Chicken Fried Steak – mmmm. Even the words make my mouth water. It is one of the tastiest comfort food dishes I have ever had, and I don’t think I am alone in that opinion! The name gives a pretty good indication of what to expect from the dish. In short, for our friends that don’t get out much, it is a loving combination of the pan-fried steak technique and the crispy batter of good fried chicken. There are several stories about the origins of Chicken Fried Steak, but this one is my favorite.

Texas columnist Larry BeSaw wrote a spoof piece for the lifestyle section of the Austin American-Statesman newspaper, telling the tall-tale of Jimmy Don Perkins from Lamesa, Texas. BeSaw wrote that in 1911, Jimmy Don, an unemployed drawbridge oiler, took a job as a cook. When a waitress wrote down an order for chicken and an order for fried steak on the same ticket, but left out the comma, an inexperienced Jimmy Don wasn’t sure what to do. He improvised by flouring and frying a piece of steak as he would a piece of fried chicken. Although BeSaw wrote the story to be humorous and outlandish, and never intending for anyone to actually believe it, the story spread and became a popular truth.

In actuality, Chicken Fried Steak finds its origins in a number of immigrant influences. The German favorite, Wiener Schnitzel is the most obvious. By breading and frying, the Germans were able to do something that not many can, jazz up pork. The southwest regions of Germany quickly adopted the technique for beef as well.

The recipe debuted in America for the first time as pan-fried veal cutlets; a recipe published by Mary Randolf in 1838. The official “Chicken Fried Steak” came to be in the 1930’s. In 1988, Oklahoma named Chicken Fried Steak as an official state meal. I think many Texans would argue that it should be an official meal for Texas as well. Texans serve an estimated 800,000 orders of Chicken Fried Steak everyday, not counting meals prepared at home.

No matter where Chicken Fried Steak began, I’m just glad that it’s here today. I refer to it as happiness in the mouth! You can experience our own fusion sushi concept of Chicken Fried Steak when Roll On Sushi Diner opens for business.

Think of green beans and steak rolled with mashed potatoes instead of rice. What if then we dipped the roll in batter and fried it to a golden brown perfection? Are you hungry yet? The roll will be served as cut pieces with the best country gravy … other than mom’s. Stay posted for our opening date, and try the Chicken Fried Steak roll for yourself!

- Chad