Chicken Fried Steak

Re:Chicken Fried Steak (Hepcat)

Wed, 17 Oct 2012 20:40:15 GMT

A Google Image search for Shanghai Cowgirl will yield you plenty of pictures, including some for staff and customers, but almost all are download protected.

An added bonus is that the restaurant is right next door to and owned by the same people as the Bovine Sex Club, a nightclub with a rather eclectic clientele of hipsters and punks. No cows, but sex I suppose is available with the standard amount of aggravation/effort.

Re:Chicken Fried Steak (Pancho)

Wed, 17 Oct 2012 18:12:19 GMT

love2bake

Hepcat

One of the very few places chicken fried steak is available in Toronto is at Shanghai Cowgirl's on Queen Street West near Bathurst. It's a diner type of establishment for the hipster community in the area. But it's the fried perogies which they serve in mounds with bacon, fried onions, scallions (green onions), melted cheddar cheese and sour cream that I most highly recommend at Shanghai Cowgirl's. The milkshakes are good too. The waitresses are also young, hip and pretty.

Good heavens--that sounds obscene! And good.

I'm trying to decide between the waitresses and the food.

Re:Chicken Fried Steak (love2bake)

Mon, 01 Oct 2012 22:41:50 GMT

Hepcat

One of the very few places chicken fried steak is available in Toronto is at Shanghai Cowgirl's on Queen Street West near Bathurst. It's a diner type of establishment for the hipster community in the area. But it's the fried perogies which they serve in mounds with bacon, fried onions, scallions (green onions), melted cheddar cheese and sour cream that I most highly recommend at Shanghai Cowgirl's. The milkshakes are good too. The waitresses are also young, hip and pretty.

Good heavens--that sounds obscene! And good.

Re:Chicken Fried Steak (Hepcat)

Fri, 28 Sep 2012 19:22:31 GMT

One of the very few places chicken fried steak is available in Toronto is at Shanghai Cowgirl's on Queen Street West near Bathurst. It's a diner type of establishment for the hipster community in the area. But it's the fried perogies which they serve in mounds with bacon, fried onions, scallions (green onions), melted cheddar cheese and sour cream that I most highly recommend at Shanghai Cowgirl's. The milkshakes are good too. The waitresses are also young, hip and pretty.

RE: Chicken Fried Steak (Vince Macek)

Tue, 25 Sep 2012 18:05:34 GMT

senor boogie woogie

This was Buck Owens' last meal. He ate it and played a show. Then he died.

At least he died happy.

I'm afraid I'm thinking of the SCTV show parody of the movie "Grapes of Wrath" - Dave Thomas plays the old grandpa who is...fixated on chicken fried steak. It's clear he's losing it when he cackles "I'm gonna git me a bunch'a chicken fried steaks an' I'm gonna sew 'em together an' wear 'em like a hat!" He dies, and his last request is that he be chicken fried.

RE: Chicken Fried Steak (love2bake)

Mon, 24 Sep 2012 09:38:38 GMT

senor boogie woogie

This was Buck Owens' last meal. He ate it and played a show. Then he died.

Oh my--not a good recommendation! Wonder if it was from Cope's Knotty Pine Cafe in Bakersfield.

RE: Chicken Fried Steak (mr chips)

Sat, 22 Sep 2012 15:10:39 GMT

Thanks to whoever revived this thread.

RE: Chicken Fried Steak (Phildelmar)

Sat, 22 Sep 2012 07:50:41 GMT

Nice to see this thread back

RE: Chicken Fried Steak (senor boogie woogie)

Sat, 22 Sep 2012 01:51:06 GMT

This was Buck Owens' last meal. He ate it and played a show. Then he died.

RE: Chicken Fried Steak (senor boogie woogie)

Sat, 22 Sep 2012 01:50:43 GMT

This was Buck Owens' last meal. He ate it and played a show. Then he died.

RE: Chicken Fried Steak (love2bake)

Sun, 19 Aug 2012 12:01:38 GMT

Bookmarked!

Boy, I can't let my CFS antennae rest for a minute--I never know where/when I'm going to find more info, as this thread just surfaced after almost 5 years being asleep.

