If I were to recommend just one place to eat, it's Babe's Chicken. The fried chicken is as good as it gets. The chicken fried steak is fork tender. They also offer other outstanding meat options at their other locations. To order, simply tell the waiter what meat you want. There's no "menu". They'll bring everything out at one time, except for the biscuits and salad which precedes the main course. The side dishes are served family style, and they are all you can eat. You won't have to ask for refills on the sides nor the drinks. Service is that good. In case you're so inclined, they are BYOB. My wife loves their biscuits. They have honey and sorghum on the tables. The ambiance is fun Texas casual. This restaurant is southern comfort food. On your short list, make this #1. read more

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We've lived in Roanoke, Texas for Tweenty-five years. Over that time we've watch the decline of a local favorite. What used to be a meal almost to big to finish is now almost not worth trying to finish. A decline in portion size i can almost get on-board with, the quality has fallen to instant potatos and lack luster flavor. A meal for two is now $75.00 and just not worth the trip. It really saddens me to write this review, but facts are stubborn things. read more

Smaller and smaller Chicken fried steak each year - Tourist trap and not worth the money anymore - It's just not the same anymore - SAD

[[HIGHLIGHT]]Love coming here to the Carrollton location during the week when there aren't big parties or too crowded.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] All the sides and fried chicken are always great. [[HIGHLIGHT]]There wasn't any singing or dancing this last time we went, but maybe no one was celebrating a B-Day?[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

We've been going to this babe's location since it was the only one around. I've not lost any of the fun features inside, but have continued to evolve and improve things like parking and waiting and to go areas. Wish they had handicap parking a little more accessible to the door. My nephew and his whole family traveled from Texarkana to DFW specifically for his birthday. He remembers it from his childhood and enjoyed the entire event. Service was wonderful, even though we had a large group, and the restaurant was of course crowded. The food as always was hot fresh and spectacular! Most of us had the fried chicken but a couple had the chicken fried steak. I always order the fried chicken but it's my goal to one day. Skip the chicken and have the chicken fried steak, but I'm not sure if that will ever happen! The chicken is just wonderful. We have also been to the locations in Burleson Carrollton North Richland Hills. Each one of them have a little bit different menu, but I still like the old-school Roanoke restaurant the best! All of them still serve everything family style. So great! HOWEVER, it is no longer BYOB! They don't have a bar, beer or wine (oh my!). We didn't know this had changed and came packing with a cooler of beer we had to leave in the car. They serve water, tea, sodas, and lemonade. read more

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I heard Babe's Chicken was a staple when visiting the Fort Worth area and had to give it a try! Felt a bit silly asking for a menu and having the waiter respond: we have fried chicken (4 pieces), chicken tenders (7 pieces), and a chicken fried steak! Nothing makes my job easier than limited choices! Our table got one of each menu item. Personally, too much food for all of us, I wish you were able to opt for fewer pieces to reduce food waste. Each table was also served a side of biscuits, mashed potatoes, corn, and salad. Although the salad was just iceberg lettuce and dressing........it was delicious! Easily could've eaten the whole bowl plus more! Will definitely be back next time I am in town. Thanks Babe's! read more

Babe's Chicken Dinner House - Chicken Fried Steak, Fried Chicken, Chicken Tenders, Grandma's Corn, Green Salad, Mashed Potatoes, Cream Gravy - Chicken Shop Near Me - Roanoke, Texas

Babe's... I love ya, I really do. However, you've gotten insanely expensive. Family of 4, one kid meal... Basically, 1.75 chickens, plus corn and potatoes. I'm a restaurant veteran and know food/labor/rent cost very well... Y'all are gouging. Coupled with no more BYOB... Nope. $81 before tip. That's nuts! Sorry. read more

Oh Babe's....y. Where to start... Babe's is phenomenal. We'll just get that out of the way. Babe's offers only three main entrees - fried chicken, chicken fried steak, and chicken tenders. Additionally, you split family style all you can eat sides - salad, mashed potatoes and gravy, and corn. You can't go wrong with any of it. It's iconic and busy for a reason and worth every penny. If you're in the Roanoke area, it's a must. read more

