This is a topic that could end with somebody getting shot or seriously
wounded from a knife and forking.

Back in the olden daze the "Chicken Fried Steak", please pause for
appropriate reverence, was a pounded cube steak. I remember
Shipman's (on W. Reno and also S. Robinson), Johnnie's Topperburger
and the Little Red Barn (both downtown OKC) provided the benchmark
for the revered "Chicken Fried Steak".

Nowadaze... I liked the one at Shorty Small's. Has that restaurant
moved? I've heard good reports about Cheever's but since I eat
dessert first, i.e. the 72 layer Carrot Cake, I've not been able
to order an entree.

I think Shorty Small's moved into the former Kona Ranch location further south on Meridian.

My Heart Doctor does not approve of this post. But I sure as heck do.;)

I don't think any heart doctor would approve anything from Nic's.

You are correct, Blue Dog. About SW 20th or so.

I think Shorty Small's moved into the former Kona Ranch location
further south on Meridian.
That's good news. I liked Shorty Smalls and their Chicken Fried
Steak.

That's good news. I liked Shorty Smalls and their Chicken Fried
Steak.

Let us know your thoughts. I have been several times (Groupons) since they relocated and something was lost in the move. After several disappointing experiences, we prob won't be back again (even with a Groupon)

I had a pretty good CFS at Steak & Catfish today..... Unfortunately I'll never get another one since they retire this month.

Their chicken fry is OK, but I am pretty sure the mashed potatoes were instant and so was the gravy, and that's a turnoff for me. (This was in reference to a comment about Cattleman's CFS).

My favorite these days is Bentons in downtown Shawnee. It is pan fried, which i think is the True Authentic Chicken Fried Steak, these deep fried battered things are new fangled inventions I think. Anyway, Curtis Cafe, formerly the place to eat in downtown Frederick, closed now for many years, was always my standard, and Benton's is the only one I have found lately to come anywhere close to that rural Oklahoma chicken fry taste.

I have had Cheevers, and it is an honorable mention, the jalapeno gravy was a nice touch and it was not a mix.

Husband and I just discovered Jimmy's Round Up Cafe (and fried pies) on the south side. It's been consistently excellent with an all day breakfast (everything perfect) and the CFS was outstanding. Their rolls (with the honey butter) are worth the drive there from the North side - even Edmond. And they make a mean meatloaf. I wasn't wild about their cinnamon roll or the fried pies but the vegetables were outstanding (except I wasn't in love with the cream gravy). This may sound like a mixed recommendation, and it is, but it is well worth a try because most of it ranks a ten.

I also second that Swadley's has an excellent CFS, btw.

... (except I wasn't in love with the cream gravy).
I think it has anise. I don't like it, either. The gravy should be from
the dripping' of the chicken fry with some flour, salt, pepper, milk and
water. That's needed to make gravy. Leave the spices for licorice
and eccentric cuisine.

For some reason the public likes his gravy, which stands to reason
why he hasn't changed the recipe. Jimmy isn't from the South,
unless you count South Vietnam.

Let us know your thoughts. I have been several times (Groupons)
since they relocated and something was lost in the move. After
several disappointing experiences, we prob won't be back again
(even with a Groupon)
Egad, I hate it when a restaurant moves. Most of the time it's a
very bad move.

Now I'm afraid to order the Onion Loaf, which was a fave.

.... The gravy should be from
the dripping' of the chicken fry with some flour, salt, pepper, milk and
water. That's needed to make gravy. ...

PP, when you're right, you're right. :D

Egad, I hate it when a restaurant moves. Most of the time it's a
very bad move.

Now I'm afraid to order the Onion Loaf, which was a fave.
IIRC they didn't have a choice, I think the property they were on at Reno & Meridian was sold and they had to move.

For some reason the public likes his gravy, which stands to reason why he hasn't changed the recipe. Jimmy isn't from the South,
unless you count South Vietnam.

I spoke with him the other night. He doesn't look or sound like he's Vietnamese. Have you spoken with him?

Ate there. Liked the food. Not a must have but certainly belongs in "the rotation."

maybe he's getting jimmy's round up confused with jimmy's egg? -M

maybe he's getting jimmy's round up confused with jimmy's egg? -M
Chicken Egg:
http://www.sialis.org/images/white_chicken_egg.jpg

Cow "Egg":
http://images.all-free-download.com/images/graphicmedium/cow_pie_190631.jpg

"Chicken Fried Steak" is primarily associated with the animal that produces the latter.
Beware of imitations It's more than just a matter of taste.

