to have the best Chicken Fried Stake in the Houston Area. I wonder if it still does or if it is still there?
Goodson's is ok, not great. Not worth the drive from Friendswood.
Goodson's in Tomball. Get the "half order" unless there's 4 of you.
Goodson's CFS is good but the cream gravy leaves a lot to be desired. I like mine made w/milk or cream and theirs tastes watery.
Carriage House and Goodsons....hands down the best in town
The BEST is GOODSONS CAFE in Tomball. They were named the BEST in Texas!
Goodson's Cafe
Avg. Prices (excl. tax, tip, & drinks): Lunch 8.25 Dinner 9.25 Updt 1/5/2010
Hours: See Profile
27931 State Highway 249 Tomball TX 77375 281.351.1749
Profile Description: GOODSON'S CAFE, "Home of the Best Chicken Fried Steak in Texas". Catch this cafe on Travel Channel's newest, "AMERICA'S 101 TASTIEST PLACES to CHOWDOWN". Also featured on "The Eyes of Texas", "Texas Monthly", voted as Zagat's #1 in the Houston area, and "Deep Fried Paradise", Travel Channel series recommending Goodson's as America's best destination restaurant for chicken fried steak. Goodson's Cafe serves a variety of down home cooking, steaks, seafood, chicken, 1/2 pound burgers, and salads.
Rudi Lechner's has a good jalapeno-stuffed chicken fried steak.
Wow, that sounds both unbelievably delicious or ewwwww!
hands down go to gibson's cafe in tomball. I promise you- you will always go there when you want CFS. They are the best, the biggest and trust me there is no sysco food involed!
Goodsons and Carriage House.....hands down the best in town
The Barbecue Inn on Crosstimbers @ Yale serves the best Chicken Fried Steak in the region, plus the best fried shrimp and oysters and notably tasty barbecue!
Bar B Q Inn, the very best, I have been going for at least 47 of my 50 years on earth. Hickery Hollow-everyone says it is the best-I disagree.
If you believe this, you haven't been recently. I went based on the Houston Press reviews and was horrificly disappointed. Completely tasteless bland gravy was all over it. It was awful, and one of the worst I've eaten. On a brighter note, the fried chicken was still as good as everyone had suggested.
Totally agreed....Barbeque Inn has some of the best chicken fried steak in Houston - they've been around for years. Walk in their door and you feel like you are stepping back in time. FYI - chicken friend steaks are HAND-BATTERED and deep fried, not some frozen steak that comes already battered...truly a treat and Houston landmark. ~KK
BBQ Inn is not that good....dont waste your time.
Barbeque Inn has CFS so delicious it will make you throw rocks at anything like they serve at Goodsons or any place else. I always take out of town business guests there for CFS and everyone has loved it.
I was wondering if they were still around.
BBQ Inn might have very tender meat and the right amount of crust, but they forgot to add any flavor. That has to be the most bland CFS I've ever had. And who doesn't offer mashed potatoes with the CFS, really? I'll be trying Carriage House in the near future.
Raven Grill, Sunday nights only. Heavenly saddles, worth the wait.
Ouisie's table. Longhorn Cafe. /thread.
I'll second Ousie's table. Especially if they have the Chicken fried venison available...
27931 State Highway 249
Tomball, TX 77375
(281) 351-1749
http://www.yelp.com/biz/goodsons-cafe-tomball
Black Eyed Pea is edible but no longer great.
OK, don't laugh --or worse-- call me a Yankee.
I'm a native Texan -- now living "somewhere" in the South.
But, for years, when I worked at the Sharpstown Mall (yeah, I know) I couldn't wait for lunch to go have a CFS at Wyatt Cafeterias.
Maybe they weren't the best, but I would love to have one right now!
I agree. They had a cutlet that was delicious.
anon, that place was one of my faves when I worked at Foleys (1983-1988)
Dirtys on Shepherd back in the day (now a Cyclone anayas) was THE BEST CFS EVER!!
Also, try Barbeque Inn ... on Crosstimbers i think...over in that area.
I agree! Dirtys on Shepherd or on CHimney Rock! So huge it fell over the side of the plate!
