Can CRACKER BARREL Be Saved? Declining Chain Review and Breakdown - Southern COMFORT FOODS!

[@jammerfanreturns6282]

This channel's best strength is its ability to create comfort.

[@gabrielpadilla9560]

I love how you opened on the rocking chair lol

[@m.theresa1385]

Awww…. Cracker Barrel was my late father’s favorite place whenever we went to visit. If we were heading out, then dad would prefer cracker barrel over everywhere else. He liked their burgers. (That is unless he wanted fish and chips, then we’d have to bring that home from the takeaway). We have good memories of all of us visiting for a birthday or somesuch, and stopping at cracker barrel before heading to the beach. Those were some good years. Dad passed last year well into his 90’s. Cheers 🍻

[@Rahbinah]

I've never had a bad experience at Cracker Barrel--in terms of food quality or customer service. I hope this chain survives. I love the gift shop. My daughter used to work at Cracker Barrel and she said that a lot of people buy those rocking chairs.

[@clubmogambo3214]

I agree about the service in general, it's remained fairly spot on. But the quality of their food has definitely declined.

[@robinlippy4799]

We have 2 on our porch. So comfortable to sit in.

[@gcanada3005]

You obviously mostly eat frozen dinners. Which coincidentally is what they serve at cracker barrel. Their food is and always was absolutely disgusting

[@monicabrandt6234]

Everytime we travel on 95 we stop at Cracker Barrel... The store and the biscuits and muffins are my favorite...

[@gailsfoodandstuff]

is the one in dumfries va still there? I went there many years ago, but once they changed and widened rt. 234, it was hard to get to and from the parking lot.

[@WanderingRoe]

Tried Cracker Barrel for the first time about a month ago and was officially hooked.

[@roadkillgravy5168]

Did you order something with gravy?

[@bradcrowe668]

Delicious and affordable!

[@Ksigrizzo]

Got to love UA. Worried about calories from a drink as he eats a piece of fried steak covered in gravy! Great vid!

[@Plasticsoldier64]

To be fair, it is actually drinks that push people into obesity. Drinking calories is very efficient!

[@faydalton5375]

I love Cracker Barrel when travelling. Thank you for the nice video.

[@burdeo2313]

My family went to Cracker Barrel all the time. It was so fun walking around the store and exploring all candy while you waited forever to get your seat because it was always crowded. Last time I went (in Colorado) they barely had anything in the store front, and the food portions were smaller and seemed frozen and microwaved. I may have been young, but I’m pretty certain the food quality was 10000x better.

[@Eddi3xBac0n]

That’s because it is all fake food. Nothing is fresh but it’s all powder and canned. I rather make my own Cracker Barrel and KZbin will teach you this.

[@tiffanyi5645]

As a New Yorker I’ve only had the pleasure of eating at Cracker Barrel 3 times: once in Virginia, North and South Carolina….i loved it each time literally no complaints

[@Snowboarder16]

There are several in northern New York state

[@Powerule23]

You're like a lot of us in NYC, we hit them in Maryland, Virginia, and the Carolina's. I went to one in Ohio that had a buffet. I know New Yorker's who must visit when traveling. Me, not so much.

[@robinlippy4799]

We always stopped at the Fredericksburg, one on I-95.

[@caveman1416]

Milford and fishkill probably the closest to nyc

[@Snowboarder16]

@ me to

[@-SarahElizabeth-]

UA mentioned a Chinese noodle soup that was similar in texture to the dumplings at Cracker Barrel. I looked them up. They’re called MIAN GE DA TANG in case anyone else wanted to see. It looks so good! I’m going to try and make it.

[@jpl317]

Loved this review! My wife and I love going to Cracker Barrel. She gets the hash brown bowl and II get the Country Fried steak or chicken. They currently have country fried turkey for this time of year, and it too was delicious. The turnip greens I like, because of the Smokey flavor they add.

[@jasonmarshall2578]

I just ate there last week Thanksgiving meal $13.49 Mac and cheese....hashbrown casserole.....way better then ANY fast food combo meal for $16 ...You do have to point this out.. Also Lunch special for $8.99...

