I am giving Cracker Barrel a 4th star because I really like their store. I love the hard to find, old-fashioned candy. My kids love the kitschy toys. I love the creaky hard wood floors and the soda in glass bottles in the cooler. My kids love eating there because they make food kids love. My toddler devoured a plate of macaroni and cheese and cinnamon fried apples. There was no food left on any of the childrens' plates. They actually took food off the adults plates and we almost had to ask for more biscuits and cornbread. Amazing. So yes, 4 stars. Personally, I noticed a significant change in the quantity and quality of my meal. I ordered the chicken fried chicken and noticed it had a stingy, unexpected guest quality to it. All of the portions were smaller, probably more like an actual serving, than a restaurant serving. The green beans had no visible onion or bacon like I remembered them having. I barely got any gravy. This is good for my waistline but still, I wanted the gravy to at least run over one edge of my potatoes or chicken. Nope, just dollops right in the middle. My sweet tea was a tad weak. It was good, not great, and I was satisfied. It can be difficult to find a restaurant that caters to everyone from toddlers to seniors but Cracker Barrel does. I would go back again because they do have excellent breakfast. It's served all day. The french toast is really good and it served with real maple syrup in your own little bottle. The bacon is perfect. The coffee is really good too.
(4)
Rhett H.
This store/restaurant is exactly what is claims to be, and it does it very well. Cheap, gut-sticking food with a pinch of remeniscence thrown in. They sell rocking chairs on the front porch. They have the obligatory farm/rural-town memorabilia on the walls. And they have great food. I mean, this is about as gourmet farm food as you can get for the price. They have _real_ maple syrup -- and they serve it hot. Who is in charge of this place? Someone who enjoys eating food? Go figure. Anyhow, the only thing they are missing is more bakery stuff, whole-grain items, and things from the local area (rumor is they use Burger's smokehouse meats), but if this happened then they would be the Blue Bird Bistro, right? Anyhow, don't pass up the big sign on the side of the interstate if you've got to eat some good breakfast. But leave yourself some time afterwards to take a little walk and get the digestion started and you can already start to remenisce about he good old days of the USA when things were simpler and it was legal to use lead paint.
(5)
Joanne H.
This chain way beats denny's, IHOP, and such any day! had the catfish sandwich. it was lightly battered.... best tartar sauce ever... on perfect whole wheat toast.
(4)
Pamela K.
i dont remember if it was this particular one, but my husband and I drove cross country and decided to stop to for a nice meal. well. it was country alright! from the decor to the nic nac's to the good ole country food. i think i would have to say my favorite is the dumplings! cheap and food that hits you in the stomach, all at the right places and sink. i think my only complaint is that we got sooo much stares. my husband being white and me asian, it's like they've never seen a coupling couple before... or maybe they've never seen asian!
(4)
Aaron H.
Met a friend there to have a meal around mid morning. The first impression was good as the store is filled with many different interesting items, but the real draw is the variety of sweets. Mostly vintage candy. I ordered breakfast items to eat as I rarely get to order breakfast in a restaurant. French toast, bacon, & biscuits & gravy. The french toast and the biscuits & gravy were so bland as to be tasteless. Additionally, they were lukewarm in temperature. Very disappointing. The bacon was fine, but that's about it. My son had the mac & cheese, but he only had a few bites of it. Not sure whether he didn't care for it or if he just wasn't that hungry. Service was good, though I didn't complain to them about the food as I don't plan on returning there. The main reason is that the food didn't seem off, just not good to begin with and I highly doubt it would be any different if I visited again.
(2)
Shad B.
If you are looking for home cooked country food then this place is the place to go. They have their own maple syrup and blue berry syrup which is served hot. Their Mac n Cheese is some of the best you can find in a restaurant. It's very creamy and cheesy. My son is very picky about his Mac n cheese and this is the only place I have seen him eat it all before everyone else is done eating. My wife loves the blueberry pancakes with blueberry syrup and my favorite is the sample plate because you get country ham, homemade chicken dumplings and meatloaf which is all very good. Their hashbrown casserole is also very good also.They have great breakfast too. And if you are looking for grits they those too. They have a huge gift store with all the toys and candy you had as a kid. It's fun looking around with the kids and seeing what they think about all the stuff you grew up with.