Mel's Country Cafe in Tomball has the BEST CFS in Texas. Lightly dusted in batter, fried in transfat free oil, and served hot & juicy. It's not greasy at all. Slather the cream gravy over the top and dig in.
I like Mel's better than Goodson's. They only come in one size. Big. The small order is big, the large order is two of the "small" ones. I like the gravy better also.
I agree. Mel's is MUCH better than Goodsons. But I kinda hate to admit that on here. Y'all go on to Goodsons so the wait at Mel's won't be so long for me. :)
Amen. Mel's all the way. Goodson's was awesome back when it was still in an old converted house. They lost the recipe when they changed address.
Have to agree on Mel's in Tomball. I lived for 15 years north of there & Ma Goodson's in the old house was wonderful... all their food. But when they moved to the new building, it went downhill fast. Mel's is what Goodson's used to be. But the best CFS I ever had was a dive in Rockdale TX called Andy's when I was growing up. It's probably long gone now but it was wonderful with cream pepper gravy & fresh cut fries. Don't forget the sweet tea.
I've have a recipe that the Zest posted years ago from the Humble City Cafe. They are suppose to have the best CFS.
last time i ate at hickory hollow was the last time! i had to kill a cockroach that was walking across the table. you have one chance to make an impression. I'll never ever eat there again!
Try the Red Balloon Cafe near the Beltway.
Kelly's on Park Place at the Gulf Freeway. Awesome!
Not just awesome-FRACKING AWESOME! Kelly's CFS will cover your entire plate! Darn it! Ya'll made me HUNGRY!!!!
T-Bone Toms in Kemah. Put their CFS up against Goodsons any time. They're both outstanding. You've got to include T-Bone Toms in your "sampling".
Death on a platter - get the wet fries at T-Bone Toms. CFS with gravy on the side, but have some extra gravy over those fries and add a few healthy shakes of pepper. MMMMMMMMM...
DEFINITELY T-Bone Tom's!!! ANYTHING there is good. I actually prefer the steak fingers though. Easier and less messy than the CFS, but same concept!
The CFS at Cleburne Cafeteria is bigger than your plate , its pan fried ,you will need a bowl of gravy to eat it !!!
It's been years, but I was always partial to Rio Ranch's CFS. They put the Tobasco in the batter. Good stuff! Sounds like I'll definitely have to try Goodson's.
Goodsons is a decent CFS but to me you cant call it a CFS unless its drowning in gravy. Goodson's makes a great fried steak and gravy as they refuse to put the gravy on it. Its also been very bland the last couple of times I have been. So far the tastiest CFS I have found as been at The County Line off Cutten rd and 1960.
Barbeque Inn on Yale does have a decent CFS. Those who think Hickory Hollow is great are lacking taste buds. That brown something they put on their CFS is some Yankee concoction. A CFS without white cream gravy is not a CFS. Oh by the way the Pecos Grill was lousy years ago thats why it closed over two years ago. Back in the 70's the best CFS was at Richards cafe in Jacinto City. Too bad its gone and some taqueria is there now.
If you haven't had Goodson's CFS then you haven't had a real CFS.
The CFS at Cleburne Cafeteria is the best it covers you plate be sure to get an extra bowl of gravy
Do be so hard on Sysco. We sell a range of quality for all types of restaurants from soy-extended burgers for Wendy's and Burger King up to Kobe beef for the best restaurants in the country. If you get food you don't like at a restaurant, don't blame Sysco; blame the restaurant.
My vote is Hickory Hollow. Goodson's is awful. I've had it a handful of times each time hoping the other times were just a bad night. They should call it chicken fried gristle.
Goodsons and Hickory Hollow got my vote...I used to love the Goodsons on I 10!
Old-Town Spring Winche Bros. Better than Goodsons but ont the best in Texas. Growing up in South Texas I use to love trips to Premont Texas and the Oasis grill bes CFS in Texas.