[@zachdoughty1562]

cracker barrel was the shizznit! havnt been there in a long time. was always a treat as a kid when mom and dad took us! another great video as always UA! keep up the great work. 👍🏻

[@ronmexico6551]

The big beer mug is a stein

[@mariojohnson4695]

Cracker Barrel declining is news to me, I love this place. When it’s busy, the service can be a little slow, but I don’t understand why people don’t love this place and it’s a great value. By the way, 86 the turnip greens and get the green beans or the cooked carrots.

[@JohnnyFukcup]

Here in TN, every single one I drive past has a full parking lot.

[@ericstevens7922]

It is smaller, the country fried steak and chicken use to be huge like 3 ti,es that size

[@uaeats]

I thought so too! I wondered if maybe I misremembered or I have just grown

[@Iluthra]

Prices seem high to me.

[@fringedNfab]

Yes they were!

[@m.theresa1385]

Edit: smoked turkey is used to flavor greens as an alternative to pork. They’re available to buy in the market then are cooked with the greens to add flavor. The turnip greens look fresh even though the meat is dry. That’s how it was meant to be. Turnip greens are much more bitter and tougher than collards. Butter would have made them more sweet flavored. They might have eaten well with the Mac and cheese. Are all Asian dumplings a skin folded around a filling, then fried, boiled or steamed? Some other dumplings are made like a dough that is dropped into soup or shaped and boiled, sometimes then fried the nectarines day - or a dough that is shaped and immediately fried to cook. So many dumpling variations.

[@hu_b]

Turnip greens are much more flavorful than collards and take less time to cook ime. Adding meat to flavor them seems weird to me... why cover up their natural flavor.

[@Alan-lv9rw]

I went to a Cracker Barrel in Arkansas a few years ago (4 years?). For about $12 I had steak and eggs, apple cobbler, and a couple other things. Very good value.

[@ypw510]

I think they've been suffering since COVID hit. But then against that kind of describes the entire restaurant industry. Prices have gone up and it might be hard to find enough workers. I'm looking at the online menu for my closest location (never been). They didn't have apple cobbler, but do have peach. 10 oz NY strip and eggs, w/ one side and biscuits - $21.99. Peach cobbler - $6.49. Drip coffee (I assume with refills) - $3.99. I would think they might be dealing with sticker shock as well as people perhaps ordering less if they do come in.

[@RFSpartan]

​@@ypw510Not since COVID ...since that old asshole in the white house has been in control

[@rickdagrexican7351]

Ate at a Pennsylvania location in August and it was busy but could accommodate our 8 person group. Food was very good. I had the trout dinner and it was delicious!

[@Withloveariaxo]

I had Cracker Barrel for the first time probably 2 years ago and I love it! It's not the best ever, but it's just homey and nice! I love the soft biscuits.

[@mikefreaz]

I know Cracker Barrel gets labeled as an old person's place to eat, but it's my 20-year-old sons favorite places to eat for a reasonably priced meal. I've never had a bad meal there. Always consistently solid and tasty food

[@DianaLynn45]

Same here! My college-aged daughters and I eat at Cracker barrel at least two to three times a month. There are a lot of them near us here in VA. It's one of favorite places to eat too! 😋

[@acharis-Annie]

I really enjoyed this review, UA, as I am a fan of CB. (Part of the older crowd, you mentioned) There's one here in MD right over Delaware state line. They are consistently crowded, and I have never had a disappointing meal. However, I never tried the mac and cheese or greens, and based on your review, I never will. I so enjoy the shopping before or after meal as well. They do have many nostalgic items.

[@uaeats]

Yeah I was a little surprised to hear they were not doing well business-wise. It does seem the ones I've been to seemed very popular. Thanks for sharing your experience!

[@DianaLynn45]

I don't know about the turnip greens, but I absolutely LOVE the mac and cheese, as do my daughters. I would eat a huge bowl of just that if they offered it, lol. As with everything else, taste is subjective!

[@dbrano74]

No Cracker Barrel anywhere near me definitely doesn’t need saving! Business is booming! Always packed!

[@dooooodeses]

Love this place! Gem for sure.

