CHICKEN FRIED STEAK VS COUNTRY FRIED STEAK

[lama1]

Smoked Chicken Fried Steak. HMMMMMMM Now that's a thought. My question though is this. Whats the difference between Chicken Fried Steak, and Country Fried Steak.

Have made many trips to Texas and always ask "Who serves the best Chicken Fried Steak in town"? Never been disappointed because there is no such thing as bad CFS. In Ohio they call it Country Fried Steak. Just on general principles, I've never tried it. So ring in here. Whats the difference?

 

[ajbert]

I, too, call it chicken fried steak.  Depends on what part of the country you are in but to me they are cooked and taste exactly the same.

 

[chef jimmyj]

At my last teaching job, my boss was a recognized authority on Regional American Cooking. He taught that the steak was typically coated and fried in similar ways for both but Chicken Fried Steak had a Milk and Black Pepper Gravy and Country Fried Steak had a Brown Gravy. The difference was mostly based on how long the Flour/Fat Roux was cooked for. Left light for Chicken Fried and well Browned for Country Fried giving a deeper richer flavor. Of course if you talk to 100 Southern Grandma's you will get 100 different answers...JJ

 

[lama1]

Thanks guys and a special thanks to Chef Jimmy for the great explanation. Guess what it amounts to is they are both good.

 

[ajbert]

IMHO, whether you call it country or chicken fried it MUST have white gravy.  I've walked out of restaurants that didn't have white gravy when I ordered.  There are two things on this earth that must have white gravy, in my mind.  One is chicken/country fried steak and the other is biscuits and gravy!

Both must have a liberal amount of black pepper added once served.   One of the very, very few things I am picky about when eating, as I'll eat most anything.

 

[dirtsailor2003]

Here on the Pacific Northwest I've never seen Country fried steak on the menu. When I've visited back East and South I've had Country Fried steak, with white and brown gravy.

The best ever chicken fried steak I had was from a tiny restraint that opened in our town way back in the late 80's. Place was called Hawg Heaven. Southern Boy owned it, unfortunately BBQ hadn't made it's name out here yet and the guy couldn't keep afloat during the off tourist season. He used flank steak pounded super thin that he marinated in worchestershire and his secret spices overnight. Simple buttermilk batter and deep fried. Thing was the size if a large frisbee, and super tasty!

 

[pellet]

I guess I always knew and had both "country fried steak" and "chicken fried steak". I just never considered the gravy. I thought they were one in the same. Other than brown or white gravy, I just thought it was a regional thing or a preference of a flavor. Given Chef JimmyJ's explanation, I prefer the chicken fried steak personally but I like to eat and if it has meat gravy and taters gravy, I'm all in, no matter what they call it.   

 

[mj ryder]

IMHO, whether you call it country or chicken fried it MUST have white gravy.  I've walked out of restaurants that didn't have white gravy when I ordered.  There are two things on this earth that must have white gravy, in my mind.  One is chicken/country fried steak and the other is biscuits and gravy!

Both must have a liberal amount of black pepper added once served.   One of the very, very few things I am picky about when eating, as I'll eat most anything.

Couldn't have said it better myself. I've seen it served both ways in California, although it seems to be a matter of origin, Southern vs Eastern vs Midwest, I love it with a nice flour based black pepper and cream gravy.

 

[venture]

I love chicken fried steaks!

Just takes me back to my childhood.

Two things drive me nuts.  "Chicken fried steak" which is fried in a deep fryer, and brown gravy.

Neither are chicken fried steak.

Needless to say there are almost no restaurants where I get my comfort food fix.

Good luck and good smoking.

 

[dandl93]

 
I love chicken fried steaks!

Just takes me back to my childhood.

Two things drive me nuts.  "Chicken fried steak" which is fried in a deep fryer, and brown gravy.

Neither are chicken fried steak.

Needless to say there are almost no restaurants where I get my comfort food fix.

Good luck and good smoking.

I am with you...To make a good Chicken Fried Steak the steak and gravy have to be cooked in the same skillet.Gravy will not get the flavor with out those pan drippings from frying the steak.

Dan