I'm picky; I like my chicken-fried steak breaded, not battered, and skillet-fried, not deep fried. That's the same way I like my fried chicken. I haven't found anyplace in Houston, but the Windmill Cafe in Somerville (just shy of 90 minutes from my house) has a truly wonderful chicken fried steak (their fried chicken is outstanding as well - be prepared to wait about 20 minutes, cause they cook it from scratch).
Neals on 2920 in spring/tomball has the best CFS on the planet!!!!!!
stay FAT Houston !!!
Stay off the food blogs, Mont!
Kelley's in Alvin, League City, and Lamarque. They are as big as a 12" pizza!
The only reason Kelley's is so big is because it's MAYBE 1/4 thick & spread out. It's also about2/3 breading & 1/3 actual steak. I have no idea how they accomplish this feat, but they do & it's very misleading. They are really not that big. They're not bad by any means, but they are not anywhere near as good as they used to be.
I'm a big boy and love me some fried steak and you cannot beat Mel's country cafe. But don't tell nobody cuz that place is already packed as it is.
Try Red Balloon Cafe on Clay rd... very good CFS
Goodson's Cafe and Mels Diner, both in Tomball, Texas!!!
I used to eat at the Luby's in Sharpstown Mall all the time. I don't know about wanting a chicken fried steak there right now but I think there's a lot of people who would like to be able to walk around there in safety.
But I think the best chicken fried steak is from home...wherever that is.
Rooster's in Baytown....ya gotta try it.
Roosters, not any more... since the meat market closed, they've gone to frozen CFS... YUK
Mel's in Tomball is the best.Hickory Hollow 2nd and Jax Grill on Shepard 3rd
Try Jax Grill, either on I-10 or in Bellaire, very solid, dependable, oops, sounds like they may use Sysco!!!
There is a small hometown restaurant in Montgomery, Texas off of FM 105 called The Heritage House. It has THE BEST CFS in the area, hands down. In my opinion it beats out Hickory Hollow as well as Goodson's Cafe in Tomball and I am a huge fan of both of those places. Black-eyed Pea seems to have gone down hill with a lot of their food.
Goodson's in Tomball isn't what it used to be since it moved out of Hufsmith.
That is exactly what I was going to say. I remember it being really good years ago... before they moved.
Chicken fried ribeye at hollister is amazing!
For some family fun, try Live Oak Grill on Dairy Ashford just north of 90 in Sugar Land. Great place and Chicken Fried Steak is OUTSTANDING!
YES, YES, YES! I love the Live Oak Grill! Great place for CFS and just about anything else you'd like! YUMMY!
I'd echo the sentiments about Live Oak Grill. They make excellent CFS, and are a great place for a REAL hamburger as well.
I am a huge fan of both Goodsons Cafe in Tomball AND Hickory Hollow BUT there is a little hometown restaurant in Montgomery called The Heritage House that has HANDS DOWN the Very BEST CFS I have had in a loooooooong time! AND they have amazing rolls to go with it!
Goodson's is not what it use to be. I went there last month and was pretty let down by the CFS. San Antonio has the best CFS in Texas hands down! Hickory Hollow has a big one but it lack alot in flavor. Even their gravy needs some kick.
Goodson's in Tomball is sub-par, at best. We went one weekend and only stopped there because we always drive by and see the sign proclaiming the best CFS. It was tasteless and the whole meal left much to be desired. No flavor and unmemorable except for the sign outside. A week or so later saw on Travel or Food channel that it was being showcased on an episode of good restaurant food. Couldn't believe it and thought maybe they didn't eat anywhere else in the Houston area. Black Eyed Pea is much tastier than that place.
Goodsons was on the Foodnetwork I think Guy Fieri did it on one if his Diners Drive ins and Dives, they were stated to be the best. Let us Know.
I miss Dirty's. THE CFS couldn't fit on the plate!
Grew up in Tomball, goodsons is decent but a little bland. I have to agree with Bigcw, Mel's is the best home cooked food near houston especially CFS! Trust me brother...gotta try it.
I've got a running list here: http://chickenfriedtexas.blogspot.com/. Some good, some bad. All high in cholesterol.
My wife and I both got food poisoning from Goodson's Cafe in Tomball. Mel's in Tomball has them beat anyways. The best though is in my kitchen when I fry them up.