[@aimski4280]

I drove about two hours out to try the food at a cracker barrel with a friend. It was our first time. I was so excited. The taste of all the items except for the carrots and green beans were underwhelming at the location I went to. In my opinion, they don't need to change the menu items, they just need to improve on their recipes and cooking. Another friend of mine who can eat almost anything without complaint and isn't a foodie went to one just a couple of months ago and told me that the food wasn't worth having more than once for him and his co-workers who all had to go out of town for their job. Cracker Barrel was the closest food spot for them to go to but they all didn't care for it, so they only went the one time. When I went I got the fried chicken and I had better at popeyes.

[@lizardking58]

This video is not out yet, and I already know Cracker Barrel needs NO SAVING GOOD SIR!!! Not in the Midwest at least 😂

[@elvenstein]

For real. At least in the South, Cracker Barrel still hits. Gimme hash brown casserole all day.

[@ktesha65]

I co-sign this comment 110 percent..It is thriving in the south and other places around America.

[@uaeats]

Perhaps you're right! But apparently they have really struggled in recent times overall. But perhaps they are turning a corner soon

[@johnt4774]

Is it an overreaction to analytics?​@@uaeats

[@BasicMaffs]

In Tulsa Oklahoma the Cracker Barrel parking lot is always packed but I question whether it’ll still be as popular once the boomer generation goes. Lots of cute geezer couples frequenting that place no doubt.

[@mindysuarez1699]

Cracker Barrel is loved in the South ❤. My only problem with them is delivery consistency. They miss something every time or portions are great one time and barely a spoon full the next. Overall, I am a fan.

[@tomalexander4835]

my guy you missed out getting the green beans. The green beans taste like collards, thats prob what you remember. Country fried steak is the bomb as are the dumplins

[@Snowboarder16]

Where is this location?

[@Dizzysurf419]

We completely stopped eating at Cracker Barrel 2 years ago. We only went when we were meeting other people for a meal, and it was always very slow service and the food was always served lukewarm no matter the intended temperature of the meal. Also CB has the greasiest, most tasteless food around, imo. Always covered in syrups and butter to hide the poor preparation. It needs to go away.

[@Ch33no]

All these breakfast joints are dieing a slow death because none of them make anything from scratch anymore. All that food you had came in bags. Premade frozen.

[@EzeICE]

The Mom and Pop shoes are still kicking. The chains not so much.

[@ypw510]

There's nothing all that wrong about being mass-produced in a commissary somewhere. That's what made Howard Johnson's so consistent.

[@Railfan56]

@@ypw510 I worked for HoJo's and their food was delicious.

[@irishspagetti6565]

It's also the customer base dying off too that made breakfast joints popular in the first place, I'm talking the baby boomers, I mean 20, 30, 40 years olds mostly eat breakfast on the go

[@wabberjacky9951]

Exactly why I don’t go to Cracker Barrel anymore , it all taste like a frozen dinner meal not home cooked like it use to be.

[@eddstorm]

Always looking for a Cracker Barrel when on the road. You done messed up UA, needed to go with Dumplins, mashed potatoes & upgrade with hash browns as your side. Biscuits are dope, cornbread needs the butter, & Chix fried steak is my go too as well. Peach iced tea is a winner too.

[@ScottyMania313]

Awesome review UA. l love Cracker Barrel'sfood and happy experience. Cheesy Potato Casserole is tops.

[@TheFlyGuyTyler]

Man, I have been to Cracker Barrel in about 20 years and I live near a couple. This kind of makes me want to visit one

[@islandbee]

Tried CB for the first time in Las Vegas last year. I liked it. Had breakfast. Would be willing to have lunch or dinner next time.

[@wsf3411]

Really enjoyed this. You should do more regular food spots. Think you'd really blow up more because people love honest food content/reviews.

[@wsf3411]

and that mac&cheese is broken because its overcooked severely causing the sauce to break

[@johnmcque4813]

30 odd years ago, I ate at CB's just about daily. I drove a long haul semi from Detroit to Miami, and CB's are placed perfect for me for breakfast, Lunch and dinner. Big Corp buy chain places like this and try to streamline profitability over quality. As years went on, and my route down I-75, I started finding other places, usually mom and pop eateries. CB's went super commercialized, and lost their tactic and one day I order ham and bacon, and both were like jerky.

[@bretthemminger6133]

They are definitely packed for breakfast here in Florida.

