Cracker Barrel Old Country Store — Restaurant in Dickson

I hardly ever give a bad review, especially for Cracker Barrel, but our visit there was rough. My 80 year old mother and I always stop at a Cracker Barrel when we go to Nashville for a doctors appointment. We usually stop at a different one but decided to drive a little further since we weren't quite hungry. My mother isn't stable on her feet and tires easily. When we got to our table the waitress took our drink orders and we also ordered fried pickles. Everything was going fine at this point but then our waitress disappeared. We waited an hour before she came back. The other waitresses were very busy going back and forth to their tables. I hate to complain before I get my food, so we waited. She came out after an hour and gave us refills on our drinks. I mentioned the food and she told me the chicken tenders were frozen so they had to be thawed. 🤷‍♀️ When we finally did get our food the chicken tenders didn't look like the chicken tenders I normally get. One piece looked like a wing and they were very greasy. The 'steamed' broccoli was hard and crispy. I couldn't eat it. (I wish I would have thought to take a picture) The carrots were delicious. My mother got breakfast. Her food was good, but how can you mess up eggs? After eating, we waited another 30mins before getting our bill. Our waitress disappeared again. When she finally brought it she made the comment 'ya'll must have thought I was holding you hostage.' I answered with Yes We Did! We were totally exhausted by then and still had an hour and a half drive ahead of us. I was going to say something when we paid our bill. They usually asked how was your meal. She didn't ask and I was to tired at that point. This is why I decided to leave this review. I hope the right people see this and can rectify this huge problem. I have never been in a Cracker Barrel like this. 😔 Just a little side note here: some of the employees were out in the front lighting up cigarettes where the customers were sitting, on the way in and on...

TLDR: Perfect 5-star score ruined by terrible management. Whoever is currently running this place is running it into the ground.

Edit to Previous Review due to last visit: Met my Grandmother here for dinner. The wait staff was great super friendly, as helpful as they could be, and by the end super apologetic. The food was as good as normal; however, out of the 2 apps and 3 entree's, and 1 veggie platter ordered. One app was reviewed about 30 minutes into our wait, the second app came out with our food about 50 minutes into our visit, bread was delivered at about the 45 minute mark. Two of the entrees were delivered with the wrong sides, the Chicken BLT was brought without tomato, but the veggie plate was delivered correctly.

On top of the kitchen staff clearly having no clue (the wait staff all seemed to be explaining that most of the kitchen staff was new and the kitchen manager didn't know what he was doing), the entire restaurant was freezing cold and when we asked about it the wait staff explained that they had run out of wood for the fireplace.

Then about 15 minutes before we left my grandmother's friend asked about getting one of the 5 dollar take home meals that were advertised. Our waitress kindly went to ask for one from the kitchen and returned Apologetically to explain that the kitchen manager had said that "he was not making anymore and to tell them we are out". Is understand if the restaurantwas busy, but during our visit a table of 4 was seated immediately and neither of the two dining areas were completely full. By the time we left nearly both dining areas were completely empty and there may have been 10 tables seated in the entire restaurant.

Original Review: I absolutely love their Rainbow Trout. I get it anytime I meet my grandma here for...

Let me start by saying I used to be a server trainer at Cracker Barrel. I tried calling this location to place an order and nobody ever picked up the phone; I had to place an order via DoorDash for pick up just to get food for my grandfather. I arrive and walked inside and the store is completely empty; I.e. the restaurant is not experiencing a rush. I walk up to the host and state I’m here to pick up my to-go meal… the host then smartly states “oh you have to go over to the cashier and wait for them to call it back”. I was like wait what? I stated again I’ve paid I just need to pick up my food. He just pointed to the cashier stand where there stood a line of people. Mind you NOBODY was standing at the host stand but me with nobody waiting. I had to go stand and wait in line just for someone with a headset to call back to The kitchen to inform them I was here; of course I asked to speak to the manager. The manager comes out, I explain the situation… she then replied “oh that’s what they are told to do because people don’t pay”. I explained I told him I already paid online though…. And she said then she’d go back and check on it. Horrible customer service and the store, not being busy, forces people to utilize online ordering or their website just to place/pay for an order because they are too lazy to answer the phone! I’ve had bad service before and it’s become par for the course these days, but this certainly takes the case. I’d recommend McDonalds over eating at This Cracker Barrel or even dumpster diving… you’ll get...