Babe's Chicken Dinner House - Chicken Shop Near Me - Roanoke, Texas

Everyone knows Babes has the best food,amazing chicken, and sides but they are the most amazing at catering in a hurry. I have been in charge of ordering for our Branch for over 15 years and they have never failed me yet. I called last minute today and it wasn't a huge order but 15 people is still large and they came thru again. Best customer service in the business. read more

Take out this time. Chicken was just as good at our hotel. Everything was packed perfectly. Very friendly atmosphere.

I last visited the Roanoke Babe's two years ago with my sis and BIL on the way to some airport in the area where they had left their airplane. That was my first visit to Babe's in surely close to 30 years. We all were blown away. My sis and BIL declared this to be the best fried chicken they've had since Hopkin's Boarding House (which served family style like Babe's) in Pensacola , closed years ago. Yesterday was, again, so great... perfectly seasoned and super crisply fried chicken. The breast portion was tender and moist throughout the entire piece. The mashed potatoes are rich and flavorful and the corn is likewise so tasty. The meal is served with a biscuit for each diner. My biscuit got two pats of butter and prolly half the pitcher of the sorghum syrup. LOL. So good! We brought a bubbly, which is a great compliment to fried chicken, and our own glasses. Babe's is BYOB friendly. The meal begins with a very simple super-chilled iceberg lettuce salad that is dressed with a lovely light, sweet vinaigrette. Really, really good. Our server offered us more salad but as tempting as that was I knew that would be unwise in light of what fare would soon belabor the table. We also, thanks to one reviewer's comments, brought a bunch of take home containers for the potatoes, corn, gravy and chicken as the restaurant does not provide these (save for a plastic bag for chicken) and we knew we'd be taking a lot home. Which leads me to my one wish for the store. Being old timers we have small appetites. We each could finish only one piece of the four pieces served to each diner. Of course this leaves lots to take home for subsequent meals, but fried chicken is at its best freshly fried and piping hot. I wish Babe's would offer a senior's sized portion meal appropriate for old timers. But all in all the price for the four piece meal with salad, potatoes, gravy, corn and biscuits is super reasonable. If you're a fan of the fried yard bird, this is some mighty fine fare here in a cool, old Texas feel venue with attentive and gracious service! read more

This was our first visit to Babe's at the recommendation of coworkers. The concept and experience is definitely one to try. We experienced the Roanoke location which had a neat atmosphere with the historic downtown buildings that carried to the decor in the restaurant. The service was very welcoming and engaging. We didn't know beforehand there are only four menu options (one being vegetarian) and the meats are all fried. It didn't stop us from jumping right in. Starting off with the all you can eat fresh biscuits and salad (basic lettuce and dressing) was easy to do and yet hard to stop eating so we'd have room for the other food. The biscuits were hot and the available butter and honey made them the highlight of our meal. For the main dish, I went with the chicken tenders. They had a good balance of breading and the flavor was delicious. The actual size of the pieces of chicken were on the smaller side. My husband had the chicken fried steak. The flavor was delicious, however, there was more breading than meat. The all you can eat sides that come with the main meal are pretty simple and served family style with corn, mashed potatoes and gravy. An unexpected part of our experience was when one of the servers belted out a song for everyone's enjoyment. She had a great voice! read more

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We stopped at Babe's on our way home from a weekend in Dallas. What a GEM this is, full of history, friendly staff, and wonderful fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and biscuits! The meal is simple and has not changed since the restaurant (this original location) first opened it's doors, other than adding chicken tenders for the kids. I cannot wait to go back! read more

