Good Chicken Fried Steak

[Needmeat]

Hey! Any recommendations for chicken fried steak in the LA or Valley area?

[rantsnravesnreviews]

I have heard though those who like CFS that Taste of Texas in Covina/Azusa is really good.

[neobite]

I know this won't help... and yet I have to do it. Months after I first had it and I still can't think of CFS without dreaming of the amazing one I had at Bonnie Lu's Country Cafe in Ojai. It's like a lover I can't get over. Perhaps the most perfect example of the form.

Bonnie Lu's Country Cafe
328 E Ojai Ave., Ojai CA 93023
805-646-0207

[Emme]

For tradition try
Mickey Fine Pharmacy in BH
Engine Co 28
Roll'n'Rye
Barney's Beanery
Du-Par's
Aunt Kizzy's

For lighter ones, less guilt-ridden try
Eat Well
Firehouse
Home

[paprkutr]

Don't laugh but Norms has good cfs.

[SeaCook]

The truck stop off of I-10 in Rialto? Onatario? Travel America West. I think the restaurant is calledThe Fork in the Road. It's been there for years and truckers know good Chicken Fried Steak.

[estone888]

I, and a couple of friends of mine, are partial to the chicken fried steak to be had at Gary Bric's Ramp - at the Fwy ramp for the 5 south at Hollywood Way. Also great burgers and fantastic clams.

[Servorg]

Jongeward's Bake 'n Broil
3697 Atlantic Ave (North of 405 - at the corner of 37th St.)
Long Beach, CA 90807
[phone]

[Ernie]

I agree, I don't normally like CFS but Bake n Broil's version is great

[Das Ubergeek]

If you're going to LBC anyway, might as well go to Johnny Reb's.

-----
Johnny Rebs' Southern Roadhouse
4663 Long Beach Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90805

[Norm Man]

I second the CFS at Johnny Rebs.

A good friend of mine from Texas regularly drives from Santa Monica to Johnny Rebs' Bellflower location for CFS.

http://www.JohnnyRebs.com

[sel]

The best is at The (former) Pines Cafe out towards Palmdale. The place is renamed Habanero Grill but they still serve The Pines menu on the weekends. Not L.A. or S.F.V. but so good!

[kevin]

Say it aint so, i was just about to go there today.

No more The Pines?

double triple darn it.

What's the new menu like?

[sel]

I went last Sunday. The sweet/grumpy waitress told me that they are now closed Mon-Wed, Thur-Fri Mexican menu and Sat-Sun Pines menu + Mexican?! The outside sign says Habanero Grill, the exterior has a new paint job but the interior is exactly the same as it has been for years. I only saw a Pines menu but there was a big stockpot of Menudo on the stove and they served some $1 Carne Asada tacos and Mexican Hot Dogs to other customers. I forgot to ask about the Mexican menu. Waitress was complaining about the Menudo and maxed out by a table with a screaming baby and a toddler that was alternating between squeeling and drumming with his utensils!

All in all I'd say don't give up on them yet but realize that it's changing. Hopefully the new owner, I think her name is Alma will eventually realize that The Pines Cafe is a unique and special place with a pretty long history that should continue!

[kevin]

Are they still going to also serve up those overbearingly large buttermilk pancakes, those things are good but hefty.

Glad I didn't stop by yesterday when I was in the Santa Clarita area, or else it would be have been closed. Sounds weird but maybe the new owner is taking it in the direction of a full-fledged Mexican restaurant.

[sel]

I had the Blueberry Pancake (junior order which is one dinner plate sized pancake). The same Pines menu is available on Sat-Sun so all of your favorites will be there. Your last comment doesn't sound wierd to me at all, the new Hispanic owner is moving in the direction of a Mexican restaurant, I just hope her customers can convince her that The Pines Cafe should remain, just add Mexican specials!

[Vaya Con Carne]

Went a few weekends ago and the breakfast (Rita Omelette, oh Rita Omelette!) was as good as ever.

The Pines/Habanero has gone through several changes of ownership since Larry, the original owner, bailed some years back. Somehow they've managed to keep the quality consistent, even though the menu has gotten smaller. I'm hoping this ownership change keeps up the tradition.

I suspect it has much to do with the changing demographics of the area. Fewer and fewer people know the joys of CFS and B&G and seek them out, but everybody loves tacos :)

[Wes]

I agree. With the original biker owners when we ordered two CFK's the waitress would shout out "POUND TWO." Shortly we would hear the pounding from the kitchen.

Another good CFK is:

Eat'n Park Restaurant .
2517 W Victory Blvd, Burbank, CA - [phone]

==>> Be sure to call they have strange hours. Only to early afternoon I recall.

[Das Ubergeek]

A word of warning about John's Eat 'n Park -- while I've never had the CFS and can't vouch one way or the other, their omelettes are disgusting -- burnt, greasy, huge, and thoroughly unappetising. As my great-aunt would say, "siz eppes chaloshes!"

[monku]

I don't know what happened there. Many years ago I enjoyed eating their huge omelettes.
Now we drive by and say "hey- there's Eat & Barf".

[kevin]

Yeah, my friend said the portion are huge. Yes, but it is was garbage. I ordered a hot dog, and chili, cheese, jalapeno omlette and it was atrociously bad. Yes, I shouldn't have ordered it in the first place. But at least some greasy spoons can do it right.

[monku]

Flame me, but Claim Jumper's is the best. 2 steaks and big enough for two people to eat. Many will mention Pann's CFS, but I thought it was a big disappointment.

[WildSwede]

I thought Pann's was better than many I have had, but not as good as some. I personally like Chili's CFS.

[monku]

Agree Chili's CFS is good, but Claim Jumper's tops Chili's.

I was disappointed with the Pann's CFS. Was almost as if it were one of those deep fried pre-frozen patty types and not from a tenderized round steak. I went to Pann's specially on this boards rec for their CFS and have finally settled on their waffles and wings combo on subsequent visits.

[Servorg]

As much as I love Pann's, and as often as we go I am in complete agreement with you monku. Their CFS is NOT the way to go.

[monku]

Nothing more disappointing when you order CFS at a place you've never been and out comes that deep fried (pre-frozen) breaded hamburger. It really bums me out. What about the "truth in menu laws"?