[@bretthemminger6133]

you have to do the hashbrown casserole there.

[@uaeats]

Good to hear!

[@brdpit]

Same here in Alabama, can’t hardly get a table in the morning .

[@Matt-jc8rq]

Hashbrowns are a must. I feel this is a breakfast kind of place to get good quality for pricepoint.

[@Eddi3xBac0n]

Imagine being a southerner and can’t cook. Just move out and move to the north yankee

[@josephserenson166]

Me and my wife loved crackle barrel and would go there all the time before covid for strictly their breakfast. It was the sampler one and came with eggs, sausage, country ham, biscuits and gravy, the apples in some sweet sauce and grits. All of that for like 9.99. Went for the first time last year since covid and they got rid of that meal. They had one similar but was missing half the items and was like 12 or 13 dollars. Got the food and both are breakfast meals tasted terrible. We refuse to go back because now we are paying a lot more for a lot less and it doesn't even taste close to what it did 4-5 years ago. It's sad because that was my go-to breakfast because it was so cheap and got a little something of everything with that meal.

[@tinkham01]

In keeping with your old chain restaurant theme and your love for steak, how about a Sizzlers review? I loved that place as a kid, but feel like it's definitely been on its last legs. Would be interesting to get your take on it as a steak lover.

[@DavidSpiker-d8q]

You need to try their green beans that are seasoned & made with bacon! Also their cooked carrots made with honey are excellent too!👍👍

[@velmano9191]

What were you doing before you were UA Eats?

[@francomonoblanco]

Southern to northern Florida is also doing well. They are always packed. It is really popular in the south too.

[@bigcedar61]

I love Cracker Barrel! The one near my house is always bustling. However, I think a few of your choices might have been less-than-stellar. The Country-fried steak isn’t hand-breaded; it comes pre-frozen from a factory. Turnip greens are best with a splash of Pepper Sauce, and the Dumplings are straight from a can. As for the Mac and Cheese, it's fairly average. Personally, I always go for their breakfast menu-it's what they're best known for, in my opinion.

[@alexhusko]

UA, my wife and I ate there this last Saturday and it was absolutely stuffed with people in the restaurant and gift shop. I'm hoping this is just slump period and can be turned around. I'm wondering if the downturn is regionally and demographically curved. I hope it lasts forever, it's such a home cooked restaurant. Love the channel man. Peace

[@danielueblacker9118]

Very good assessment. Thankfully two thirds of the sides were not well, good that the country fried chicken was great. I'm in Maine and moved from NY never been to CB till moving up here. I like it for a nice dinner, with mostly older customers finding a good meal at a reasonable price. I love the roast beef which is as tender as a pot roast. I tried the hash once and never had it after that. The staff either older people or young people were always kind and good. Can't wait for your Thanksgiving Review.

[@patriciazimmerman7024]

If you ever have greens again try pouring a little vinegar on them I think it helps. Also I tend to do breakfast more often at Cracker Barrel

[@randallmunson2098]

That’s a small country fried steak. Try that item at Lambert’s “Home of the Throwed Roll” Cafe.

[@jeanallen6720]

I LOVE CRACKER BARREL! The store is great too!

[@diamond_h0us]

We went to our local Cracker Barrel a couple of weeks ago and it was less busy than we remember. I think it had been a year or so since we went there. The food was good as usual. I think the brand is mostly fine. They just need to advertise more.

[@cristinmccloud1980]

I used to love Cracker Barrel but it’s seems their food is crappier and their prices higher now. You can tell it’s all frozen stuff they reheated. But it’s comfort food, not a fine dining experience. The kids love the toys and candy in the store.

[@takerdust]

2 years ago they brought me a dinner plate with the mixed veggies still inside the plastic pouch. I told the 19 year old newbie male waiter i don't think this is normal, and he tried to b.s. and said oh yeah it is.

[@GoingNorthObv]

@@takerdust Could it have something to do with the covid regulations? This is an honest question, so the political warriors can stay in the woodwork.

