Cracker Barrel Old Country Store — Restaurant in Effingham

Hubby picked our dinner location, as he has always enjoyed their meatloaf. Sure enough that is what he ordered along with a side of mashed potatoes with brown gravy and the fried apples. He said everything was good. he never eats or very rarely eats any kind of bread with the meal so since they offer corn muffins or biscuits he was kind enough to order one of each because he knows I really enjoy them. I ordered fried chicken which I’ve never had before at Cracker Barrel. It was very good with a nice crunchy exterior and good taste. I am going to have to stop ordering fried chicken everywhere. It’s always too much to eat at once!!!! I had collard greens and mashed potatoes with pan gravy as my two sides. The collard greens were good-I did wish I had gotten the vinegar that was offered. The mashed potatoes and pan gravy were delicious. Their mashed potatoes seem to be real and I really enjoyed them. I also ordered one biscuit and one cornmeal muffin and ate a muffin and half a biscuit with my meal. They are always good and they did not disappoint. They give real butter with their breads which again I find superior to many other places so I enjoy that as well since I prefer the taste. I ate the wing and the leg and my sides and was full so took the breast and thigh back to the hotel. I had to ask for plastic ware (which I generally forget) because it’s upsetting to get to the hotel and decide you want to snack and not have anything to eat with. Our server was very good she was extremely busy and did a good job handling all her tables. Her name is Valora. She grabbed me a handful of plasticware so I was able to put a couple in storage in our vehicle. Don’t hesitate to ask for her. Very pleasant! One thing that was unique to our meal is we have never ordered their strawberry lemonade and decided to try it. It was a good choice -very refreshing, a little bit tart and nice and cold and fresh. We both enjoyed it. As per the norm we were too full for dessert. The peach cobbler sounded very tempting but that’s the way it is!!! I didn’t need it anyway!! So, Cracker Barrel may not be the most exciting place to eat or the most exotic but you can generally count on the menu being the same from Location to Location along with their recipes so the food is consistent which can be a good thing. If you’re in the mood for some comfort food and a menu you can trust we recommend you...

My friend Rylin and I decided on Cracker Barrel for lunch while having a "Get Out of the House" day. We arrived at a little past 11 am, and just after we arrived the waiting line swelled...we had just beaten the Sunday Lunch Rush.

Our Waitress was Tammy, and had been with Cracker Barrel for 15 years. She was very attentive and took our orders after giving us time to decide.

Rylin had Meatloaf with Mashed Potatoes and Corn and I had the Southern Spiced Grilled Chicken Breasts , also with Mashed Potatoes and White Gravy and Corn. I can't recall what Rylin got to drink, but I had brought my own drink due to genuine dietary restrictions... and Tammy was very understanding of my needs.

She took our orders and they were prepared promptly and served hot and delicious... about the only mistake was that the kitchen forgot to add the Gravy to my Mashed Potatoes. Tammy did bring two each Biscuits and Corn Muffins with Butter in a Basket which neither of us expected.

As it turned out, the lack of Gravy actually didn't detract from my meal, the Southern Spiced Grilled Chicken Breasts were Perfectly Moist and Seasoned, and having Gravy might have actually prevented me from enjoying the Chicken Seasoning as much as I did!

Rylin, also commented on the Meatloaf and remarked on how much he enjoyed it as well.

Although I usually take accompanying photos when I do a review, this time I didn't because neither of us came with the intention to review the Cracker Barrel in depth, and we only wanted to have a Good Lunch and simply Enjoy... and as my previous Reviews of the Cracker Barrel in Effingham have shown, this location is consistent and doesn't disappoint ...and we feel especially honored to have had Tammy serve us our...

I was staying at the hotel next door and walked across and ordered my food to go … I order two of the burger specials… one with everything on it and the other with every thing except the lettuce and cheese. I was told she would call my name when it was done. So I walked around waiting and purchased a few things. Sadly I did not make note of the time. I finally asked when it would be done? She said rather rudely… it has been done for a while. Pointed to a set of shelves obviously made for to go orders. I was told nothing of this when I placed the order!! I paid for my meals and the merchandise I had picked up along the way and back to my hotel only to find the burgers tough and tasteless…and not hot in anyway shape or form!!! On top of that the one burger that was supposed to have everything except cheese and lettuce and it had nothing at all!!! The picture below shows how sloppy the other burger was put together! I notified the number on the sales receipt right away and got no where… this is what I got over and over… I understand your frustration, and I’m here to assist you; please remember our agents are available for help 7 days a week from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm CST—let me know if there's anything else I can do for you! …. The restaurant was in Effingham IL and reception states 7:00 pm on 12/8/2024...