RE: Chicken Fried Steak (scrumptiouschef)

Fri, 17 Aug 2012 14:09:13 GMT

It's getting hard to find a good chicken fried steak in Austin, Texas. Much like a bowl of Texas Red, the cfs has vanished from local menus and when you do find it, it's often a pale shadow of what used to be both delicious and commonplace.
Not so out in Liberty Hill at Dahlia Cafe.
The pounded-out, hand-breaded chicken fried steak being served up on the Edward's Plateau could leave the kitchen at Old Spanish Trail in Bandera and nobody would be the wiser.
It's that good.
Gravy had a working relationship with a cow, green beans had been grown in soil, tea had cane sugar in it. Lots of details that we should be able to take for granted but can't, are in abundance at Dahlia Cafe in Liberty Hill.

pic of the plate: http://www.scrumptiousche...a-Cafe-In-Liberty-Hill

RE: Chicken Fried Steak (Foodbme)

Fri, 27 Jul 2012 01:03:27 GMT

Discovery's Destination America Channel show tonight was "The United States of Steak". They featured the best steaks in America. Goodson's Cafe in Tomball, TX was considered the best CFS in the country. Since it's the "Best CFS in Texas", that automatically makes it the "Best CFS in America".
http://www.goodsonscafetomball.com/
There are 2 other shows- The United States of Bacon and The United States of Burgers.
Catch the Re-runs!

RE: Chicken Fried Steak (oDey in LA)

Tue, 11 Sep 2007 17:50:15 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by Texianjoe

I just found this thread also so I guess I'll chime in too.

I have eaten a lot of CFS, all in the name of research you understand, and have narrowed it down to two that are different but good in their own way.

Goodsons Cafe in Tomball, Tx was named best CFS in Texas by Texas Country Reporter magazine. Theirs is as big as your plate with a thick, crispy crust fried as Alton would say GBD(golden brown and delicious). It is topped with white cream gravy with just the right amount of pepper. Yellow gravy I associate with chicken gravy and not acceptable.

joe

I moved out of the great state of Texas (much to my regret) in 1977. I lived just down the road from Tomball, (on the way to Spring). The very best CFS I have ever before or since was at Goodson's. Also a giant home made hamburger that was the best as well. I did not care for the heat and humidity in the 7 years I lived just north of Houston but Goodson's made it worthwhile. Used to get a great burger at the Spring Cafe' (old train stop) as well. The people around that area were great but the weather was a challenge. Great fishing back then at Lake Conroe before they poisoned out the hydrilla. The bass loved to hide under it. Crappie fishing under the willows in the Spring was great as well. Lots of fond memories and Goodson's is at the top of the list.

RE: Chicken Fried Steak (haggertyj70)

Sat, 25 Aug 2007 02:15:38 GMT

I lived in Houston only for a year in '86-'87. Dirty's had THE best chicken fried steak with tater tots and white gravy! Best day to go for that was on $.75 margarita night!

RE: Chicken Fried Steak (Voyageur)

Thu, 09 Nov 2006 00:13:29 GMT

Texianjoe, garlic powder has also been in some of the crusts of CFS I've had. I too don't care for it in this dish. Better to use black pepper in the crust and gravy for extra flavor. You're also right about having white cream gravy and mashed potatoes for classic and delicious CFS.

RE: Chicken Fried Steak (Texianjoe)

Wed, 08 Nov 2006 09:36:18 GMT

I just found this thread also so I guess I'll chime in too.

I have eaten a lot of CFS, all in the name of research you understand, and have narrowed it down to two that are different but good in their own way.

Goodsons Cafe in Tomball, Tx was named best CFS in Texas by Texas Country Reporter magazine. Theirs is as big as your plate with a thick, crispy crust fried as Alton would say GBD(golden brown and delicious). It is topped with white cream gravy with just the right amount of pepper. Yellow gravy I associate with chicken gravy and not acceptable.

The second is Mary's Cafe in Stawn, Tx just west of DFW off I20. Hers is also as big as your plate. The difference is that her crust is thin just a little thicker than its German counterpart so you can taste the meat better. It comes with a cereal sized bowl of cream gravy on the side. The negative and the reason it is no.2 in my book is they do not have mashed potatoes on the menu, it comes with french fries or it would tie with Goodsons.

On I20 around the corner from Marys is Thurber, Tx. and home of the Smokestack Restaurant. They claim to have the best CFS on I20. I have had it and it is good but they put something in the crust, I think it is onion or garlic powder, I have'nt quit put my finger on it yet, which gives it an off taste.

