Chicken fried chicken - Tampa Bay area?

[GB818]

Hi - I am from Germany and this is the first time I am posting a board topic.

I will spent some time in the Tampa Bay area mid May...(get some some golfing in)... :-)

I need your help - does anyone know where I can get a decent chicken fried chicken in the Tampa Bay area? I did a Google search and got nothing back.

I just love the food - it is not hard to find in Texas but as of today, I had no luck in SW Florida. Just a regular Chicken fried chicken with mashed potatoes and some greens or corn would be great.

I had it ones at a Applebee's in Orlando - but not all Applebee's do carry the same menu. Every recommendation for 'Home-style-cooking' in Clearwater, Tampa, Saint Petersburg, is highly appreciated.

Also, every other recommendation in regards to fish and ribs restaturants in this area would be great and helpful

Thank you - best regards out of Munich/Germany!
GB818

[bkhuna]

Are you looking for fried chicken breast or chicken fried steak?

[GB818]

Honestly I am not 100% sure what the difference is - I understand it is called differently in different states...

[mcsheridan]

Chicken Fried Steak is also called Country Fried Steak. In both cases it's beef. Gravies may vary; some white, some brown, but there's always gravy.

Chicken Fried Chicken is always a chicken cutlet served like Chicken Fried Steak. White gravy nearly always.

Fried Chicken has bones...and there's rarely any gravy in sight. :)

[bkhuna]

Ok, I think I've got it.

Some folks (probably north of the Mason-Dixon) call chicken fried steak "country fried steak". Others call fried chicken "chicken fried chicken" (again, most likely TDY's) if they fry a piece of boneless breast.

So what do I call boneless thighs that are deep fried and served with white gravy?

I'm getting a headache.....

[mcsheridan]

Call it "Delectable" :)

[bkhuna]

Bingo!

[GB818]

To all of you - THANK you so much - I really appreciate all of your feedback. and yes, I have heard it to be called Chicken fried Steak as well... :-)

@Bergermen - I do remember Seabreeze Grill - if this is the place I am thinking of, in the old Days Inn in Clearwater - I used it as a Breakfast Place for quite some years....

One more question : Good Barbecue Ribs are hard to find - I am not sure if anyone ever had a chance to taste the Ribs from 'Houston's' - outstanding - they all claim in there menu '...to fall of the bone...' very often, they are just very dry - so any good recomandation for Baby Back Rips in Tampa Bay - Clearwater would be appreciated.

[Little T.]

I have really been enjoying the BBQ from Smokin' Out BBQ in Clearwater - particularly the ribs. I haven't had baby backs there, only St. Louis style.

411 S Ft Harrison Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33756

[TampaAurora]

I don't eat pork, but their fish spreads and bbq chicken are great.

[meatn3]

Is this the place right across from the Courthouse? Used to be Harrison's, was a diner many, many years ago?

[TampaAurora]

Exactly! My SO works in the Courthouse and is a regular.

[mcsheridan]

So, did you ever get your Chicken Fried Chicken? :)

[GB818]

@mcsheridan -- I am looking forward to have it ... :-) I am leaving Germany tomorrow (Sunday) and will land in Tampa at 5:30pm - one week vacation... every day will look the same... (how boring... :-)) jogging, golfing, enjoy the beach and good food in the evening and of course some shopping...!!! :-)))

[Bergerman]

I highly recommend the Chattaway in St. Petersburg. It's best known for great hamburgers, but their fried chicken may be better. I agree with others, Busch Gardens and Heilman's in Clearwater are great choices. Not sure the Chattaway has mashed potatoes, and I know they don't have greens. Maybe Atwater's in St. Petersburg, a soul food institution.

[RibDog]

Good to see you back posting, Bergerman. Have not seen here for a while.

John

[Bergerman]

Hey, RibDog, you're right it's been a while. The economy's turned me into a penny pincher, and reading posts I about restaurants wasn't fun. But it's time to get back at it. Speaking of which, I believe we were both big fans of the late great Palios friend chicken in Tampa. Sadly nothing's replaced it in my mind. I paused before posting on this thread because I wasn't sure what our German friend here meant by chicken friend chicken. Could be a translation thing, but I wondered if they might be looking for something closer to chicken fried steak.

[RibDog]

I agree. I was spoiled by Palios and nothing has ever been the same. If it was still around, I would get Guy Fieri to visit for his DD&D show. Then again, maybe I wouldn't because we probably could not get in if he did. LOL

Good to see you back.

[mcsheridan]

That was my assumption, Bergerman. Chicken Fried Chicken as in Breast of Chicken cooked like Chicken Fried Steak and served with country gravy and veg.

And thanks to this thread, I HAD to go and have some this evening. :)
The sacrifices we make... :P

[Bergerman]

mcsheridan, where'd you get it? Because I haven't a clue where you would go for that in the St. Pete area but would love to know!

[mcsheridan]

I had mine in NJ...but Cracker Barrel's in St. Pete @ 2151 54th Ave North

As this chain is NOT a franchise, but corporate-owned...consistency rules.

[andy huse]

Palios will be missed for a long time. Institutions like that, the Seabreeze, and the Old Meeting House simply aren't replaceable. It gives me the blues to think about it, but at least we know what we're missing.

Now I'm jonesing, too.

[meatn3]

Heilman's Beachcomber on Clearwater Beach does a wonderful old fashioned family style fried chicken dinner.

http://www.heilmansbeachcomber.com/me...

[DesignPro]

Does Heilman's do the chicken dinner every night? And what about PoFolks down in St Pete? Does anyone go there?

[meatn3]

I believe they do, the on-line menu seems to agree. However, I have not been there in a while. I am not a PoFolks fan. Southern food treated as a side show done by Sysco is how I remember it...

[Bayareafoodiei]

With out a doubt the best fried chicken is at Maryland's fried chicken which is located in Plant City. For the best ribs and BBQ my rec is 1rst choice BBQ in Brandon.

[PorcinePrincess]

Am VERY glad to see you mention Maryland Fried Chicken and 1st choice BBQ... those are my top two sources of comfort food! I grew up in Tampa and now will drive from Pinellas county on occasion to get my fix.

[mcsheridan]

Cracker Barrel (another chain) has six locations in Tampa and they definitely do chicken fried chicken with mashed potatoes and veggies.
http://www.crackerbarrel.com/menu-fan...

(Also Chicken Fried Steak.)

[dmfnole]

I actually like the fried chicken from Busch Garden's Colonial House. Yummy! If you want a twist on home-style cooking there is Savannah's in St. Petersburg - http://www.savannahsstpete.com/menu.aspx. I also like Bailey's in S. Tampa http://www.baileycatering.com/ but they are only open Wed-Friday nights and I would recommend calling for reservations.

-----
Savannah's Cafe
1113 Central Ave, Saint Petersburg, FL 33705

Bailey's Catering & Restaurant
815 S Rome Ave, Tampa, FL 33606

[GB818]

@dmfnole - thanks....but I can't find directions to Busch Garden's Colonial House - is it inside the Busch Garden Park? Any help is appreciated.

[dmfnole]

Yes it is inside the park, near where the Clydesdale horses are located