The indescribably delicious combination of meaty goodness, crunchy batter and peppery cream gravy is found on virtually every Route 66 diner menu between Quapaw in the northeast corner of the state and Texola, where Route 66 leaves western Oklahoma. As you travel Route 66 in search of the best chicken fried steak, the restaurants below are sure to be contenders for top honors.
Clanton’s Cafe, Vinita
A Vinita landmark since 1927, Clanton’s has repeatedly attracted national attention when its chicken fried steak was featured on Guy Fieri’s popular Food Network show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and in Gourmet Magazine. Start your meal off with calf fries dipped in horseradish sauce before you move on to the main attraction and be sure to end with a piece of made-from-scratch pie. Several guidebooks list the restaurant as a must-stop, and we’re inclined to agree.
Tally’s Good Food Cafe, Tulsa
Tally’s Cafe in Tulsa is impossible to miss. Aglow with elaborate neon lights and decorated in a 1950s theme, the popular diner serves great chicken fried steak with a generous helping of nostalgia on the side. Try the fried green tomatoes with ranch dressing as an appetizer and end your chicken fried feast with homemade peach cobbler.
Ollie’s Station Restaurant, Tulsa
Located next to the train tracks in southwest Tulsa, Ollie’s Station Restaurant is a popular stop for travelers headed toward Sapulpa. Grown-ups will enjoy fueling up on chicken fried steak with all the trimmings and kids will have fun watching model trains race around the room above their heads as they dine.
Rock Café, Stroud
The only thing better than chicken fried steak from the Rock Café is this iconic eatery's jaegerschnitzel. You may be surprised to find such an exotic-sounding menu item in a Route 66 town as small as Stroud. But you'll soon discover that this German dish is chicken fried steak's European cousin. This hand-breaded pork cutlet doused in a rich bacon-and-mushroom sauce and served with small, buttery dumplings is the Rock Cafe's signature dish.
POPS, Arcadia
POPS, the newest Route 66 icon, opened in August 2007 with cutting-edge modern architecture and a monolithic 66-foot tall soda bottle sculpture complete with LED light show. It holds the distinction of being the only place in Oklahoma (and probably the only place on the planet) where you can wash down a hefty serving of chicken fried steak with your choice of more than 650 flavors of soda. Be forewarned: If you go on a weekend, it may take an hour or more to get a table, but the experience and atmosphere are well worth the wait.
Cheever’s, Oklahoma City
Situated in a former flower shop just off Route 66 in Oklahoma City, Cheever’s offers an imaginative, upscale twist on the classic diner chicken fried steak. Cheever's chicken fried sirloin comes with jalapeno cream gravy and a side of red-skinned garlic mashed potatoes. Dessert is a must, but deciding won't be easy with the massive pecan-covered ice cream ball, strawberries and cream cake and huckleberry creme brulee being just a few of the choices.
Lucille’s Roadhouse, Weatherford
Built in Weatherford in 2006, Lucille’s accompanies its chicken fried steak with mashed potatoes, gravy and a bit of history. The business is a tribute to the late Lucille “Mother of the Mother Road” Hamons, who for many years operated a historic Provine gas station on Route 66 just east of Weatherford. Lucille’s Roadhouse is a larger-than-life replica of Hamons’ former station. Lucille's offers a total immersion experience in retro 50s decor and down home comfort food in a friendly atmosphere with a hometown feel.
