Even then the corn bread was made from scratch. They hand roll biscuits and make our mashed potatoes and gravy from scratch all day long in each restaurant. They slow roast their beef for 18 hours, dip and bread the Sunday Homestyle Chicken by hand. Cracker Barrel's menu is based on traditional Southern cuisine, with appearance and decor designed to resemble an old-fashioned general store.
Food with Care
One thing Pleasing People means is preparing each and every one of our menu items with the highest care.Cracker BarrelIn 1969, a Tennessee man named Dan Evins saw an unmet need.
The Interstate was expanding-connecting people to new places-but people on the move couldn't count on a consistent, quality place to stop along the way. To stretch their legs, refuel, and find a good meal at a fair price. Evins had a vision to build an old country store to meet their needs-a place that preserved the ingredients of country life to share with travelers on the road and families from nearby.Before Evins knew it, the idea was much bigger than him. Built by hard work, a mission of Pleasing People, strong values and genuine hospitality, the cooks, wait staff, operators and Evins Uncle Herschel McCartney-described as the “soul” of Cracker Barrel created more than a refreshing stop along one's journey. They set an iconic American table for generations to come.
Quality and care we sure love to share
Our recipe for making your meal a success? Quite simple, really. It starts with quality food served with care and offering warm welcomes and friendly service. It takes a dedication to pleasing people and treating our guests and staff like family. Maybe that's why, for more than 50 years, millions of folks have trusted Cracker Barrel as a home-away-from-home where they can get a warm, comforting meal. It's a trust we take seriously and couldn't be more grateful for. And it's a trust we've earned as a homegrown business dedicated to treating our guests to the very best – delicious, hand-prepared fare that's sourced with love and served with a smile.Homegrown is where the heart is
Homegrown food, quite simply, tastes better. With our Tennessee roots, and more than 660 stores in 45 states, sourcing fresh ingredients domestically is core to our beliefs. By far and away, the vast majority of our ingredients come from right here in America. Our green beans, potatoes, farm raised catfish, sweet potatoes, turnip greens, and all of our beef, pork, and poultry are domestically grown or raised.Homemade food makes the difference
"Homemade" may not be an ingredient, but it's something you can taste. That's why we hand roll our biscuits and make our mashed potatoes and gravy from scratch all day long in each of our restaurants. It's why we slow roast our beef for 18 hours, dip and bread our Sunday Homestyle Chicken by hand, and stay true to our heritage of authentic country style cooking after all these years.Raised Well
At Cracker Barrel, everything starts with quality food served with care. That care extends into the way we source ingredients, how we choose and work with our suppliers and our insistence that our suppliers demonstrate a commitment to animal welfare. Read our full Animal Welfare Policy.Cracker Barrel sources all of its beef, pork, poultry, dairy and egg products domestically from suppliers who meet or exceed our standards for animal care, quality and food safety. We give preference to suppliers that can document how they meet or exceed the animal welfare standards set forth by organizations such as:
- United Egg Producers
- Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (Dairy FARM program)
- National Chicken Council
- National Turkey Federation
- National Pork Producers Council
- National Cattlemen's Beef Association
Our Commitments
We're committed to transitioning 100% of our egg supply to be cage-free by the end of calendar year 2026. Cracker Barrel gives purchasing preference to suppliers who have gestation stall free pork available.We support animal production practices that reduce and, where possible, eliminate the need for antibiotic use in food animals. Our goal is that animals used in food production for Cracker Barrel should not routinely be given medically important antibiotics unless a veterinarian determines it necessary. For instance, the chicken served in our restaurants comes from flocks that USDA certifies as not having received medically important antibiotics.
We are committed to an open and honest dialogue about our successes and our challenges on animal welfare, including transparently reporting on our positions and our progress in our annual ESG Report.
High Quality For You, Through & Through
We're committed to sourcing top-notch ingredients, and pleased to share every delicious detail about many of your favorites, right here.
- Noodles with Oodles of Heritage
How do we know our macaroni's great? We get it from a family who's been making pasta since their great-great-great-grandfather started in Brooklyn in 1848.- We're All About Spring Fed Trout
We source our boneless Rainbow Trout fillets from fresh spring water. It's that special touch that gives our trout its refreshingly fresh flavor.- All-Natural Syrup, Naturally
There are no artificial ingredients or preservatives in our syrup, an all-natural blend of 50% maple syrup and 50% cane syrup. We always serve it warm, in your own personal bottle.- Three Generations of One Great Sausage
Our sausage patties come from the Purnell family, who still make sausage the whole hog way, using only premium cuts, just like their Grandpa Fred did when he started back in 1932.- Greens Cooked with Ham? Yes, Ma'am!
