Where to Get the Best Chicken Fried Steak in 2025: A Comfort Food Hunter’s Guide

Hey there, fellow comfort food lovers! Today I’m diving deep into one of America’s most beloved dishes – the chicken fried steak. You know, that crispy, golden-battered beef steak smothered in hearty gravy that just makes your mouth water? Yeah, that one! I’ve been on a personal mission to find the absolute best places to satisfy those chicken fried steak cravings, and let me tell you, it’s been a delicious journey.

What Exactly Is Chicken Fried Steak Anyway?

Before I jump into where to find this delicious dish, let’s make sure we’re all on the same page about what we’re looking for. Despite its name, chicken fried steak contains no chicken whatsoever! It’s actually beef steak (usually tenderized cube steak) that’s breaded and fried in a style similar to fried chicken – hence the name. The dish is typically topped with creamy white gravy and served with classic sides like mashed potatoes, hash browns, or vegetables.

The perfect chicken fried steak should have:

• A crispy, well-seasoned golden crust
• Tender, flavorful beef inside
• Rich, creamy gravy (that may sometimes contain pork)
• Delicious complementary sides

National Chains Serving Up Chicken Fried Steak

When you’re looking for reliability and convenience, these national chains have got you covered:

IHOP’s Country Fried Steak & Eggs

IHOP offers a delicious Country Fried Steak & Eggs combo for $13.99. What makes this dish special is the complete breakfast experience you get

• Golden-battered beef steak smothered in hearty gravy
• 2 eggs prepared your way (options include scrambled, over easy, over medium, over hard, cage-free egg whites, or sunny side up)
• Golden hash browns (regular or crispy)
• 2 fluffy buttermilk pancakes

You can even customize your order by:

• Removing the gravy if that’s not your thing
• Substituting flavored pancakes
• Adding a drink like coffee, juice, soda, or even an Oreo milkshake

It’s worth noting that their gravy may contain pork so keep that in mind if you have dietary restrictions. At around 1480-1580 calories, it’s definitely a hearty meal that’ll keep you full!

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store

Cracker Barrel appears on several “best of” lists for their chicken fried steak. Their Sterling, VA location (23030 Indian Creek Dr) seems particularly popular, and they’re open now with online ordering available. Their southern-style cooking makes them a natural fit for this classic dish.

Local Hotspots for the Best Chicken Fried Steak

According to Yelp reviews and local food experts, these spots are serving up some of the most praised chicken fried steak in various areas:

Washington DC Area Favorites

1. Fountain Grill (44927 George Washington Blvd, Ashburn, VA)
   This American comfort food spot has 318 reviews praising their food. They’re open now and offer online ordering.

2. Joe’s Cafe (45665 W Church Rd Sterling, VA)With a whopping 926 reviews this American breakfast and diner spot is a local institution. They specialize in classic American breakfast dishes including their popular chicken fried steak.

3. Woodfield Diner (18544 Woodfield Rd, Gaithersburg, MD)
   A classic diner with 99 reviews where you can get your chicken fried steak fix alongside other breakfast favorites.

4. Makers Union (1812 Library St, Reston, VA)
   This pub-style restaurant with 442 reviews offers a modern take on classic American dishes including chicken fried steak. They’re open now with online ordering available.

5. The All American Steakhouse & Sports Theater (43145 Broadlands Center Plz 103, Ashburn, VA)
   With 178 reviews, this sports bar and steakhouse combo brings quality meat preparation to their chicken fried steak. They’re open now with online ordering.

Southern Specialists

1. Bonnie Blue (334 W Boscawen St, Winchester, VA)
   With 839 reviews, this bakery and Southern food spot is known for authentic Southern cooking, including excellent chicken fried steak. They’re open now.

2. Henry’s Soul Cafe (1704 U St NW, Washington, DC)
   This soul food specialist with 284 reviews brings generations of Southern cooking expertise to their chicken fried steak. They’re open now.

3. Della J’s Delectables (7692 Richmond Hwy, Alexandria, VA)
   With an impressive 956 reviews, this Southern food spot is known for authentic flavors. They’re open now.

Most Reviewed Spots (Popularity Contest Winners)

1. Founding Farmers (1924 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC)
   With a staggering 17,993 reviews, this American breakfast spot is clearly doing something right! They’re open now.

2. Founding Farmers – Tysons (1800 Tysons Blvd, Tysons, VA)
   Another location of the popular chain with 3,787 reviews. They’re open now with online ordering.

3. Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar (1616 N Troy St, Arlington, VA)
   This Southern food specialist with 2,656 reviews is known for their chicken fried steak and other Southern classics. They’re open now with online ordering.

