Cracker Barrel Old Country Store — Restaurant in Lumberton

This is by far the worse CB that I’ve ever visited. Long post, but worth reading.

We love CB primarily for their pancakes, I would think every CB uses the same batter, recipes, etc. Apparently they must mix their batter differently because not only did the pancakes look weird but I could barely even cut them and the tasted horrible!

I had to go to the front counter to ask for the manager, any other CB I’ve ever visited it was plainly obvious who the manager was because the manager is usually “managing” by making sure things are going well with customers and making sure staffing is working well. After the manager was pointed out, I started by telling her about the person who was supposed to be our waitress looked at me several times from behind the kitchen entrance where they take orders, then went back in the back and never came to serve us because we chose to move from another table because I could see in the dirty kitchen. When I couldn’t stand to sit where I could see into the filthy kitchen, I should’ve left then.

Upon speaking to the “so-called” manager (more like a waitress that was grandfathered to a mngmnt position) all she could make of my complaint is that it took 10-15min for someone to come to help us. NO, I had to stop a different waitress to ask who was supposed to help us, then a different waitress from another section came to help since no one else would, but when a couple sat down next to us (who’s skin was a different color) the waitress who “refused to help us” came to their table immediately! Not a color thing but simply poor hospitality!!!

Couldn’t get the manager to see past the 10-15 wait time so I simply told her I’m not paying for the food because I didn’t eat it, and advised her to inform all of her staff that anytime a patron is sitting for an extended period of time and hasn’t been helped “someone” should simply help them or notify the waitress who’s table it is. I left the waitress that came to help us a hefty tip because she was very polite and volunteered to help us. More importantly I advised the manager to have a professional cleaning service cleaned the floors throughout the restaurant periodically. I could only imagine what the rest of the place looked like that I couldn’t see.

Bottom line is this CB location needs to be closely evaluated by the owners because it’s only holding on and has decent reviews due to the locals that eat there. They’re probably are just pleased with the homely feel because everyone knows each other. Maybe this CB takes on the characteristics of its location and I have high expectations. Not high at all, I simply expect there to be good food (especially CB’s pancakes!) and decent service that I get at any CB I’ve...

WORST Cracker Barrel in America

Let me start by prefacing that our family are Cracker Barrel superfans. Over the last 10 years we have been to over 50 locations across multiple states. We plan our roadtrips and stops based on Cracker Barrel locations - a welcome rest where we know we will be treated to good food and friendly service. My wife likes to recall her childhood memories driving to Florida and stopping at the various Cracker Barrel locations along the way. She is such a fan that she even sleeps with a Cracker Barrel shirt at night! Besides the food and service, we equally enjoy shopping in the general store after our meal and our two boys aged 3 and 5 always get excited to pick out a new car or truck.

Unfortunately, our fondness for Cracker Barrel was soured today when we made the mistake of stopping at the Lumberton, NC location. After enjoying a nice meal, we took our children into the toy area to make their selection. One opted for the cracker barrel transport truck (excellent choice) and the other a monster truck. While shopping, my wife balancing a few take away boxes, by accident spilled her to -go cup of Coca cola. She was very apologetic and quickly told the staff, so that it could it be cleaned and no one would slip. We thought that was the end of it , when an employee named Ruth (possibly a supervisor) came up to us and started berating us and our children for making a mess in the toy area (there wasn't any mess as the boys had put back all of the cars after making their selection). We think it was related to the spilling of the drink - she might not have been aware that it was my wife that had done it. Either way, we were quite taken aback by this aggressive behaviour - we have two young boys and yes they get excited with the toys but we always make a point of cleaning them up afterwards. Ruth's aggressiveness was to the point that our two boys were in tears because they couldn't understand why she was being so mean. We ended up putting the toys back that we intended to purchase. While settling up the lunch bill, my wife asked for the manager to make a complaint. At that point, Ruth came back out and started yelling and verbally abusing my wife for "telling on her" and said "you are obviously not from around here". I am not sure if she noticed that our boys were wearing Toronto Blue Jays hats and inferred we were from Canada. Either way, it was clear we were being targeted by a very angry, kid intolerant and possibly bigoted employee. We left the restaurant as soon as we could.

My eldest boy in the car ride after, still upset from the experience, aptly said he would call it the Mean Cracker Barrel...

Ah Cracker Barrel, it's a great restaurant that has been around since I was born and I've been eating there since. If you live in the south you are probably quite familiar with it. Im not sure if they have locations in the north or west, but I highly recommend going here to eat if you haven't. I can really only speak for my local store, but it is fantastic. The service is Great and almost always friendly.

There is quite a decent selection of food on the the menu and they also serve breakfast at anytime of the day. I have tried most of the items at least once, and they are all quite delicious and have that "country" Taste to them. My favorite two meals are the country fried steak or the chicken fried chicken either of which topped with sawmill gravy and served with three sides. Usually hash brown casserole, green beans, and dumplings. They have your usual fair for beverages and if course serve sweet tea ( note this may be sweeter than some would like, but it's usually how it's made in the south, unsweetened tea is also an option). They also will serve some seasonal food and drink items for different seasons too. Desert is quite nice too, and I'll usually order their double chocolate coke cocola cake, it's very rich and sweet and best enjoyed with a friend.

Service is fast and friendly. If you order is messed up somehow ( which has only very rarely happened to me), all you have to do is let your server know and they'll fix it right away with no fuss. Pricing is pretty decent too. I usually eat here with my family of four and our bill is about 40 usd, so I think that's pretty good considering some eaterys have run me up a bill of 60 or more dollars.

The restaurant is very clean, the restrooms are also clean( well for public restrooms anyways). Lastly there is a store that sells a variety of items from toys and Candy to candles And some apparel. When you are given your bill for your food, you have to take it to the register in this store section to pay it.

Overall I quite enjoy coming here when I want some comfort food and don't wanna try something new. For me this restaurant is tried and true and I have very fond experiences here. As a side suggestion, if you like to relax a bit before you hit the road, most cracker barrels have a pourch with comfy rocking chairs on them, and you can chill out there for a bit. In the winter they sometimes light the fire place too! Like I said earlier I highly recommend you eat here, I have for most of my life...