The Occasions Report Information eating crew made a decision to test a sample of the quintessential state foodstuff – rooster fried steak (CFS).
We tried using two regional and two chain eating places for the dish.
When judging a very well-made CFS, we looked for these benchmarks:
- Can it be lower with a fork?
- Was the coating cooked to a great golden brown and did it adhere to the steak or tumble off?
- Had been the aspect dishes very good as effectively and did they pair perfectly with the CFS?
- Is the gravy easy, seasoned correctly and (hopefully) not manufactured with a dry combine?
Although there are undoubtedly far more country fried steaks to be experienced in Wichita Falls, our cholesterol levels did not allow for us to try them all.
Cracker Barrel
($10.49 with two sides – mashed potatoes, white gravy and turnip greens)
Cracker Barrel’s hen-fried was on the little facet amid the contenders but was a reliable food via and via.
Meat was not rather fork-tender but was nevertheless easily sliced with knife and fork.
Coating was crispy and gravy was not draped around each and every inch, so it stayed crunchy for fairly a although.
Cracker Barrel’s gravy has a bacony twinge to it for additional household-cookin’ charm.
Mashed potatoes had been just lumpy plenty of that you know they had been produced making use of real potatoes.
I took a gamble on the turnip greens, as I’d only had them a couple periods ahead of at dwelling. Cracker Barrel’s greens were being tender, not mushy, and experienced a significant portion of meat in them for flavor.
Alongside with Cracker Barrel’s complementary biscuits and corn bread, I was stuffed to the gills for a bargain amid the climbing prices of meals in this working day and age.
2400 Sierra Dr., (940) 851-0664
McBride’s Land & Cattle Co.
($14.99 with salad, fries, Texas toast, one onion ring)
McBride’s is perfectly-recognized as owning the ideal steak around here regionally, but sometimes it’s good to see what else is on the menu.
My very first believed for their rooster-fried was “this is too fantastic of a piece of meat to go into a rooster fried steak.”
Never get me wrong – excellent solution ought to go into every dish but traditionally, a rooster-fried is a delicious use of less coveted cuts of cow. McBride’s downtown did it correct, going for quality around quantity.
No, the steak didn’t go over the total plate like a meaty hubcap, but it was a sizable portion that’ll retain you full for a although.
The steak was very easily slice with the facet of a fork and the coating was however crispy, even underneath the gravy. I could write webpages about the steak coating. Golden, crackling with grooves to hold that delicious gravy.
They went light-weight on the seasoning, which I like for the reason that a diner can insert their possess salt or pepper, to flavor.
Gravy was clean and very simple. And they did not load a ton of it on there, which I like since I really don’t want the steak to get soggy or the coating to fall off.
Salad, fries (together with their renowned one onion ring), and Texas toast produced for a superb place meal at a deservedly well known community cafe.
501 Scott Ave., (940) 322-2516
Pioneer 3
($10.77, sides have been mashed potatoes with white gravy, macaroni and cheese, Texas toast)
Like heading to Grandma’s property for dinner. The total plate was stuffed with flippantly breaded fork-tender CFS and sleek, delicious, gravy and mashed potatoes. Mac and cheese made with a small little bit of ham is associate perfect. Served by a woman as sweet as your most loved aunt who designed guaranteed the customer was pleased and the foods was very good. 1100 Sheppard Accessibility Rd #3 Wichita Falls, Tx 76306. 940-723-2916.
Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen area
($11.90)
It’s difficult to look at regional vs franchise but Cheddar’s prides by itself for its scratch-manufactured menu. Whilst the CFS can be reduce with a fork the in excess of-breading fell off. Do not know why the lumpy gravy was a little sweet and the inexperienced beans even sweeter. Every single kitchen has its terrible times.
Went in for late lunch, our welcoming courteous server was operating to address for understaffing. Ordered CFS consider-out and considering that most of the tables ended up vacant put up-lunch waited for it in the bar. 4240 Kell W Blvd., Wichita Falls, Tx 76309. 940-692-9292.
It was challenging to decide just 1, but regional joints obviously beat out chain eating places for this downhome cooking.
P3 wins for us for in general taste, sizable portion, superior rate and welcoming personnel.
