There’s something downright irresistible about a perfectly fried steak, especially when it arrives golden and crispy, smothered in creamy peppered gravy, and surrounded by all your favorite Southern sides.
In Tennessee, chicken fried steak isn’t just another comfort food classic. It’s the kind of meal that makes you forget about counting calories and start planning your next visit before you’ve finished the first bite.
But where can you find the best plate?
From cozy roadside diners serving hearty breakfasts to beloved family restaurants dishing out generations of Southern goodness, Tennessee has plenty of delicious surprises waiting to be discovered.
Imagine cutting into a crispy, tender steak at a charming mountain diner, enjoying a gravy-covered breakfast biscuit on the go, or treating yourself to a surprisingly fancy Wagyu version of this humble Southern favorite.
Some places keep things wonderfully traditional, while others add their own mouthwatering twists. Either way, you’ll find plenty of reasons to arrive hungry.
Ready to discover where the gravy flows, the portions satisfy, and the comfort food keeps people coming back? These nine Tennessee restaurants deserve a spot on your chicken fried steak bucket list.
1. Country Cafe, Nashville
Breakfast ends at 2 PM sharp on weekdays here, so set an alarm. The doors stay shut on Saturdays and Sundays too.
That schedule tells you plenty about this Nashville spot. It’s a family-owned morning and lunch joint, not a place chasing late-night crowds.
You’ll find it on Murfreesboro Pike, serving southern comfort food and classic breakfast plates. The mood is casual and quiet, which suits a slow cup of coffee just fine.
Now, about that steak. The menu lists 2 Eggs and Country Fried Steak, a breakfast plate built for serious hunger.
Pair it with the sausage gravy, which earns a big reputation of its own. Crispy breading plus peppery gravy is a deal you don’t skip.
Prefer your steak between bread? A country fried steak sandwich comes with hot, crispy tater tots on the side.
That combo feels like a lunch from your best childhood daydream. Tots just make life better, and nobody can argue otherwise.
Biscuits and gravy also show up on the menu if you want extra comfort. Home fries are another option, and they happen to be vegan.
Omelets and hotcakes round out the breakfast side nicely. So if someone at your table isn’t in a steak mood, they’re covered.
Save a little room, too. Homemade desserts are part of the deal at this meat and three style kitchen.
The coffee gets plenty of love as well. It’s the kind of place where a refill feels like part of the meal.
Here’s a practical tip for timing. Wednesday through Friday mornings tend to be the busiest stretch of the week. Reservations aren’t accepted, so just show up and grab a seat.
You can also order takeout if your couch is calling.
Parking is usually easy, with a free lot and free street spots. That’s a small miracle in a growing city like Nashville.
Solo diners fit right in here. A counter seat, a hot plate, and some quiet time sounds like a pretty great morning.
2. The Cupboard Restaurant, Memphis
French silk pie, coconut meringue pie, and pecan pie walk into a diner. That’s not a joke, it’s the dessert lineup at this Midtown Memphis favorite.
Of course, you came for the steak first. The Cupboard serves country fried steak in a no-frills, down-home setting on Union Avenue.
Breakfast fans get a treat here. The chicken fried steak breakfast is a strong move for an early start.
Doors open at 7 AM every single day of the week. Dinner runs until 8 PM, so you’ve got options.
This is a true meat and three, the kind of place Memphis holds dear. Many folks call it one of the best in the city.
The menu goes well beyond steak. Chicken and dressing, eggplant casserole, and chicken fried chicken all make appearances.
Vegetables get serious attention, too. There’s a full vegetarian menu and even a full vegan menu, which is rare for a Southern diner.
So your plant-loving friend can tag along happily. Vegetable soup is one easy pick for them.
Service has a family feel. The staff are known for being friendly, attentive, and quick on their feet.
Bringing the kids? High chairs and a kids’ menu are ready. Big groups are welcome as well.
Timing matters if you hate waiting. Sunday afternoon is the busiest window of the week. Weekday evenings tend to be quieter.
That’s a smart time to snag a booth without fuss.
There’s a historic feel to the room that fits the food. Sugar free apple pie is even on hand for anyone watching sweets.
Can’t stay to eat? Takeout and delivery are both available, and catering can feed your next gathering.
Parking is free and usually plentiful, with an on-site lot. One less thing to worry about before gravy time.
3. Nick & J’s Cafe, Knoxville
Early birds win the steak at this West Knoxville counter. The chicken fried steak special is popular enough that showing up late can cost you.
That’s a fair warning, not a scare tactic. Plan your morning around it and you’ll thank yourself.
Around the Knoxville area, country fried steak is the more common sight. A true chicken fried steak special stands out for fans who care about the difference.
