It’s Texas Chicken-Fried Steak Day 2023. Here’s where to eat CFS for lunch and dinner

Bud Kennedy
·2 min read
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(Adapted from a column published Oct. 25, 2011.)

Besides politics and religion, nothing gets a bar brawl going like chicken-fried steak.

The “best” is a matter of wide dispute, ranging from the lightly floured steaks at revered Mary’s Cafe in Palo Pinto County or Mac’s Bar & Grill in Arlington to the juicy, thick CFS at the Fred’s Texas Cafes or Star Cafe in Fort Worth.

On every Oct., 26, Texas devotes an entire day to chicken-fried steak and related discussions.

Then-state Rep. Ralph Sheffield of Temple, who had owned a steakhouse, persuaded fellow lawmakers in 2011 to agree on a holiday, if not on a single official state chicken-fried steak.

One of Fort Worth’s best high-end chicken-fried steaks is served at Lucile’s Stateside Bistro.
One of Fort Worth’s best high-end chicken-fried steaks is served at Lucile’s Stateside Bistro.

“I did it because Texas has the greatest chicken-fried steak in the world,” Sheffield said then.

“I’ve had it made from prime beef, and I’ve had it made with scrawny little cutlets. It’s just one of those things Texans love.”

Seven restaurants across Texas helped launch the holiday. One of the seven was Fort Worth’s landmark Paris Coffee Shop, 704 W. Magnolia Ave., then owned by the founding Smith family. It now serves an updated CFS under new owners in its 97th year as a breakfast-and-lunch cafe.

The chicken-fried steak lunch at the Star Cafe in the Stockyards.
The chicken-fried steak lunch at the Star Cafe in the Stockyards.

One of the favorite chicken-fried steaks locally is found at a chicken restaurant: Babe’s Chicken Dinner House in Arlington, Burleson, Granbury, North Richland Hills and Roanoke.

There’s not much agreement on which Fort Worth-area restaurant serves the “best” chicken-fried steak.

(The best statewide is generally considered to be Mary’s, an hour’s drive west in Strawn.)

But for Texas Chicken-Fried Steak Day, try Fred’s Texas Cafe, 7101 Camp Bowie Blvd. West or 2730 Western Center Blvd.; Lucile’s, 4700 Camp Bowie Blvd.; Michaels Cuisine, 3413 W. Seventh St.; Old Neighborhood Grill,. 1633 Park Place Ave.; Reata, 312 Houston St.; the Star Cafe, 111 W. Exchange Ave.; or Mac’s Bar & Grill, 6077 West Interstate 20, Arlington, or 909 S. Main St., Grapevine.

Chicken-fried steak with carrots and okra at Charleston’s.
Chicken-fried steak with carrots and okra at Charleston’s.

For a simple CFS with old-fashioned yellow cream gravy (flavored with chicken broth), the favorite is Jesús BBQ and Family Restaurant, 810 S. Main St.