Cracker Barrel Old Country Store — Restaurant in Jacksonville

Update: 6/2025. Raised my rating due to good quick service. Much better.

Sooooo disappointed!!!!! Cracker Barrel is one of my favorite restaurants. My wife has been in and out of the hospital for the last few months. We finally had an opportunity to have a “date night”. My wife surprised me with the Christmas symphony after a dinner. I recommended Cracker Barrel because we need to have a quiet and quick dinner. And look through their gift shop. We arrived at 5:50 pm. We decided to have dinner from the early bird special which was 4-6 pm. By the time the young girl waitress come over to our table is was then 6:02 pm. She told us it is too late for that special. I commented that technically we were here 10 minutes prior and she still says they won’t allow it. Yes I could have pursued this with the manager, but my My wife didn’t want to argue and ruin out date night. We then had to tell the waitress that we need a couple more minutes now because we have to re think what we want. 10 minutes later!!! We ordered our food. 40 minutes later!!!!!! The waitress was MIA for the most part. I Saw her in the distance a couple times looking at us but never came over to check on us or let us know why the food is taking so long?? I finally went to the young guy at the desk who seated us. I asked him to please find our waitress and if we don’t get our meal in 5 minutes we have to leave We have an engagement to attend. I watched him continue to seat others but I don’t think he ever did find and talk to the waitress. I was so aggravated I didn’t even want to eat now. 45 minutes wait time. We finally got up and left. I was hoping all the food would showed up so we can get up and leave then no thanks, No time to eat it. I walked by the young boy again seating people and said sorry we’re leaving. He said sorry I understand. We tried to find a quick bite in the area but did not have the time, and I didn’t want fast junk food either. So my wife and I attended the symphony but no dinner before hand. Thanks Cracker Barrel!!! I always choose Cracker Barrel if I’m out and want to have a sit down meal by myself. Even when I travel Cracker Barrel is my choice. I never had an issue with food or serve, ever. Will I go back? Yes. I will. And I will build up the review back to 5 stars per each visit of deserved. The restaurant was not overly busy. It was a Wednesday evening and was at 1/2 to 2/3rd capacity. Very very...

I visited Cracker Barrel for lunch with my sister yesterday (3/20/25), and while we had a mostly positive experience, there were a couple of things worth mentioning. We were greeted by a young hostess who, unfortunately, didn’t acknowledge us when we arrived. She just led us to our table without a greeting, and we had to be the ones to say hello. It felt a bit awkward, and she seemed surprised when we did. A simple "hello" would have made a better first impression. That said, the rest of our experience was great! The meal was delicious, and our server was fantastic, very friendly and attentive. The cashier was also a pleasure to interact with, and we left feeling happy with our food and service. However, something happened as we were leaving that made us feel uncomfortable. While I was at the register paying, my sister was still at the table gathering our things. A couple walked in, and instead of waiting to be seated, the woman walked straight to our table while other tables were available, slammed her purse down on it, and her husband started cleaning it. Even the customers next to us were puzzled by their actions. We were left feeling very out of place and disrespected, especially as paying customers. Although the food was great, this interaction really left a bad taste in our mouths. It would be nice to see Cracker Barrel take a stronger stand on ensuring that all guests feel welcome and respected, regardless of race. A reminder that kindness and courtesy go a long way would certainly be appreciated. Kudos to the server, cook, and cashier for making the meal enjoyable. Sadly, because of this experience, my family and I won’t...

First we dine at Cracker Barrel often. The food we got was delicious. Now the not so good.

1. Party of six were told twenty minute wait, it was 55 minutes.
2. Two other five person parties arrived fifteen minutes after us but were seated prior.
3. Once inside we waited five more minutes due the table to be cleared, we watched.
4. After seated it was more than five minutes before our drink order was taken.
5. We all ordered our food, after around 25 minutes or more our waitress came back and told me the turnip greens I ordered would take another 25 minutes. I looked at options, asked about broccoli with cheese. I was told that would be a up charge. I settled for fried apples.
6. An order of chicken pot pie ordered by a friend was completely dried out with no filling. It should have never showed up at the table. She had to settle for a vegetable plate or wait another hour for chicken pot pie. This after we all recieved our food.
7. When I recieved my ticket, tea that I had not ordered had been added to my bill. Waitress went and got it removed.
8. At no time even with all this did a manager ever come by the table or offer an opology.
9. We arrived at 1:04 pm, we left at 3:48pm
10. Our vehicle was parked at he back of the building and two dressed up men were smoking at the rear door. They looked to be Cracker Barrel management.

You got three stars because at least the food we got was well prepared and good. I plan to never visit this location again. Speaking with those that we traveled with we all agreed. If this was our first time at a Cracker Barrel we would...