Eats Beat

Where’s the best fried chicken or chicken-fried steak around the Fort Worth area?

Michaels Cuisine for chicken Wednesdays

Hey, Bud! I live in Cleburne and I’ll be in town Wednesday. Where do you recommend for old-fashioned fried chicken?

—Tom, Cleburne

You picked the right day. Michaels Cuisine, 3413 W. Seventh St., has a chicken platter (or tenders) Wednesdays that compares to old-time Southern dinner houses ($20, but plenty for two); michaelscuisine.com. Otherwise, I’d say Tributary Cafe, 2813 Race St., tributarycafe.com; or The Rim, 5912 Convair Drive, therimrestaurant.com. For a takeout stand, the runaway favorite is Drew’s Place, 5701 Curzon Ave.

Chicken-fried steak, salad and deviled eggs at the Brand Room restaurant.
Chicken-fried steak, salad and deviled eggs at the Brand Room restaurant. Bud Kennedy bud@star-telegram.com

Brand Room or Mac’s for chicken-fried steak

Hey, Bud! I live in Terrell and I’ll be in town next week. Where do you recommend for chicken-fried steak since Rufus closed?

—Randall, Kaufman County

I wrote here last week about the Brand Room, 212 W. Exchange Ave., a redecorated bar used during the filming of TV’s “1883”; facebook.com/thebrandroomftw. The traditional favorite is Mac’s Bar & Grill, 6077 Interstate 20 West, Arlington, macsteak.com.

A chocolate souffle at Rise n°3 Souffle in the Shops at Clearfork.
A chocolate souffle at Rise n°3 Souffle in the Shops at Clearfork. Bud Kennedy bud@star-telegram.com

$39-$49 specials at six Fort Worth area restaurants

Hey, Bud! Did you ever write about Winter Restaurant Week?

—Julia, Fort Worth

The $39 dinner specials continue through Jan. 30 at Fixture Kitchen and Rise n°3 Souffle, with $49 specials at B&B Butchers, Loveria Caffe, Silver Fox Steakhouse (also offering curbside takeout) or Waters. I’d go with Loveria lamb ribs or osso bucco, Rise souffles, a Silver Fox pork chop or a Fixture filet mignon; 360westmagazine.com/winter-restaurant-week.

This story was originally published January 20, 2022 at 5:45 AM.

Bud Kennedy’s Eats Beat
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Bud Kennedy is celebrating his 40th year writing about restaurants in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. He has written the “Eats Beat” dining column in print since 1985 and online since 1992 — that’s more than 3,000 columns about Texas cafes, barbecue, burgers and where to eat. Support my work with a digital subscription
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