Cracker Barrel Old Country Store — Restaurant in Louisiana

Along with my husband and oldest daughter, we decided to stopped and have dinner approximately around 7:30 this evening. Upon our arrival, we noticed a lighter crowd than normal as the dinning room reflected. As we were greeted by the host, he lead us through the entire dinning room before eventually sending us back to a front table, but not before dropping our silverware all over the floor. Almost all the tables were open that we passed and we knew this by our private tour. Once seated our waitress took our drink orders and vanished for about 10 minutes later returning without drinks to take our order. Then vanished again to see if they had run out of my daughter's preferred choice meal. We were told that they had run out and and she would need to choose something else. Each of us ordered a side salad, 2 with ranch and one with caesar along with our meals and biscuits. Our waitress returned to the table with our drinks and salads in hand. Unfortunately, she forgot which dressings were which and proceeded to sniff each dressing bringing it closer than comfort to her nose before giving it to us. My daughter and myself included could not bring ourselves to finish the salads. Once our meals arrived, my husband politely asked for some biscuits once more. The waitress got snippy and replied "well, I only have two hands. They're coming." My daughter's food was also cold, but she ate it anyways as she just wanted to leave, even though my husband suggested we send it back for warming. We have travelled for many years stopping in various Cracker Barrels, but unfortunately for us, this is the service we face for the one closest to our residence. After tonight's visit, we will not be sending any more business to this store. It is a shame that what once was a vacationing treat has turned into a...

Ordered through waitr tonight -you know, the DELIVERY service since Cracker Barrel doesn't have a DELIVERY service. Anyhow since they seem to have some animosity over not having their own DELIVERY service I was punished this evening for ordering through a third party. The male manager who wanted to mansplain, talk over, and interrupt me (a hotel manager who deals with third parties and no substitutions) to the point I had to ask for a moment to speak let me know I could take this matter up with corporate. I upgraded my chicken-n-dumplins to have three sides and up-graded that side for an additional $2 to a loaded baked potato. Apparently they were out of baked potatoes and would not even dream of given me any other side that could have easily replaced it - I told them I was fine that I paid to upgrade that side, but still wanted to have 3 sides. I was told that would be a substitution and that corporate has told ALL of them that would be unacceptable to do (when hotels say "you're third party- no substitutions" if you get to your room and there is no sheets...we get you sheets) . That since they are out of baked potatoes they couldn't replace the side. That was bad enough, but speaking to a manager who has no recovery skills is horrible. I would like to introduce you to something called the L.E.A.R.N model. LISTEN- HIGHLY IMPORTANT- how can you fix a problem with out hearing the problem? EMPATHIZE- meaning don't want someone feel like you're giving them a perfunctory answer that you had memorized prior to getting on the phone. APOLOGIZE- This thing to be the only skill he has. RESPOND- usually the part where you tell the guest how you're going to help. NOTIFY- You tell the people you need to tell so you don't have this same issue again.

Hopefully that will...

This was the worst dining experience I have had in my entire life. It is evident that the management should be evaluated and possibly demoted. We were seated immediately, then we waited for 15 minutes and I resorted to having to go to the desk and ask if we were going to be served. Then 3 waitresses came over and we unfortunately did not get a good one. She mentioned that she was new and I am a very patient person when it comes to training new employees, we have all been there. She took our order and asked if we wanted biscuits with the meal or before, we asked for them before the meal. Approximately 20 minutes later she came to the table and blamed the kitchen staff for taking so long (big no, no in my world is to place blame on others for your own miscomings, take ownership and empower others you work with), then asked if we would like biscuits while we waited! My husband and I just looked at eat other, speechless at that moment. Approximately 10 more minutes later after walking the entire dining room, going into the kitchen she picked up an empty plate at another table then went to get our biscuits. Then when our food got out she was talking badly about the kitchen again saying that she had to go hurry them up to get our food! I truly believe she thought she had done nothing wrong! We dine at Cracker Barrell a lot when we travel and have never received service this poorly. To the point I refused to even tip her after our 90 minute, poorly executed experience. I have never not tipped anywhere! I even tip at Subway. Management has to be aware of this horrible training, she should have never been allowed to work solo. And for the love of god, clean, clean clean. The floors were so slippery and dust was...