Regional Cuisine

Chicken Fried

Country Fried

Swiss Steak

Years ago while living in Georgia, I remember a colleague from Lubbock, Texas (who looked like Buddy Holly)(you make the connection)..... was raving about "Chicken Fried Steak". My Hoosier head went spinning. I somehow got the description that it was steak fried like Chicken. Sounded like Swiss Steak to me, but maybe more crispy. So I went about my business over the years feeling like those crazy Texans had a weird way to describe that food. A few years ago, the Zack Brown Band (Aren't they from Georgia????) came out with their hit song "Chicken Fried" Chicken Fried Lyrics  Don't know how I missed that during the years we lived in Georgia. Fast forward to last fall in Gas City, Indiana (yes, back in Hoosierland). I'm sitting at breakfast at the B&B and gazing at the "Daily Special" on the chalkboard. There I see "Country Fried Steak".... Hmmmmm So I asked Deb to explain, telling her I knew about Chicken Fried Steak, so what was the difference? She had never heard of Chicken Fried (so she said), but her description of "Country Fried" sounded very close, in fact the same. Well, I couldn't leave it there, so went on yet another internet hunt. Apparently I wasn't the only one with that question as I found several descriptions. I'll post one here, but basically although some feel it is the same thing cooked in different localities, Chicken Fried supposedly is more crispy and is usually served with white gravy while Country Fried is served with brown gravy. Country-Fried-Steak-Versus-Chicken-Fried-Steak.  Sounds a lot like a crispy version of Swiss Steak. I felt rather smug now that I had unraveled yet another mystery. Recently at the B&B enjoying my breakfast, I glance up at the "Daily Special" board to see; "Chicken Steak". I about spit out my crispy fried potatoes with onions (what a waste that would have been). Before you health nuts crawl all over me for my choice.... I only get a 1/2 order, OK???? With ONE egg and ONE piece of toast. (and sausage links??) When Deb came to refill my coffee cup, I had to ask.... Seems Chicken Steak is a piece of breaded chicken breast.   Maybe we should call it "Steak Fried Chicken"???