I finally took my friend from London to Kendall's in Noble. She had the "Lite" CFS and I had the regular. It was very good, and I won't claim to be an expert, but definitely worth the trip (almost 40 miles). I think I will have the Lite serving next time, but keep in mind, I'm old and I can't eat as much as I used to. I did finish the regular, but I'm only going to snack tonight for dinner.
C. T.

After fly fishing in Gunnison area for a week a couple of my friends had
the Chicken Fried Ribeye at the Gunny Sack! They all said it was
incredible. The steak was prepared as usual and about 1/2 inch thick. I
believe the price was @ $15 and was large enough for 2 diners, er, fly
fishers. Odd that none of us ordered fish.

Prunepicker,
My last meal at Gunnison was at a very nice Italian restaurant called Garlic Mike's. I ordered shrimp scampi but unfortunately, the shrimp was bad. I ate three pieces of shrimp and was off to the restroom. It took me three days (two without food) to get over it. It really is a good place, just an oversight and it didn't smell bad but I have never been so sick in my life. I wish I had gone to the Gunny Sack instead. Next time I will. And actually, i would go back to Garlic Mike's too.
C. T.

Prunepicker,
My last meal at Gunnison was at a very nice Italian restaurant called Garlic Mike's...
C. T.
So sorry to hear that. I didn't see Garlic Mike's in town, not that it's not there.
We ate at the Gunny Sack twice and it was very close to perfection. The burger
was incredible. On Monday's you can get the Gunny Burger and Fries for $5.
That's a deal I won't soon forget. The fries were crispy, too. Just as I ordered.

Cute waitress, too.

But for a good time go to the House of China. I asked the waitress if
she was on the menu. Seriously! I asked for her number and she have
me the restaurant's. We had a great time. I had chicken fried rice.
Absolutely wonderful

A lot of the guys from the Texas motorcycle site that I am on ride in the Gunnison area and I have seen many favorable reviews of the Gunny Sack.

It's out of town a mile or two, on the road to Crested Butte.
C. T.
So sorry to hear that. I didn't see Garlic Mike's in town, not that it's not there.
We ate at the Gunny Sack twice and it was very close to perfection. The burger
was incredible. On Monday's you can get the Gunny Burger and Fries for $5.
That's a deal I won't soon forget. The fries were crispy, too. Just as I ordered.

Cute waitress, too.

But for a good time go to the House of China. I asked the waitress if
she was on the menu. Seriously! I asked for her number and she have
me the restaurant's. We had a great time. I had chicken fried rice.
Absolutely wonderful

Drove down and tried out Kendall's for the first time tonight. Their chicken fried steak and catfish are excellent. Definitely worth the drive folks.

Best chicken fried steak I've had came from Pistol's in Del City. Grew up eating those and now nobody else comes close. It's similar to Del Rancho (I think the same guy owned them back in the day), so since Pistol's closed like 10 years ago that's where I've got to go to get my fix.

Easy180,
Glad you liked it! I kind of hate recommending food since it's so subjective but I did enjoy it. I forgot to ask them if it was fried. It was good, so I didn't even think about preparation. That seems to be important to cfs aficionados.
C. T.
Drove down and tried out Kendall's for the first time tonight. Their chicken fried steak and catfish are excellent. Definitely worth the drive folks.

Best chicken fried steak I ever had was at the now closed Charlie Newtons. Was real sirlon hammered then breaded and fried.

Gjl,
I had always heard that about Charlie Newton's, but I couldn't understand going to a place like that and spending way too much for a chicken fried steak when I could get an excellent tenderloin or ribeye fo not a lot more. I guess I should have tried it though. Do you remember what it was before it became Charlie Newton's? I think it was Bell's, but I never went there.
C. T.
Best chicken fried steak I ever had was at the now closed Charlie Newtons. Was real sirlon hammered then breaded and fried.

In younger days I often enjoyed my CFS hammered. These days, I lean more toward sweet tea.

Hammered is better when you are eating it at a place like Chuck House. :drunk:

Chuck House, the answer is always Chuck House. For gourmet Cheevers makes a mean version or two.

Classen Grill's fry and eggs should not be overlooked.

Gjl,
I had always heard that about Charlie Newton's, but I couldn't understand going to a place like that and spending way too much for a chicken fried steak when I could get an excellent tenderloin or ribeye fo not a lot more. I guess I should have tried it though. Do you remember what it was before it became Charlie Newton's? I think it was Bell's, but I never went there.
C. T.

I don't know what Charlie Newtons was before. We only ate there twice. Several years ago about a month prior to my and my wife's birthday we would get an envelope in the mail with free dinner coupons at 4 or 5 local restaurants. I don't know how or why we started getting them but we would get them every year for about 3 years in a row. One year one of the coupons was for Charlie Newtons. Honestly I don't think I ever knew it existed before that.