Babe's Chicken Dinner House - Chicken Shop Near Me - Roanoke, Texas

We loved our experience at Babe's in Roanoke, Texas. We arrived at 4:30 pm On Friday afternoon in order to avoid waiting in line. They do not take reservations!! We walked right in as they had just opened and were seated near the back . We had a sweet waitress take care of us. I had the bone in chicken and my husband had the chicken friend steak. With the order comes salad, a biscuit, your entree, and unlimited mashed potatoes, gravy and corn. We ate everything except one piece of chicken, which I took home. There are no to go containers for the unlimited sides. They do not offer dessert but the waitress told us we could consider the pie place next door. As we paid and left a bit after 5 pm, ( as you can see we were served quickly and the food came quickly ) there were people seated out in front outside waiting to be called inside. So get there early or wait in line. Are we going again? You bet!! read more

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I have been hearing about Babes for years so maybe my expectations were too high. The fried chicken was really good however the rest of the meal was not. The salad was a bowl of iceberg lettuce that came dressed with a very sweet, watery dressing, the mashed potatoes were gummy, the biscuits were tasteless and the gravy was also flavorless. Everything but the chicken was served at room temp. I will not be back. read more

Enjoyed a big family dinner. Great fried chicken and chicken tenders. This place is a crowd favorite, and the chicken was really tasty. Our waitress was nice, even as a larger table, and a full house. Not really a fan of how they are setup without a menu. It's simple, it works, but don't go there if you aren't hungry, aren't in love with mashed potatoes and creamed corn, or staying where you can't/wont keep leftovers. Super easy to get food for a big party, only 2 decisions: drink, and pick 1 of 3 meats. I think our family over paid considering we didn't want the huge pile of leftover chicken, and only had one bowl of lettuce, 3 bowls of mashed potatoes, half a bowl of corn, and waisted most of the bowl of gravy. We wouldn't have eaten as many biscuits as we did, but we had to pay for them anyway, and we grabbed more at the end for the mountain of leftovers Its only 2 different prices. Full price around $17-18 if you order your own chicken, or reduced price $10-11 if you share chicken with someone else. My wife and I were initially going to split a 4 piece (plenty enough), but the up charge for unlimited iceberg drenched in dressing, mashed potatoes, creamed corn, biscuits and gravy was to the point, might as well get the chicken tenders for later. It's 100% family style. The unlimited sides come in bowls and the chicken all comes out on a big platter. The bone in chicken was all on one side of the pile. We had 7 adults and a toddler, didn't order anything extra, and we had so much left over.....2 full plastic bags of tenders. Legit enough to feed us all again. The next day 2 people had chicken biscuits for breakfast. Then we covered an entire pizza pan front to back with tenders to have as a side for a big party that night, to go with our pizza. We got sweet baby rays buffalo wing sauce for dipping to kick it up a notch when sealed the deal. Several people said they liked them on day 2, which I reheated in the oven. 10-12 people had tenders, including one that had a pile, and a couple that had seconds. read more

Babe's Chicken Dinner House - 2 orders of 4piece fried chicken and 5 orders of tenders. Picture doesn't do it justice, see the wing tip on left for scale. - Chicken Shop Near Me - Roanoke, Texas

If you are into fried chicken you can't miss with Babe's. The menu is basic. The choices are what they are. There's no changes to any of the dishes. That's cool though because it's great just like it comes. As a result less waiting time and less stress. The prices are fair, the atmosphere is fine. Think Cracker Barrel without all the junk. read more

Babe's Chicken Dinner House - Fried Chicken Mashed Potatoes Cream Gravy Grandma 's Corn - Chicken Shop Near Me - Roanoke, Texas

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Food is amazing come here multiple times and it never disappoints. Chicken fried steak is the best.

