Magazine Names Utah's 10 Best Places For Chicken Fried Steak

I told you a while back that given a chance to pick a meal to go out to eat, I would pick breakfast almost every time. And while bacon and eggs is a perennial favorite, a good chicken-fried (sometimes called country-fried) steak is a great start to the day.

Chicken-fried steak may not receive the same attention as Utah’s famous fry sauce or pastrami burgers, but a recent feature by TravelMag suggests the state quietly excels at another category of comfort food. The publication highlighted ten “under-the-radar” Utah restaurants serving standout chicken-fried steak, with several of the most notable locations found here in southern Utah.

Southern Utah Represents

While the list stretched from northern Utah to the Arizona border, southern Utah establishments received particular attention for their combination of hearty portions, small-town atmosphere and old-fashioned cooking styles that fit naturally with the region’s road-trip culture. Travelers crossing red rock country often end up searching for a filling meal after a day of hiking, camping or long drives, and the article argued that these family-owned diners and cafés deliver exactly that.

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Among the southern Utah restaurants featured was Bowman’s Cowboy Kitchen in Cedar City, a longtime favorite known for oversized country breakfasts and cowboy-style meals. TravelMag described the restaurant as a place built around “generosity and substance,” with chicken-fried steak fitting squarely into that reputation. The restaurant has become a familiar stop for travelers heading toward national parks or attending summer events in Cedar City.

Stage Coach Grille in La Verkin also earned praise for its giant chicken-fried steak breakfast. According to the article, the restaurant hand-pounds sirloin rather than relying on frozen pre-made patties, producing a more tender steak beneath the crispy breading and country gravy. Its location near Zion National Park makes it a popular stop for tourists looking for a substantial breakfast before heading into the canyon.

Further south, Rooster Run Café in Hurricane was recognized for serving classic diner comfort food with a local touch. The article noted that restaurants like Rooster Run succeed because they focus less on trends and more on consistency, generous servings and familiar flavors.

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Adria’s Restaurant in Kanab rounded out the southern Utah selections, continuing the theme of independently owned eateries that have developed loyal followings through home-style cooking and relaxed atmospheres.

If you are taking a road trip to the northern part of the state Travel Mag recommends Maddox Ranch House in Perry, Idle Isle Café in Brigham City, along with Chick's Café in Heber City. In the central part of Utah the magazine suggest that chicken-fried steak fans should head to the Rancher Café and Hotel in Delta or over to the little town of Loa to check out Marina's Country Café. If you want a long road trip for your chicken-fried steak head to the little town of Manilla, right near the Wyoming border to stop at the the Gorge Reel and Grill.

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The TravelMag feature ultimately paints Utah as a surprisingly strong destination for comfort food enthusiasts. While tourists often arrive searching for scenic views and outdoor recreation, many may leave remembering the enormous plates of chicken-fried steak waiting in the state’s small-town cafés and roadside diners.