The best chicken fried steak can be found at the BBQ Inn on Crosstimbers.
Clay's on Clay Road near Queenston Blvd. (between Hwy 6 and Barker Cypress) and get the onion rings too.
As a long time Houston area resident, I have eaten at a lot of the restaurants mentioned here. But since I live near Tomball, I can say Mel's Country Cafe has the absolute best CFS. I like Goodson's too but it is a little thin for me and the crust doesn't stick too well. And they were voted best CFS in Texas a long time ago when Ma Goodson was still alive, different owners now but still a good representation. I have had the CFS at Neal's, Kelly's, Black Eyed Pea, Harris County Smokehouse, Hickory Hollow (both locations), Dot Coffee Shop, the Barbeque Inn and a few others. All good entrees but for my money, give me Mel's!!
The Hofbrau had a pretty good one and gravy before it went to Salt Grass. All of Hickory Hollows fried food taste the same. Fish taste like CFS and vice versus. Fries the same.
Try Kelleys Cuntry Cooking on Spencer Hwy in Pasadena. They are "Texas" sized!!!
My buddy owns a restaurant (Kin Folks) in Nacodoches, he claims he has the best because the meat has never been frozen...he gets it straight from the slaughterhouse that day. I need to go try it, it was breathing that morning. Whe I was a kid living in Savoy, Texas the Feed Mill in Ector used to win all the Texas wide CFS awards, I wonder if it's still there.
KinFolks is really hit or miss. Their CFS is not bad but sometimes it and the hamburger taste a little old to me. Got a burger there last time that I could not finish because it was so bad tasting. Sometimes they are great though.
Oh, for the love of God and all that is holy, DO NOT go to Black Eyed Pea! I too had fond memories of 1980s chicken fried chicken (I don't eat the steak) when I stopped in to the one in West Houston. It did not have a "natural shape" or probably any chicken breast. It was SO. BAD.
I have lived in Texas for over 30 years and the best CFS I have ever eaten was in Schobels' Restaurant
2020 Milam Street, Columbus, TX 78934 (979) 732-2385
schobelsrestaurant.com
Every thing is local. The CFS was bigger than the platter they served it on and the gravy would make anyones grandmother jealous. I had the buttered carrots that were so good that I sometimes dream about them.
Definitely worth the drive. And if you are out that way for breakfast don't miss having one of best country breakfasts in Texas.
THE BAR B Q INN AT YALE & CROSSTIMBERS HAS THE BEST CFS OR CFC IN HARRIS COUNTY. 10 TIMES BETTER THAN GOODSONS IN TOMBALL.
I'm glad that the Dot Coffee Shop on the Gulf Freeway is still there & going strong - everything else in that area is long gone or is a mere shadow of its previous glory (can you say Gulfgate?).
As for CFS, I remember a place on Louisiana St. in downtown several blocks north of Walker St. that had not only the best CFS but the biggest too - sadly that was many years ago, I don't recall the name & I'm not sure if it even exists any more; I only go downtown if I absolutely have to - otherwise I avoid it like that plague.
Longhorn Cafe? Gone.
The Longhorn Cafe that used to be on Bellaire Blvd. (now situated in New Chinatown) is now Don Cafe, and they serve some great banh mi.
Don't eat these much anymore, but the best in Texas may be Zintner's or Zintner's Daughter's in San Angelo. I was told this long ago and had no reason to think it more than local boasting. But when I had a chance to stop there, I found out otherwise. The only one I have had that rivals it was one at a restaurant in Dallas that had YO (as in YO Ranch) in the name. Don't know if it's still around. The truth is this: a true CFS must be lightly coated (never breaded) and pan fried in a cast iron skillet. It must be thin and delicately balanced between salty and peppery, with a light brown pan gravy that balances out the texture but does not saturate it. Those big crusty monsters that have more breading than meat are found in most restaurants, but they only taste like generic fried something.
I have been to Zintner's and Zintner's Daughter's in San Angelo. A great CFS! I have family in San Angelo and we usually have big family dinners in their private room.