Always a great food experience at the original Babe's location in downtown Roanoke. There is a reason for the wait to be seated and it's the awesome chicken fried steak and the chicken fried chicken. We have always received great service which adds to the charm of the rustic homestyle feel. We will return ! read more

Well here is another wonderful restaurant that is now a franchise Went to original site All the chairs match Cream corn lost Biscuit lost Potatoes marginal Managers dead on arrival Will not go back Will try just north site It's all about money now What a loss read more

The chicken here is always good. Today was a business luncheon with about 12 other employees. They opened at 1100 and that's when we arrived, yet they weren't completely ready for patrons yet. They were kind enough to combine some tables, I unfortunately got the wobbly one. If you've never been to Babes chicken, there ins't a menu. You order whatever meats they serve, this location is fried chicken, chicken strips, or chicken fried steak. The fried chicken is good, the order includes half a chicken. The chicken fried steak, which is what I ordered, is usually fairly large. Today was an exception, it didn't' cover the plate like ones I've had in the past at other locations. Usually when the food is served, it's served with the meat on a single plate per person, today this was almost buffet style since there was so many of us. They brought two large oval plates, one full of fried chicken, the other full of chicken strips and 5 or 6 chicken fried steaks. It was a lot of meat. The only sides they serve at this location, which are all endless bowls, was mashed potatoes, gravy, corn pudding, salad, and biscuits. Other locations will have okra and green beans, not this one. The sides are endless, but the bowls they come in are very small. Basically salad bowls, not serving bowls that can feed 12 hungry men, much less a family of four. For us, they had to reflll the bowls several times rather than bring extra bowls from the beginning. Staff was friendly. Manager even checked on us. But the time we left around 1230 it was getting full. This location is small compared to other locations. The wait staff mentioned that this location is the original spot, it does look like an older building. Very good experience, decent food. read more

Babe's Chicken Dinner House - Chicken Shop Near Me - Roanoke, Texas

[[HIGHLIGHT]]The ambiance was so fun and cheerful![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Besides the amazing food, our server Sadie displayed excellent quality's of attentiveness and tended to our every needs. Very happy with our visit to babes and will be coming back very soon! read more

So fun! Crazy busy place but worth the wait for great southern comfort eats and drinks! Served family style and only 3 mains. Fried chicken (leg, breast, and thigh), fried chicken tenders, and Chicken fried steak. All are served with a yummy large salad, fresh hot biscuits, mashed potatoes, gravy and southern cream style corn. Remember, family style so you serve yourself the sides you'd like with your entree choice. If you leave hungry, that's on you!!! You'll enjoy Texas decor and if your timing is good, you'll be treated to the staff line dancing to a song in which you are free to join in! Chicken Fried Steak, Chicken Strips, Deep Fried Chicken read more

Babe's Chicken Dinner House - Line dancin staff at Babe's in Roanoke, TX - Chicken Shop Near Me - Roanoke, Texas

This used to be THE place for awesome, big, juicy, perfectly seasoned fried chicken. Used to be. I don't know if it was covid, mismanagement or a simple matter of forgetting what they started off doing all those years ago. But the former offerings are gone, and something between Golden Chick and Chicken Express, is what they have left. When you buy "chicken only", you get four pieces. Usually half a chicken, with all of the corresponding pieces. You CAN order four drumsticks instead - interestingly for the same price. I ordered both versions. Look at the picture I attached to this review. The drumsticks were salty, overcooked dry, and about the length of just the the palm portion of my hand. At first, I thought they were drumettes ( the drumstick shaped portion of a complete wing), but no - these were their drumsticks. You can get the same quality of product from Chicken Express, in half the time, for a third of the price. Whether this is the passing of an era, or another victim of the supposed "pandemic" ... it's sad and unfortunate. Something special and unique has devolved into disappointment mediocrity. read more

This was such a cool place to eat. The food and service were superb. So glad it was recommenced.

