Cracker Barrel Old Country Store — Restaurant in Gardendale

We came in Easter Sunday after a terrible shift at work. Barbara was our waitress and she was absolutely AMAZING. She was so sweet and helpful. She really hooked us up with early morning mimosas. The strawberry mimosa is makes French smooching noise and does the hand gesture. Seriously, don't even waste your time with the traditional orange juice mimosas (Barbara tried to tell us that the strawberry was best, but we had to try both). I will say, that the orange juice in the mimosa was fresh squeezed, which was nice, but it was also why it wasn't as sweet a mimosa made with the super sugary orange juice you can get from the grocery store. We did not have to wait long to be seated or for our food and drinks to be served. It was a little crowded that morning with it being Easter so we were pleasantly surprised by how quickly everything came out. Words cannot adequately describe how delicious and fresh the food was. We each got a Country Boy Breakfast and had multiple substitutions and upgrades. Barbara could have been irritated with us (heck, I would have been), but she was delightful. Everything came out perfect. The steak was cooked to an exact medium rare. Everything we ordered with extra cheese (yes, we're nurses and still eat like we don't know the risks of a high fat diet) actually had cheese on it! The hashbrown casserole was loaded all the way and delicious (I would pay some serious cash for that recipe, Barbara...). I believe this will be our new after work breakfast spot as long as we can sit in Barbara's section. She really made the experience great. She kept our glasses filled and swiftly removed the empty plates/glasses from our table without interrupting our breakfast date. She was personable and knowledgeable about the menu (she knew the exact up charge prices for adding cheese to grits and getting loaded hashbrown casserole vs standard, etc.). It was impressive. Can't wait...

The recent string of bad reviews should ward you away from this location until they properly train or replace a few of their employees. I experienced poor service. The server who took my to-go order had poor listening skills and didn't carry herself in a professional manner. I clearly asked for 3 eggs over medium and regular hash browns. The server asked "you wanted eggs?" I skeptically confirmed and the server went to put in the order. I waited 10 minutes outside. I got in line to pay and the person at the couldn't find my order on the shelf and said I couldn't pay until it arrived. I've paid many times before the order arrived but was already in the system. There was a bag sitting there that I suspected was mine. The name didn't match but it was close as though it was misheard when it was written down. I waited another 10 minutes outside. After waiting in line again and seeing the same bag was sitting on the shelf. I was told it wasn't mine again, that it was two eggs and hash brown casserole. I snuck a peak at the receipt and it was really hard to read and the name was comically misspelled but I am pretty sure it was meant for me. The person who took my order was called to the front. Without looking at the bag, I was told it was mine. When I explained that I was told it was not my order. while attempting to get more from the server, I was dismissively told that I had to wait in line to pay. It was like all three of us were in three separate universes trying to have a conversation. I've never had such a frustrating encounter at a cracker barrel. I was calm and polite the whole time but my anxiety rose at the end. I said thank you, turned, and walked out. I lost my appetite by that point. As a public service and means to spur action, I'm leaving this review in place of the customer service form. I will update this review if I have a more positive experience the next time I...

The big size cashier on this date that morning was prejudiced! When my husband and I entered the restaurant, he headed to restroom, I thought, but actually was looking at merchandise before approaching the hostess, I entered around the checkout area side, the white big size cashier who was training a new employee, turned to me and said, " you eating here?"I said yes, I'm waiting for my husband, he went that way." She said," Oh. And you can go on through here. She almost knocked down the products display at the front counter, trying to make sure I did touch her. She acted like I had the bubonic plague or something. I mean, she lifted up both her and rared them back in the air like I was awfully contageous! I felt bad being treated like that was ok. She was prejudiced! I looked back at her as I approached the hostess, and noticed she turned up her nose and said something to the girl she was training. I did not let her stinky attitude get the best of me, then my husband asked me to pay for ticket, while he asked for carry out..I did not want to because I felt that I would have to deal her again...and boy was I right...her again..fake as ever, she was so nice and friendly to the other customer, as I watched her interaction with them, soooooo, loving and kind.... then it was my turn. She said the register was not working, I stood there 15 minutes until she called for assistance. Then, upon checking out, she said I had to answer a questionnaire and did not have a choice.. I had to answer it before she could conclude my ticket, I replied, I don't want to answer anything, because I didnt really want to give a ZERO, ,to my waitress who was great, because of her prejudiced behavior towards me. I waited until it timed out, then she handed me the ticket with the tips of her finger...I said I will never be back! My family and friends either!

My waitress...