What I like about the South....Fried Chicken!!!

[+ ArVaGuy]

I'm back home visiting family in Louisiana. The pace is slow and the eatin' is mo betta than back in DC.

 

Today the Wednesday Special at Strawn's Eat Shop was fried chicken, mashed potatoes, corn, and salad. The fried chicken was perfectly seasoned and cooked to perfection. Just right with a crisp crunch that neither the Colonel nor Popeye can match. Juicy! The mashed potatoes just like mama would make with a river of brown gravy, mmmmm. The corn smothered in buttah, the salad slathered in"I-tal-yan" dressin'. Tasty! The house wine of the South, Iced Tea, unsweet, of course.

 

And for dessert PEACH PIE!!!! The peaches from just down the road a piece, fresh and local, and only while in season. The syrupy sweet taste of the peaches and cream like an orgasm on the lips.

 

To hell with my diet and what the doctor recommends. You only live once, right?

 

Tomorrow I must begin the trip back to that city on the Potomac. The journey will take me through Arkansas, Tennessee, and the great Commonwealth of Virginia. But I shall not despair of this long trek. It shall be a quest. Yes, a Quest! To find the best Chicken Fried Steak between Bossier City and DC. (Suggested restaurant stops greatly appreciated.)

 

Thanks Y'all.

 

 

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c262/cpapa8162/image_zpszt4kxilf.jpeg

 

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c262/cpapa8162/image_zpsv1kaw9jk.jpeg

[+ FreshFluff]

OMG, ArVaGuy, that looks so good. I love fried chicken and mashed potatoes, but it's hard to find the good stuff in NYC.

[+ azdr0710]

http://strawnseatshop.com/

 

looks like a Louisiana legend, AVG.....love those local joints......

 

but the best chicken-fried steak in the South?......you're settin' us up for another war

[+ bigjoey]

I'm back home visiting family in Louisiana. The pace is slow and the eatin' is mo betta than back in DC.

 

Today the Wednesday Special at Strawn's Eat Shop was fried chicken, mashed potatoes, corn, and salad. The fried chicken was perfectly seasoned and cooked to perfection. Just right with a crisp crunch that neither the Colonel nor Popeye can match. Juicy! The mashed potatoes just like mama would make with a river of brown gravy, mmmmm. The corn smothered in buttah, the salad slathered in"I-tal-yan" dressin'. Tasty! The house wine of the South, Iced Tea, unsweet, of course.

 

And for dessert PEACH PIE!!!! The peaches from just down the road a piece, fresh and local, and only while in season. The syrupy sweet taste of the peaches and cream like an orgasm on the lips.

 

To hell with my diet and what the doctor recommends. You only live once, right?

 

Tomorrow I must begin the trip back to that city on the Potomac. The journey will take me through Arkansas, Tennessee, and the great Commonwealth of Virginia. But I shall not despair of this long trek. It shall be a quest. Yes, a Quest! To find the best Chicken Fried Steak between Bossier City and DC. (Suggested restaurant stops greatly appreciated.)

 

Thanks Y'all.

 

 

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c262/cpapa8162/image_zpszt4kxilf.jpeg

 

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c262/cpapa8162/image_zpsv1kaw9jk.jpeg

 

 

If you will detour a bit through Kansas City, try Stroud's. Got the James Beard award for best regional cooking a few years ago. The Sunday NY Times Magazine did a multi-page story on them a few years ago.

 

The chicken is pan fried in heavy metal skillets. All cooked to order so nothing sits around. Great sides, too.

[+ Funguy]

OMFG - I haven't had good, really good fried chicken in so long I can't remember! You lucky guy!

[+ azdr0710]

If you will detour a bit through Kansas City, try Stroud's. Got the James Beard award for best regional cooking a few years ago. The Sunday NY Times Magazine did a multi-page story on them a few years ago.

 

The chicken is pan fried in heavy metal skillets. All cooked to order so nothing sits around. Great sides, too.

