We Ranked 9 Of Tennessee’s Best Country Fried Steak Restaurants And Here Are The Results
One of the country fried steak stops on this list sits right next to an 1830 gristmill. Another one serves its steak alongside fried cornbread, which sounds like a dare I would happily accept.
I’ve always had a soft spot for a good country fried steak, especially when the gravy is just as memorable as the meat.
Tennessee has plenty of restaurants that know how to get it right, including Memphis soul food kitchens, Knoxville cafes, Chattanooga counters, and mountain-town diners with jukeboxes.
The basic idea never changes. Beef gets breaded, fried until crisp, and buried under gravy.
Yet each kitchen puts its own stamp on it, with white gravy, sausage gravy, and sides that sometimes steal the show.
So I rounded up some of the best spots where this Southern classic still gets the attention it deserves. Some are famous, and others fly under the radar.
Which one would you drive across the state for?
1. The Loveless Cafe
Free biscuits before your steak even lands? That’s the kind of welcome that earns the top spot.
The Loveless Cafe brings complimentary biscuits to the table, and they’ve become a Nashville legend.
Lon and Annie Loveless started serving fried chicken and biscuits from their home in 1951. Today the cafe is an official Nashville Historic Marker, which feels fitting for a place this beloved.
The country fried steak arrives with white gravy, and it’s known for being tender. Pair it with the hash brown casserole if you want a side that can hold its own.
Breakfast fans get plenty of love here too. The menu leans hard into country ham, red-eye gravy, and fruit preserves made for spreading on those famous biscuits.
Save room for the Coconut Cream Pie or Real Banana Pudding. Either one makes a sweet finish to a very Southern meal.
The grounds offer more than a dining room. You can browse the Hams and Jams Country Market and the Loveless Motel Shops before or after you eat.
Weekends get busy, especially Saturday and Sunday mornings. Reservations are accepted, and they’re recommended for brunch and lunch.
Want a calmer visit? Weeknight evenings from Monday through Wednesday tend to be the quietest, so plan around them if you can.
Address: 8400 TN-100, Nashville, TN 37221
2. The Four Way Soul Food Restaurant
Some restaurants have menus, and some have history baked right into the cornbread. The Four Way in Memphis is a historic soul food spot that serves Southern classics with real pride.
Country fried steak earns its spot here among a lineup of serious comfort food. Pair it with smothered cabbage, mac and cheese, greens, or cornbread dressing for a full plate.
Don’t skip the fried green tomatoes. They’re one of the kitchen’s standout dishes, and you can even grab a half order if you’re saving room.
Hungry for something different? The menu also includes catfish, neckbones, baked chicken, and yams, so a group can easily share a spread.
Cobblers round out the meal nicely. A scoop of something sweet after a gravy-covered steak just makes sense.
Timing matters at this Mississippi Boulevard favorite. It’s generally open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 AM to 5 PM and closed Mondays and Tuesdays, with an additional closure on the fifth Sunday of any month.
Sunday afternoons bring the biggest crowds, often filled with folks coming from church. Service moves fast, though, and the staff is known for being polite.
For a quieter meal, try a weekday lunch between Wednesday and Friday. You’ll get the same steak with a little more elbow room.
Reservations are accepted, which helps if you’re bringing a big group. It’s a smart move for a Sunday visit.
Address: 998 Mississippi Blvd, Memphis, TN 38126
3. Patrick’s
Kitschy walls and a plate of fried steak make a surprisingly great combo. Patrick’s in Memphis is a laid-back hangout with cluttered decor and a big heart for home cooking.
The country fried steak is one of the most recommended dishes on the menu. Order it with a few veggie sides, which get just as much praise as the main event.
You’ll also find smothered pork chops, fried catfish, burgers, and barbecue. The kitchen even does chicken fried chicken, if you want the same crispy idea with a bird.
Plate-lunch deals make this a handy midday stop. They’re a nice way to get a full Southern meal without overthinking your order.
Got a sweet tooth? Banana pudding and cobbler are both on the dessert lineup, and they’re worth the extra spoon.
Patrick’s also has a patio for outdoor dining. On a nice Memphis day, that’s a pleasant way to enjoy a heavy plate.
The place doesn’t take reservations, so plan ahead. Evenings later in the week and weekend afternoons tend to get busy.
Weekday mornings are much calmer, since the doors open at 11 AM. An early lunch might be your best bet.
Service is known for being quick and friendly. That’s great news when your stomach starts rumbling.
Address: 4972 Park Ave, Memphis, TN 38117
4. Horn of Plenty Market
A restaurant named after a cornucopia had better deliver a full plate. Horn of Plenty Market in Knoxville lives up to the name with homemade comfort food and house-smoked barbecue.
Its country fried steak has earned some very big compliments. It sits comfortably on a menu built around old-style Southern cooking.
The sides deserve their own spotlight. Cornbread, cabbage, and mashed potatoes with gravy all taste like something from a family kitchen.
Fried green tomatoes are another strong pick. If you like a little tang with your fried food, start there.
Barbecue lovers can grab brisket by the half pound or on a sandwich. Cowboy baked beans and coleslaw make easy partners.
Breakfast is served too, starting at 7 AM on weekdays. A meat and cheese omelet could kick off a very productive morning.
Here’s the catch for weekend wanderers. Horn of Plenty is open Monday through Friday only, and closed Saturday and Sunday.
Midweek days are the busiest, especially Wednesday through Friday. The quiet, pleasant room stays easygoing even so.
Staff here are known for being friendly and attentive. Good service plus good gravy is a winning pair.
Address: 9132 Middlebrook Pike, Knoxville, TN 37923
5. Nick & J’s Cafe
Sausage gravy on country fried steak? Now that’s a power move.