Charlie newtons was a filet mignon chicken fried steak if I remember right it was around 25 bucks and oh so good.

i believe you can get newton's 'ultimate' filet mignon chicken fry at kyle's 1025... -M

Charlie newtons was a filet mignon chicken fried steak if I remember right it was around 25 bucks and oh so good.

Might have been. It's been several years since I had it. I just remember it wasn't cube steak.

I'll tell you where I've had the worst chicken fry lately. That would be Cheddars in MWC. The thing had 1/2 inch or more breading on the top and bottom. It was awful.

A good Chicken Fried Steak is subjective. I've have many good CFS's in my
life but to tell the truth the one I remember most was at Shorty Small's.
Yes, Shipman's had a good CFS with all the biscuits you could eat and two
vegetables for less than $2. That was 30+ years ago. Ann's is good for the
price but nowhere near as good as Shorty Small's. Ann's is definitely worth
the $ if mediocrity is acceptable, which for me it is if the money is right.

To settle an argument, a CFS can be made with any type of meat. In
Gunnison, CO there's a restaurant that serves a very good Rib Eye CFS.

Some places serve a very good Cube Steak CFS. Some places can't
serve a CFS that tastes better than cardboard and flour.

Gjl,
I went to Kyle's 1025 web site that Martin mentioned, and they have an item on the menu called "Bell's Pan Fried Chicken". Underneath that is "Inspired by Johnny Bell". So, I guess Charlie Newton's is/was originally Bell's.
C. T.
I don't know what Charlie Newtons was before. We only ate there twice. Several years ago about a month prior to my and my wife's birthday we would get an envelope in the mail with free dinner coupons at 4 or 5 local restaurants. I don't know how or why we started getting them but we would get them every year for about 3 years in a row. One year one of the coupons was for Charlie Newtons. Honestly I don't think I ever knew it existed before that.

The wife and I finally went to Kendall's this weekend, I got the catfish and she got the CFS, both the lite portions, and I must say...both were very good. I think they put the catfish on a diet because they were very, very skinny, but very good breading and taste great! We will most definitely be going back. I think one of the best part is that the lite portions are perfect size, for a good price. Two dinners, I had a salad with mine, two waters and they serve a cinnamon roll with each meal....all for under $20.

title says it all. Who in OKC, (or surrounding areas) has the absolute best chicken fried steak? Who's worth your hard earned money and which places should be avoided?

Hammered is better when you are eating it at a place like Chuck House.
Hammered as in drunk?

My neighbor brought me a CFS from the Chuck House last week. It was
very good. The CH was waning for a few years and I stopped going. I'm
glad they're back in business as a reputable CFS restaurant.

Gjl,
I went to Kyle's 1025 web site that Martin mentioned, and they have an
item on the menu called "Bell's Pan Fried Chicken"...
C. T.
Is there another way to cook chicken? I know some have tried to say
that chicken pot pie is another way but we all know the chicken is
leftover pan fried from Dinner. Then some try to say "roasted" or
"baked" chicken. Heck far (http://prunepicker.wikispaces.com/far), that's nothing but pan fried chicken that's
been reheated in the oven.

Prunepicker,
My complete statement was in reference to Bell's restaurant, not the "pan fried chicken". I said "I went to Kyle's 1025 web site that Martin mentioned, and they have an item on the menu called "Bell's Pan Fried Chicken". Underneath that is "Inspired by Johnny Bell". So, I guess Charlie Newton's is/was originally Bell's.". I wasn't talking about how to fry chicken, especially since I have no idea how to do it. I had previously asked the question about whether Kyle's was formerly Bell's.
C. T
Is there another way to cook chicken? I know some have tried to say
that chicken pot pie is another way but we all know the chicken is
leftover pan fried from Dinner. Then some try to say "roasted" or
"baked" chicken. Heck far (http://prunepicker.wikispaces.com/far), that's nothing but pan fried chicken that's
been reheated in the oven.

Hammered as in drunk?

My neighbor brought me a CFS from the Chuck House last week. It was
very good. The CH was waning for a few years and I stopped going. I'm
glad they're back in business as a reputable CFS restaurant.
From what my father told me I think the family that ran it forever got back involved in the restaurant after trying to expand and ultimately closing the other locations.

Prunepicker,
My complete statement was in reference to Bell's restaurant...

C. T
Was it on or around NW 70th and just east of Western?

Prunepicker,
That's the one, Bell's, Charlie Newton's, and now Kyle's 1025. It's 1025 N. W. 70th.
C. T.
Was it on or around NW 70th and just east of Western?

Had a nice CFS at Charleston's yesterday.

It's *huge*; ridiculously so. But quite tasty. The seasoning in the breading and gravy is really good and the glazed carrots that come with it were tasty as well.

