Cracker Barrel Old Country Store — Restaurant in Lynchburg

I went to this location today to eat and was thoroughly surprised. A young man named Josh was my waiter and after the meal I went into my car with someone else to get inside. While me and that person were speaking Josh circled around us twice until he came over to where me and the person were standing asking how was his service. I told him his service was good and he quickly shot back at me why didn’t I give him a tip. While it was none of his business, I informed him that the meal went over my initial amount I planned to give for the food to begin with as I paid for someone’s else food and he told me in response if I didn’t have enough money to give for a tip then I shouldn’t eat out. I told him that it was not his job to dictate who eats out and that statement in itself was very disrespectful and rude. He gave me a smile, a shrug and a cold stare as he walked back inside. Little did he know when he walked up on me I was speaking to the person I was with about God and how we are called to walk in love. We both were upset over his demeanor but figured maybe he needed some prayer so we went inside to go pray with him. Once inside Josh was called to the front to speak with us. Once we seen him in informed him that many other people in response to his action would have reacted with anger and hostility potentially even violence but that me and the person I was with wanted to pray for him. He stated he didn’t need our prayers and that the Bible spoke of tipping people. I informed paying tithes unto the Lord and tipping a waiter are two different things. He then shrugged his shoulders and walked off. From there I called the manager to the front to further discuss the situation and asked if Josh could be present. They both came and I informed the manager of what took place. I let him know that Josh should apologize over what took place and the manager then responded that for me to ask that was disrespectful. I asked him how and he wouldn’t answer but stated that he apologizes on Josh’s behalf. I informed them both this was not the service I was used too at Cracker Barrel and I would follow up with management accordingly. Jason who was the manager stated that I could do as I wished. I asked him before leaving if could pray and he asked me to pray for their patience and strength while doing their job. I said we can pray now and he said you can do it by yourself cause we have to get back to work. I immediately began to pray and he received the prayer while Josh continued to have a smug look on his face. Ultimately this incident was highly disrespectful and as a African-American man I don’t know if that played a part or if it was just Josh feeling that was ok to do. In the end I wish the best for Josh and Jason but Jason should not have excused the behavior and Josh should have been made to apologize for being disrespectful. I will continue to press forward in reporting this matter as this is not a good look for Cracker Barrell and Josh could have been hurt speaking to the wrong people in that manner. Hopefully change will come and we can get...

Update 03/21/2022 Prices are up, service is down. Food is still good but at a more hefty price and smaller portions.

Not how I wanted to remember the place. My Mother and I went early around 330 in the afternoon. Place was quite vacant. Our Server was less than attentive even though he was friendly but he seemed fake to me. I ordered the Sweet N Spicy Chicken Tenders which I got with Fried Okra and Mac and Cheese. The plate they gave me was huge but my food took up half of it. The chicken visually looked overcooked but tasted good it says it comes with buttermilk ranch to dip but I didn't get any on my plate. After asking the hostess for some. I never got any and then had to ask my waiter. The Mac and Cheese was maybe a 1/2 cup in size and was also not very appealing sight wise but tasted delicious. My Fried Okra was immaculate.

My Mom got the Grandma Sampler. Which comes with 2 Pancakes, Scrambled Eggs, Sausage Patty, Country Ham, a large piece of bacon and hash brown casserole. My Mom asked for no Sausage or Ham and just Bacon. It came to our table with Ham, Sausage and one piece of Bacon lol. Also she asked for cheese on her scrambled eggs and we were charged $1.39 for it on the bill. Something in my opinion should be free or at the most .25 cents. And they are no longer serving pancakes with glass bottles of syrup. She got two massive pancakes and one partially filled dipping cup of syrup which was barely enough to douse one pancake. She asked for another and they obliged her.

Also the biscuits were good but only came with whipped butter and no jelly. I asked our waiter to get me a refill on my sweet tea but he instead took two tables drink orders first, then brought both tables drinks, then took one tables food order and then disappeared into the kitchen. Meanwhile we had finished our meals and were were waiting for boxes, the bill and still a refill while he did other things. That's when I got up and spoke to the Manager.

The Manager was easily approachable but wasn't very sorry for his wait staff instead he told me that he only has two servers for the whole dining area of which I saw there were only 6 tables seated total. He also had 2 hostesses which in my opinion could've easily refilled my drink and brought us boxes, even the bill while our waiter was obviously busy. Also the manager had 3 staff stocking the country store in front of house, plus he could've lent a hand himself if need be but he didn't. Nor did he adjust the bill. He pretty much said it is what is.

Our bill was $30.58 and it didn't look or taste like it. Oh how the mighty...

I usually go to this Cracker Barrel quite often for lunch and had never had an issue, I mean its Cracker Barrel nothing super flashy, but always liked to go grab some Chicken and Dumplings with my friends. 1/16/23 at around 7:00 I had the most awful experience at a restaurant that I have ever had in my life.

Me and my friends arrive at 7:00 because I had a gift card and they say the wait will be 30 minutes, perfect time to look around the shop. 7:20 ish we were seated and ready to order. I forgot our waitresses name, but she was nice. I ordered Coke, fried pickles as an appetizer, and Chicken and Dumplings. I get my coke and I would like to say never got our fried pickles. No worries I suppose, until 15 minutes later I was told they don't serve Chicken and Dumplings past 4:00? Never heard of that I order something else, but shortly after cant help but overhear the table next to us state they wanted Chicken and Dumplings, but heard they were not being served and THEIR server stated that the claim was false and they DO indeed sell Chicken and Dumplings past 4:00. I am mad as anyone would be when craving chicken and dumplings. I would also like to state I ordered some sort of pancake instead that came with eggs and a choice of bacon or sausage, I was not asked how I wanted my eggs cooked. I also somewhere along the road had my Coke switched out with Sweet Tea during a refill exchange?? Who cares it is now 8:45 when we finally get our food (reminder we were seated around 7:20 and they close at 9:00) and my friends and I's hopes for also ordering dessert are crushed. The pancakes were ok the eggs were scrambled and dry and the sausage was gross it had looked like both of them had been sitting out for a while I couldn't eat them.

Finally time to check out and leave, luckily I don't have to really pay much for this disaster since I have a gift card right? Wrong, I am then told that my gift card will not work and I must call the number on the back of it to fix it. Not really their fault, but majorly inconvenient. It is now 8:50 and I don't really have time to sit on the phone with some customer service so I pay out of pocket.

Overall, I would never return for dinner and I do not appreciate being lied to when all I wanted was Chicken...