The real place for the best CFS in Texas no longer exists. It was The Cottonwood Inn in La Grange, Texas. Halfway between Austin and Houston it was a favorite eating stop for travelers, politicians and students on their way back and forth from the state capital. Also a stop for those working up an appetite at Miss Monas, who by the way looked nothing like Dolly Parton.

Well those are my picks, FWIW.

joe

RE: Chicken Fried Steak (Timntx)

Tue, 07 Nov 2006 23:17:14 GMT

I just found this thread...I've lived in TX this time since 1992, and have never been a real big fan of CFS.

A friend told me about a place here in Ft. Worth called Massey's and the wife and I ate lunch there this afternnoon. Not much to look at in the way of ambiance...BUT I had the best CFS I've ever eaten! This place has been in biz since 1947 and IMO really know how to do CFS right.

It usually comes with milk or cream gravy I substituted brown. It was so good we got two dinners to go for supper ....hehe.. Downside was this CFS did not reheat well . IT was a bit chewy.

I did a search and didn't come with a thread on it so if its been mentioned already....I apo;igize.

Tim

RE: Chicken Fried Steak (beanbean)

Wed, 19 Jul 2006 15:04:38 GMT

Spouse & I had the best CFS ever at The Walburg Restaurant in Walburg, TX (N of Austin). The gravy was good but kind of sweet (maybe that's a German thing?). I'd take a different gravy but the CFS was excellent. Actually, all of their food is great.

RE: Chicken Fried Steak (ExtraMSG)

Mon, 17 Jul 2006 17:17:36 GMT

Sorry, I can't let that pass because I just got done reading a report on Hill's CFS on DallasFood.org:

http://www.dallasfood.org/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=65

That's a seriously disgusting looking CFS.

RE: Chicken Fried Steak (oltheimmer)

Thu, 29 Jun 2006 16:53:36 GMT

The gold standard around here (Houston area) is Lankford Grocery and T-Bone Tom's in Kemah (http://www.tbonetoms.com/). T-Bone Tom's is one of the few eateries in Kemah not owned by Landry's, Inc., which means it's one of the few with anyone on the premises who can explain what a cook does for a living without having to examine a corporate operations manual . Like many a good eatery in Texas it was once a butcher shop.

The CFS has got a golden, crisp crust, yellow cream gravy, and the sides are very good (well, most of the ones I've tried). Its available lunch and dinner and on special on Monday. When you can eat CFS 8 days a week like we can here in Texas, it's good to have a variety of well prepared sides.

Lankford is reviewed by the Stern's on this website but they didn't report on the CFS. It unfortunately is offered as a special only for lunch on Thursday, which means they'll start serving it at 11am and be out by 12:30 probably.

The best I've had in recent memory would be these two and Hill's in Austin, all better than what I had at Massey's in Fort Worth. I wouldn't have been shocked if someone told me T-Bone Tom's last name was Hill, but it wasn't, it was Fitzmorris. I'd give an edge to Hill's for the sides, at least the green beans with bacon. There's so much bacon in those beans it should be listed as an entree rather than a side .

RE: Chicken Fried Steak (bobj143)

Thu, 29 Jun 2006 11:57:44 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by Bushie

quote:
Originally posted by bobj143

CFS in Austin, Tx. - Go to Threeadgill's Cafe Used to be a place called Andy's up near Taylor, TX that had a CFS that totally covered the plate. Now I live in FL and they do not know what CFS is, or BBQ either. Bummer .[/8)]

bob, if you can give me any more info about Andy's, I've love to hear it. I can guarantee you it's not around anymore (I live in Round Rock), but I want to know about it if you can tell me more.

I disagree about Threadgill's. Eddie has the most famous place in Austin, but I much prefer Hill's. I finally tried Tony's Southern Comfort a few weeks ago, and the CFS was really good, but I was disappointed in the sides.

Understand that I'm VERY picky about CFS. The best I ever remember having was at Massey's in Fort Worth a couple of years ago.

I don't like the heavily-breaded, deep-fried stuff, where the "crust" falls off at the first cut and leaves nothing but gray meat behind. Most of restaurant CFS falls in that category.

<b>Bushie </b>- it was at Rockdale Texas, out towards the Alcoa plant and was little beer joint and cafe. My son-in-law is from Buckholtz - I'll ask hinm if the place is still open. Also, there is an Andy's ( I think steakhouse and cafe ) in Fredericksburg that had a fab CFS last fall. Worth a drive, even when we are out of the Bluebonnet season so the trip is not up to it's full eye-filling potential.