I love the new items on the menu now! The last time we ate here, they only had fried chicken...now they have tenders and country fried steak! As always, the food was so fresh and tasty! The sides, corn and mashed potatoes, were great. I LOVED the biscuits, they taste like they were made in a cast iron skillet just like my grandma does. It costs $15 per person or if you share, $14 for the meal and $8 for the other who is sharing the food with you. They give you plenty of food!!! Today we got the pleasure of joining in the Hokey Pokey, so much fun! I love the energy on this restaurant, the atmosphere is just amazing. OH! If you're looking for the restrooms, they're in the back left corner down the hall. You won't see doors as they're "hidden" in the walls, very cool! Go eat Babe's chicken and be merry! read more

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This is only my second trip to this location. The first was so long ago I really don't remember it. This location is different in that the menu is a bit more limited. Salad, CFS, 1/3 fried chicken, or chicken tenders, corn, mashed potatoes, cream gravy, biscuits. We both had the CFS- large but thin steak, tender with just the right aboof crust. Excellent in my opinion. Sides were too. Just wish they had green beans. I coulda used a vegetable. Service was very good. read more

Babe's Chicken Dinner House - CFS... so good! - Chicken Shop Near Me - Roanoke, Texas

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Roanoke has such a picturesque down town and Babe's was a shining beacon of neon. Just ordered, but if these biscuits are any indication, we are in for a treat UPDATE: The meal was great! The chicken fried steak was breaded nicely and well seasoned. Same with the tenders. The family style sides were bountiful. The semi-creamed corn was spot on. As was the gravy. The mashed potatoes were seasoned well but tasted like instant; Only detractor of the meal. The staff was friendly and the food came out really quick. However, that's likely due to the super simple menu. read more

Babe's is outstanding! It was super busy but we were seated right away. The Fried Chicken is world class and the sides are amazing! Only thing that I could say bad about this place is the food coma it put me in because of the unlimited sides. 4 pieces of chicken per person always gives you some really good leftovers. Probably my favorite part of the ambience is the plaques with the tenure of the employees. Very cool. read more

I absolutely love Babe's chicken. There are only2 options at this location - fried chicken or chicken fried steak. Both are equally scrumptious. You get family style sides, corn, mashed potatoes and gravy, biscuits and salad. No green beans at this location-sadly. The things that prevent me from giving 5 stars is the parking, the waiting space, and the lack of green beans, and other options such as fried fish or chicken fingers. If there could be a location that offers it all, that would be amazing. I have yet to visit the one off hwy820 and Rufe Snow, but the one in Arlington has a spacious waiting area as the wait at all locations is generally awhile. read more

Now I'm not gonna tell you this Is the Best Fried Chicken ever, but.... Look I have traveled around and had some fried chicken at some of the World Famous places! Babes was better than most! Yes I consider myself a Fried Chicken SNOB! So first of all there my be Nothing Better than hand breaded Southern Style Fried Chicken served up by people who know in places that care! These folks have been at it a Long Time, providing folks with a Good Time! A Texas Staple and community pillar. Many of the decorations that adorn these hallowed walls have been rescued from neighboring businesses that were closing shop over the years. The place is cool and if you look up you will see "nameplates" that are there to honor their longtime employees. Okay back to the food! First Fresh Biscuits served with plenty of butter Honey and Sorghum, it's a Southernthang! Then creamy mashed taters, buttery corn and velvety and thick cream gravy! Then you swear you can hear Angels sing when your server delivers the giant platter of Crispy steaming mound of deliciousness! The crust gives way with a snap and then it's tasty and juicy al the way to the bone! A bunch of times!! Because it's so hard to stop after several pieces. Yes they offer dessert but we never made it.... Next time then! Do yourself a favor and get down here! read more

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A legendary establishment in Roanoke. My out of town guests always have this on their list of places to go. Love the chicken, but the chicken fried steak and the corn are my guilty pleasures. Friendly staff and service. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Love the rustic decor.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Expect a line. read more

Best fried chicken and chicken strips and a [[HIGHLIGHT]]great family atmosphere[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]. It's a place I take family every time they come to visit read more

Can't say enough good about this place and the fun and goofy atmosphere. Lots of funny pop culture posters on the wall and they've put a spin on many quotes to make them relatable to their restaurant. I've also been known to come out here during long layovers (4+ hours) to fill up before my next flight. That's how iconic this place is. It's a remarkably simple menu list and you can't go wrong with the fried chicken or the chicken fried steak. The salad is simple lettuce in dressing, but the creamed corn is nice, the mashed potatoes are what you'd expect, and the biscuits are heavenly with a little butter and honey. Prices are fair, service is quick, and meal is consistent and fantastic every time. read more