Nick and J’s is a modest joint with counter seats and a short wait. It’s an easy stop on Lovell Road for breakfast or lunch.
Burgers here come piled high with toppings. The Brownstone Burger is a menu highlight if steak isn’t on your mind.
The patty melt has its own following. So does the meatloaf, a classic plate that never goes out of style.
Breakfast covers the basics with style. Bacon gets cooked just right and comes with eggs, and biscuits and gravy are on the board too.
Dessert takes a surprising turn. Banana pudding sits next to baklava, which is a pairing you don’t see every day. Honestly, why choose?
Grab one for now and one for the car ride.
Midweek mornings and Saturday mornings get the busiest. Swing by a little earlier if you can.
Families fit in well, with high chairs and a kids’ menu. Solo diners love the counter, too.
Takeout and delivery are both options. Just remember the special might not wait around for you.
4. Feed Table and Tavern, Chattanooga
Wagyu beef usually shows up in fancy steakhouses. In Chattanooga, it gets breaded, fried, and smothered like a Southern grandma’s favorite.
Feed Table and Tavern lists Wagyu Country Fried Steak among its standout dishes. It’s diner comfort with a serious upgrade.
The space matches that playful style. Think industrial, warehouse-like room with an easygoing, trendy feel on West Main Street.
Elevated comfort food is the theme here. Grass-fed sloppy joes even share the spotlight with that fancy steak. Starters are worth a look.
Fried green tomatoes and hush puppies are both great for sharing.
Feeling adventurous? Buffalo calamari mixes seafood with game-day flavor.
Catfish and fish and chips cover the seafood crowd. The Tremont Burger and a chicken sandwich handle the rest.
Plant-based diners have plenty to work with. Full vegan and vegetarian menus are available.
Live music adds to the fun some nights. It’s also a decent pick for watching sports.
Unlike several spots on this list, Feed takes reservations. That’s handy for groups or birthday dinners.
Sunday brunch starts at 10 AM. Weeknights run until 9 PM, and Friday and Saturday stretch to 10 PM.
Got a pup? Dogs are welcome on the outdoor seating area. Kids get high chairs and their own menu.
Wi-fi is available if you need to check emails. Just don’t let your gravy get cold while you scroll.
5. The Old Mill Restaurant, Pigeon Forge
Your dinner comes with a side of 1830. A historic gristmill anchors the complex where this Pigeon Forge restaurant sits.
That mill shares space with two country cooking eateries. You’ll also find pottery, candy, and toy shops nearby.
So yes, you can buy fudge and a clay mug before your steak. That’s a solid afternoon plan.
Chicken Fried Steak is a menu highlight at The Old Mill Restaurant. It comes with the full country spread.
Corn fritters and corn chowder are part of the experience. Sides keep coming, which is great news for big appetites.
Not feeling steak? Chicken and dumplings, chicken pot pie, and meatloaf all hold their own.
Fried chicken, fried shrimp, and roast beef show up too. Turkey and gravy is another hearty option.
The creekside view is a big part of the charm. The themed dining space fits the old mill story nicely.
Banana nut muffins are a sweet morning pick. Banana pudding works perfectly after supper.
Here’s the catch. Reservations aren’t accepted, and there’s usually a wait. Afternoons and evenings from Wednesday through Saturday are the busiest.
Late nights tend to be quieter.
Use the wait wisely. Browse the shops or stroll by the creek while you wait for a table.
Families are well looked after. High chairs, changing tables, and a kids’ menu are all available.
Curbside pickup and takeout are options if the line looks long. Still, eating by the water is half the fun.
It’s one of the most memorable settings in Tennessee for a plate of fried steak. History never tasted so crispy.
6. Trish’s Mountain Diner, Gatlinburg
Mountain views and gravy make a fine pair. This little diner on Gatlinburg’s East Parkway serves both.
Trish’s is a quaint country diner with hearty breakfasts and homestyle comfort food. The Smoky Mountains add a pretty backdrop.
Country fried steak is the star for many diners. Some call it the best around, and that’s bold talk in the Smokies.
Breakfast covers plenty of ground. Biscuits and gravy, french toast, and a Western omelet with grits are all on the menu.
Hash browns are crispy fuel for a day of hiking. Coffee helps too, and it earns praise of its own.
Lunch leans old-school. Smoked sausage and liver and onions show the kitchen knows its classics.
Sides read like a Sunday supper. Mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, and fried apples are all options.
Craving something warm on a chilly day? French onion soup and chili both appear on the menu.
Save room for banana pudding. It’s a sweet ending after a big plate of steak.
Hours need a little planning. Monday through Thursday, it’s open 7 AM to 2:30 PM. Friday and Saturday stretch until 8 PM, so dinner is possible.
Sundays are closed.