Our all-natural, domestically grown turnip greens are simmered with country ham so they're tender and tasty. Add them as a side or enjoy them in our specialty Beans n' Greens.- Walk on the Wild Caught Style
Our Cod is always sourced from 100% sustainable fisheries, is wild caught in the north Atlantic and north Pacific, and features a mild flavor with a dense, flaky fillet.At the core of who we are – and have been since the beginning – is our high-quality food, homemade with care. If we can't source the highest quality ingredients for a menu item, we simply don't serve it. We use blueberries from Maine, Florida oranges for our fresh-squeezed juice, 100% natural syrup individually bottled in Vermont, macaroni made by the same family business for more than 100 years, and rainbow trout sourced from fresh spring waters. We hand roll our biscuits, make our mashed potatoes from scratch and slow-roast our beef for 18 hours in every store – every day. Our commitment to quality is complemented by a growing focus on local ingredients – because homegrown tastes better – and to keeping our menu fresh and exciting with seasonal choices. And in the products we sell, we seek out trusted artisans and vendors to bring our guests the best quality and unique style for their dollar.
- First Cracker Barrel Opened
Dan W. Evins opened the first Cracker Barrel Old Country Store on September 19, 1969, located on Highway 109 in Lebanon, TN. And yes, even then the corn bread was made from scratch.- Cracker Barrel Expanded to 13 Locations
People seemed more than pleased with the cooking, and by 1977, Dan Evins and his investors (most of whom were local friends and associates) had opened 13 stores from Kentucky to Georgia.- Bill Holley Creates Logo
As Cracker Barrel expanded, Dan Evins wanted to redesign the logo for his growing business. Bill Holley, a designer from a Nashville advertising agency, met Dan and sketched his first draft of the Cracker Barrel logo on a napkin.- Cracker Barrel Became Publicly Traded
Flush with praise and the growing loyalty of guests with a taste for homestyle cooking, the company's expansion reached beyond the front porch and onto the stock exchange.- Company Obtained $1 Billion Market Value
The company grew consistently through the 1980s and 1990s, attaining a $1 billion market value by 1992. In 1993, Cracker Barrel's revenue was nearly twice that of any other family restaurant.- Cracker Barrel Expanded to 420 Locations Nationwide
Between 1997 and 2000, the number of Cracker Barrels increased to more than 420 locations.- Cracker Barrel Cares Charity was Formed
Cracker Barrel employees have always joined together to assist their coworkers in times of crisis. What started as simple acts of kindness evolved into Cracker Barrel Cares, an employee-funded non-profit organization formed to help Cracker Barrel employees in times of need.- Cracker Barrel Launched Licensed Products
Cracker Barrel began to deliver the taste of its authentic homestyle goods to supermarkets. Today, a variety of bacon, hams, deli meats, baking mixes and more are available at grocery stores under our CB Old Country Store- Cracker Barrel Goes West
Cracker Barrel brings its popular homestyle Southern cooking to the Golden State for the first time with its location in Victorville, California. After opening stores in the Las Vegas and Portland areas, Cracker Barrel has continued to expand West to bring our unique version of Southern hospitality and charm to Victorville and the state of California.- Cracker Barrel Acquired Maple Street Biscuit Company
Maple Street Biscuit Company is a breakfast and lunch company focused on comfort food with a modern twist, gracious service, immaculately clean stores, and sustainable business. Maple Street is driven by a mission to help people, serve others, and be a part of the community. The company currently has over 50 open locations across 10 states.- Cracker Barrel Turns 50
Founded in 1969, this year Cracker Barrel celebrates its 50th anniversary of bringing its mission of Pleasing People to life.- Cracker Barrel Kitchen Launches in Hollywood
Cracker Barrel launches its first ghost kitchen on the West Coast in Hollywood, CA. Exclusively offering homestyle favorites through delivery with DoorDash, Uber Eats, and GrubHub. The opening marks our brand's first entrance into the Los Angeles market, with additional markets forthcoming.- Launch of The Pancake Kitchen by Cracker Barrel
The Pancake Kitchen by Cracker Barrel offers a variety of our buttermilk pancake favorites and breakfast favorites any time of day. Available for delivery and pickup through DoorDash, Uber Eats, and GrubHub so our guests can enjoy homestyle favorites anywhere.- Cracker Barrel Has 662 Restaurants in 45 States
WIKIPEDIACracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc.