[@PebblesOTB]

In the land of never happened

[@swgroove]

Never had a bad meal there...and the lemonade is refillable...and I totally disagree on the Mac & cheese and turnip greens...those are awesome. I'm surprised you didn't get the hash brown casserole...sooooooooo good

[@DianaLynn45]

I suppose taste is subjective. I really LOVE the mac and cheese too! 😋😋

[@295g295]

6:52 - What's the difference between collard greens and turnip greens?

[@joey4523]

At 239 bucks those rocking chairs are not ON sale they're FOR sale.

[@costasworldofmusicmemories5792]

We enjoyed eating at Cracker Barrel growing up. Particularly at many of our travel stops. Ironically, we just placed our take out order for Thanksgiving Dinner at the Cracker Barrel.. We will let you know about that one. Has anyobdy out there had their Thanksgiving Dinner special ? Please let us know. All the best UA 👍👍 Jim and Harriet

[@truth4004]

I think last year they had to cancel their holiday orders Id have a back up just in case.

[@BenBoesh]

You missed it on the sides! Country Green Beans are a must! Forget the greens bro!

[@mreppen1]

Love Cracker Barrel. Way better than Apple Bee’s. And I’m always a sucker for Chicken Fried Steak.

[@ypw510]

Applebee's usually disappoints. If I have my choice for casual dining, it's probably going to be Chili's. Especially since it's not going to drain my wallet with a lot of their best deals.

[@mreppen1]

@ believe me here in Orange County, CA. Chilis is the worst of the worst. They are completely gone.

[@ypw510]

@@mreppen1 I'm pretty sure they're not gone since I've been to the locations in Orange and Buena Park. Heck - I remember trying to go to one with my family a few years ago and was told the wait for a table would be about 45 minutes. They seemed to be doing pretty well.

[@mreppen1]

@@ypw510 the one in Aliso Viejo closed 4 years ago. I’ve always considered them to be crap. But that’s me.

[@ci7210]

When Cracker Barrell in Massachusetts twice and though it was ok but the cornbread and biscuit were dry AF. The fried steak was good.

[@viciousvictortee1298]

Fun Fact. A coworker of many years had gone to brunch with friends At Cracker Barrel one day, only to realise there was a random picture of there Grandparents at there homstead framed above their booth or table. They kinda lost their mind for a minute. They questioned the staff who had no clue. The picture was s printed copy. Because they actually found the original back home. The only logical conclusion we've come up with is that during the early 2000's, The grand parents had scanned there family photo albums and it inadvertently eneded up in one of those freeware type packages . And Cracker barrel bought the Package and framed em and hung em up. 😂

[@maltlickytexas]

😂

[@bheasy1]

Their. Sorry I was distracted from the story.

[@theredsalmon612]

@@bheasy1lmao

[@viciousvictortee1298]

​@@bheasy1Corrected. Thanks!

[@viciousvictortee1298]

Property theft is apparently not talked about as a real problem in the Photography world. The developers of photos would steal photos all the time. Claiming it didn't come out or make up bull shit. Especially during the Non-Digital era. Now they just steal the data.

[@Iluthra]

Ate there only once, pre covid, so it was good, none of the complaints I hear about now. Loved the general store.

[@philipwilliams7947]

Have you ever tried pancake syrup and butter on the corn bread? I like it that way

[@Waldenpunk]

How could you not get the hash brown casserole??

[@jmubreader]

Unfortunately, they use a food service chicken fried steak patty out of a plastic bag. I think the Black Eyed Peas still has the best chicken fried steak of any chain restaurant. It’s made to order.

[@joshualaird5303]

I've only been a handful of times but every time with my dad an it's his favorite so I love it by association

[@w1seguys]

Love Cracker Barrel! Don't have any near me but whenever I visit family in the midwest I have to hit one up.

[@johngaither5522]

Cracker Barrel is doing pretty well here in Michigan from my experience…always busy and the food is still really good

[@bailey32brooks]

love what you do UA but please change the music in the background.change it up some more

[@jeremyyyy95]

This is news to me, wow. Cracker Barrel’s are always typically busy here in Florida and Georgia as well (always a must when visiting). I absolutely love this place, always an enjoyable meal and great service.

[@Deebohhh]

They opened a Cracker Barrel here in Oregon and it closed within 2-3 years of opening. Wasn’t impressed at all so I wasn’t surprised.