Doesn't look like much when you walk past, but through those doors, greatness is happening. They have 3 things on their menu and that's it. Unlimited sides, unlimited buttermilk biscuits. I could feel my arteries clogging and it was exactly what I was looking for. 3 things on the menu, no to go boxes, only to go bags. Very come as you are type of place and I am here for it! read more

Babe's Chicken Dinner House - Buttermilk Biscuits - Chicken Shop Near Me - Roanoke, Texas

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Super comfort food for this very cold and freeze day. Pretty good family style. Pick your own entree chicken tenders, fried chicken, catfish, chicken fried steak, or smoked chicken. Then they will bring all you can eat sides salad, mashed potatoes, green beans, corn and fresh make biscuits. Yes very good eat and great price. read more

Babe's Chicken Dinner House - Togo meal - Chicken Shop Near Me - Roanoke, Texas

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This place is pretty dang good! You know it's gotta be good when they only have 3 things on the menu. Chicken fried steak, fried chicken or chicken tenders. Add in the bottomless sides... wooooo weeee! Mashed tatters, cream corn, gravy & salad! My biggest complain (and knock for a star) was that we called (as we were turning onto the street) and asked how long the wait would be. The lady said there was no wait, just walk right in. That most definitely was NOT the case. The front of the restaurant (outside) was PACKED! We waited a half hour. If that wouldn't have happened it would have been 4/5 stars. The kid that waited on us was great. He checked in on us numerous times, was fast, friendly and just the amount of chat! The place was really dark. My husbands back was to the window, and the window was in front of me. I could barely see his face or my food. But the food was delicious, a generous amount & came out fast considering that it was PACKED! read more

Meal choices particularly lacking here and the food not well seasoned. But the chicken is excellent, service prompt and the experience classic. If you are a plain eater, like my wife, this is your kind of place. No choice on the sides here in Roanoke, unlike other Babe's locations. Nice bakery nearby for dessert though, which I'll have to try. We enjoyed the décor during the short wait for our meal. Plenty of leftover chicken for the next day. Old town Roanoke has some charm and enough parking. This can be a solid dinner but not truly memorable. read more

Way back in the day before I was a Yelp Elite, I learned about Babe's on a Food Network show called "The Best Thing I Ever Ate". Most of the places featured on that show always seemed so far away from me (I mean - I was but a wee babe) but Melissa D'Arabian finally put one within reach when she mentioned her favorite fried chicken from - you guessed it - right here. Opened in 1993, Babe's in Roanoke is the second restaurant from the owner-operator family, but it was their first sit-down full-service joint and should rightfully be considered the OG location. I always breathe a sigh of relief when I enter and find that there's no wait, even though the place is usually packed to the brim with hungry families and amicable staff. Only two entrees are offered here - fried chicken and chicken fried steak - and though the latter is excellent I implore you that only the former will change your life. Biscuits, white gravy, mixed greens, creamed corn, and mashed potatoes swoop onto your table at the same time as the giant plate of bird or beef. The sides are all superb and can be refilled. Don't be afraid to be indelicate - eat a little of everything, mix it all up. My favorite combo is dipping the fried chicken into Frank's RedHot and the gravy to get crunchy, juicy, spicy, meaty goodness in one bite. Service is quite remarkable, so don't forget to leave a tip when you pay at the counter! I don't know when I'll be back in the DFW area, but I know Babe's will always be on my to-do list when I go. read more

Babe's Chicken Dinner House - drumstick toast! - Chicken Shop Near Me - Roanoke, Texas

Great service and such a cute vibe inside. The food was fresh and sides were replenished promptly. I brought several children with me and the server was so helpful by giving advice on how to NOT buy a full order of meat for each child (which would have been way too much food and very expensive). I have been to several Babes, and besides the carrollton livation, this is my next favorite! read more