Cracker Barrel Old Country Store — Restaurant in Harrisonburg

Food: Ordered meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and green beans with hot tea and water. My husband had biscuits and gravy and coffee. The meatloaf was a generous portion and tasty. The mashed potatoes were hard as if old or sitting under a heat lamp for too long. I received hot tea and no water. We had two service people. The first wait person had to be reminded to bring my water. She did a quick check back once the food arrived and I had to ask for biscuits and cornbread as they were never offered. After she brought the bread basket, we never saw her again. We sat for a long time [i.e.: people seated after us came and went long before we did] waiting for someone to circle back to refill our drinks and bring take-out containers for leftovers.

Since no one came, I went to a hostess with the request for refills and containers. She assured me she would alert the service person. After waiting for longer than we should have, I went to the hostess again and told her to forget the drinks and just have someone provide our containers and a check. Shortly after, a very pleasant and apologetic young lady with three stars on her apron, stopped by and offered to not only get our drinks but to provide them in to-go cups if desired. She then went to get the containers previously requested and finally, was able to produce a check. When I asked what happened to her predecessor, she said she wasn't sure other than her coworker had left quickly. Further, our second service person had been unaware that there were any customers needing assistance. She was very apologetic and truly very sweet in trying to make things right for us. I believe the second service person's name was Tricia or Tessa. The first person never introduced herself.

We dine at our local Cracker Barrel maybe once a month. This visit was definitely disappointing but the actions of our second service person went a long way to improve our opinions...

Giving them 2 stars only because of the wait staff. The experiences that I have had at this specific location have not been the best over the past few months. The staff (cooks, waitresses, waiters, hosts and hostesses) are always a pleasure to be around and are always willing to help customers and give their favorite items on the menu. The managers are often argumentative in that the customer is wrong and there is plenty to order on the menu (see below). The food on the other hand has been lacking. My family and I went last week and tried to order a variety of different dishes (5 different dishes with nothing in common) and were unable to get any of them due to supply. We went again yesterday in hopes of them redeeming themselves and potentially getting a larger order of menu items from their recent shipment, but that was not the case. They had run out of items that are the most common on the menu which they are known for. Don't worry! You can always get pancakes!

We were told that they had ran out of their Tuesday special (the pork chops), which they only serve on Tuesdays, when we tried to order at 7:30 pm. What does this mean for the remainder of the working class who does not get off work til 7/8 and are needing to eat dinner and are wanting Cracker Barrel? It means they have to go to another restaurant to get food since this location is unable to maintain their own menu.

When asked about their signature Chicken n' Dumplins and the gravy, we were told that the gravy was a more watery consistency compared to years past. When asked if they could add starch, they mentioned that it was not possible. What is happening to the integrity...

Cracker Barrel has always been hit or miss. I have always loved the store with all it's unique gifts and nostalgia. My very first experience with them was in 1987 Gastonia NC. I along with family and friends have eaten at several locations over the years in many states. Sorry to say but at least one thing is always wrong with food. Last night my daughter and I ate at this establishment. Our server was good, nice and polite. I ordered the Maple Bacon chicken breast for the first time and it was delicious and cooked perfect and the side salad was good. However my lemonade had black stuff floating in it, which the waitress apologized for and promptly replaced. The " instant" mashed potatoes were horrific as well and were definitely old and burnt. Also I can't stand horseradish and it's one of the sauces drizzled over the chicken. No where in the description does it say horseradish sauce. I ate it anyway, didn't complain to server either it's not her fault. It's not the only location with issues. I've been served raw blueberry pancakes, raw fried chicken, food with hair in it, vegetables that taste like plastic, burnt food, given dirty utensils but have pretty much always had really good service. Good customer service is really hard to come by these days but Kay Lee did a great job, ask for her. Cracker Barrel management needs to get the kitchens in order and serve better...