Nick and J’s Cafe in Knoxville can serve the steak with sausage gravy, plus mashed potatoes and fried okra.
This modest spot has counter seats and a menu that changes daily. That keeps lunch interesting, even for folks who stop by often.
The fried okra is a must. It shows up next to burgers, steaks, and sweet potato fries, and it never feels like an afterthought.
Breakfast here is a big deal. The Meat Lovers Bowl piles crispy potatoes, several meats, and melty cheese into one hearty bowl.
Biscuits and gravy are on the menu too. They’re a classic pick if you want something simple and filling.
For lunch, look for the meatloaf, the patty melt, or the Brownstone Burger. Burgers here come loaded with toppings.
Dessert gets a fun twist. Along with banana pudding and homemade pies, you’ll spot baklava on the menu.
Hours run Monday through Friday from 7 AM to 3 PM. Saturday is shorter, from 8 AM to 2 PM, and Sunday is closed.
Reservations aren’t accepted, so just show up hungry. Saturday mornings and Friday lunches tend to be lively.
Address: 1526 Lovell Rd, Knoxville, TN 37932
6. Wally’s Restaurant
Chattanooga has been eating at this counter since the 1930s. Wally’s Restaurant carries that long heritage with booths, counter stools, and a simple, old-fashioned setup.
The kitchen keeps things honest with good country cooking. Country fried steak is a standout, and the dinner plate version comes with vegetables that get plenty of love.
Wally’s is known for its meat and three. That means you pick a main and three sides, which is the best kind of decision-making.
Diner favorites fill the rest of the menu. Burgers and fries are a solid backup if someone in your group isn’t in a gravy mood.
Coffee and dessert are both strong points here. A slice of something sweet with a fresh cup is a fine way to wrap things up.
The dining area is clean, and the staff is friendly. Prices are known for being reasonable, which never hurts.
Wally’s opens early, at 6 AM on weekdays. It closes at 3 PM, so this is a breakfast and lunch kind of place.
Saturday hours are short, from 7 AM to noon. Sunday is closed, so plan your fried steak craving around that.
Reservations are accepted, and there’s a private dining room. That’s handy for family gatherings or work lunches.
Address: 1600 McCallie Ave, Chattanooga, TN 37404
7. The Old Mill Restaurant
Your steak comes with a side of river views and an 1830 gristmill next door. The Old Mill Restaurant sits in Pigeon Forge’s Old Mill District, right by the Little Pigeon River.
Family-owned since 1993, it’s a true Pigeon Forge tradition. The creekside setting and themed dining room make the meal feel like part of the trip.
Country fried steak comes in big portions here. It often arrives with corn fritters, corn chowder, and plenty of signature sides.
Other comfort classics include chicken and dumplings, chicken pot pie, and fried chicken. Prime rib and ribeye are on the lineup for steak lovers who want options.
Breakfast runs from 8 to 11 AM, with biscuits and stone-ground grits. Banana nut muffins are another tasty morning pick.
Save space for banana pudding or homemade pie. You’ll be glad you did.
Reservations aren’t accepted, and there’s usually a wait. Friday evenings and Saturday afternoons are the busiest times.
Use the wait wisely by exploring the district. Nearby shops sell pottery, candy, and toys, so the time passes quickly.
The restaurant is open daily until 9:30 PM. A late dinner might help you skip the biggest crowds in Tennessee’s mountain country.
Address: 164 Old Mill Ave, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
8. Mel’s Classic Diner
Chrome, a jukebox, and gravy on just about anything that holds still. Mel’s Classic Diner in Pigeon Forge brings retro flair to a plate of country fried steak.
The kitchen ladles gravy over hamburger steak, biscuits, and country fried steak. If you love gravy, you’ve found your people.
Portions here are ample, so arrive hungry. The country fried steak has earned high praise as some of the best around.
Burgers and patty melts are crowd favorites too. Keith’s Patty Melt and Tony’s Onion Rings show off the diner’s playful naming style.
Want a real throwback treat? Order a strawberry milkshake, which is one of the diner’s best-known sips.
Big appetites can go for Mel’s Famous Ultimate Banana Split. It’s a sundae with serious ambition.
Here’s a bonus for night owls. Mel’s stays open until midnight Monday through Saturday, which is rare for a spot like this.
That late schedule makes it perfect after a long day of Smoky Mountain sightseeing. Thursday through Saturday nights get the busiest.
Weekday mornings are the calmest, starting at 7 AM. Sunday is closed, and reservations aren’t taken.
Address: 119 Wears Valley Rd, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
9. Jeff’s Family Friendly Restaurant
Fried cornbread shaped like a flapjack might be the sleeper star of this whole list. Jeff’s Family Friendly Restaurant in Murfreesboro serves it alongside soul food classics.
The country fried steak is tender and comes in a huge portion. It’s the kind of plate that makes you rethink your afternoon plans.
Pair it with sweet potatoes, turnip greens, or hash brown casserole. The dressing is another side worth ordering.
The menu also covers smothered pork chops, turkey with dressing, smoked beef brisket, and catfish. There’s even a chitterlings plate for the bold.
Meat and three is the move if you can’t decide. Pinto beans make a hearty addition to the lineup.
Desserts are a big draw here. Banana pudding, peach cobbler, and chocolate chess pie all show up on the menu.
The space is simple and quiet. That lets the food do the talking, which it does very well.
Jeff’s is open Monday through Saturday from 11 AM to 5 PM. Sunday is closed, so plan a weekday lunch or early dinner.
Friday afternoons are the busiest stretch. Service is fast, and takeout and delivery are available if you’d rather feast at home in Middle Tennessee.
Address: 467 S Hancock St, Murfreesboro, TN 37130