 

excellent joint.....and pick up a t-shirt!!

 

http://www.kcconfidential.com/userfiles/Strouds8.jpg

[+ ArVaGuy]

http://strawnseatshop.com/

 

looks like a Louisiana legend, AVG.....love those local joints......

 

but the best chicken-fried steak in the South?......you're settin' us up for another war

 

We could argue over the finer points of brown or cream gravy to really make it interesting. Of course, brown gravy is the correct accompaniment. Cream, with sausage, gravy is for biscuits.

[+ ArVaGuy]

If you will detour a bit through Kansas City, try Stroud's. Got the James Beard award for best regional cooking a few years ago. The Sunday NY Times Magazine did a multi-page story on them a few years ago.

 

The chicken is pan fried in heavy metal skillets. All cooked to order so nothing sits around. Great sides, too.

 

I'd need to add another week to my vacation but may have to think about it. I've heard of Stroud's and now just need an excuse to get to KC.

[+ azdr0710]

and thank you for not calling it country-fried steak......those northern city folk, you know

[+ ArVaGuy]

OMG, ArVaGuy, that looks so good. I love fried chicken and mashed potatoes, but it's hard to find the good stuff in NYC.

 

I hear you on that.

[+ ArVaGuy]

and thank you for not calling it country-fried steak......those northern city folk, you know

 

Bless em, they can be so ignorant of fine culture.

[AdamSmith]

OMG, ArVaGuy, that looks so good. I love fried chicken and mashed potatoes, but it's hard to find the good stuff in NYC.

You just need to go up above 125th St. I told you that before.

 

And not just the now-touristy joints we spoke of. Surely you know locals who can introduce you to the newest authentic and not-yet-overrun places up there?

[Becket]

Strawns is awesome. Famous for strawberry pie as I recall. There are lots of great places to eat on the road up to DC. Check out the "best of" lists.

[+ azdr0710]

just in case your drive from Louisiana to DC takes you thru Alaska..........

 

http://www.thenorthernlight.org/the-quest-for-anchorages-best-chicken-fried-steak/

[Monkey]

I just need more fried green tomatoes in my life.

[+ FreshFluff]

You just need to go up above 125th St. I told you that before.

 

And not just the now-touristy joints we spoke of. Surely you know locals who can introduce you to the newest authentic and not-yet-overrun places up there?

 

I remember that, but I'm a lazy little princess.

 

ArVa gave me a really bad chicken craving, so I ordered from Bubby's in Tribeca. Hit the spot, and the biscuit was great too.

[jawjateck]

This is one of the hottest threads on this board in a longgggg time.

[+ ArVaGuy]

I just need more fried green tomatoes in my life.

 

If you can't get the fried green tomatoes, try some green tomato relish. Delicious!

 

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c262/cpapa8162/image_zpsckdllmv2.jpeg

[AdamSmith]

I remember that, but I'm a lazy little princess.

See, if you would alter your life philosophy and start sleeping around, you would wake up many mornings to find yourself in the most interesting and diverse parts of town.

[+ ArVaGuy]

See, if you would alter your life philosophy and start sleeping around, you would wake up many mornings to find yourself in the most interesting and diverse parts of town.

Hmmm, this sounds like the voice of personal experience. Just saying.

[AdamSmith]

Hmmm, this sounds like the voice of personal experience. Just saying.

Outed!

 

How many times were my first words of the day to my bed partner, 'So, are we in Washington Heights, or Inwood?'

[+ Gar1eth]

I'm back home visiting family in Louisiana. The pace is slow and the eatin' is mo betta than back in DC.

 

Today the Wednesday Special at Strawn's Eat Shop was fried chicken, mashed potatoes, corn, and salad. The fried chicken was perfectly seasoned and cooked to perfection. Just right with a crisp crunch that neither the Colonel nor Popeye can match. Juicy! The mashed potatoes just like mama would make with a river of brown gravy, mmmmm. The corn smothered in buttah, the salad slathered in"I-tal-yan" dressin'. Tasty! The house wine of the South, Iced Tea, unsweet, of course.

