Oct 26
Chicken fried steak overlooking the Texas Hill Country at sunset
October 26 · Officially proclaimed 2011

Texas
Chicken Fried
Steak Day

Put on those elastic sweatpants. Texas’ most indulgent, delicious holiday returns October 26.

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#TxCFSday · Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner · Share your plate

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The official Texas holiday

A state-sized celebration of a Southern icon.

Texas Chicken Fried Steak Day celebrates the food that gave the South its fame and glory, with deals, entertainment and plenty of crispy fried steak every October 26.

In 2011, founder Jeffrey Yarbrough worked to have the date officially recognized. On May 30, State Representative Ralph Sheffield, Speaker of the House Joe Straus and Chief Clerk Robert Haney signed the resolution—and the whole state rejoiced.

“Have chicken fried steak for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Upload your photos using #TxCFSday.”
A golden chicken fried steak with gravy and traditional sides

A Texas tradition

Peace, love & chicken fried steak.

In Jeffrey’s words

The idea started over a plate at Mary’s Café.

Sitting in Strawn, Jeffrey Yarbrough wondered why mangoes could have a holiday but chicken fried steak could not. He wanted a celebration any Texas restaurant could join—whether it had a famous chef or served a town of 450 people.

After several agencies passed, restaurateur-turned-representative Ralph Sheffield told him, “Podner, I think I can do that for you.” A few weeks later, the House resolution was signed.

The first year

50+

Restaurants officially participated, with hundreds more estimated statewide. Gilley’s reported a record non-concert day and turned its special into a weekly tradition.

A staple since 1929

Blue Bonnet Café

The Marble Falls landmark was serving 300–400 pounds of cubed sirloin a week when the holiday began. Its enduring method is simple: pound, bread by hand, and fry until golden.

Featured song

Peace, Love & Chicken Fried Steak

Turn it up and celebrate with Jimmy Baldwin’s ode to the plate that brings Texas together.

Open on YouTube

Just published · October 2026

The lists are out.

Two posters, one tradition. Jeffrey Yarbrough and the Texas Outlaws count down the Top 20, then hand the pen to readers for the rest of the state.

Top 20 Texas Chicken Fried Steaks 2026 poster

Jeffrey’s Top 20’s List · 2026

The Top 20

Twenty kitchens in Jeffrey’s order, from Jake and Dorothy’s Café in Stephenville down the line.

Poster
Readers Choice 2026 Top Texas Chicken Fried Steak poster

Readers Choice · 2026

The Readers Choice List

Sixty-six kitchens nominated by readers across Texas, from Perini Ranch on down the wall.

Poster

From the blog

Stories.

Lists, history, and notes from the Texas Chicken Fried Steak Day crew.

Read

Best Chicken Fried Steak in Texas Guide

Seven standards, a 100-point scorecard and a free PDF.

Read story

Read

2026 Readers Choice List

The list is out — every reader-nominated kitchen in Texas.

Read story

Read

Jeffrey's Top 20's List 2026

Jake and Dorothy's Cafe — Stephenville

Read story

Read

Fun Facts About Chicken Fried Steak

The first step is pounding the steak until tender.

Read story

Proclamation & press archive

The official story, preserved.

Original records for journalists, restaurateurs, historians and every proud fan of the state’s most famous plate. Matching uploads are kept once, not repeated.

Texas proclamation displayed on a heritage desk Official proclamation
PDFBest CFS in Texas GuideDownload original filePDF2011 Proclamation Press ReleaseDownload original filePDF2019 Celebration Press ReleaseDownload original filePNG2026 Top 20 PosterDownload original filePNG2026 Readers Choice PosterDownload original fileDOCXJeffrey’s Texas Restaurant ArchiveDownload original fileDOCXTxCFSDay ArticlesDownload original filePDFPat Cobe InterviewDownload original filePDFRestaurantville EditorialDownload original filePDFMarble Falls ArticleDownload original file

Press · CraveDFW

How Jeffrey Yarbrough grabbed his place in Texas chicken fried history

The story behind Texas Chicken Fried Steak Day and the Dallas restaurateur who helped make it official.

Read the article

Contact us

Drop us a line.

Planning a celebration, writing a story or just want to talk steak? Send a note to the team.

Jeffrey@biginkre.com