Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Best Chicken Fried Steak?

This is just a quickie, but it's totally worth a mention:

The September issue of Esquire magazine features a mouthwatering spread entitled The Esquire Almanac of Steak, including a listing of The 20 Best Steaks in America by John Mariani.  "This may be the last article worth reading about American steak," reads the prologue, and Mariani proceeds to list a score of meaty meals from restaurants across the country.  Wishing to represent what he refers to as "Diversity of Preparation",  Mariani includes not only classic seared steakhouse sirloins, but various other regional and international specialties.

As I scanned the list (Peter Luger's Porterhouse, Skirt Steak at El Raigon in San Francisco), one item in particular caught my eye:  Paris Coffee Shop, Fort Worth, Texas - Chicken Fried Steak.  Is it so?  Is this the best CFS around?  Have I been hiding under a rock?  Have you tasted it?  How was it?  My curiosity is piqued!

C&S

p.s.  I have my doubts, as the piece mentions that the CFS in question is "deep fried", but I still want to get to the bottom of this matter.

7 comments:

Unknown said...

I haven't been. But, I don't think it can be the best. My husband will assure you that HE makes the best CFS in the world.

Classy&Sassy said...

LOL. Sounds like my JP's thoughts on chili :)

Anonymous said...

Best CFS? Much closer to home. The Stringbean at Spring Valley and Coit has been pounding out sirloin, breading it to perfection and frying it up for over 25 years now, and they are still the winner.

Mom

Angela Chase Loves the Radio said...

I grew up on that side of the Metroplex and have never heard of it. Sounds like a good place to meet my dad!!

JR said...

Need I remind you that the lists in magazine claiming "The Best in the World" no longer carries any weight after the whole Wine Fiasco?!?! We dont know if this place even exists....sounds shady...anyone wanna go? I'm driving...

Unknown said...

Any native Fort Worthian knows the Paris Coffee shop as it is a classic on the near south side. Great for breakfast and the line for lunch winds around the block - get there early! Read the Frommer's review:

http://travel.nytimes.com/travel/guides/north-america/united-states/texas/fort-worth/restaurant-detail.html?vid=1154654644794

However, anybody who grew up in Fort Worth knows that the best Chicken Fried Steak is right around the corner from PCS at Massey's on 8th Avenue. Both places have been around longer than I have, so they are antiques!

FP, both of these places are near the Fairmont Historic District and your favorite junky shop on College St.

RobinBrant said...

C&S, did I not mention when we were discussing chicken fried steak, that I thought that the best in Fort Worth was at Massey's? I guess great minds think alike...