My wife and I love CFS. We were talking a few nights ago about how hard it is to find a really good CFS in the Houston area. There are some good one's, but finding one that really blows you away is hard to find. We will give Dots a try and I look forward to your future articles. If you are ever in north, TX give Mary's Cafe in Strawn a try. It really is the best I have had in Texas.
Try the Mason Jar on I 10.
Barbecue Inn - Yale @ Crosstimbers. Best CFS ever!!!!! Try it - you won't be disappointed!
Grandy's makes a pretty decent chicken fried steak, but they like way too many eateries and businesses aren't in the Houston area any more. Black Eyed Pea makes a pretty good CFS but there are no longer any locations close to me so I haven't been there in a while. Steak-n-Shake has a reasonably decent CFS but again, no locations near (note to Steak-n-Shake: build a restaurant in Sugar Land PLEASE!). Logan's Roadhouse also makes a reasonably decent CFS last I recall.
There's a BEP near you, FM 1092 (Murphy Rd) @ Hwy 6 where Sugar Land meets Mo. City.
I completely agree regarding Black Eyed Pea. When the chain first opened, they had fantastic food- but it has declined severely, to the point that I won't eat there at all.
I love AAA on Airline near the farmers market, good country cooking inside the loop! And being from Pasadena I have to give a nod to Kelly's on Spencer and Richey's on Richey.
Nate's on the westend of galveston...best I ever had...and I've had BEPs and Hickory Hallows, all good but this was the best and the garlic mashed tators...yummmy good!!!
Mel's in Tomball or Goodson's for the best CFS.
try griff's sports bar in midtown. piro (cook) makes an out of this world chicken fried steak!
Avenue Grill on Houston Avenue & Washington, near courthouse, people in HS used to beg to go with us over 30 years ago.
I can second the Avenue Grill having a great CFS. Last time I was there was a while back, though.
try griff's sports bar in midtown. piro (cook) makes the best along with mashed potatoes and green beans! :)
T-bone Toms in Kemah.
Best in Texas? Gristmill in Gruene, TX.
Agreed. In the Houston area one of the best I ever had was at Strack Farm in Spring. The Potatoe Patch used to have a good one but the place went downhill.
Jax Grill in Bellaire makes a pretty good chicken fried steak
I've got a theory that it's either Hickory Hollow or Goodson's that's using Sysco.
If you are out that way, the Staghorn Cafe in Cross Plains makes a very good CFS.
Matt's Restaurannt and Lounge in League City has a good chicken fried ribeye that I enjoy. Matt was the head chef at Confederate House for 20 years or more, then went over to Lakewood Yacht Club before opening this place. He is usually there to greet you and the service has always good.
I agree with BGAR - try Triple A on Airline. Good, fresh sides too. Also, consider trying out Avenue Grill near the traffic court downtown (Washington and Houston Avenue).
Wunsche Bros Cafe in Old Town Spring.....GREAT chicken fried steak.
Have been enjoying, and do mean enjoying chicken fried steak at Barbecue Inn (Yale @ Crosstimbers) for over 40 years. The product, the quality and the presentation has never waivered. If it doesn't cut without a knife you are in the wrong place. The fries that go with it are without equal and the cream gravy is REAL cream gravy!
If you are ever lost in the Hill Country, drive through Utopia, TX. There is a cafe there that is literally the only place to eat in Utopia. OMG, the CFS was as big as a platter! And the best I've had in Texas so far. Too bad you have to be lost to wind up there.
The cafe in Utopia is called Lost Maples Cafe -- they also have a great breakfast.
I took my then boyfriend (now husband) to Goodson's back in 2006 for their "Famous" CFS. I agree with the person who posted above; it was fair to call it Chicken Fried Gristle. Plus it was bland and way too greasy. We will never go back and I think the Travel Channel must accept $$$ for their endorsements. We went to another establishment in Alabama that was highly touted by them only to end up greatly disappointed. I think the CFS of Houston and Humble ISD in the 80's were MUCH better than those of Goodson's! Plus the rolls melted in your mouth...yum.