American chain of restaurant and gift stores with a Southern country theme. The company's headquarters are in Lebanon, Tennessee, where Cracker Barrel was founded by Dan Evins in 1969. Their early locations were positioned near Interstate Highway exits in the Southeastern and Midwestern United States, but expanded across the country during the 1990s and 2000s. As of August 10, 2023, the company operates 660 stores in 45 states.Cracker Barrel's menu is based on traditional Southern cuisine, with appearance and decor designed to resemble an old-fashioned general store. Each location features a front porch lined with wooden rocking chairs, a stone fireplace, and decorative artifacts from the local area. Cracker Barrel partners with country music performers. It engages in charitable activities, such as its assistance to victims of Hurricane Katrina and injured war veterans.
As a Southern-themed chain, Cracker Barrel serves traditional Southern comfort food often described as "down-home" country cooking. Breakfast is served all day, and there are two menus: one for breakfast, the other for lunch and dinner. Since the first restaurant opened, the menu has featured Southern specialties, including biscuits, fried chicken, and catfish; seasonal and regional menu items were added during the 1980s and 1990s.
The gift shops sell gifts including simple toys representative of the 1950s and 1960s, toy vehicles, puzzles, and woodcrafts. Also sold are country music CDs, DVDs of early classic television, cookbooks, baking mixes, kitchen novelty decor, and early classic brands of candy and snack foods.
Cracker Barrel was founded in 1969 by Dan Evins, a representative for Shell Oil, who developed the restaurant and gift store concept initially as a plan to improve gasoline sales. Designed to resemble the traditional country store that he remembered from his childhood, with a name chosen to give it a Southern country theme, Cracker Barrel was intended to attract the interest of highway travelers. The name comes from the barrels of soda crackers that could be found for sale in small-town stores across the American South in the early 1900s; people would stand around the barrels chatting and catching up, similar in purpose to contemporary office water coolers.
- The first restaurant was built close to Interstate 40, in Lebanon, Tennessee. It opened on September 19, 1969, serving Southern cuisine including biscuits, grits, country ham, and turnip greens.
- Evins incorporated Cracker Barrel in February 1970, and soon opened more locations.
- In the early 1970s, the firm leased land on gasoline station sites near interstate highways to build restaurants. These early locations all featured gas pumps on-site; during gasoline shortages in the mid to late 1970s, the firm began to build restaurants without pumps.
- Cracker Barrel became a publicly traded company in 1981 to raise funds for further expansion. It floated more than half a million shares, raising $10.6 million. Following the initial public offering, Cracker Barrel grew at a rate of around 20 percent per year.
- By 1987, the company had become a chain of more than 50 units in eight states, with annual net sales of almost $81 million.
- The company grew consistently through the 1980s and 1990s, attaining a $1 billion market value by 1992.
- In 1993, their revenue was nearly twice that of any other family restaurant.
- In 1994, It expanded into new markets through the establishment of more traditional Cracker Barrel locations, the majority of them outside the South.
- Cracker Barrel did not close any locations until 1995, when a location on in Memphis, Tennessee was closed due to it no longer meeting the company's standards.
- By September 1997, Cracker Barrel had 314 restaurants, and aimed to increase the number of stores by approximately 50 per year over the following five years. Cracker Barrel's president, Ron Magruder, stated that the chain was concentrating on strengthening its core theme, offering traditional foods and retail in a country store setting, with good service and country music.
- The number of combined restaurants and stores owned by Cracker Barrel increased between 1997 and 2000, to more than 420 locations.
- By 2011, Cracker Barrel had opened more than 600 restaurants in 42 states.
- The company has since begun expansion to the West Coast: in 2017, their first store in the region opened in Tualatin, Oregon, and their first store in California was opened the next year in Victorville.
- In 2019 Cracker Barrel purchased Maple Street Biscuit Company for $36 million cash.
- Cracker Barrel partnered with DoorDash in 2020, it was their first partnership with a delivery service.
- Cracker Barrel permanently added alcohol to its menu for the first time in September 2020.
