16 Texas Chicken-Fried Steak Joints That Are Bigger Than The Plate

Texas is a land where chicken-fried steak isn’t just food; it’s a proud tradition. For those who crave massive plates of this Southern classic, here’s a roundup of 16 joints where the steak hangs over the edge and the flavors are as big as Texas itself.

1. Mary’s Cafe – Strawn

Mary’s Cafe is a staple in Texas chicken-fried steak history. Patrons flock to this legendary spot for a steak so large it drapes over the plate.

The beef is thin and tender, wrapped in a crackly crust with a generous dusting of pepper. A lake of cream gravy and mashed potatoes accompany this hearty meal.

Travelers often plan entire detours around this cafe, ensuring they don’t miss out on this quintessential Texas experience.

2. Blue Bonnet Cafe – Marble Falls

Nestled in the Hill Country, Blue Bonnet Cafe has been dishing out comfort food since 1929. The chicken-fried steak here is a beloved ritual.

The portion blankets the plate, swimming under a thick layer of gravy with classic sides squeezed in. It’s a meal that demands a hearty appetite.

Visitors are advised to save room for pie, although tackling both in one sitting is a feat few can manage, unless you’re a seasoned professional.

3. Goodson’s Cafe – Tomball

Goodson’s Cafe is the epitome of small-town Texas fame, known for its world-famous chicken-fried steak. The steak is notorious for being as big as your face.

It easily spills past the plate’s rim, with accompanying mashed potatoes and rolls. It’s common for locals to order one to share.

Every person within a 100-mile radius has a Goodson’s chicken-fried steak story, making it a must-visit for anyone passing through.

4. Mel’s Country Cafe – Tomball

Mel’s Country Cafe might be famous for monster burgers, but their chicken-fried steak easily holds its own. The standard serving is already massive.

The bigger versions are a challenge for the brave. Crispy, peppery crust meets tender beef and thick gravy, with starch-laden sides.

Patrons often find themselves moving slowly back to their vehicles, full and satisfied after indulging in such a generous helping of classic Texan hospitality.

5. The Wagon Wheel – Eagle Pass

The Wagon Wheel in Eagle Pass is renowned for serving some of Texas’s biggest chicken-fried steaks. This steak stretches to the edge of an oversized plate.

The light, shattery crust encases a tender steak. It resembles more of a serving platter than a single meal.

This border town gem invites diners to enjoy a meal that’s as much about the experience as the flavor, with a taste that’s worth every mile traveled.

6. Ranchman’s Ponder Steakhouse – Ponder

Ranchman’s Ponder Steakhouse offers a taste of Texas beef history with its celebrated chicken-fried steak. When available, expect a plate-filling slab.

The steak shares space with potatoes, green beans, and a biscuit that barely fits. It’s a small-town roadhouse offering with deep roots.

The experience at Ranchman’s is as much about the charm and history as it is about the massive, delicious steak.

7. Jake & Dorothy’s Cafe – Stephenville

Jake & Dorothy’s Cafe, with its classic courthouse-square setting, has been serving up chicken-fried steak since the 1940s. The steak arrives thin, crispy, and large.

It hangs off the plate, generously smothered in cream gravy. This dish embodies the old-school charm that makes it a beloved Texas staple.

Whether you’re a rancher, student, or road-tripper, this cafe offers a comforting slice of Texas tradition that’s hard to beat.

8. Bubba’s Cooks Country – Dallas

Housed in a revamped drive-in near SMU, Bubba’s Cooks Country serves a chicken-fried steak that locals find therapeutic. It’s wide, golden, and generously covered in gravy.

The mashed potatoes and rolls crowd the edges. It’s like a supersized version of grandma’s Sunday dinner.

Bubba’s offers a nostalgic taste of home cooking that’s both comforting and satisfying, perfect for anyone seeking a hearty meal.

9. Babe’s Chicken Dinner House – Roanoke & Other DFW Towns

Though known for its fried chicken, Babe’s offers a chicken-fried steak that’s equally grandiose. The steak practically covers the entire plate.

It’s enveloped in cream gravy, with bottomless sides like mashed potatoes, creamed corn, and green beans. The meal looks like a church potluck.

Babe’s is a gathering place where friends and families relish in the communal joy of shared, hearty meals that are as plentiful as they are delicious.

10. Barbecue Inn – Houston

Despite its name, Barbecue Inn in Houston draws crowds for its massive chicken-fried steak more than its barbecue. The steak is a crunchy-coated slab.

It extends to the rim of a heavy diner plate, served with old-school sides and plenty of gravy. The experience is a nostalgic nod to 1950s lunch counters.

For those seeking a taste of Houston’s culinary past, Barbecue Inn offers tradition served in a generously sized portion.

11. Hickory Hollow – Houston

Hickory Hollow in Houston is famed for both barbecue and even bigger chicken-fried steaks. Their CFS demands a platter for serving.

The rugged, well-seasoned crust gives way to surprisingly tender beef beneath. It’s all buried under cream gravy, with fries or mashed potatoes.

Dining here feels like an event, with portions and flavors that command attention and celebrate Texas-sized appetites.

12. Hoover’s Cooking – Austin

Hoover’s Cooking on Austin’s East Side specializes in honest comfort food, and their chicken-fried steak is a standout. The portion is full-plate large.

It boasts a flaky crust and peppery cream gravy, paired with sides like collards, okra, or mac and cheese. It feels like a Sunday plate.

In a city known for trendy eats, Hoover’s remains a bastion of hearty, soulful dining that speaks to traditional Southern roots.

13. Monument Cafe – Georgetown

Monument Cafe in Georgetown serves farm-to-table Southern comfort with a famously huge chicken-fried steak. The steak sprawls across the plate.

It’s smothered in gravy and accompanied by scratch-made sides that change with the seasons. It’s a rare blend of large Texas portions and thoughtful cooking.

Visitors find joy in both the generous servings and the care put into each dish, making every meal memorable.

14. Cattlemen’s Steakhouse – Fort Worth Stockyards

Cattlemen’s Steakhouse in the Fort Worth Stockyards focuses on big beef, and their chicken-fried steak is no exception. The cut barely fits the plate.

It’s served golden and smothered, with sides like baked potatoes, fries, or okra. Eating here feels naturally Texan.

The ambiance of the Stockyards adds to the experience, making it feel like a step back in time to hearty, cowboy-style dining.

15. Radicke’s Bluebonnet Grill – San Antonio

In San Antonio, Radicke’s Bluebonnet Grill is known for its giant chicken-fried steak. The steak takes over the plate with crisp, craggy breading.

Beneath is a soft center, enveloped in cream gravy. It’s a no-frills neighborhood grill where portions are as big as Texas pride.

Locals appreciate the consistency and tradition found at Radicke’s, where every meal offers a taste of homegrown comfort.

16. Old Jody’s – Temple

Old Jody’s in Temple is a hot topic in any Central Texas chicken-fried steak debate. The steak is tender enough to cut with a fork.

It stretches edge-to-edge on the plate, with potatoes and toast or rolls stacked along the sides. The setting is pure Texas cafe energy.

It’s a simple room with giant plates, offering food that tastes timeless, as if unchanged through decades of faithful service.