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5 Chain Restaurants Serving the Best Chicken Fried Steak and Mashed Potatoes

Evidence-Based
Find the best chicken fried steak and mashed potatoes at these five popular chain restaurants.

Not quite sure who deemed chicken fried steak a breakfast food, but whether you have it for breakfast or an entrée for dinner, indulging in a country fried steak with its BFF, a delicious scoop of mashed potatoes to dunk each bite in, is a match made in heaven. Here are five chains where you can get some of the best country fried steak paired with mashed potatoes for the ultimate southern comfort food meal.

Cracker Barrel

Cracker-Barrel

Cracker Barrell is truly a fan favorite for a reason. When it comes to any side, they nail it, but the mashed potatoes are a go-to for many diners. “We ordered southern fried chicken, chicken fried steak; dad ordered catfish and mom ordered surprisingly good grilled chicken tenders. They were marinated in this wonderful soy saucelike manner so delicious! The green beans and mashed potatoes truly topped it off with warm fresh biscuits. Such a wonderful choice,” according to a Yelp review.

Black Bear Diner

Big Bear Diner

At Black Bear Diner, their BIGFOOT Chicken Fried Steak is often served with eggs for breakfast, but can be a meal beyond breakfast with a delicious scoop of fluffy mashed potatoes instead. “Chicken fried steak is the main dish you need to try! Enough said! It is so moist on the inside and flaky and crispy on the outside with the white gravy is to die for! It is making my mouth water,” a reviewer said on Yelp.

Denny’s

Denny’s

Denny’s doesn’t always get the love it deserves, but it often surprises diners with its delicious dishes like the country fried steak dinner. This dish includes two chopped beef steaks, blanketed with a country gravy and served with two sides (one of which should be their creamy mashed potatoes). “I tried the chicken fried steak for breakfast and OMG, I fell in love. Gravy actually [tasted] home made and the steak was tender as a mother’s love,” a Tripadvisor review said.

IHOP

Ihop

IHOP is known for their breakfast, but they also have entrées on the menu that come with savory sides meant for later in the day like mashed potatoes if you’d rather have those instead of home fries. Their juicy country fried steak has a delightful texture, juicy and tender while crisp on the outside.

Texas Roadhouse

Texas Roadhouse

I’ve been a long time fan of Texas Roadhouse and  I have yet to have something up from their menu that I don’t like. Their chicken fried steak is no exception, with a heaping scoop of their delicious mashed potatoes to pair with it. “I’ll tell [you], the country fried [steak] with white gravy is awesome, it’s so good we had to get more to take home, they do it right, all fresh,” a review said on Tripadvisor.

Jess Kelly
Jess Kelly is an accomplished freelance writer and journalist with nearly a decade of experience contributing to renowned media outlets, including The Huffington Post, Cosmopolitan, AAA, Elite Traveler, Eater, Food52, Insider, Wine Enthusiast, Kitchn, AAA World Magazine, Thrillist, Conde Nast Traveler, Lonely Planet, Hemispheres, and TravelPulse. Read more about Jess