Best Chicken Fried Steak In The Bay Area
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Chicken fried steak (also known as country fried steak) is a tenderized cube or round steak coated in a mix of egg, milk and bread crumbs or seasoned flour. Because the coated steak is pan fried (or sometimes deep fried), it bears a resemblance to fried chicken, hence the name. Most restaurants will serve chicken fried steak covered in a white country gravy. While the dish is believed to have originated in the South, there are plenty of places around the Bay Area where a good chicken fried steak can be found.
8350 Edes Ave.
Oakland, CA 94621
(510) 777-0000
jollyrogersdiner.com
This local diner opened two years ago adjacent to a Days Inn hotel. It is located close to the Oracle Arena (home of the Golden State Warriors basketball team) and the O.co Coliseum where the baseball Oakland A's play, so this restaurant is often crowded with sports fans before or after a game. The Angus beef chicken fried steak is a popular item here, covered with homemade country gravy. And it's served morning, noon and night.
245 California Drive
Burlingame, CA 94010
(650) 347-9440
www.christies.com
Christie's is located in downtown Burlingame, an area that has seen much renovation in recent years. The main street is now home to a number of popular restaurants and shops. The family-owned Christie's (it is named after a former owner's grandmother) is a well-known breakfast spot, serving an excellent chicken fried steak every day. The steak is a generous portion covered in a creamy gravy and accompanied by eggs and crisp hash browned potatoes.
1451 Haight St.
San Francisco, CA 94117
(415) 864-6981
www.porkstorecafe.com
This well-known San Francisco breakfast institution can be found right in the middle of the city's Haight-Ashbury district. The Pork Store's origins date back to 1916 when two Czechoslovakia immigrants opened a butcher shop. The restaurant's stained glass logo is over ninety years old. The popular and reasonably priced chicken fried steak consists of breaded beef cutlets served with two eggs, potatoes or grits and toast. In keeping with the restaurant's name, the steak can be served with pork gravy too.
2227 Alum Rock Ave.
San Jose, CA 95116
(408) 259-4819
www.facebook.com/a-bite-of-wyoming
If you enjoy thick, hot gravy and tall biscuits, A Bite of Wyoming is the place to be. This no-frills breakfast spot is known for its buffalo meat, but the chicken fried steak draws raves. It can be ordered ala carte or served with eggs and potatoes. Some locals liven up their steak with spicy verde sauce on the side.
1000 N. Idaho St.
San Mateo, CA 94401
(650) 348-9578
www.facebook.com/Ninis
If you are driving through a quiet residential street one morning and suddenly come upon a small restaurant with a line out the door, that's usually a good sign. Nini's Coffee Shop in San Mateo is that kind of place. The chicken fried teriyaki steak is breaded in flour, served with flavorful mashed potatoes and steamed vegetables. It comes with brown gravy, but you can request a country white gravy as well. Nini's has an outdoor patio in the back where you can enjoy your steak in nice weather.
