Although the exact origins of the chicken fried steak or country fried steak are impossible to determine, it is almost identical to German schnitzel and was likely introduced by German immigrants to the Hill Country of Texas. It takes an inexpensive cut of meat and turns it into a working man’s staple. No matter its origin, the state of Oklahoma has claimed it as their own.
How serious are Sooners about their chicken fried steak and chicken? In 1988 the Oklahoma state legislature included chicken fried steak in the official Oklahoma State Meal along with fried okra, cornbread, black-eyed peas and pecan pie. It starts with a piece of beef or chicken straight off an Oklahoma ranch that is tenderized, breaded in a special blend of seasonings and fried. A healthy topping off creamed gravy finishes this delicious meal. Many Sooners will judge an establishment on their chicken fry and if that doesn’t pass muster, they won’t try other dishes.
How do you make a chicken fried piece of meat better? Put it on a bun, creating a delicious portable version of this American classic.
The top 10 winners in the category Best Chicken Fry Sandwich in Oklahoma are as follows:
- Tally's Good Food Café - Tulsa
- The Red B Restaurant - Idabel
- Kendall's Restaurant - Noble
- Clanton's Cafe - Vinita
- Rockin H Land & Cattle Co. Steakhouse & Saloon - Temple
- Bros. Houligan - Tulsa
- Chuck House Restaurant - Oklahoma City
- The Old Plantation Restaurant - Medicine Park
- Click's Steakhouse - Pawnee
- Del Rancho - Norman
A panel of experts picked the initial 20 nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote. Experts Katie Johnstonbaugh (Dishin & Dishes) and Jennifer Daskevich (Sandwich America) were chosen based on their knowledge of this American sandwich.
Other nominees in the category included Ann's Chicken Fry House in Oklahoma City, Cattlemen's Steakhouse in Oklahoma City, Cheever's Cafe in Oklahoma City, Classen Grill in Oklahoma City, The Hungry Frog Diner in Oklahoma City, Jimmy's Round-Up Cafe & Fried Pies in Oklahoma City, Nic's Grill in Oklahoma City, Noble House Bed and Breakfast in Watonga, Rooster's Cafe in Jones and Soda Pops in Oklahoma City.
Congratulations to all our winning sandwiches!
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The Experts
Katie Johnstonbaugh
Katie Johnstonbaugh is the author at Dishin &... Read More
Katie Johnstonbaugh is the author at Dishin & Dishes, a popular Oklahoma food blog that features recipes and restaurant reviews. She is also is the author of The Food Lovers’ Guide to Oklahoma. Katie resides in Oklahoma City with her husband Mr. Wonderful and their children.
Katie Johnstonbaugh

Katie Johnstonbaugh is the author at Dishin & Dishes, a popular Oklahoma food blog that features recipes and restaurant reviews. She is also is the author of The Food Lovers’ Guide to Oklahoma. Katie resides in Oklahoma City with her husband Mr. Wonderful and their children.
Jennifer Daskevich
After winning the World Sandwich Championships,... Read More
After winning the World Sandwich Championships, Jennifer took her love of America’s first and still favorite “hand held device” better known as the sandwich, and founded Sandwich America, America’s comprehensive sandwich driven meal occasion platform. Jennifer believes that “a sandwich is the only food genre that is good for breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, or a snack.” Jennifer has won numerous cooking competitions and is a restaurateur, wine sommelier, award winning food photographer, TV food personality with NBC Affiliate WFLA in Tampa and appeared on FYI’s original series World Food Championships. She looks forward to embarking on The Great American Sandwich Trail this summer. Socialize with Sandwich America on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Jennifer Daskevich

After winning the World Sandwich Championships, Jennifer took her love of America’s first and still favorite “hand held device” better known as the sandwich, and founded Sandwich America, America’s comprehensive sandwich driven meal occasion platform. Jennifer believes that “a sandwich is the only food genre that is good for breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, or a snack.” Jennifer has won numerous cooking competitions and is a restaurateur, wine sommelier, award winning food photographer, TV food personality with NBC Affiliate WFLA in Tampa and appeared on FYI’s original series World Food Championships. She looks forward to embarking on The Great American Sandwich Trail this summer. Socialize with Sandwich America on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Terry French
Terry French, The World’s Extreme Chef, has cooked... Read More
Terry French, The World’s Extreme Chef, has cooked in 86 countries and traveled around the world 8 times. His global-to-local cuisine perspective and belief that “ hand-held ” food is the carrier of food culture may seem in stark contrast to his being born and raised in Evansville, Indiana. But diversity and uncommon is Terry defined. Winning Food Network’s World Extreme Chef in 2012 celebrated his amazing and adventurous life and his “French’s KISS” belief to food – Keeping it simple and sustainable. From Ice fishing with his father and cooking with his mother as a boy to hosting Taste Asia in Times Square, Terry French makes every meal a cuisine adventure. Terry believes that “Hand-held foods and sandwiches are the global cuisine language. From Thai street food to Philly cheese steaks – the world eats with our hands for centuries and now more than ever”. Follow Terry’s Extreme Chef adventures on Facebook and Instagram .
Terry French

Terry French, The World’s Extreme Chef, has cooked in 86 countries and traveled around the world 8 times. His global-to-local cuisine perspective and belief that “ hand-held ” food is the carrier of food culture may seem in stark contrast to his being born and raised in Evansville, Indiana. But diversity and uncommon is Terry defined. Winning Food Network’s World Extreme Chef in 2012 celebrated his amazing and adventurous life and his “French’s KISS” belief to food – Keeping it simple and sustainable. From Ice fishing with his father and cooking with his mother as a boy to hosting Taste Asia in Times Square, Terry French makes every meal a cuisine adventure. Terry believes that “Hand-held foods and sandwiches are the global cuisine language. From Thai street food to Philly cheese steaks – the world eats with our hands for centuries and now more than ever”. Follow Terry’s Extreme Chef adventures on Facebook and Instagram .