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| Photo: Lisha Newman |
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Whoever coined the phrase “stick to your ribs” may very well have been thinking about Oklahoma’s official state dish – chicken-fried steak with cream gravy. This indescribably delicious combination of meaty goodness battered in salty crunch topped with a smooth-and-peppery gravy is found on virtually every Route 66 diner menu between Quapaw and Texola. Can you tell I’m a fan?
Here are ten of the top locations to sink your teeth into a chicken-fried steak from east to west along Route 66:
Clanton’s Cafe, Vinita
A Vinita landmark since 1927, Clanton’s earned national attention in 2007 when its chicken-fried steak was featured on Guy Fieri’s popular Food Network show "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives." Several guidebooks list the restaurant as a must-stop, and we’re inclined to agree.
Tally’s Good Food Cafe, Tulsa
Located at the intersection of Yale Avenue and 11th Street in Tulsa, Tally’s Good Food Cafe 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.
Nelson’s Ranch House, Tulsa
On Third Street, a block from the Mother Road’s earliest path through town, Nelson’s Ranch House is the reincarnation of a Tulsa institution. Nelson’s Buffeteria closed in 2004 – reportedly a victim of dwindling downtown traffic. Five years later, the owner’s son brought it back to life. The restaurant reopened with a new name, in a new location, but the 75-year-old chicken-fried steak recipe is just the same (and the reason a line of customers wound through the dining room, out the front door, and into the parking lot on opening day).
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. Grownups will enjoy fueling up on chicken-fried steak with all the trimmings; kids have fun watching model trains race around the room above their heads as they dine.
Rock Café, Stroud
The only thing I like better than chicken-fried steak from the Rock Café is jaegerschnitzel from the Rock Café. On my first visit to the restaurant in 2001, I was surprised to find such an exotic-sounding menu item in a town as small as Stroud. Then I discovered that this German dish is what chicken-fried steak wants to be when it grows up. This hand-breaded pork cutlet doused in a rich bacon-and-mushroom sauce and served with small, buttery dumplings is the Rock’s signature dish.
Gar Wooly’s, Davenport
A few miles west on 66, travelers can’t miss Gar Wooly’s in Davenport. The restaurant is known for two things: chicken-fried steak and Indian tacos. Both are excellent, as is the service.
POPS, Arcadia
Arguably Arcadia’s most unusual attraction, POPS opened in August 2007. 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 500 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 a diner classic: Its chicken-fried sirloin comes with jalapeno cream gravy and a side of garlic mashed potatoes. And there’s a bonus: Market C (a small deli and gourmet grocery store affiliated with the restaurant) is just steps away in a restored Phillips 66 station.
Ann’s Chicken Fry House, Oklahoma City
When “chicken fry” is part of its name, you know a restaurant has to be good, and Ann’s Chicken Fry House does not disappoint. Located in a former Cities service station, Ann’s has been in business since the 1970s. Bring a camera, as you’ll want to take pictures of the kitschy décor, which includes some of the most spectacular architectural neon in Oklahoma.
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’ station, which was restored a few years ago.