(4)
Jerice A.
Took my mom for late Mother's Day brunch. Great attentive service, very clean, sometimes long wait line because it's very popular. Great selection for lunch and dinner. Never go wrong here. Fun place to shop for little country items and candy. I love rocking outside, feels like being in the country.
(4)
S S.
The chicken and dumplings was basically a white cream sauce with a few pieces of chicken, nothing spectacular. If you want the gravy over potatoes that's considered a side. My side of broccoli was very small (maybe 3). My husband said his chicken fried stake was over cooked and dry. We never did get our corn bread and biscuits that we ordered.
(2)
Terinna R.
Mmm- I loved their pancakes more than IHOP's, especially with the crispy cinnamon apples as a topping- it was so delicious! Definitely know that they're a franchised breakfast place- just very southern/country compared to Denny's and IHOPS. Service was good at this place. Cheap delicious breakfast :)
(4)
N M.
Our food was hot and really good. Biscuits were a little tough, but everything else was great. I seldom drink hot chocolate made from a package. Our server, Dustin, did a super hot chocolate. He was very friendly as well as super competent. Reminds me to go to Cracker Barrell more often.
(4)
Andrew P.
I don't deviate too far from my "usual" here, but who needs to when it's so good? Mama's French Toast Breakfast next to a warm fire on a cold Saturday. It doesn't get much better than that. :)
(4)
Bobby C.
Kansas to Iowa stop. I remember this place having fun family meals driving across country. However I will say the quality of food has seemed to go down. Still better than the other bigger chains but my burger was very average. The charming country storm is always heartwarming though.
(3)
Elga T.
Delicious breakfast, berry pancakes are so light and tasty! Attentive and nice waitstaff, clean facilities. The store always smells good and the rocking chairs out front relax me....
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Brunch Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Shelley Y.
I am giving Cracker Barrel a 4th star because I really like their store. I love the hard to find, old-fashioned candy. My kids love the kitschy toys. I love the creaky hard wood floors and the soda in glass bottles in the cooler. My kids love eating there because they make food kids love. My toddler devoured a plate of macaroni and cheese and cinnamon fried apples. There was no food left on any of the childrens' plates. They actually took food off the adults plates and we almost had to ask for more biscuits and cornbread. Amazing. So yes, 4 stars. Personally, I noticed a significant change in the quantity and quality of my meal. I ordered the chicken fried chicken and noticed it had a stingy, unexpected guest quality to it. All of the portions were smaller, probably more like an actual serving, than a restaurant serving. The green beans had no visible onion or bacon like I remembered them having. I barely got any gravy. This is good for my waistline but still, I wanted the gravy to at least run over one edge of my potatoes or chicken. Nope, just dollops right in the middle. My sweet tea was a tad weak. It was good, not great, and I was satisfied. It can be difficult to find a restaurant that caters to everyone from toddlers to seniors but Cracker Barrel does. I would go back again because they do have excellent breakfast. It's served all day. The french toast is really good and it served with real maple syrup in your own little bottle. The bacon is perfect. The coffee is really good too.
(4)Rhett H.
This store/restaurant is exactly what is claims to be, and it does it very well. Cheap, gut-sticking food with a pinch of remeniscence thrown in. They sell rocking chairs on the front porch. They have the obligatory farm/rural-town memorabilia on the walls. And they have great food. I mean, this is about as gourmet farm food as you can get for the price. They have _real_ maple syrup -- and they serve it hot. Who is in charge of this place? Someone who enjoys eating food? Go figure. Anyhow, the only thing they are missing is more bakery stuff, whole-grain items, and things from the local area (rumor is they use Burger's smokehouse meats), but if this happened then they would be the Blue Bird Bistro, right? Anyhow, don't pass up the big sign on the side of the interstate if you've got to eat some good breakfast. But leave yourself some time afterwards to take a little walk and get the digestion started and you can already start to remenisce about he good old days of the USA when things were simpler and it was legal to use lead paint.