[@DianaLynn45]

I think Cracker Barrel is loved by us southern folks more because it's our kind of food 😋

[@Deebohhh]

@@DianaLynn45 Possibly. I had it in Idaho around 2003 and thought it was great but when I tried it again in 2018? It wasn’t what I remembered.

[@edwinbaez3656]

Florida, Maryland, P.A., New Jersey, New York, and Conn. They are all great.

[@Deebohhh]

UA what’s is/was your profession before/during KZbin?

[@bearmerica6668]

I’ll eat their breakfast but I remember getting dry cornbread that was like eating sawdust. I hope they survive though.😊

[@henrydow8286]

i have always felt that cracker barrel had the best mashed potatoes and also the meatloaf is also one of the best not to mention to coke cake

[@chinobandito7625]

Ive tried Cracker Barrel once and got the country fried steak, but mine tasted like freezer burned beef.

[@sallysmitgeddes2270]

Another great one, thx UA❤❤

[@uaeats]

Thanks for watching!

[@clubmogambo3214]

A little FYI. If you've ever wondered how all Cracker Barrell stores/restaurants look identical, it's because they own all the properties, they never lease any buildings. This in turn allows them to build their restaurants identically from scratch.

[@clarktownsend8991]

Was does that gravy look like icing?

[@chloed4513]

I would agree the food can be inconsistent but I stop at a Cracker Barrel on almost every road trip! I also love looking around the shop.

[@jasonpratt5126]

I've been eating at CB for almost as long as it has existed (they started in 1969, I started eating in maybe 75, 76. We don't live far from Lebanon, TN, their headquarters, though usually we ate at Dixon on the road to somewhere else.) Food has gone up and down over the years, and the quality also shifts based on who's in the kitchen (as you might expect). While the brand seems known for Southern comfort food (being from TN of course), really it's country food from anywhere in the US, which is why you'll see some unusual (and seasonally temporary) picks. The cornbread has always been hard, so that ain't changing! Their biscuits for the longest time were super-dry and doughy, very much an acquired taste, mostly useful for sopping after the meal. Current biscuits are much better (and only got upgraded in the past year or two). Ditto for the dumplings, for the longest time they were often too thick and didn't always cook through the middle! (I've eaten probably a literal ton of their dumplings throughout my life.) Much better redesign now. My experience with their veggies (and fruits) has always been hit or miss, don't know why for sure but I suspect in a way they're too fresh -- and so go bad sooner when not used fast enough. (Collard greens were definitely better than turnip IMO, btw.) Breakfast, hard to go wrong with much there, there's a reason they sell it whenever open! I'm impressed by their spread of temporary seasonal offers in recent years. Had their crunchy-breaded turkey just last week (for my birthday), for example, and I might intentionally eat turkey again! {g} I do miss their own root-beer, but they sell craft brews by the bottle. Also I miss their standard blackberry cobbler, for which they somehow got filling that had no seeds (meaning my Dad could eat it -- small teeth, seeds got in the gaps easy.) They do sell filling in the store, but it has seeds and stems. Maybe less processed though. They're still very much worth checking out, just be aware you're rolling the dice a little. A particular store in a town I won't name gave me food poisoning two times in a row from eating fish there! (Historically the worst CB I've ever eaten in, but they've improved significantly since then based on more recent visits.)

[@Maria-np2ms]

I used to love Cracker Barrel but they no longer make omelets since COVID, I don’t eat out for breakfast and pay for eggs I can make at home in 3 minutes! The hash browns are not seasoned! As for their lunch and dinner, I haven’t attempted to eat those items there in about a decade. Back in the 80s and 90s, that was the go to spot while traveling.

[@DianaLynn45]

My family and I are also upset over the omelets! That's what we would always get for breakfast there. It's ridiculous, though, because omelets are so easy to make. I don't understand it 😕

[@luckykat08]

Excellent review - right on the money.

[@commonsenseisntcommon1776]

I still enjoy my local Cracker Barrel, good service and food

[@vincepitts9221]

I loved eating at Cracker Barrel in the 90s with my parents.I don't live any right now. If they opened one up in Toronto I would be really interested to see how it would do.

[@mattman7341]

Prices for their food have grown pretty high for what you get. Not sure if everywhere is the same but in Florida it is not as affordable as it used to be.