Wouldn't seek this place out but if I ever had occasion to go again, I would probably order the same thing and know I'll be taking more than half of it home with me.

Had a nice CFS at Charleston's yesterday.

It's *huge*; ridiculously so. But quite tasty. The seasoning in the breading and gravy is really good and the glazed carrots that come with it were tasty as well.

Wouldn't seek this place out but if I ever had occasion to go again, I would probably order the same thing and know I'll be taking more than half of it home with me.

Try their oven roasted chicken - Excellent, and you'll take half of it home too.

It was so ridiculously large I had to take a photo; note the size in relation to the pint glass:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/cfs.jpg

That's a good looking chicken fried steak. ^^^

The wife and I were wanting to find a good cfs this weekend but were over by Quail Springs and limited on time, so we just ran over to Tucker's for a burger, but I still want to know where to go the next time I have a hankering for one.

About a month or so ago, we were down in the 10th street area and stopped at Chuck House for some chicken fried steak since we haven't been there in quite a while. That place has gone down hill. It certainly is not as good as it used to be and we will likely never be back.

It was so ridiculously large I had to take a photo; note the size in relation to the pint glass:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/cfs.jpg

Yikes!

What's with all the green specks ... grated parsley or chives or some other totally unneeded excess sprinkle fest? Or is it just my bad eyes playing color tricks on me again.

Giving Charleston's its due, that is almost a Kendall's size CFS lunch deal.

Better size and appearance than the last time I ordered one in Norman.

Too tired to look upthread......

Ann's Chicken Fry at 39th and Tulsa still has a very tasty cfs.

Too tired to look upthread......

Ann's Chicken Fry at 39th and Tulsa still has a very tasty cfs.

I looked up thread and had no idea about Swadley's having chicken fry, and we were right there when over by Quail Springs. ... I'll have to try it next time.

I don't think you'll regret it. Swadley's isn't quite as huge as Charleston's -- but it's ALMOST there!

As it happens, I and my wife ate at Charleston's on Memorial between MacArthur and Meridian yesterday afternoon -- but we had the filet with loaded spuds plus huge desserts. It's our go-to location when we need real lifts of spirit. They also offer the entire menu for take-out if you prefer...

...

About a month or so ago, we were down in the 10th street area and stopped at Chuck House for some chicken fried steak since we haven't been there in quite a while. That place has gone down hill. It certainly is not as good as it used to be and we will likely never be back.

Sad to hear, that's our go-to CFS place, haven't been there in about 6 months, though, and we noticed it wasn't quite as good as it had been, but it was still pretty decent. Sounds like it might not be even "pretty decent" anymore. :(

I don't think you'll regret it. Swadley's isn't quite as huge as Charleston's -- but it's ALMOST there!...

Ok Jim.... I took your advice. The wife and I had to take care of some business with my daughter this evening over by Quail Springs again, so we dropped in to Swadleys afterwards. It was actually pretty good. .... I would definately do it again.11564

I see you went for the fried okra; I always go for "sweet beans" and my wife prefers their "campfire potatoes" but you can't go wrong with most any of their sides. And don't forget a cup or two of the free soft-serve to polish off the meal....

Well, Pete's photo, and my lovely's desire to return to Charleston's led me to suggest the one in Norman last night.
Except for an at times too loud birthday celebration, it was a very enjoyable experience, far better than I expected.

So much so that this place, which has long been appreciated by my spouse and merely endured by me, came off the
I'll endure it list and is now firmly on my "what about X this time" list.

The CFS was large, flavorful and the gravy was dang decent, and the carrots, well, few if anyone does carrots as well.
Vastly improved over prior trips, in both food and service.

I also enjoyed the baked potato soup and we both enjoyed their queso and their spinach dip in addition to the CFS. So much so that, exceptionally rare for me, some of the CFS came home with me last night, and a lot of hers came home as well. So far today, I've been good, but it's getting close to late lunch time, so that might just change.

As for the loud birthday group, it is a college town I live in and at times a student with high volume friends is going to turn 21. I'll deal, but I do wish if folks are going to get loud, they'd pick a pub with grub to celebrate rather than a place that is geared more to dining out.

Interior was nicely, read that as dimly, lit. Very appropriate for after 8 evening dining in my opinion. I am not a fan of eateries that light up like high noon and stay that way throughout the night hours. The parking lot, sure, but not in the dining room.

I see you went for the fried okra; I always go for "sweet beans" and my wife prefers their "campfire potatoes" but you can't go wrong with most any of their sides. And don't forget a cup or two of the free soft-serve to polish off the meal....

I did have a small cup of soft serve, But don't tell anyone.... You I made a happy plate!

Thanks for the tip Jim.