 

And for dessert PEACH PIE!!!! The peaches from just down the road a piece, fresh and local, and only while in season. The syrupy sweet taste of the peaches and cream like an orgasm on the lips.

 

To hell with my diet and what the doctor recommends. You only live once, right?

 

Tomorrow I must begin the trip back to that city on the Potomac. The journey will take me through Arkansas, Tennessee, and the great Commonwealth of Virginia. But I shall not despair of this long trek. It shall be a quest. Yes, a Quest! To find the best Chicken Fried Steak between Bossier City and DC. (Suggested restaurant stops greatly appreciated.)

 

Thanks Y'all.

 

 

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c262/cpapa8162/image_zpszt4kxilf.jpeg

 

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c262/cpapa8162/image_zpsv1kaw9jk.jpeg

 

Do places outside Texas even know about chicken fried steak? Most chain places get it wrong by deep frying it with a thick breading. It should be pan-fried with a much lighter breading.

 

It's too bad you are so far E to begin with. Here is a great CFS place W of Ft. Worth. It's called Mary's and is in Strawn, Texas.

 

 

 

****

 

From the Dallas Observer

 

 

Mary's Cafe: A Guide to Getting Fat(ter) on Spring Break

TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 2013 AT 7 A.M.

BY SARA BLANKENSHIP

 

 

http://images2.dallasobserver.com/imager/u/original/7020575/marys_cafe_sign.jpg

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Spring break season is here. Even if you're an adult with a real job and you say things like "demographic" and, "my HMO is such an asshole," you can still pretend like you're granted that magic week in March sans responsibility.

 

Because I've decided to accumulate degrees instead of typing up TPS reports and owning real pants, I still get to bask in the glory of spring break. So I got wild last week and headed west with one thing on my agenda: chicken-fried steak. Obviously, the first step to looking terrible in a bathing suit come June is chicken-fried steak. If you really want to ensure your buoyancy whilst bobbing in the murky waters of the Gulf of Mexico this summer, make sure several mountains of mashed potatoes accompany your CFS. Gravy is required. Apparently the best place in the state of Texas to accomplish this task is at Mary's Café in Strawn, so I went to there. I'm just now writing about it because I've been asleep ever since.

Disclaimer: I was unaware of this chicken-fried steak oasis until our own Lauren Drewes Daniels dropped the knowledge a while back on Texas Chicken Fried Steak Day. Bless her. It was quite the experience, so I offer to you dear Aters a comprehensive guide to gaining weight right before summer.

 

Step 1: Go to Strawn It's rather easy to find, even if you have that clusterfuck version of Google Maps. Here, let me help: get on Interstate 20. It's long and kind of looks like I-30 but it's not because 30 is not the same as 20. Once you pull your shit together and find I-20, go west. If you go to Abilene because you're too busy texting LDD about your impromptu trip to Mary's, you've gone too far. You've also just gone to Abilene, which sucks. So turn around and find exit 361. Go north for 3 or 4 miles; Mary's is on the right. Put your car in their parking lot. Go inside and put your ass in one of their chairs. Pay no attention to the woman with gravy on her shirt taking pictures of her food, it was my first time.There's a Virgin Mary joke around here somewhere.

http://images1.dallasobserver.com/imager/u/original/7020576/marys_cafe_cfs.jpg

Insert phallic steak joke here

Step 2: Order Chicken-Fried Steak There's a bunch of other stuff on the menu that I'm sure is fine, but there's only one thing that would make me drive all over the state of Texas in one day. They offer a small, medium and large cut of the famous steak, a rather considerate notion to those of us who want to go nuts but always tap out and end up taking 80 percent of it home. The waitress offered a rough size approximation with her hands, which was helpful but pretty inaccurate. My "small" portion was still about the size of the mildly obese cat that lives in my house. It comes with a generous hill of mashed potatoes, a trough of gravy and the winner of the non-sequitur award: a salad.

