s/o do people really LIKE Cracker Barrel?

[Anonymous]

Only when traveling on the road. It's consistent. You know what you are getting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here.

I think Cracker Barrels are sort of fun. I like the store even though I would never buy anything there and I do like porches and the chairs. Great for road trips. I also grew up poor in the Midwest so it still has a lingering "fun times" aspect to it.

But, the food. It has twice as much sugar as comparative places. The cuts of meat are often somehow shriveled looking or dry. The vegetables are usually swimming in something and are not fresh. The sides are gloppy.

I have not, however, tried some of the things the PPs have listed. I don't recall the pancakes or the chicken and dumplings. Perhaps CB has signature items it does well!

Okay, I'm glad you're at least not as closed-minded as "objectively gross" made you seem?

I don't know about the sugar. I wouldn't expect "fresh" vegetables there or at too many southern/soul/county restaurants below a certain price point (or with a spin, like they're vegan or something). And I just mean, collard greens made traditionally can be excellent and sophisticated, but they're "swimming in something" by design. They're not "fresh" if fresh is a euphemism for raw, steamed, grilled, roasted or lightly sauteed. Most southern/country veggies, even when well-prepared tend towards the braised or deep fried. Don't get like the corn or steamed carrots or broccoli. If you want those things, go elsewhere.

Some of the things you're saying ("gloppy") are just... basically going to be the case to some extent for any dine-in type chain at this price point with few exceptions. Applebee's, Friday's, etc. etc. etc. Or rather, true of many of the dishes.

The things to order at Cracker Barrel IMO-- with the caveat that I haven't had it in years d/t living in DC and minimal traveling EXCEPT for getting their breakfast to eat with my grandmother recently--

Fried chicken/chicken-fried steak
Chicken'n'dumplin's
Breakfast food, pretty much all of it-- I'm not sure if I thought the ham was any good, but fine sausage, bacon, etc. and all the other stuff
Beans, turnip greens, any form of potato, biscuits
I can't remember if I like their mac n cheese or okra

That's what you go for-- southern/country food, not salads or sandwiches or "fresh" things IMO

This is a great explanation and list of recommendations. I’ll add:

Green beans and pinto beans (NOT vegetarian and so good)

And yes the mac and cheese is good.

[Anonymous]

good breakfast. nice atmosphere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here.

I think Cracker Barrels are sort of fun. I like the store even though I would never buy anything there and I do like porches and the chairs. Great for road trips. I also grew up poor in the Midwest so it still has a lingering "fun times" aspect to it.

But, the food. It has twice as much sugar as comparative places. The cuts of meat are often somehow shriveled looking or dry. The vegetables are usually swimming in something and are not fresh. The sides are gloppy.

I have not, however, tried some of the things the PPs have listed. I don't recall the pancakes or the chicken and dumplings. Perhaps CB has signature items it does well!

Okay, I'm glad you're at least not as closed-minded as "objectively gross" made you seem?

I don't know about the sugar. I wouldn't expect "fresh" vegetables there or at too many southern/soul/county restaurants below a certain price point (or with a spin, like they're vegan or something). And I just mean, collard greens made traditionally can be excellent and sophisticated, but they're "swimming in something" by design. They're not "fresh" if fresh is a euphemism for raw, steamed, grilled, roasted or lightly sauteed. Most southern/country veggies, even when well-prepared tend towards the braised or deep fried. Don't get like the corn or steamed carrots or broccoli. If you want those things, go elsewhere.

Some of the things you're saying ("gloppy") are just... basically going to be the case to some extent for any dine-in type chain at this price point with few exceptions. Applebee's, Friday's, etc. etc. etc. Or rather, true of many of the dishes.

The things to order at Cracker Barrel IMO-- with the caveat that I haven't had it in years d/t living in DC and minimal traveling EXCEPT for getting their breakfast to eat with my grandmother recently--

Fried chicken/chicken-fried steak
Chicken'n'dumplin's
Breakfast food, pretty much all of it-- I'm not sure if I thought the ham was any good, but fine sausage, bacon, etc. and all the other stuff
Beans, turnip greens, any form of potato, biscuits
I can't remember if I like their mac n cheese or okra

That's what you go for-- southern/country food, not salads or sandwiches or "fresh" things IMO

This is a great explanation and list of recommendations. I’ll add:

Green beans and pinto beans (NOT vegetarian and so good)

And yes the mac and cheese is good.

Definitely all of the above. Why hasn't anyone mentioned the "fried" apples? OMG. Soooooooooo good!!!

[Anonymous]

Cracker Barrel, Waffle House, Culver's, White Castle, Skyline Chili - maybe gross to some but a whole bunch of good memories to revisit with each trip.

I worked at a Cracker Barrel in college, at the time they had good salads & grilled chicken options, plus the sourdough bread made good sandwiches. Each to their own.

[Anonymous]

We made the mistake of stopping at one while traveling. My 2 observations:

Most people there weighed over 300 pounds
Most of their menu was swimming in salt and fat

I will never step foot in one again, and it's become a running gag in our family because of how gross it is.

[Anonymous]

Stopping for pancakes during a road trip is the best. And that little peg game is pretty fun.

[Anonymous]

Breakfast is good. Certain dinner items are great. Great road trip food. I like it. I am a bit of a foodie. UMC raised. Biglaw partner.

[Anonymous]

Love the pecan pancakes.

[Anonymous]

When we’re traveling, it’s reliable for sit-down breakfast food. When we go for lunch or dinner, I get a salad, and my kids get apple slices and steamed broccoli with whatever else they pick, so I like that. Their traditional foods are not my style so I can’t comment on those.
We only ever go on road trips.

[Anonymous]

Food poisoning twice

[Anonymous]

I love it! But I’m from Mississippi. It’s comfort food.

[Anonymous]

It's no Bob Evans but their chicken fried steak with mashed potatoes, pork-n-beans and fried apples is a top 10 guilty pleasure for me. I still check their menu to see if they brought back the peanut butter pie.

If you don't like the southern-style meat + 3 you should not go to Cracker Barrel.

[Anonymous]

Not a fan. Don’t like the southern style, and even the people watching is sad. My yankee (not fat) parents like to make a special trip for the southern biscuits and gravy every few months though! We did not grow up with that food (like a pp, I didn’t know of white gravy until I moved to the. Dc area).

[Anonymous]

So unbelievably bland and horrible for you. I don’t get it either, but we’re not missing anything.