RE: Chicken Fried Steak (Michael Hoffman)

Mon, 12 Jun 2006 12:04:13 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by killendo

Was there some reason why you lifted this directly from a Q&A in the syndicated Food Network Kitchens column without attributing it properly?

Jeez Mike, I didn't get if from Food Network. Maybe they got their's from KnoxNews without proper attribution. I think I'll find another forum to frequent.

The KnoxNews piece you posted was a syndicated column from the Food Network. KnoxNews, and newspapers across the country, pay to run it.

RE: Chicken Fried Steak (killendo)

Mon, 12 Jun 2006 11:01:10 GMT

RE: Chicken Fried Steak (Pat T Hat)

Sun, 11 Jun 2006 11:28:05 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by Slick

The CFS and Salty Pie recipes are here:

http://www.texasmonthly.com/food/onthemenu/threadrec.php

That was so cool of you! Thank you so very much Slick!!! What a great artical too!

RE: Chicken Fried Steak (Adjudicator)

Sun, 11 Jun 2006 08:02:46 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by Bushie

quote:
Originally posted by Adjudicator

Seconds, anyone?

Judge, that looks absolutely delicious. I assume that's your son holding the plate??

Heck no; scarfed the pic from the web.

RE: Chicken Fried Steak ( nvb)

Sun, 11 Jun 2006 07:47:59 GMT

The CFS and Salty Pie recipes are here:

http://www.texasmonthly.com/food/onthemenu/threadrec.php

RE: Chicken Fried Steak (Pat T Hat)

Sun, 11 Jun 2006 00:01:34 GMT

Threadgills IS as they say the bomb. Has to be ten years since I've been there and I had the enchiladas which were wonderful. My gal I was with ordered the CFS and I wished I had after trying(and finishing)hers. Well not really 'cause then I'd had both. Threadgills was one of my favorite things about Texas. They dip it in the egg again after they flour it. Well that's what they told me and I believe them. So nice and crispy/glazey outside and really juicy inside. The milk gravy was different than any I've had. Had some pizzaz. Thank you so much for reminding me about them. I have not tried this twice dip method yet. You talked me into it you silver-tongued devil, we'll be trying it this week sometime. Now if I knew how the Saltine Cracker Pie was made!?!

RE: Chicken Fried Steak (Michael Hoffman)

Sat, 10 Jun 2006 23:03:26 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by killendo

(C)ountry-fried steak and chicken-fried steak are similar. Some food historians believe they're regional names for the same thing: a breaded, pan-fried steak served with gravy.

The concept is thought to have been brought to Southern states by German immigrants in the mid-1800s. It is, after all, similar to wiener schnitzel. Also, it was a good way to make use of the tougher cuts of meat available in the South at the time.

Though the name "country-fried steak" goes back at least that long, it's been called "chicken-fried steak" only since around the mid-20th century. The other distinction that's been known to come up is that, where country-fried steak is flour-dusted and generally served with brown gravy and onions, chicken-fried steak is breaded with eggs and served with cream gravy.

Was there some reason why you lifted this directly from a Q&A in the syndicated Food Network Kitchens column without attributing it properly?

RE: Chicken Fried Steak (killendo)

Sat, 10 Jun 2006 22:38:27 GMT

Country-fried steak and chicken-fried steak are similar. Some food historians believe they're regional names for the same thing: a breaded, pan-fried steak served with gravy.

The concept is thought to have been brought to Southern states by German immigrants in the mid-1800s. It is, after all, similar to wiener schnitzel. Also, it was a good way to make use of the tougher cuts of meat available in the South at the time.

Though the name "country-fried steak" goes back at least that long, it's been called "chicken-fried steak" only since around the mid-20th century. The other distinction that's been known to come up is that, where country-fried steak is flour-dusted and generally served with brown gravy and onions, chicken-fried steak is breaded with eggs and served with cream gravy.

Here is a recipe with a little tongue in cheek humor to it, but bottom line is crispy steak, creamy gravy (a little extra black pepper ) and mashed potatoes. http://www.sourdoughhome.com/pfchickenfriedsteak.html

As far as restuarants go, Cracker Barrel makes a mean CFS; but not as good as Lonesome Oak Café in Adkins, Texas! If you get a chance to go through Adkins, make it a point to stop and try it out.

Enjoy