The locations are themed around the idea of a traditional Southern U.S. general store. Items used to decorate each store are authentic artifacts, including everyday objects from the early 1900s and after. Each location's exterior features a front porch lined with wooden rocking chairs, while the interiors all include five common decorations: a shotgun, a cookstove, a deer head, a telephone, and a traffic light. Every table has a wooden peg solitaire game. The decor at each location also includes artifacts related to the local history of the area, such as antique household tools, old calendars and posters, and antique photographs.
Cracker BarrelDecember 2021
Making a meal decision can be tough, but it doesn't have to be. We're here to answer that infamous question everybody asks when they pull up a chair and take that first glance at our paper menus. "What's good here?" (All of it, but we're biased). So, we checked with our guests to learn their favorites and compiled the 10 most popular menu items that you should try at Cracker Barrel.We take great pride in ensuring that the food we serve is the freshest quality, with the vast majority of our ingredients sourced right here in the USA. "Homemade" is not just a word to us. It's something you can taste. Served with care and a smile and we can't wait to serve you.
- Momma's Pancake Breakfast
Drumroll please... They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day and we couldn't agree more. Especially when Our Mama's Pancake Breakfast comes with three buttermilk pancakes, two farm-fresh eggs, and your choice of Thick-Sliced Bacon or Smoked Sausage. Top it off with 100% Pure Natural Syrup, and you'll see why this takes the number one spot!- Chicken n' Dumplins'
- Meatloaf
- Grilled Chicken Tenders
- Country Fried Steak
- Roast Beef
- Chicken Fried Chicken
- Southern Fried Chicken
- Grandma's Sampler
- Old Timer's Breakfast
- Honorable Mention: Country Vegetable Plate
The Daily MealFebruary 2023
At the end of the day, the main reason people flock to Cracker Barrel is for a solid meal. Which comes as no surprise: Cracker Barrel boasts an impressively extensive menu that offers a wide variety of deliciously indulgent dishes, ranging from specialty pancakes stuffed with cheesecake to crispy pieces of bone-in Southern fried chicken. But if you aren't clued in to all of the best dishes that the restaurant cooks up in its kitchens, you might feel a little left in the dark when it's time to order. Luckily for you, we're well acquainted with the ins and outs of Cracker Barrel's menu - and we're here to spill the beans on what's best. Here are 12 foods you should be ordering at Cracker Barrel.
- Loaded Hashbrown Casserole
Cracker Barrel has become well known for its hashbrown casserole, which is made with shredded potatoes, chopped onions, and cheese. But the restaurant takes this dish a step further by kicking it up a notch to offer a version that's loaded with some extra toppings. Cracker Barrel's loaded hashbrown casserole amps up the richness by topping it with a little extra Colby cheese - and then knocks it out of the park by sprinkling on some crispy bits of smokey bacon. When the flavor of creamy and crispy strands of potatoes mix with melted cheese and bacon, each bite tastes better than the last. Every forkful is a burst of smoky, cheesy flavor filled with starchy goodness. One thing's for sure: A visit to Cracker Barrel isn't truly complete until you've enjoyed a plate of the restaurant's loaded hashbrown casserole.- Turkey n' Dressing
- Old Timer's Breakfast
- Country Fried Steak
- Mac and Cheese
- Chicken and Dumplings
- Pecan Pancakes
- Meatloaf
- Chicken Fried Chicken
- Peach Cobbler
- Chicken Pot Pie
- Loaded Hashbrown Casserole Tots
I Tried Cracker Barrel's New Menu-These Are The 6 Dishes That Still Live In My Head Rent-Free
Here's your excuse to plan a road trip.DelishSeptember 2024
You might be loyal to an iconic Cracker Barrel dish, like the chicken and dumplings, country fried steak, or their iconic meatloaf. But the brand has been rolling out exciting menu items that might convince you to change your order.Our team of food experts had the chance to try 11 of Cracker Barrel's new menu items-from sweet to savory to boozy. There's truly something for everyone. But unless you're traveling with your entire extended family, you may not be able to order it all. To make your decision easier, we've rounded up the six best new dishes on the Cracker Barrel menu that are worth ordering. And honestly? They're so good that it's worth taking a road trip for these dishes alone.