[@stoney316]

Is it really declining? Because they opened one here in my city in So Cal

[@jojogian2428]

I went to a Cracker Barrel 2 months ago. The salad was fresh delicious. I do like CB especially for breakfast, blueberry 🫐 pancakes 🥞 and hash browns.

[@BunnyWatson-k1w]

Cracker Barrel is part of an era of comfort food. Another place from the 1970s was Ponderosa. You ordered you steak cafeteria style. There was a salad bar too.

[@ypw510]

I think they still exist. Kind of just barely hanging on. I think 15 Ponderosa locations left, with 4 Bonanza locations left. From the 70s, I remember counter service steakhouses. We had one small chain in California where you could get most items cafeteria style at front and then order a steak at the cashier. Then someone would drop the steak off. I also remember the doneness of the steak was on a wooden pick. Might not have been the same style, but in the west Sizzler was the big steakhouse chain. That was more just line up and order at the counter, but someone would bring everything to the table. Except maybe the soup and salad bar.

[@DianaLynn45]

Omg, you're bringing back fond memories! I remember going to Bonanza and Ponderosa when I was growing up in the 70s, 80s, and 90s!! I remember loving that thick slice of texas toast that was served with the steak at Bonanza 😋

[@CarolAnn-gh9fl]

Cracker Barrel is the best. Breakfast all day.

[@GlennAndrews-dw1cx]

I worked there as a waiter at a location in Mississippi in the 1990’s. My take, first, the food is slop, and that’s my word for it, SLOP. The only good item to me they had was the bread. Almost anyone else has a better breakfast, including McDonald’s. Second, the chain decided about two years ago to sell alcohol. The location where I was employed had a lot of Christian funds types, who went there because it didn’t sell alcohol. I think the decision to sell alcohol ran off their regular customers without attracting new ones. Young people don’t eat out as much, and they don’t want to eat the slop at Cracker, another customer base we had were older, retired people. Third, no one wants to work in one. Younger people again are not calling Uber Eats for it and Seniors don’t use the service. My location died last year. Was probably in business well over thirty years.

[@bonitarobinson7611]

Would be nice, but I had problems with wait service at the stores in Florida. Slow, orders mixed up, trying to get someone to order dessert and even getting a check to leave.

[@ethanmyers4882]

That must’ve been location based because the two sides you complained about I’ve tried and are great at my locations here, just like anywhere it’s management, Cracker Barrel has always had a good product when done right if you like home cooking it’s solid

[@BIGD-gj1vb]

Cracker barrel is old Americana dishes that our grandparents grew up on and have fond memories off. Just like 50's type diner places. Their slowly being diminished because that generation is passing away. It's sad. Our time is short.

[@raymondblanc2345]

I think the last time I went to Cracker Barrel was when I got a Thanksgiving feast there and it was absolutely incredible

[@downsrep]

I concur about the inconsistency. I just went a couple nights ago. Their new fried turkey was dry and they only put a small bit of gravy on it: the hash brown casserole was lukewarm. Potatoes were average. Disappointed in my meal because I usually get the fried chicken breasts but wanted something more seasonal, especially with next week being Thanksgiving. Server was training someone but they should have come back out to check periodically on the guests, not just when bringing something. He would have had good experience that way. Service was average as a result. The restaurant hasn’t been really good for awhile. And don’t get me started on the Mothers Day dinner pickup debacle during Covid 🤣

[@kylebritt1225]

The turnip greens there are a little stringy but here in the south we frequently serve with a little splash of vinegar. It has a nice sharp taste.

[@johndaly1283]

Bless your heart.

[@LilyandOllieTv]

0:17 from my understanding it's not declining they're opening up a lot more stores now so I don't know where the rumor got started that they're declined they shut stores down in areas that aren't doing good Yes due to employment theft but rather than that they're opening up a lot more stores they're doing good

[@fringedNfab]

Used to love Cracker Barrel but haven't been in awhile. A lot of their menu used to be made from scratch in house and when that changed, quality went downhill. Also noticeable was they serve a grown adult enough food to feed a 5 year old for what you pay.

[@demst046]

Great video, love Cracker Barrel!