You could say Galvin’s Dinnerhouse is like the St. Joseph version of Stroud’s in Kansas City. Although there are certainly differences in decor and some menu items, they both pride themselves on tender, pan-fried chicken served up family style in a down-home setting. And they’ve both been around long enough to get pretty good at what they do.

Of course, if you live in Northwest Missouri, Galvin’s is a lot closer. It’s located off of U.S. Highway 371 just about a half mile south of the Interstate 229 overpass. The small brick restaurant used to be in open country back in 1940 when the owners began frying chickens they raised on the premises. Although the chickens in the yard are now of the statue variety, they still serve fresh, not frozen, chicken, pan fried in cast-iron pans just like they’ve done for years. Then they dish it up like grandma might have done on Sunday with big platters of mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet corn, green beans and homemade rolls all on a white linen tablecloth decorated with a vase of flowers.

Galvin’s is open Tuesday through Sunday starting at 5 p.m. with the last seating at 8:30 p.m. On Thursdays and Fridays they also offer a lunch buffet from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Reservations are preferred, but not required.