- Southern BBQ Ribs
These smoky, sticky ribs are everything we want. They're slow cooked until the meat falls apart off the bone and have the same savory flavor that we love in a Thanksgiving ham. The sauce, however, is what takes these ribs to the next level. It's sweet and sticky and acts as a perfect foil for the pork.- Pot Roast
- Hash Brown Casserole Shepherd's Pie
- Cinnamon Swirl French Toast
- Sparkling Sugar Plum Mimosa
- Creole Shrimp Skillet
Spoon UniversityJune 2018
Needless to say, I've ate through my fair share of the Cracker Barrel menu over the years. Here are just a few of my faves, ranked by how great they taste. But fair warning: If you don't live close to one, you may find yourself taking a long drive to your closest country store stat.Between all the desserts, hearty sides, and fried dishes, you really can't go wrong with anything on Cracker Barrel's menu. Just remember that if you go, you have to order their mac n' cheese, and take a look around their country store in front before you pay the check.
- Macaroni n' Cheese
Super creamy and browned to perfection, CB's macaroni n' cheese is a must-order at every visit. Also, because mac n' cheese. Come on.- Loaded Hash Brown Casserole
- Cracker Barrel Campfire S'more
- Country Fried Steak
- Chicken Fried Chicken
- Sunday Homestyle Chicken
- Hash Brown Casserole
- Grandpa's Country Fried Breakfast
- Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola Cake
- Country Fried Shrimp
- US Farm-Raised Grilled Catfish
- Fresh Steamed Broccoli
- Uncle Herschel's Favorite
- Eggs-in-a-Basket
- Chicken n' Dumplins
I Tried Every Classic Cracker Barrel Breakfast & the Winner Had a Bit of Everything
We sampled all the popular all-day breakfast options to find ones that are most worth ordering.Eat This, Not That!July 2024
The southern-style eatery just has a way of making you feel at home, especially since many of its dishes are, in fact, named after your own family members. You can indulge in Momma's Pancakes, Grandma's Sampler, or even Grandpa's Country Fried Breakfast for a touch of hearty flavors and nostalgia. Really, the only unsettling part of the entire experience is having to narrow it down to just one morning meal.To help you in your decision-making, I've created a list of the most iconic Cracker Barrel breakfasts by pulling information from the restaurant's archives, customer reviews, and straight from the mouth of a knowledgeable waitress. Then, I took things a step further by testing all of these creations for myself-with the help of a few friends-to find out which really stands as the most satisfying and classic dish of all time. I reckon these results will ruffle some feathers, but my top pick is one that's impossible not to love.
Here's how these nine popular options fared, ranked in descending order from my least favorite to the best entree of all.
- Grandma's Sampler Pancake Breakfast
For customers with a wandering eye, Grandma's Sampler Pancake Breakfast could be just what you need. The meal is just like it sounds, offering a taste from many areas of the breakfast menu. It comes with two eggs served any style, one breakfast side, and a meat sampling, including bacon, a smoked sausage patty, and either sugar-cured or country ham. Last, the piece de resistance is the plate of two buttermilk pancakes with butter and your choice of syrup. Grandma offers all of this for a price of $11.39–not too shabby if you ask me.The Look: I thought with a name like Grandma's, this might contain dainty portions. But, I was wrong. Altogether, it's over a plate and a half of food, separated into the eggs, meat, and side sampler and then a platter featuring just the two gleaming flapjacks.
The Taste: A breakfast both grandma and I approve of. Needless to say, the pancakes are once again scrumptious with their soft insides and crisp outsides. There are fewer of them to love, but still plenty for one person. I also adore this meal because it offers the best of the best on the opposing platter as well. It's not just an afterthought. Here, you don't have to pick between bacon and sausage. You automatically receive both as well as a bonus piece of ham which is a game-changer-specifically the sugar-cured variety. And in addition to your eggs, you also get the privilege of picking a side, so you can still indulge in that heavenly cheesy potato casserole.
As a whole, the breakfast is the epitome of a down-home comfort food breakfast and just a smidge better than the previous offering due to its diversity. Sorry, Momma, but I think Grandma has you beat on this one.
