Babe’s Chicken Dinner House, which has 10 restaurants in North Texas, is one of the best Southern restaurants in the country, according to Southern Living.
The magazine listed 14 locally owned Southern restaurants in 14 states, as chosen by its readers. They range from fancy spots, like Commander’s Palace in New Orleans, to chicken finger den Aubrey’s in East Tennessee.
Babe’s was the only restaurant picked in Texas. And, indeed, it’s beloved.
This small-menu spot has been open for nearly 30 years. It’s still owned by the original family, the Vinyards, and many of the recipes stem from the women in that household.
The thing to get at Babe’s Chicken Dinner House is chicken: smoked or fried. Another goodie is chicken-fried steak (which isn’t chicken, but it’s still in the name). Sides of corn, mashed potatoes and gravy are served family style. With lots of butter.
“The fried chicken at Babe’s Chicken Dinner House recently brought a guest to tears — of joy,” Southern Living’s Carolanne Griffith Roberts wrote.
Babe’s doesn’t serve alcohol, a surprising choice, as liquor sales are a great way for restaurants to make money. That’s not the Vinyard way, the family has told me in interviews over the years.
They also don’t gussy up the restaurants.
“We put our money in our food,” reads the menu, “not in a freeway location or fancy decor. ” That’s why you’ll find Babe’s restaurants in suburbs like Frisco, Garland, Roanoke and Burleson, not in Dallas or Fort Worth proper.
Those who want fried chicken and rolls in the city center should visit the Vinyards’ older restaurant, Bubba’s, open in University Park for nearly 45 years.
Southern Living says its list of great Southern spots “might not be the ones that win fancy accolades (although some have won James Beard Foundation awards and other honors), or even take reservations. … The one thing they all have in common, other than great food, is that they are beloved in their communities, which is perhaps the highest praise a restaurant can receive.”
Babe’s Chicken Dinner House has 10 locations in Dallas-Fort Worth. Find one close to you at babeschicken.com.