Two names for chicken fried steak that must be considered in the Greater Houston Area are Joe's BBQ in Alvin and Kelly's in LaMarque (There are also Kelly's in Alvin, League City, and Houston...I think 6 or 7 in all.) I get them take out. At Joe's you have the option of fries or fully loaded baked potato plus a trip to the salad bar and all the fruit and salad you can cram into a full plate size doggie box and a cup of soup. The meat is large and lean and delicious. On Wednesday's you can go and get an all you can eat CFS with country sides...instead of fries or baked you have mashed potatos plus others and salad bar and brocolli cheese soup and cobbler.
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At Kelly's the steak is also large though not quite as lean as Joe's. You get a roll and cornbread with the meal and three sides that vary by day....or you can get fries (lots of them) and 1 side (I usually get a salad as my side.
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The best CFS I ever had was at Texas BarBQ in Saigon, Vietnam. The chef was from Texas.
eyedoc, finding a restaurant called Texas BarBQ in Saigon was so incongruous we just couldn't pass it up. We figured it would be worth some laughs, but were pleasantly surprised. The owner wasn't in the night we were there, but the manager told us he'd worked at a Texas bbq place for years before returning to Saigon. That was our sole nod to western food there. Much preferred the noodle stands and banh mi carts.
The Farm House in Huntsville is also great....though I hit Kelly's or Joe's once a week....right now it is Joe's once every week.
The Farm House in Huntsville is also great....though I hit Kelly's or Joe's once a week....right now it is Joe's once every week.
Someone on here mentioned Humble City Cafe. Everything there is pretty solid from breakfast to dinner. However, I would have to say the best still is the Humble Inn. It's been a while but they used to have a lunch cfs that would spill over the plate because it was that big. Definitely top 3 of best cfs for me. The other two I would say is Humble City Cafe and Mama's Cafe off of Westheimer.
T-bone Tom's in Kemah or Rooster's in Baytown
the best CFS I have ever had is in San Antonio. LuLu's bakery
just north of downtown san antonio! 1 big chicken fried steak fed 4 adults!!!
as for Houston, my CFS is the best!!!
I don't understand why one would eat CFS with french fries. That's just plain gross.
Anybody remember the Feed Store at Sawdust Road and 45? I think it closed in the late 80's. I ate many CFS there in the late '70's and really liked them. But they were my first and I had nothing to compare.
59 Diner over on I-10 by Town & Country (or "City Centre") has really delicious Chicken Fried Steak.
Do not complete your search without trying Langkford's Grocery. Once you try theirs; you will realize your search is over!
Lankfords Grocery
HICKORY HOLLOW !!! HANDS DOWN
I think its closed now, but Somerville Inn, in Somerville up 290, used to have a wicked awesome CFS. Thing took up almost two plates!
Best CFS is in Somerville, Texas @ The Country Inn on Hwy 36. Large CFS is 2 hanging off of the plate with plenty of cream gravy.
That must be what I was thinking of, I got the name wrong. Are they still open? I had heard that they closed...
Just found out the Country Inn is closed down in Somerville, too bad. Try the one in Brenham on Blue Bell Drive. It's good also.
Man, Richards Country Cafe in Jake City on Market had the best CFS ever in the mid 70's $4.25 for a double with fries, covered in gravy, and a huge yeast roll. So tender knife not needed, good thing at 2 in the morning. Never a hang over when this was the last stop before home. And tasted even better sober
I can't believe all the people going on about Goodson's. Just because the sign says it's the best, doesn't mean it's true. I remember going to the original location way back when for a great CFS. I went back several times in the last few years hoping that I just kept having bad luck. Eventually, I came to realize that it would never be the same, and the current CFS there is just bad. I also think Hickory Hollow is over-rated. It's ok, but that's about it. I need to try Mel's (I hope the line is worth it). I've always wanted to try it, but I couldn't help but order the burger (yum, yum).