- Momma's Pancake Breakfast
- Momma's French Toast Breakfast
- The Country Boy Breakfast
- Stuffed Cheesecake Pancake
- Grandpa's Country Fried Breakfast
- Homestyle Breakfast
- Old Timer's Breakfast
- New York Strip Steak n' Eggs
MashedOctober 2020
Founded in Tennessee in 1969, Cracker Barrel has become a roadside attraction in of itself, growing to over 600 locations in over 40 states across the country. Maybe, it's the gentle rocking of their iconic, American-made porch chairs, or the familiar decor adorning their walls, but there's just something about Cracker Barrel that has us heading off the highway for a slice of comfort (and maybe some pie). Looking past the extremely generous portions they're serving up, Cracker Barrel has become an industry leader, carving out their own niche in the market while building upon the classic ideals of life in the South. On a visit, you can expect a homey atmosphere, their signature offerings of classic comfort food, and a dollop of Southern hospitality.It's time to put down the triangle peg game, because we're bringing you the best things to order at Cracker Barrel.
- Cracker Barrel's Country Fried Steak
If you're homesick for mama's cooking, few things satisfy your craving for down-home goodness more than chicken fried steak. We pretty much get all the feels when it comes to frying just about anything found in the kitchen. While fried chicken seems to take all the glory, chicken fried steak is the dark horse that deserves our attention. The history of the dish offers much debate, but according to The Culture Trip, we can likely thank the European settlers who came to America. When German and Austrian expats landed in Texas, they brought along with them recipes from their homeland, including wiener schnitzel. Based on affordability and availability, it's thought that they likely grabbed cheap cuts of beef, resulting in what we now know as chicken fried steak.What stands out about Cracker Barrel's version, called Country Fried Steak, is they've really nailed the meat to breading ratio. The USDA Choice steak (which happens to be surprisingly tender for its price point) is coated in a perfect blend of flour, egg, and just the right amount of seasoning. This dish may push your maximum sodium count for the day, but it's so worth it. Stretchy pants are not included.
- Chicken n' Dumplins
- Broccoli
- Sugar Cured Ham
- Macaroni n' Cheese
- Meatloaf
- Sunrise Sampler
- Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola Cake
- Hashbrown Casserole
- Sunday Homestyle Chicken
- Mashed Potatoes with Sawmill Gravy
- Country Ham n' Biscuit Side
- Country Fried Shrimp
- Sweet Tea
RankerSeptember 2024
Heading to Cracker Barrel but aren't sure what to order? Founded in 1969, Cracker Barrel is one of the most popular roadside restaurants, with locations strategically placed near popular interstate exits. Featuring an inviting ambiance, which typically includes a crackling fireplace and a gift store, Cracker Barrel is known for serving up some of the sweetest dishes this side of the Mississippi.What's your go-to order from the Cracker Barrel menu? With generous breakfast plates like the Sunrise Sampler and Country Morning Breakfast, there's no shortage of delicious options. Of course, Cracker Barrel also offers a range of lunch and dinner choices, including southern fried chicken, homestyle BLTs, and more.
This list includes every menu item at Cracker Barrel with images of each. Vote up your favorites, vote down the ones you tried but didn't like, and add any dishes you enjoyed but aren't listed.
- Hashbrown Casserole
- Country Fried Steak
- Saturday Southern Fried Chicken
- Southern Fried Chicken
- Thursday Turkey n' Dressing
- Dumplins
- Macaroni n' Cheese
- Mashed Potatoes with Gravy
- Fried Apples
- Sunday Homestyle Chicken
- Chicken Fried Chicken
- Chicken n' Dumplins
- Country Green Beans
- Sugar Cured Ham
- Grandpa's Country Fried Breakfast
- Chicken Tenderloins
- Old Timer's Breakfast
- Country Boy Breakfast
- Grilled Cheese Sandwich
- Sweet Whole Baby Carrots
12 Of Cracker Barrel's Most Southern Dishes
These dishes will make any Southerner feel right at home.Southern LivingSeptember 2023
There's no denying that Southerners love their food and are darn proud of it, too. Food is such an integral part of life in the South from barbecues to potlucks to tailgates to Sunday suppers and Easter feasts-basically all of our gatherings.But when you can't eat with your family around the table or just want someone else to fry up the catfish for once, some Southerners head to Cracker Barrel for a little taste of home.
Cracker Barrel does a pretty good job of featuring the South's most iconic plates like cornbread, buttermilk biscuits, and fried okra. Here are a few of the most Southern dishes at Cracker Barrel.
