The Best Chicken Fried Steak...

[boscorama]

A few years ago I stopped eating CFS. The last one was at Lucille's in Mulhall. It was quality cfs but when swining it down it dawned on me that this stuff is actually rather gross From that day forward I get chicken fried chicken instead, provided it's not "chicken strip dinner" fingers, or any such. Lucille's has a way with chicken and the CFC didn't disappoint.

[rcjunkie]

Where is the Del Rancho in Tuttle? I know Mustang has one.

It was at the light across from the football stadium on Main Street, it's been closed for 2--3 years.

[rcjunkie]

The steak is too thin, the breading too thick, and it's too highly spiced for my taste -- but in its favor, it's huge.

I'm amazed that so far nobody has mentioned Swadley's. While they're best known for their barbecue, their CFS dinner is pretty doggone good, and quite traditional. I usually go to the one on Memorial...

Thanks for the tip, been to Swadley's dozens of times and never noticed they had CFS.

[ljbab728]

SOLD...I'm getting the catfish next time, I will let the wife get the CFS. Now somebody needs to start a "best catfish in OKC" thread.

Too late. It's been done.

http://www.okctalk.com/food-restaura...t-catfish.html

[soonerguru]

The catfish at Punkins in Pauls Valley is very good as well. I had it recently. Honestly, the catfish at Toby Keith's was arguably as good.

[mikeareese]

I just ate at Cattlemans. The filet mignon was excellent, but the CFS lacked flavor. Also tried the Del Rancho in Norman on Lindsay. I was very disappointed. I didn't like Mimis Cafe either for CFS. I am going to have to try some of these other places.

[Larry OKC]

I am exceedingly picky about CFS. Cheever's is one of only a handful of places (outside of my own kitchen) and the only place in OKC, where I will eat it, and I absolutely love theirs. After seeing Del Rancho commercials for years, we finally went, expecting to find something really delicious. It was nothing but fried batter. Literally, the first few bites and no meat at all, and when we did get to the meat it was tough and gristly. We used to go to Annes Chicken Fry quite often. I tried theirs once, but it was nothing but a chicken fried hamburger patty. NASTY.

Which Del Rancho did you go to? I have never experienced what you described at any Del Rancho. I have had what you described at Shorty Smalls though. The CFS at Toby Keiths is excellent, but the couple of times I had it (after they 1st opened, the gravy was sub par).

[Garin]

Nic's has an awesome CFS pan fried with eggs and hashbrowns is the way i like it all smothered in gravy.

[Mel]

Nic's has an awesome CFS pan fried with eggs and hashbrowns is the way i like it all smothered in gravy.

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

[kevinpate]

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

I've already outlived a couple of my former docs.
I don't listen to the others as closely as I might oughta.

CFS - God's way of saying go, ahead, enjoy. we'll see ya soon enough anyhow.

[Prunepicker]

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.

[bluedogok]

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

[OSUMom]

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.

[Tritone]

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

[Prunepicker]

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.

[Larry OKC]

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)

[Roger S]

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

[jpeaceokc]

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.

[PennyQuilts]

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.

[Prunepicker]

... (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.

[Prunepicker]

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.

[kevinpate]

.... 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.

[bluedogok]

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.

[Dubya61]

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."

[Martin]

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