 

Step 3: Eat You know that feeling when you find a duffel bag full of money and the police are all, "Nah, just keep it" and then world peace happens and then J.K. Rowling holds a press release announcing a 10-book extension of the Harry Potter series? That's the same as eating at Mary's Café. Eat as much as you possibly can. The pain in your gut is just your body's way of thanking you for not eating Taco Bueno for dinner again. Work through the pain. Hum quietly to yourself and find a way to choke down just one more bite of perfectly fried, perfectly tender steak. Wonder why you've never been here before and shame yourself for the decisions you've made that have kept you from this moment. Text LDD "OH MY GOD" in all caps. Briefly fight off a quick nap at the table. Embrace the weight gain and get a to-go cup for your sweet tea.

 

Step 4: Take it Home Don't be a hero. Even though the waitress is silently judging you for eating as much as you did, you shouldn't let that stop you from taking the rest home. She knows you're going to pop it in the microwave when you get home. After all, what helps food settle better than a 3-hour drive back to your house? Nothing. She knows this. She knows you. So pile all that leftover food into a Styrofoam box, waddle to the counter and pay your bill. Tell them thank you, tell them you love them, tell them you'll be back. Ignore the fear in their eyes.

 

http://images2.dallasobserver.com/imager/u/original/7020577/marys_in_my_fridge.jpg

You can't see the warning written on the top of the box.

Step 5: Store Your Leftovers Carefully Handle the box gently because the influx of gravy into your bloodstream will affect your dexterity and you might drop the fucking thing in the driveway, leaving a splatter of mashed potatoes on the gravel, much to the delight of your German Shepherd. Once inside, apologize to your box of glorious food and make it a nice home in your fridge. As you can see, I have ensured my inventory of Mary's chicken-fried steak has a high profile location in my fridge. There, it will feel important and be ready to go when it's 1 a.m. and you're actually hungry again, you disgusting glutton.

Follow these five simple steps and you, too, could be on your way to tighter jeans and less flexibility. You're welcome.

******

 

Gman

[+ Eric Hassan]

 

Tomorrow I must begin the trip back to that city on the Potomac. The journey will take me through Arkansas, Tennessee, and the great Commonwealth of Virginia. But I shall not despair of this long trek. It shall be a quest. Yes, a Quest! To find the best Chicken Fried Steak between Bossier City and DC. (Suggested restaurant stops greatly appreciated.)

 

Thanks Y'all.

 

 

I strongly recommend Loveless Cafe - it's on the outskirts of Nashville and has some amazing food! I was there about 8 years ago when I was on a cross-country drive (I've done quite a few - they're amazing, but that's for another thread).

 

http://www.lovelesscafe.com/

[+ Eric Hassan]

I remember that, but I'm a lazy little princess.

 

ArVa gave me a really bad chicken craving, so I ordered from Bubby's in Tribeca. Hit the spot, and the biscuit was great too.

 

I'm probably going to get run out of town for saying this, but I don't find Bubby's to be all that good. Though I've never tried the chicken, so maybe I just need to keep my mouth shut. But, the pie ... supposedly their big deal draw and I find it to be over-priced and striving towards mediocrity.

[MikeBiDude]

We have good chicken fried steak at a local beach diner here in my SoCal town, not perfect but comforting. I've made my own many times, I make perfect gravy/potatoes but the meat I just don't get exactly southern. (BTW my southern fried chicken is great, based on a Louisiana recipe)

 

In Tulsa, OK there used to be a cafeteria downtown area named "Nelsons" (I think?) with loooong lines of people waiting for their meal to be served up. When you told the gentlemen all dressed in white what you wanted one of them would boom out "hello chicken fried"! and get you meal and sides then use a massive ladel for the gravy. Pretty sure it's gone, I haven't been to Tulsa in 20+ years