- Southern Fried Chicken
Fried chicken is always a tasty bet. They serve up their version with its own special seasoning, fried until it's golden, and served up hot with honey for drizzling (tasty, if not strictly traditional). Pair it with mac 'n' cheese, a buttermilk biscuit, and a glass of their sweet tea or a bottle of root beer, and you'll be set.- Chicken and Dumplings
- Bowl of Turnip Greens
- Fruit Cobbler
- Country Ham
- Country Fried Shrimp
- Chicken Fried Steak
- Thursday Turkey n' Dressing
- Grits
- Sawmill Gravy
- Fried Apples
- Hashbrown Casserole
ChowhoundJune 2024
If you're craving some homestyle food such as baked potatoes, look no further than Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, which takes its menu inspiration from country favorites that taste like they're right out of grandma's kitchen. This chain has over 650 restaurants all over the United States and a fixture in 45 states. Regular patrons have their favorites but there are plenty of gems on the menu that don't get as much attention as the classics and specials. Some are menu items that are often overlooked while other gems are combinations of normal items that, when put together, transform into an even more mouthwatering meal. There are even off-menu treats that you can get at Cracker Barrel if you know to ask.The restaurant's biscuits appear often on our list thanks to their delicious flavor and flaky, soft texture. But you'd be surprised how many ways you can upgrade a simple biscuit and some of the best menu items at Cracker Barrel and turn these biscuits into a tasty meal or side dish. Cracker Barrel's chicken tenders also get rave reviews but some of the hidden gems include new ways to prepare them, pairings that boost the flavor, or added sauces that make them even more delicious. There are also seasonal selections, must-order sides, and drinks that will become a permanent fixture in your lineup of Cracker Barrel favorites. Here are some of ours.
- Bee Sting Chicken
This newer menu item doesn't have the following that some of the old favorites do but it's definitely worth checking out. It combines crispy chicken with hot honey drizzle, a condiment that is practically flying off the shelves and getting plenty of attention at restaurants. Honey is a longtime staple of homestyle cooking but the addition of spicy heat makes it something unique. The hot honey is drizzled over the top but you can ask for it on the side as a dipping sauce if you prefer. It's also a good way to get the platter of chicken tenders and customize the heat to your preference or leave it off completely if you're sharing with someone who doesn't want any sauce.You can order it as a platter or sandwich, which is a great option for lunch. The sandwich is served with fries, which you can also dip in the hot honey sauce. Ask for extra on the side as well as sauce drizzled over your chicken to really pump up the heat. The same chicken tenders are also available with sweet mustard barbecue sauce. You can get small dishes of both sauces and mix them for a sweet, tangy, and spicy combination.
- Pancake Tacos
- Buffalo Buttermilk Ranch Mac n' Cheese
- Friday Fish Fry
- Homestyle Grilled Chicken BLT
- Broccoli Cheddar Chicken
- Biscuit Beignets
- Apple Butter
- Loaded Hashbrown Casserole
- Southern Half and Half
- Biscuit Benny
- Ice Cream or a Secret Milkshake
- Cracker Barrel Mixes
Cracker BarrelMarch 2023
At Cracker Barrel, we love our sides! We also love giving our guests lots of choices. Why settle for one side when you can have two (or three)? Our homestyle sides are made with care to perfectly compliment your meal so you can enjoy every bite. And with so many sides to choose from, you won't ever get bored or hungry.Ever wondered what are our most popular sides? We asked our guests, and here are their top 20 favorites.
Believe it or not, this is just our top 20. We have even more side dishes to choose from, from premium sides, like our Bacon Macaroni n' Cheese to sweet Biscuit Beignets.
- Hashbrown Casserole
If you haven't tried our signature Hashbrown Casserole, now is your chance! Add it to your order today and discover why it takes our top spot. Shredded potatoes, Colby cheese, chopped onions, tossed in our own seasoning blend with a touch of salt and pepper, all baked in the oven to create our most popular homestyle side. Pure potato bliss.- Fried Apples
- Loaded Hashbrown Casserole Tots
- Thick-Sliced Bacon
- Green Beans
- Dumplins
- Loaded Hashbrown Casserole
- Macaroni n' Cheese
- Country Fried Pickles
- Mashed Potatoes n' Sawmill Gravy
- White Cheddar Cheese Bites
- Turnip Greens
- Coarse Ground Grits
- Fresh Fruit
- Fried Okra
- Smoked Sausage Patties
- Vegetable Soup
- Carrots
- Steak Fries
- Loaded Baked Sweet Potato