Cracker Barrel coming to California

May 07, 2017, 06:40 AM

msfzoe

My favorite offering...
Grandpa's Country Fried Breakfast®

Two farm fresh eggs* with grits and your choice of Fried Apples or Hashbrown Casserole plus Chicken Fried Chicken or Country Fried Steak. Comes with All the Fixin’s: Sawmill Gravy, homemade Buttermilk Biscuits, real butter and the best Preserves n’ Jam.

May 07, 2017, 06:40 AM

45 Cal

quote:
Originally posted by egregore:
Is no one happy that a business is doing so well that it's expanding, creating jobs in the process? Get away from "the food sucks" and look at the bigger picture.

I lived in the Victorville area for 20 years (1983-2003). It, and the adjacent cities of Apple Valley and Hesperia, grew exponentially when I was there, with a brief halt when George AFB was closed, and more since then. As for Cracker Barrel, it's passable and cheap. Next they need a Waffle House.

I am old and cranky,I will not spend my money in places that offend me.C B does and many others,there is target,Bass pro texico gas mackey D;s krogers k mart .

May 07, 2017, 06:42 AM

John Steed

The one near here is not bad. I don't consider it a fast food place since you sit down at a table, have a waitress, and don't throw away your dishes and silverware when you finish.

May 07, 2017, 07:18 AM

V-Tail

Am I odd man out? OK, I do not like the fake "country" atmosphere, service is usually slow (exception, one of my co-worker's daughters is a manager at a local Cracker Barrel, we always get great service when she's working, but that's an exception).

However, I find that the food is pretty high quality. Maybe it's just because I have settled on a few breakfast type items that I order. It's one of the very few places I have found that has Tennessee style Country Ham, which I like. Their bacon is good, better than most restaurants. I do like their hash brown casserole. Along with their pancakes or waffles (preferably the pecan type) they serve maple syrup. Actual maple syrup, not maple flavored "pancake syrup."

Executive summary: I find the food quality significantly better than just about any other chain restaurant (Chick-Fil-A is also in that category), I do not like the ambience, and the service is generally below par.

May 07, 2017, 07:26 AM

MagicHorse

I use to live near a good one, my parents eat out for breakfast probably 5 times a week & they'd usually go there at least once to make me happy. I absolutely love their chicken pot pies, but they were not available til 11 am, which was later than my parent's preferred to go for breakfast. We went often enough that we would call them & they'd always get them ready a bit early for us.

May 07, 2017, 08:08 AM

lyman

we only do breakfast at CB,
they do a good pancake, and the rest is not bad either,
except the 'sawmill' gravy, that stuff is so gelatinous you can bounce stuff off the top of it,

and yes, the biscuits are not the best but the cornbread is ok for sweet cornbread

May 07, 2017, 08:23 AM

Skull Leader

Cracker Barrel used to be a great place to eat. Now it's just the place I go if there isn't anything else available. My grandparents like to eat there so when I'm driving them around we normally stop there.

May 07, 2017, 09:10 AM

blueye

First tried it about 1990 when I moved to Texas and it was very good, just tried it again about 2015 and it was horrible.

May 07, 2017, 09:21 AM

MikeNH

There was one near my apartment in Michigan. I liked it, especially the grilled chicken tenders. There isn't one close to me now though.

May 07, 2017, 09:44 AM

arfmel

I love to look at the chinese-made imitation Americana in their gift shop. Every one of their restaurants is a tourist trap unto itself.

The food is so-so. I prefer their breakfast menu items over the other stuff. Their biscuits always strangle me and I agree that the sawmill gravy would make a very satisfactory wallpaper paste.

May 07, 2017, 09:49 AM

Todd Huffman

We'll usually stop at Cracker Barrel for breakfast if we're travelling, but other than that I rarely eat there. It's ok, but there are better options here in town locally. When I'm driving I don't have time to search out something, so Cracker Barrel is usually a known deal at least.

May 07, 2017, 10:33 AM

sig229-SAS

I travel frequently and CB meets my needs. I get to get the stiffness out of my back and legs from driving and the food is middle of the road. The atmosphere is flaky but I don't care unless it is winter time and fire place is lit, that is a nice change.

I don't eat heavily when driving, my favorite is their BLT but no sides.

May 07, 2017, 10:57 AM

mbinky

Mmmm hashbrown casserole....

I only go there for breakfast. It's good but a tad bit pricey I think. I have actually never eaten a lunch or dinner there. I do try to show up before 7 (6 is best) because they get crowded fast.

And I love playing those little peg games while I wait.

May 07, 2017, 11:26 AM

lyman

quote:
Originally posted by arfmel:
I love to look at the chinese-made imitation Americana in their gift shop. Every one of their restaurants is a tourist trap unto itself.

The food is so-so. I prefer their breakfast menu items over the other stuff. Their biscuits always strangle me and I agree that the sawmill gravy would make a very satisfactory wallpaper paste.

I like to stand a spoon up in it, and see if it falls before we finish and leave,

or if that bothers the wife, I will tap it with a spoon to see how long it takes to break the surface tension,,,

May 07, 2017, 11:32 AM

Skins2881

quote:
Originally posted by V-Tail:
Am I odd man out? OK, I do not like the fake "country" atmosphere, service is usually slow (exception, one of my co-worker's daughters is a manager at a local Cracker Barrel, we always get great service when she's working, but that's an exception).

However, I find that the food is pretty high quality. Maybe it's just because I have settled on a few breakfast type items that I order. It's one of the very few places I have found that has Tennessee style Country Ham, which I like. Their bacon is good, better than most restaurants. I do like their hash brown casserole. Along with their pancakes or waffles (preferably the pecan type) they serve maple syrup. Actual maple syrup, not maple flavored "pancake syrup."

Executive summary: I find the food quality significantly better than just about any other chain restaurant (Chick-Fil-A is also in that category), I do not like the ambience, and the service is generally below par.

I would eat CFA 100/100 if I was given a choice. You could have stopped after your first sentence and I'd be 100% in agreement with you. Fake atmosphere, zero hospitality, food is often cold when severed, food is mediocre at best. I'm not going to wait in line for 45 minutes for food that is expensive, but doesn't taste good, and served by someone who failed out as a waiter at Red Lobster. I dread it when I'm with a group and everyone wants CB. I rather eat McDonald's.

Now the little greasy spoon down the road from my house, I'll take that. Give me some corned beef hash and eggs or one of their egg sandwiches and I'm a happy guy.

May 07, 2017, 12:20 PM

corsair

Funny seeing various posts including the words 'great' and 'Cracker Barrel' together. It's a thematic, national restaurant chain, that alone should be a warning sign to stay away and keep any and all expectations to a minimum. Yes, their bacon and ham steak is tasty but, that doesn't off-set the canned garbage and reconstituted powders that they call food. I'll give my business to the local diner, owned by the local family, that employs the locals before going to a national theme chain.