Cracker Barrel Old Country Store — Restaurant in Four Corners

Recently remodeled (11/2024) provides a tremendous change to the entire atmosphere of this all-time family favorite. While I truly miss what I have known and loved, especially the big round table for families, I appreciate what feels cleaner. Overall still pleasant, however, the openness takes away from the intimate feel. The food and recipes don't seem to have been distracted and still allow that great Southern feel. Great service on our most recent visits to this always-busy restaurant makes us plan to visit again and again! 12/2024 update: we have been to this location several times since my original review and would like to share more.

Recently we revisited multiple times I will share a couple of those experiences.

One evening the restaurant was extremely busy however it didn't seem to cause any loss of great food and guest experience. We were seated fast, waiting for less than 5 minutes and our waiter greeted us and got our meal out fast and hot! While we were very pleased with that visit it wasn't the same the next time.

Our next visit seemed to be more laid back, earlier, yet still dinner hour. The restaurant was about half full yet still felt friendly. Unfortunately, our experience on this visit wasn't as good as previous ones. The waiter's attention was not good, we waited 12 minutes from the time we were seated until our order was taken. We then waited 27 minutes until our food was served. Before getting our food we watched as three other guests tables were served that came in after us. As I started to get up to see a manager the waiter came to the table, not refilling our sodas, and said “Shouldn't be much longer”. While we finished the meal we noticed many employees in the kitchen “galley” area peeking out but more involved in their own conversations than customers. It seems the busier days are the best times to actually have a good meal here.

This is only my interpretation as a guest, I do not know any employee nor have any relation to this business. I am just a consumer hoping to give insight...

We arrived at 3:30 and were sat right away. We waited quite a while for our server, Shawn. He arrived and took our drink order and then asked for our food order. The kids were not ready so he said he would come back. When he came back, we all ordered, I ordered the roast beef dinner. He asked if we would like corn bread or biscuits? We asked for both. We wait 35 minutes for our order. When it arrived, my granddaughter asked for BBQ sauce for her chicken strips. He brought out Biscuits but no corn bread. The roast beef was fatty and one slice. It was covered in cold congealed gravy. Our server came back to check on us. He said how is everything as he was walking past. We had no time to reply, and he was gone as we were trying to let him know. My granddaughter again asked for BBQ sauce, but he just kept walking. He later came back and dropped the check off. The kids were in the bathroom, and he asked if they wanted boxes for their food. I said no, they are just in the restroom. When they came back my granddaughter said he still had not brought her BBQ sauce. Shawn finally came back and took my plate, and I was about to ask for the BBQ sauce again and was hit by his cigarette breath right in my face. Eventually he did come back with the BBQ sauce. My granddaughter’s chicken strips were cold, and she had not even eaten one, they were still on here plate when we left. I have dined at dozens of Cracker Barrel’s and this was the worst experience I have ever had. The food was good but not great or even to the standards of most Cracker Barrel...

Update: We went back this evening to give the restaurant another try since my last review; and that was our mistake. The waiter forgot my salad, which I can understand, but my daughter's Mac and cheese was charred all over and burnt with black pieces. I don't know why he would bring it out like that, but when I brought it to his attention he took it away only to come out a little later with another bowl. The replacement meal appeared to have been the same with some of the pieces still in it. My wife's sausage still had paper on it from the freezer patties.

I hardly ever get a manager involved, but I did. He apologized and said he would take it off of the bill. The only problem was that he took it off of the bill, but it was the wrong bill, which was much more. He finally corrected it when we brought it to his attention. I shared my food with my 8 year old daughter so she could eat and not have to wait again.

I love most Cracker Barrel restaurants, but this one seems to continue to lower their standards and makes no attempts to improve. It's a shame because just a few changes would go a long way to keep customers instead of losing them.

Original review: It's a good family oriented place, but the service at this location is always hit or miss. Sometimes they are good and other times you can't find your server for extended periods. The food is usually consistent, so you always know what you are getting. It's comfort food that we all enjoy from time to time, I only wish the service was as consistent...