s/o do people really LIKE Cracker Barrel?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I mean, their parking lots are always full but the food is objectively gross. Or is it merely convenient? They have a larger menu in places that may not have restaurants with lots of options. Do people say "oh, I could get on some Cracker Barrel right now."

np this reminds me of the joke that Yogi Berra "nobody goes to that restaurant; it's too crowded" Why do you care what other people like? Is it really that hard to get that some people like it and others don't without thinking too hard about it? We go there only when traveling by car but, for us it is once every 5 years or so. It's comfort food and we like to look at the shop too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

Ruthies All Day in Arlington does “meat plus three” and the food is bland and has odd textures. The food at Cracker Barrell is better.

You are a weird person, pp.

[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

Had this recently. Ate just a little. Dumplings were tasteless. Gravy had an "off" metallic taste. Chicken was few and far between. Had the runs next day. Won't be returning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it’s definitely the best chain breakfast place. Dislike the other food.

Bob Evans would like a word with you.

[Anonymous]

I'm 48 years old, have done 4 cross country roads trips in my life and somehow have never found myself in a Cracker Barrel.

[Anonymous]

Yes, they know how to season their food. They also sell foods you cannot get elsewhere such as grits, pinto beans, catfish, and greens.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, they know how to season their food. They also sell foods you cannot get elsewhere such as grits, pinto beans, catfish, and greens.

Wut? What part of the US are you living that grits are unavailable?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, they know how to season their food. They also sell foods you cannot get elsewhere such as grits, pinto beans, catfish, and greens.

Wut? What part of the US are you living that grits are unavailable?

Pittsburgh

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, they know how to season their food. They also sell foods you cannot get elsewhere such as grits, pinto beans, catfish, and greens.

Wut? What part of the US are you living that grits are unavailable?

Pittsburgh

Grits are readily available in all Pitsburgh grocery chains.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm 48 years old, have done 4 cross country roads trips in my life and somehow have never found myself in a Cracker Barrel.

So? I've never eaten in a Red Lobster. Should we both get prizes?😁

[Anonymous]

Yes, people love it. They can stretch their legs and get a sit down meal. This gives travelers a much needed break. It is family friendly and everyone can find something they like. The kids like the games on the tables. The older folks like the rocking chairs. The big store is fun to browse through—hilarious t-shirts, cute Knick knacks, eclectic gifts, etc. People like breakfast for dinner or other simple comfort food like Mac n cheese. They have wide tables for large families. It’s not high-end, but it is competing with fast food restaurants like McDonald’s and Wendy’s off the major highways and provides an alternative to fast burger and fries from those joints. It’s food is not 5 star because they are trying to keep a low price point for a very fast, affordable, sit down meal. They know their niche market and stay in their lane.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My husband does, he loves biscuits and gravy. I can find a fine meal there, particularly breakfast, and I like walking around the little store, but I always feel bloated and gross after eating there. It is VERY hard to find anything light.

But when you are driving down 95 with kids and need a substantial break, it is nice and clean, has a porch for them to run some energy out, a cute little store to walk around, and kid friendly fare and is usually pretty expedient.

So it serves its purpose.

Same. We both felt so bloated and gross after eating there that we never returned. The line is long to get in. When I’m on the road, I do not want to wait an hour to eat when I could be driving home for that hour.

[Anonymous]

Fried okra. Nuff said.

[Anonymous]

Love the pork chops.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm 48 years old, have done 4 cross country roads trips in my life and somehow have never found myself in a Cracker Barrel.

So? I've never eaten in a Red Lobster. Should we both get prizes?😁

No, you should get a double order of Cheddar Bay biscuits. And sweet tea.