10 Kansas Chicken Fried Steaks Too Big For The Plate
A sizzling griddle hums as thick steaks hit the oil, sending up the unmistakable scent of comfort and indulgence. In diners and roadside cafés, the golden crust of chicken fried steak glistens under warm lights, promising satisfaction with every forkful.
Across Kansas, cooks treat this dish like an art form – crisp edges, creamy gravy, and tender beef creating the perfect balance of texture and flavor. It’s not just a meal here; it’s a ritual, shared with friends, family, and anyone who appreciates the joy of hearty, homestyle cooking.
1. Fat Ernie’s Family Dining – Wichita
Walking into Fat Ernie’s feels like visiting a favorite aunt’s kitchen. The chicken fried steak here could easily feed two people, maybe three if appetites are light.
Golden-brown breading crunches under the fork, revealing tender beef beneath. Creamy white gravy pools around the edges, threatening to overflow onto the table with every bite.
2. Sam’s Southern Eatery – Wichita
Sam’s brings Southern hospitality straight to Kansas with portions that refuse to be contained. This steak hangs off the plate like it’s trying to escape, crispy edges curling upward.
Peppery gravy adds a kick that keeps things interesting. Regulars know to arrive hungry and leave with leftovers wrapped in foil for tomorrow’s lunch.
3. Fireside Grille – Wichita
Cozy booths and warm lighting set the stage for a meal that demands full attention. Fireside’s chicken fried steak could double as a shield, covering every inch of the serving dish.
The breading stays crispy even under a blanket of gravy. Locals recommend wearing stretchy pants and bringing friends willing to share, though most end up guarding their plates jealously.
4. Bradley’s Corner Cafe – Topeka
Topeka’s favorite neighborhood spot doesn’t mess around with portion sizes. Bradley’s chicken fried steak arrives looking more like a platter meant for sharing than a single serving.
Hand-battered and fried to perfection, the meat stays juicy while the coating delivers satisfying crunch. Pair it with their homemade mashed potatoes, and comfort food dreams come true on one crowded plate.
5. The Barn – Burrton
Out in Burrton, The Barn serves up country cooking that matches its rural setting. Their chicken fried steak looks like something meant to fuel a full day of farm work.
Thick-cut beef gets pounded thin, breaded generously, and fried until golden. The result barely fits on the plate, with corners hanging over like laundry on a clothesline drying in the Kansas wind.
6. Cy’s Hoof And Horn – Sedgwick
Cy’s embraces its cowboy roots with hearty portions that would satisfy a ranch hand after roundup. The chicken fried steak here measures bigger than most dinner plates at home.
Crispy breading gives way to fork-tender beef with each cut. Gravy flows like a river across the surface, pooling around sides that barely squeeze onto the same serving dish.
7. The Carriage Crossing Restaurant – Yoder
Yoder’s Amish country traditions shine through in honest, generous cooking. Carriage Crossing serves chicken fried steak that could anchor a tablecloth in a windstorm.
Simple preparation lets quality ingredients speak for themselves. The steak extends beyond the rim in every direction, challenging diners to find the plate underneath all that crispy, gravy-covered goodness waiting to be devoured.
8. Mason Jar – Kansas City
Mason Jar brings farmhouse charm to Kansas City with portions that honor heartland traditions. Their chicken fried steak arrives looking like it was meant for two but tastes too good to share.
Perfectly seasoned breading cracks open to reveal juicy beef inside. Gravy cascades down the sides, creating delicious puddles that beg for biscuits to soak up every last drop.
9. Stroud’s – Kansas City
Stroud’s has built a reputation on pan-fried perfection since the 1930s. Their chicken fried steak lives up to decades of hype, sprawling across the plate like Kansas prairie stretching to the horizon.
Pan-frying creates an especially crispy crust that shatters satisfyingly. Regulars plan their visits around this legendary dish, knowing they’ll need both hands and serious appetite to finish.
10. Stearman Airfield Bar & Grill – Benton
Aviation meets appetite at this unique spot where planes taxi past the windows. Stearman’s chicken fried steak could probably qualify as carry-on luggage, given its impressive wingspan across the plate.
Watching aircraft while tackling this monster meal adds extra flavor. The steak arrives hot, crispy, and drowning in gravy, ready to fuel adventures both culinary and aerial.