Florida's Kitchen, Livingston
I miss the old Dirty's off of I-10
My grandmother was Ella Goodson and she started Goodson's Cafe out in Hufsmith many years ago. She had a very busy cafe and no one left hungry. A&M used to stop and get box lunches for their football team when they played in Houston. She had the best chicken fried steaks ever in Texas. She also had a plate lunch that was homemade and the little cafe was packed most all the time. Before she passed away she sold the name and he opened a "Goodson's" in Houston and the one in Tomball. The Houston location closed after a slow start and manager problems. I ate at the Tomball location, several months ago and was very disappointed in the steak and service. Your best chicken fried steak now, is Salt Grass steak house. GWG
I like CFS, but I'm not that crazy about the ones in the restaurants. I prefer to use crumbled up saltine crackers for the crust. I dip the tenderized meat into some beaten eggs to start and then dip that into the saltine cracker crumbs. Pan fry it and then eat it with ketchup. I'm not a big fan of most gravies.
The Carriage House on Fallbrook has great CFS. It is always tender and fried just right. The place doesn't look like much, but all of their food is good.
Haven't been in years but Strack's on Louetta beat anybody, including Goodson's and Mel's. The very BEST creamy white gravy. Even if I didn't order the CFS, I would order the gravy to dip my fries in!
Carriage House Cafe on Fallbrook. The steaks are huge and homemade.
Rice Food Market on Holcombe. Sounds crazy I know, but truly amazing. No SYSCO there. Houstonian since 1949.
Lone Star Steaks in Texas City made the best Chicken Fried Steak in Galveston County. Sadly, they no longer exist. But it was great steak with tons of crispy breading. You need to have lots of breading, just like fried chicken. This breading stuff that Luby's uses falls off the steak before it is slapped on your platter. I can't find a true CFS anywhere anymore.
It's been gone for many years now, but I thought the Wagon Wheel restaurant in Spring Branch had a great CFS. Will have to try Dot and Beavers.
The Hideaway on Dunvale does a chicken fried rib eye steak! It is to die for!!!!
Try Texas Tradition in Katy. Was disappointed in Goodson's, but their rolls were to die for. Blackeyed Pea was great back in the day. Chain restaurants just don't cut it. Small town cafes are some of the best eating around.
Texas Tradition in Katy is very good and the cream gravy is great. Try the fried pickles as well.
Hickory Hollow is pretty good (a little on the greasy side) but BBQ Inn has the best CFS without a doubt.
The Triple A diner on Airline next to the farmers market serves up a great CFS, plus fresh mashed potatoes.
Hickory Hollow has a big CFS, but it is not a good CFS. Unless you like tough meat that tastes like cardboard.
The best chicken fried steak that I have run across in the Houston area is at Sholar's Pop-A-Top restaraunt in Rosharon just off off 288 South. Try it & you will agree! They blow Kelley's clear off the face of the earth!!!
Wunsche Brothers in old town Spring!! damn good CFS. Goodson's in Tomball is decent but not like it was when I grew up in that area (80's). If not willing to drive out to Spring, then Hickory Hollow is decent..although I think their chicken fried chicken is better
My momma always said those school CFS were for kids who didn't get meat at home.
They are beyond terrible.
Diagree about Wuensche Bros....try Puffabelly's in Old Town Spring or Me's Diner in Tomball....both worth the wait.
I was at Goodson's in Tomball very recently and was underwhelmed. For my CFS fix I will roll over to the Park Place location of Kelley's Country Cooking.
But there's another option. It isn't a CFS, it's a Milanesa. I've had a truly excellent Milanesa at Rico's Luchadores Mexican Restaurant on North Main. This is a place that is struggling to figure out what it does well and what it doesn't. But on the day that I had my Milanesa, it was crispity-crunchy and the salsa picante and sides of rice and beans didn't hurt either.
The Best Country Fried Stea!!! Steam table Wednesday's is for CFS at a reasonable price.
Mel's Country CafeMel's Country Cafe
Place page
24814 Stanolind Road
Tomball, TX 77375-3170
(281) 255-6357
Get directions - Is this accurate?
Open Mon 24 Hours; Tue-Thu 11am-9pm; Fri-Sat 11am-10pm; Sun 11am-5pm
I don't consider CFS that big of a deal anymore but after slogging through all the above posts I gotta say I recall some great one's ( and some not so great)at the places mentioned:
Barbeque Inn - above all else this is The Best.