(5)Joanne H.
This chain way beats denny's, IHOP, and such any day! had the catfish sandwich. it was lightly battered.... best tartar sauce ever... on perfect whole wheat toast.
(4)Pamela K.
i dont remember if it was this particular one, but my husband and I drove cross country and decided to stop to for a nice meal. well. it was country alright! from the decor to the nic nac's to the good ole country food. i think i would have to say my favorite is the dumplings! cheap and food that hits you in the stomach, all at the right places and sink. i think my only complaint is that we got sooo much stares. my husband being white and me asian, it's like they've never seen a coupling couple before... or maybe they've never seen asian!
(4)Aaron H.
Met a friend there to have a meal around mid morning. The first impression was good as the store is filled with many different interesting items, but the real draw is the variety of sweets. Mostly vintage candy. I ordered breakfast items to eat as I rarely get to order breakfast in a restaurant. French toast, bacon, & biscuits & gravy. The french toast and the biscuits & gravy were so bland as to be tasteless. Additionally, they were lukewarm in temperature. Very disappointing. The bacon was fine, but that's about it. My son had the mac & cheese, but he only had a few bites of it. Not sure whether he didn't care for it or if he just wasn't that hungry. Service was good, though I didn't complain to them about the food as I don't plan on returning there. The main reason is that the food didn't seem off, just not good to begin with and I highly doubt it would be any different if I visited again.
(2)Shad B.
If you are looking for home cooked country food then this place is the place to go. They have their own maple syrup and blue berry syrup which is served hot. Their Mac n Cheese is some of the best you can find in a restaurant. It's very creamy and cheesy. My son is very picky about his Mac n cheese and this is the only place I have seen him eat it all before everyone else is done eating. My wife loves the blueberry pancakes with blueberry syrup and my favorite is the sample plate because you get country ham, homemade chicken dumplings and meatloaf which is all very good. Their hashbrown casserole is also very good also.They have great breakfast too. And if you are looking for grits they those too. They have a huge gift store with all the toys and candy you had as a kid. It's fun looking around with the kids and seeing what they think about all the stuff you grew up with.
(4)Jerice A.
Took my mom for late Mother's Day brunch. Great attentive service, very clean, sometimes long wait line because it's very popular. Great selection for lunch and dinner. Never go wrong here. Fun place to shop for little country items and candy. I love rocking outside, feels like being in the country.
(4)S S.
The chicken and dumplings was basically a white cream sauce with a few pieces of chicken, nothing spectacular. If you want the gravy over potatoes that's considered a side. My side of broccoli was very small (maybe 3). My husband said his chicken fried stake was over cooked and dry. We never did get our corn bread and biscuits that we ordered.
(2)Terinna R.
Mmm- I loved their pancakes more than IHOP's, especially with the crispy cinnamon apples as a topping- it was so delicious! Definitely know that they're a franchised breakfast place- just very southern/country compared to Denny's and IHOPS. Service was good at this place. Cheap delicious breakfast :)
(4)N M.
Our food was hot and really good. Biscuits were a little tough, but everything else was great. I seldom drink hot chocolate made from a package. Our server, Dustin, did a super hot chocolate. He was very friendly as well as super competent. Reminds me to go to Cracker Barrell more often.
(4)Andrew P.
I don't deviate too far from my "usual" here, but who needs to when it's so good? Mama's French Toast Breakfast next to a warm fire on a cold Saturday. It doesn't get much better than that. :)
(4)Bobby C.
Kansas to Iowa stop. I remember this place having fun family meals driving across country. However I will say the quality of food has seemed to go down. Still better than the other bigger chains but my burger was very average. The charming country storm is always heartwarming though.
(3)Elga T.
Delicious breakfast, berry pancakes are so light and tasty! Attentive and nice waitstaff, clean facilities. The store always smells good and the rocking chairs out front relax me....
(5)