Aug
How to Make The Best Chicken Fried Steak in Texas
Could this be the best chicken fried steak in Texas?
John Franke, the corporate chef of the Ranch at Las Colinas, claims his chicken fried steak is the best in Texas. “I stand behind that,” he told me. So I checked it out. While that’s an awful big mouthful, I can’t really disagree with him. His CFS was everything a CFS should be: crispy, crunchy, flavorful on the outside, with a golden brown crust; on the inside, tender and seasoned, with a meaty flavor. Most importantly, when you cut into a good CFS, the crust has to adhere to the meat. Franke agrees. He says his technique of pressing the flour deep into the meat with the palm of his hand ensures that the two become one. It’s a Vulcan mind meld, only with meat. The perfect gravy–cream-based, constructed like a roux from pan drippings and maybe a little bacon fat–has to have flecks of black pepper and be thick enough to eat with your fork without running through the tines. Franke’s does.
Want to know how to make a great CFS? Here’s how.
I tried Franke’s method at home, and it works as advertised (though it sure was a lot easier–and less messy–when I ate it at the Ranch).
How do you like your CFS? Do you know a better technique–or who’s serving a better version than this? Franke says his is the best in Texas. Fighting words? Go ahead and shoot.
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11 Comments
Fergus,
John Franke, the chef, says he uses round steak.
Can someone tell me what kind of steak he is using?
Went there last night. It was our first time to the Ranch and had the CFS. it was fantastic. We will definitely be back.
OH MAN I LOVE THIS!!! I’m making it tomorrow night for sure!!!
John’s CFS is by far the best I have tasted after 22 years in Texas. But, combine the steak with perfectly prepared veggies and you have a meal “to die for”! And, just so Frankie doesn’t get to take all the credit for a great dining experience, check out the quality of service and the different parts of the restaurant that allow you to dine in areas that range from a quiet intimate area to the lively “patio” (inside) area with live music and lots of excitement surrounding you. The Ranch is great!!
Paul
I have to say that I have been here and it was great but I still stand behind Lucile’s on Camp Bowie in Fort Worth. You would never thing to order that off the menu but it is incredible. My favorite is the Chicken Fried Chicken. It is absoletely the greatest in the state.
I’ve been there, I agree it’s the best in Texas!
Only you could pair Vulcan mind meld with chicken fried steak. Personally, I think it’s the cast iron frying pan. Whichever, gotta try his some day.
Yummy! My favorite hands down! The best place for CFS in the entire state of Texas! Can’t wait to try the pressing technique next time at home!
What a beautiful video!!!! Yummy.
I’ve never seen that pressing technique but it seems to work. I like it.