[justjim]

Going back in time, a cracker barrel was used to store crackers in a general store. This is where Cracker Barrel got their name according to what I have read.

[billybye]

We stopped going there last year, when my wife and I both walked out still hungry.
We are not big eaters and even avoid buffets because we don't eat enough to feel like we got a good deal.
I would rather Cracker Barrel raised prices and served a decent portion meal.
Can't worry about it - too many other places to go.

[DonH57]

Originally Posted by slipcovers

Once was enough for us.....canned green beans....meatloaf floating in canned gravy....instant mashed potato. Discussing food, don't know how Cracker Barrel stays in business.

I absolutely would complain to if I got the above mentioned food served as you described. amazing.

[justjim]

You either like "southern cooking" or you don't. Cracker Barrel makes some things from "scratch" (like biscuits & dumplings) but its all cooked southern style. The way your grandma probably use to cook. Vegetables were canned in those days----before refrigerators and meatloaf had gravy over it they used real butter and buttermilk.

There are few places you can go to get Okra, greens, pinto beans and fried apples. To each their own. I remember grandma being one heck of a cook.

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by justjim

You either like "southern cooking" or you don't. Cracker Barrel makes some things from "scratch" (like biscuits & dumplings) but its all cooked southern style. The way your grandma probably use to cook. Vegetables were canned in those days----before refrigerators and meatloaf had gravy over it they used real butter and buttermilk.

There are few places you can go to get Okra, greens, pinto beans and fried apples. To each their own. I remember grandma being one heck of a cook.

Well, that's one of my big complaints with Cracker Barrel. They use margarine. Real southern cooking should be bacon grease and butter! that's what they used in the dining halls when I went to the University of Georgia, which greatly contributed to my Freshman 15.

[applesoffh]

We were Cracker Barrel regulars driving up and down I-95 between NYC and Orlando. Restaurant and restroom were always very clean and, although the food was far from gourmet, it was decent for "road food". We would go to the CB here for breakfast as they used to serve wonderfulo multi-grain pancakes; however, after our last visit there a year ago, we vowed "never again." Yes, it was still clean, but the food was pretty awful. Never noticed the portion size, just the crummy food. Very disappointing.

[jblum315]

All the Cracker Barrels I've eaten at have been different, some better than others, a few really bad. It's hard to believe that they are all under corporate control; how can they be so different?

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by jblum315

All the Cracker Barrels I've eaten at have been different, some better than others, a few really bad. It's hard to believe that they are all under corporate control; how can they be so different?

You can read all chefs the same recipe, but you can't make 'em cook it the same? (Just a thought.)

[casita37]

Originally Posted by justjim

You either like "southern cooking" or you don't. Cracker Barrel makes some things from "scratch" (like biscuits & dumplings) but its all cooked southern style. The way your grandma probably use to cook. Vegetables were canned in those days----before refrigerators and meatloaf had gravy over it they used real butter and buttermilk.

There are few places you can go to get Okra, greens, pinto beans and fried apples. To each their own. I remember grandma being one heck of a cook.

Have to disagree....I love southern cooking, and that's exactly why I don't care for Cracker Barrel. The last time we were there was the LAST time, unless we find ourselves starving out on the highway, on a road trip.

As a kid, and later as my kids were growing up, we always had to plan on at least twice as much fried okra as was needed for a meal. We would eat it as quickly as it came out of the iron skillet, and it was nothing, nothing, like that mush at CB.

Oh, and the greens taste so processed and disgusting. I could eat real collard greens everyday!!

[Villages PL]

I went to Cracker Barrel twice over a period of about 20 years. Two different Cracker Barrels. Both times I was invited for a holiday meal so I didn't have any choice. I thought the food was okay, not great. What bothered me was the noise. It was so noisy, you had to shout your order to the waiter and you had to shout so others at your table could hear you. It wasn't a relaxing, pleasant atmosphere you would expect for a holiday meal.

I noticed there wasn't anything in there to absorb sound, like carpeting, drapes or acustical ceiling panels. I haven't been there for several years now and don't intend to ever go again.

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by Villages PL

I went to Cracker Barrel twice over a period of about 20 years. Two different Cracker Barrels. Both times I was invited for a holiday meal so I didn't have any choice. I thought the food was okay, not great. What bothered me was the noise. It was so noisy, you had to shout your order to the waiter and you had to shout so others at your table could hear you. It wasn't a relaxing, pleasant atmosphere you would expect for a holiday meal.

I noticed there wasn't anything in there to absorb sound, like carpeting, drapes or acustical ceiling panels. I haven't been there for several years now and don't intend to ever go again.

That's so true of many restaurants, good and bad. Ever been to Bonefish and/or Bonifay? I will put up with Bonefish's noise because the food is so good, but not CB or Bonifay.

[Topspinmo]

Maybe some Euro Buyer brought it and cut the portions way down. Next will be price increase so it will be more inline with Euro style restaurants. Pay more and get less.

I dough CB customers will change and parking lot is always full around lunch time. Use to be good home cooked food for reasonable price.

Amazing when people go to the fancy high priced restaurants pay out the wazoo for the tiny portions thinking they are getting something HIGH class, then think they got good deal, and the food was JUST WONDERFUL cause they usually can't cook and anything good to them