Nestled at 1792 N Heritage Park Blvd, Cracker Barrel Old Country Store is more than just a restaurant; it’s a delightful experience that whisks you away to a simpler time filled with warmth and nostalgia. My recent visit began at 11:20 AM, when I found the parking lot bustling with excitement—a clear indication that magic was in the air.
Upon stepping through the doors, I was greeted by a wonderfully festive atmosphere, alive with the laughter of families—grandparents beaming with pride, parents sharing smiles, and children eagerly exploring the charming gift shop. It was a sight to behold, with an enchanting array of holiday decorations and intriguing trinkets that would surely please even the pickiest shoppers on Santa's list.
I approached a friendly hostess who promptly set me up with a text notification system for my seating. How convenient! By noon, I was settled at my table, gazing at the thoughtfully designed special Thanksgiving menu. Breanna, my server, arrived shortly thereafter, exuding an air of attentiveness and charm. She expertly guided me through the mouthwatering options, making decision-making a delightful dilemma.
I couldn’t help but be impressed by the seamless teamwork displayed by the staff—managers, servers, and busboys alike—all working tirelessly to ensure each dining experience was exceptional. It’s clear that every individual plays a crucial role in the Cracker Barrel symphony.
The gift shop, filled to the brim with charming decor and thoughtful gifts, made me think of my father and the perfect present I could find for him. I strolled through the aisles, tempted by a plethora of nostalgic items. Timeless ornaments and delightful knick-knacks beckoned, embodying the spirit of the season.
Peeking into the kitchen area only heightened my anticipation—clean, organized, and bursting with the aroma of home-cooked goodness. At precisely 12:06 PM, my hot and inviting Thanksgiving feast arrived, and I could hardly contain my excitement.
The turkey breast was perfectly cooked—so tender it melted in my mouth. Each bite was a savory delight. The dumplings were a dream, soft and comforting, carrying that essence of home. Sweet potatoes were just the right kind of sweet, a reminder of cherished family gatherings. And of course, no Thanksgiving meal would be complete without the cranberry sauce—always my favorite.
What truly stood out was the cheerful demeanor of the staff. They were a hub of happiness, eager to ensure my experience was flawless without a hint of pressure to rush me along. Their genuine warmth and commitment to service turned a meal into something special.
I savored every bite, and as I indulged in the decadent pumpkin pie for dessert, I felt completely satisfied and utterly content. It was the perfect capstone to a glorious meal.
With my heart and belly full, I finished my wonderful visit at 12:30 PM. Cracker Barrel truly exceeded my expectations, creating a memorable Thanksgiving dining experience filled with charm, delectable food, and delightful service. I left with a smile, already planning my next visit to this gem of a restaurant. Highly...
Read moreThis Cracker Barrel really seems to be hit or miss. I've had some good meals here, I've also had some bad ones. However, I've never been really upset until my most recent visit. I decided I would take my 7 year old here for dinner. I didn't feel like cooking that evening, and wanted a calm sit down meal so we could talk and relax. To begin with, I ordered a side salad that my son and I shared. Before we got even halfway through with it they brought our meals. This was irritating. Now we have to hurry and eat before our food gets cold. I don't come to a restaurant to be rushed, and it's something I see a lot of places these days. But that's not what made me angry. My son ordered the burger sliders with no cheese. When his meal arrived the burgers had cheese on them. No biggie, we sent it back, more time for him to eat his cucumbers and Lettuce. But then they brought the replacement burgers. They looked horrible. One patty was tiny and burnt, the other wasn't even a patty, it was chopped into 3 separate pieces. And burnt. I looked at the server and said "really?" Like you're comfortable serving this to my child? He just shrugged his shoulders and said "I guess they just cooked them that way this time." I mean I opened the burgers and showed him. It literally looked like the cook was irritated he had to cook them again, so he grabbed some overcooked burger pieces off the floor and put them on a bun. There is one thing that will make me angry at a restaurant, and that's putting badly cooked food in front of my child. It took a lot of self control for me to not walk back to the kitchen and confront the cook myself. If you are making food for a child you better make sure you do a good job and handle with care. Anything less is negligent and insulting. But we ate, or tried to eat. In the end neither of us finished. His food just wasn't appetizing. And when I started eating my mashed potatoes I realized they actually tasted sweet. Like somebody put sugar or honey in them. Gross. The manager wasn't available, so the shift manager handled my complaint. She was professional and apologetic, refunded the cost of my son's meal. Honestly, I don't like complaining at a restaurant. It was a waste of money, a waste of time. We basically went home and I made him another dinner. After this experience I seriously doubt I will be...
Read moreUPDATE:
As I stated in my post below, the food is very good but now after speaking with the Cracker Barrels Regional Manager I sincerely believe I can now honestly say so is the costumer service. The Regional Manager was perfectly frank and totally honest with his conversation with me about Cracker Barrels best practice and he was deeply apologetic with the service that was extended to our party and is trying his best to correct the situation with us. I believe him with his statement to me "that this type of service is absolutely unacceptable and hopefully will never happen again under his watch".
Thank you Regional Manger,
Loyal customer again, Donny
Food is great but customer service is very poor!!
We had a large party of 17, and were well prepared to wait awhile to be seated. We checked in at 10:30 a.m. and was told to be patient and we should be seated within 45 minutes. At 11:30 we checked back for an update and was told they were working on it. At 11:45 I asked a shift Manager about the status of our seating, where she then said "I am sorry but we cannot accommodate your party size". "WHAT" I could not and still don't understand why this was not told to us when we first checked in, instead of one hour and twenty minutes later. Yes I was and am very upset with their lack of respect for our party and the value of our time.
I called a nearby competitor (Applebees), and explained what took place at the Cracker Barrel, they immediately apologized for Cracker Barrels action and said all the restaurants in this general area are not like that and to come to their location where they would sit and serve us immediately. In which they did!!!
Was a loyal...
Read more