Cracker Barrel Old Country Store — Restaurant in Arlington

Arrived at 9:37,restaurant closes at 10. We’re not greeted but watched five separate employees visually acknowledge us and continue with what they were doing (cleaning their sections and stocking tables) there was nobody to greet us at the stand. The employee in the store area saw us, and walked AWAY from us into the store (there were no other customers in the store at this time). An older man at a table just inside the dining hall called out to us “to grab our menus, and pick a spot…that’s what we did” as he was finishing his meal. There were four people at that table and they were the only table in the restaurant at this time. (he was a customer, and was saying we may as well seat ourselves….) so we did. “May want to duck in the kitchen and let them know you’re here” I said “do you guys need anything else? May as well get it while I’ve got someone’s attention?” He chuckled and said “no no…I’ve asked for butter twice and just didn’t get it, but thank you” I went into the doorway of the kitchen and let them know “hey guys there’s a couple here just outside the door” One server almost walked into me and quickly turned their back to again walk away back into the kitchen rather than to assist us. We self sat and a server finally came out (at this point it is almost 10 on the dot, because nobody would come and give us a seat, or take our drink order or anything) said VERY FAST “the kitchen is about to close so do you already know what you want?” We had barely opened our menus and waited over 20 minutes just to sit. There was ONE other table in the entire restaurant at this time. We placed our drink and appetizer order and she returned with the drinks. We placed our food order. Within a FEW MINUTES ALL OF OUR FOOD CAME OUT at the same time. She also brought our check. A few minutes later she asked if we were okay, and I asked for another glass of tea as we were finishing up. She took the cup, said they poured the tea out already. Do you want anything else and I said no. Just tea. We never saw her again. In previous work situations, if a customer has a beverage from an urn or coffee pot, or you’re closing the bar up and have a customer you leave what they’re having out until you’ve finished serving them. (That’s just how we used to do this stuff…) We saw a manager as we were leaving and he saw us too and HE went to the kitchen. None of this SHOULD have been a problem; we were intentionally avoided…by literally everyone here that was on the clock. There was literally NOBODY ELSE to wait on at all just the two of us…we were ignored, It was awful. We come here twice a week sometimes three times a week. Usually, it’s so BUSY it’s the opposite situation, and a LOT more understandable. We reported to the cashier that our experience was bad, he raised an eyebrow. If we had showed up at 9:59 I would have expected this, but we had a good half hour and we’re the only ones there besides a 4 top that already had eaten…there were servers everywhere and usually we get sat and served immediately and tip at least a cool $20 spot….when it goes good we are completely out the door in 45 minutes. Never been treated like this in a restaurant before. Food was hot but all came out together so we couldn’t fit it all on the small table we were at, no refills, and only check in by server was to let us know it was time to get out. The manager hiding was my favorite part, least he appeared to be the manager. It’s funny, I’m actually in the parking lot writing this review right now and there’s still a few of the employees inside… so I’m confused why it would have been so terrible to give us a table and a menu and let us eat straight away… if you want to be locked up and out by 10, close at 9. There isn’t any reason to be open so late if you’re going to ignore the folks who want to eat and...

I am disabled and had 3 strokes and barely mobile. They seated us against at a table against a wall which was nearly impossible to get myself seated at. We would of waited for one of the tables in the middle because it would of been more assesible for me. I haven't been in almost a year so the menu was drastically different than when I last visited. The server Adam seemed like he was impatient as we looked at the menu trying to find something familiar we might eat. A couple times he made smart comments kind of under his breathe where we almost couldn't hear him because of the background noise. I have lost sight in most of my eyes so I was using my phone's flashlight to see the small printed menu to decide what I wanted. As he dropped the appetizer on the table he said something along the lines of "I've giving you enough time to look have you made up your mind" but in a less pleasant way. I think his approach was wrong. He should of asked if we had any questions or if he could make any recommendations. Like I've said before I've had 3 strokes so only half my brain works.... When we did get our food which was the pot roast and maple chipotle chicken... We didn't get any steak knives. My daughter jokingly asked Adam "Can I get a better knife?" as she struggled to cut through the chicken. He in a condescending tone replied "you mean a STEAK KNIFE??!". Took him a few minutes to get it but we (my daughter was facing the kitchen) could see him standing in the kitchen talking to coworkers. When he brought it he informed us it was the end of his shift "unfortunately" so his coworker Jamiyah would be taking over. We were very relieved and she was so sweet and attentive even with having just been seated a few more tables. After we finished I ordered dessert and we ordered 2 of the $5 meals. As I waited my daughter said she was going to the restroom real quick. I didn't want them to think we were dining and dashing so after the rest of our food was delivered and the check was dropped off I told the server I was running to the restroom real quick. My daughter was stuck on the toilet for 20 minutes with not even 1 piece of toilet paper. Only 1 of the 4 stalls had toilet paper. My daughter and I both worked in the service industry and we were disappointed in the fact that the bathroom was overlooked during the end of shift duties. We brought it to the attention of the hostess but he seemed non interested so probably nothing was done about it. The lady who was running checkout disappeared and we had to wait a probably 5/10 minutes while the line formed behind us. The manager was very hands on with other customers and she did give us a discount on a hoodie we were wrongly told was 40% off that she honored. I think the focus should of been on the employees getting off who were neglecting their side work to run out of there right before what I'm sure is their rush... Dinner time on a Saturday. Not sure if we will be back and if so not...

Arlington, TX (south location) Frequent dining at this location, nearest our house. Madi was a GREAT server. Madi was attentive, polite, friendly. efficient, and listened to our requests. The kitchen was a complete was of time, money and calories. Ordered the Homestyle Chicken (two chicken (?) breast, with mashed potatoes and Mac & cheese. I surely would not call what we ate, "My Signature Fried Chicken". The chicken could not be cut with a fork, could not chew the chicken, and it was not over-cooked, the chicken breast had not been trimmed properly, and the batter was totally different than had ever had before. Based on the chicken..ZERO. If we return, will only eat eggs, bacon and pancakes. The mashed potatoes and brown gravy were near uneatable. Left them on the plate. Cold, and way too salty. Mac & cheese was cold. But what to expect when you place lukewarm food on an ice cold plate. Flavor was okay, if you like cold Mac & Cheese. This meal was second choice, because the restaurant was OUT of Turkey & Dressing, with over two hours before closing time. UNACCEPTABLE!!! Two couples that are friends for 55 years eat dinner together three to four nights a week. This specific Cracker Barrel is the ONLY restaurant, (all restaurants, not just exclusive to CB), in five counties in North Texas (Tarrant, Parker, Dallas, Denton, and Colin) that WILL NOT split the bill so that we can pay separately at the cash register. When we take the single bill to the cashier, eight out of ten times, something get entered incorrectly, and one of us will typically pay more than what we should have. OKAY, Cracker Barrel, what sounds good in the Board Room does not translate well out on the street. I challenge the Board Members to travel to your restaurants and test them yourselves. Test your Board Room decisions for not only the food, but the processes that you implement. I am tired of being your...