Hickory Hollow - just OK.
Goodson's- Chicken Fried Grissle says it best.
KinFolk's in Nacogdoches - hit or miss.
Avenue Grill - Kinda small but very tasty and home made.
Schoebel's in Columbus- worth the stop for all kinds of good food and CFS is tops on the list.
Dot's - One of the best but easily overlooked, thanks for the reminder.
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Lot of places mentioned that I haven't tried and look forward to trying.
Heritage House on Hwy 105 in Montgomery, Texas has very good CFS, and their sides are delicious, too. The rolls are the best. I alwyas save my roll for last, drizzle some honey on it, and have dessert!
Goodson's in Tomball is horrible, yes they must survive on name from what it was 15-20 years ago. Heritage House is by far the most consistent CFS and best buy. I also suggest the Glass Wall, it is nice higher end restaurant, but their CFS should be in top 3 on any list.
Sysco sells breaded cfs along with fresh cutlets so educate yourself before you start assuming u know what u are talking about.
Yes i do work for sysco
Best I ever had was at the Cottonwood Inn in La Grange. Mercy, that is a delicious memory. Also, the Varsity Inn near Texas Lutheran University in Seguin, some old dining house in Blessing and the Texan Cafe in Huntsville. Best in the Houston area is the Cattleman's in Rosenberg.
For you Sugar Land people that don't want to drive to Tomball.....go to Pete and Shorty's. Awesome Chicken Fried Steak with mashed potatoes. Their food is great and their prices are even more amazing.....and ask for a schooner of beer, the coldest ever.
We met Duran Duran at Dirty's in the early 90s. That dang place was the best.
Goodsons was nasty the last time I went (2001). Will never go back.
Dot hits the spot for me.
Lankford's chicken fried steak is the bomb , never frozen, made fresh, but they only serve it on thursdays. Make sure you get there early because they usually run out. mmm mmm good
Goodson's is good, Mel's is better. However, Have you ever tried Chicken-Fried Filet Mignon? The Republic Steak House in College Station off of University. Get an Aggie in the kitche and he'll do just about anything. It was actually very good!
When you are done with the Houston area, have to baseline against Threadgills, north Lamar Austin....
Dirty's on I-10 between Dairy Ashford and Kirkwood had awesome CFS. Too bad Dirty's went under. Thursday nights at Dirty's I-10 were classic.
Agreed, but the original Dirty's on Chimney Rock was even better....
Most CFS I've had in Houston, including the highly overrated Hickory Hollow, are ordinary to just plain bad. One that's always overlooked is Brown Sugar's BBQ near Greenspoint. There's 2 ways to prepare CFS - deep fried and pan fried (I always ask how they cook it). Deep fried is an abomination - the CFS ends up dried out, tough and overdone. Brown Sugar's does the pan fry and it's so big, they have to put down a layer of fries on the plate first, then cover it with the CFS.
Try Texas Borders Bar and Grill in Katy.
Willies Ice House on Hwy 249 at the Cypresswood exit has a great chicken fried steak.
Kelly's Country Cookin is really good. Potatoe Patch is inconsistant. Sometimes it is great,sometimes just ok,but it does come ad an all you can eat option which is good. I really miss Jackson's hole in Humble. The family that ran it retired and shut down years ago. I wish they eould have sold their cfs recipe to someone
..... "I've have a recipe that the Zest posted years ago from the Humble City Cafe."
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Well, I've looked all over and don't find this recipe? Did you post it or were you just bragging? I can't find ANY recipe for chicken fried steak, period, be it bad or good. What's with that? Doesn't anyone make this dish in their homes or do you have to go out and make a test run of all the local restaurants to get a good chicken-fried steak?
Anyone?
IF YOU EVER TRAVEL TO DALLAS, PLEASE CHECK OUT "GRANDY'S" CFS. I LIVED THERE IN THE '90'S AND IT WAS ONE OF THE BEST THAT I'D EVER TASTED. DON'T KNOW IF THEY ARE STILL COOKING IT AS GOOD NOW AS THEY DID THEM... BUT IT WAS SOMETHING TO REMEMBER!