Diner Delights: Where Chicken Fried Steak Shines

Diners are often the unsung heroes of the chicken fried steak world. These spots specialize in this classic comfort food:

1. Ted’s Bulletin (Multiple locations including Capitol Hill with 2,583 reviews and Gaithersburg with 870 reviews)
   Known for comfort food including excellent chicken fried steak. Both locations offer online ordering.

2. Silver Diner (Multiple locations including 20530 Heron Overlook Plz, Ashburn, VA with 253 reviews)
   This regional diner chain consistently delivers quality chicken fried steak. They’re open now with online ordering.

3. Amphora Diner (1151 Elden St, Herndon, VA)
   With 660 reviews, this classic diner serves up breakfast all day, including their popular chicken fried steak. They’re open now with online ordering.

4. Yorkshire Restaurant (7537 Centreville Rd, Manassas, VA)
   This breakfast and diner spot has 510 reviews and is known for their hearty portions. They’re open now with online ordering.

5. Bob & Edith’s Diner – Columbia Pike (2310 Columbia Pike, Arlington, VA)
   With 1,014 reviews, this is clearly a local favorite for breakfast foods including chicken fried steak.

Get It Delivered: Chicken Fried Steak Without Leaving Home

Sometimes you just don’t wanna leave the house, and I totally get that! Many of the restaurants listed above offer delivery through services like Grubhub. Just search for “chicken fried steak” on the Grubhub app or website, and you’ll see options available in your area.

Most of the restaurants I’ve mentioned that say “Start Order” actually offer delivery, including:

• Fountain Grill
• Makers Union
• The All American Steakhouse
• Yorkshire Restaurant
• Silver Diner
• Ted’s Bulletin
• Founding Farmers
• Tupelo Honey

Making the Perfect Chicken Fried Steak at Home

If you’re feeling adventurous and want to try making this dish yourself, here’s my personal simple recipe:

What You’ll Need:

• 1 1/2 pounds cube steak
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons onion powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1/4 cup milk
• Vegetable oil for frying

For the Gravy:

• 4 tablespoons of the frying oil
• 4 tablespoons flour
• 2 cups milk
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Mix the flour with the seasonings in a shallow dish
2. In another dish, beat together eggs and milk
3. Dip each steak in the flour mixture, then egg mixture, then back in flour
4. Heat oil in a large skillet (about 1/4 inch deep) over medium-high heat
5. Fry steaks about 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown
6. Remove steaks and keep warm
7. Pour off all but 4 tablespoons of oil
8. Whisk in 4 tablespoons flour until smooth
9. Gradually add milk, whisking constantly
10. Cook until thickened, about 5-7 minutes
11. Season with salt and pepper
12. Pour gravy over steaks and serve!

What to Look for in a Great Chicken Fried Steak

When you’re on the hunt for the best chicken fried steak, here’s what to look for:

• The Crust: Should be crispy, not soggy, with a golden-brown color
• The Meat: Should be tender enough to cut with a fork
• The Gravy: Should be creamy, flavorful, and generous
• The Sides: Great chicken fried steak comes with complementary sides like mashed potatoes, green beans, or eggs and hash browns

Final Thoughts: My Personal Favorites

After all my chicken fried steak adventures, I gotta say that the best ones come from places that take pride in this classic dish. The local diners like Joe’s Cafe and Yorkshire Restaurant really nail the homestyle feeling that makes chicken fried steak so special.

For a more upscale version, Founding Farmers does an amazing job of elevating this humble dish without losing its comfort food soul. And when I’m in a hurry or just want reliability, IHOP’s Country Fried Steak & Eggs hits the spot every time.

What makes the perfect chicken fried steak experience is really about your personal preference – some folks love a thicker crust, others prefer more gravy, and some want those perfect sides. The good news is, with all these options, you’re sure to find your own favorite!

So there you have it, my comprehensive guide to finding the best chicken fried steak in 2025. Whether you’re dining in, taking out, or getting delivery, these spots will satisfy that comfort food craving. Now if you’ll excuse me, all this writing has made me hungry for some chicken fried steak!

The meat used for chicken fried steak is typically a tenderized cut of beef, most commonly cube steak, but other cuts like round steak, chuck steak, or even flank steak can also be used after being pounded thin to achieve a similar texture to cube steak.

Yes, KFC offers country fried steak on a limited-time, weekly basis, typically on Wednesdays, at participating locations, often including mashed potatoes with gravy, coleslaw, and a biscuit. This promotional meal is not a permanent menu item, so availability can vary by location and time.