Friday evening and Saturday daytime are the busiest. Weekday mornings are a calmer bet.
Outdoor seating lets you soak up the fresh air. Dogs are allowed outside, so your hiking buddy can join.
Locals and tourists mix here easily. Service is quick and friendly, which helps on a busy vacation day.
It sits a bit away from the downtown Gatlinburg bustle. That makes it a handy stop on the way into or out of town.
7. Umphy’s Chicken & Biscuit, Jackson
A steak biscuit through a drive-thru window might be the most Tennessee breakfast ever. Umphy’s in Jackson makes it happen.
Doors open at 6 AM Monday through Saturday. Sunday starts at 7 AM, and closing is 8 PM daily.
This affordable spot specializes in three things. Biscuits, country fried steak, and chicken livers lead the way.
Chicken fried steak plates come with classic sides. Mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, and homemade mac and cheese are popular picks.
That steak is a crowd-pleaser for kids and adults alike. It’s a crowd pleaser for the whole table. The biscuit and gravy deserves its own shout.
It’s soft, rich, and made for mornings.
Chicken fans have plenty of choices. Fried chicken, chicken tenders, and jumbo breast strips are on the menu.
Feeding a crowd? Family-size mashed potatoes and gravy can stretch dinner nicely.
Banana pudding closes things out sweetly. Grab one for the road if you’re in a hurry.
Ordering works counter style, without table service. It keeps things quick and simple.
The drive-thru is a lifesaver for busy commutes. Chicken biscuits and steak biscuits are perfect one-hand meals.
Delivery and catering are both available too. That makes Umphy’s an easy call for office breakfasts.
Thursday daytime is the busiest stretch. Evenings tend to be quieter on most days.
Jackson sits right between Memphis and Nashville. Umphy’s makes a smart pit stop on that West Tennessee drive.
Biscuits, gravy, and crispy steak before sunrise? Few road trip plans sound better than that.
8. Sweet P’s Southern Style, Clarksville
Peach cobbler gets the house name treatment at Sweet P’s. When a dessert is called the Original, you know it means business.
But first, the main event. Country fried steak arrives hot, crispy, and covered in white gravy.
Meat and three is the ticket at this Clarksville restaurant. Steak with green beans and mashed potatoes is a classic combo.
Other Southern favorites crowd the menu. Meatloaf, catfish, and mac and cheese all have fans. Fried chicken is made to order.
That means a short wait, but a fresh, crackly reward.
Snack baskets are a fun extra. Fried okra and fried potato chips both come by the basket.
Burger lovers can try the Sweet P’s Rodeo Burger. It’s a hearty pick for a big appetite.
Sweet tea comes with unlimited refills. In the South, that’s basically a love letter.
Desserts go beyond cobbler. Banana pudding and pecan pie are also worth a slot in your stomach.
Hours are a little unusual, so check before driving over. It’s closed Mondays and Sundays. Tuesday through Thursday runs 11 AM to 8 PM.
Friday and Saturday open early at 8 AM for breakfast.
Friday and Saturday mornings bring gravy and biscuits plus a fried chicken tenderloin breakfast. That’s a strong case for waking up early.
Friday evening is the busiest time. Tuesdays tend to be the quietest all day.
Sweet P’s accepts reservations, which helps for group dinners. Outdoor seating is available when the weather cooperates.
Kids get their own menu, including a kids meatloaf. Catering and delivery are options too.
Prices stay reasonable for the amount of food. Your wallet and your belt might disagree on the rest.
9. Jeff’s Family Friendly Restaurant, Murfreesboro
Flapjack cornbread sounds like breakfast and dinner had a delicious baby. You’ll find it at this Murfreesboro soul food spot.
Jeff’s serves classic Southern plates in a simple space. The food does the talking here.
Country fried steak is a big draw. Pair it with sweet potatoes and turnip greens for a proper home-style plate.
The meat and three format makes building your meal easy. Pinto beans and chicken and dressing are other side-worthy picks.
Fried chicken and catfish are menu staples. Smothered pork chops and a smothered pork steak bring serious comfort.
Smoked beef brisket is on the board too. So is a chitterlings plate for folks who love traditional soul food.
Desserts lean classic and sweet. Banana pudding and peach cobbler lead the list. Chocolate chess pie is another treat worth knowing about.
It’s rich, so maybe share, or maybe don’t.
Sweet tea gets a thumbs up as well. It’s the right drink to wash down crispy steak.
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday afternoons are the busiest. Service moves fast, which helps on a lunch break.
College students from nearby fill in some seats. Groups and families are welcome, and high chairs are available.
It’s a fitting final stop on this Tennessee tour. Good gravy, good sides, and one very curious cornbread.
Share this story
