Cracker Barrel Old Country Store — Restaurant in McAllen

Went earlier today, and after a 10 minute wait for 2 people, we sat down. We got server by John and the service leaves a lot to be desired, we waited 10 minutes for a glass of water and a chocolate milk, no bread was left on the table but the table next to us got their drinks, bread and the server was constantly checking on them.

After ordering two orders of fried chiken, it took them almost 30 MINUTES for food (mind you, it was fried, so it shouldn't have taken them that long) to arrive at the table. The starters we had ordered were nowhere to be seen, the server went to the kitchen, we were about to cancel them but he brought them cold.

We HAD TO ASK for bread and refills on the drinks, which usually you wouldn't need to. He left the food and never checked on us, but he was more focused on the tables next to us as they never had to ask for anything but napkins.

Chicken was MEDIUM, the bones still were a bit red, and the meat was mushy on some parts, we tried to call the server, but he would just pass by ignoring us. The only time the server didn't take long to be back was when we asked for the ticket (as latinos we felt like they just wanted us out of the place asap, we felt unwelcomed)

The only time the server asked how everything was when we got the ticket, when I told them about our experience, he straight up left and came with the manager who just interrogated us about everything in a very mean way. When she noticed the guest I had brought to the restaurant didn't speak English, the manager just rolled her eyes and looked at me as if I had insulted her. When I told her about our experience, she just offered a vague apology and asked to write in what we had to eat even though we had already told her she just said that cooked chicken is supposed to be red and pink. She said that she was taking notes in case we got sick, but she couldn't do something about it as we had already asked for the ticket. We asked her if the chicken wasn't raw, and she would eat a piece that was red and pink, but she kept evading the question just affirming it was cooked, we insisted on the question, but she never answered.

Overall, bad service, terrible food quality, and a very bad experience for us. Used to be my favorite restaurant, but after today, I'm better going to...

This location has gone down hill! Do not even bother eating here you will get better quality food at Dennys and I never go to Dennys. I sent all our food back. The French toast was small flat end pieces (I have never seen their French toast like this) manager said this is how it always comes which is a flat out lie. Pecan pancakes super thin and pecans tasted stale and a bitter taste to pancakes. The pancakes usually have some fluff and definitely shouldn’t taste bitter. The managers excuse for poor tasting pancakes was that pecans are frozen and they don’t expire which also is a lie even frozen food does expire being a manager in a restaurant. He should know this! I also asked for plant based sausage and they gave me all pork which I don’t eat. Manager said ok well if you asked for plant based it’s ok I will see if we can change it just like he said ok I will see if your meal comes with biscuits when I asked for some.

I wish I had taken pictures but was was in complete shock and busy pulling up photos from reviews to prove to manager that French toast here did not always look like this!

The management team needs to be changed in this location the older male manager seemed very bothered to be interrupted from holding his menus when he should’ve been helping people around the restaurant and his staff, we have been waiting for over 20 minutes at our table for our coffee and we asked also for biscuits. The water that was brought to us tasted horrible worse than tapwater. After sending all food back and canceling our to go order, the manager still proceeded to charge us for biscuits and coffee. Horrible customer service from management! Somebody else should be running this place. He said he had been working there for six years?? Definitely not the Cracker Barrel this used to be. The only reason why I give four stars for atmosphere is because the staff is very nice and we always enjoy the store. I did leave my server a tip based on what my original ticket would have been as it was not her fault the quality of food went down. Just a horrible experience and complete waste...

Today April 5th 2025 we headed to have a delicious meal as always at the Cracker Barrel in McAllen Texas off the expressway. Well, today was the worst ever!! First, we were sat in an area where there was a loose board on the roof that looks like it was about to fall and we asked to be moved. The manager Rick even took pictures. Second, one of our orders the eggs were ordered over hard, and they brought us scrambled. I called the waitress and she took the plate to correct it. They bring back the same eggs style. I called the waitress once again and then decided to show her an image of over hard eggs and she said she had never seen those. Which is fine, we told her it was ok just showing her how we initially wanted them and we kept the scrambled eggs. Third!! I order the chicken fried steak and eggs, ate about half and all is good until I bit into a biscuit and it was completely raw in the middle. I spat out my food on a napkin, called the waitress, we open the 3 other biscuits show her how they are completely raw as well and she apologized and took my plate. About 20 minutes pass and she just brings me my check. So I called the manager “Rick” very rude by the way, and I asked him where my food was? He says, “Well you complained about the biscuits and we saw they were raw, but the biscuits are free! We don’t charge you for those.” That made me upset, to which I replied to him, “Sir I am not here for a free meal! It was obvious what my concern was, but if that is how you do business, where you don’t even apologize to your customer, just ignore me for 20 minutes, you had my plate removed and then you only bring me my check and then hope I just go away?!?! Then thank you for the worst service ever!” My total was originally $52.00, and when the cashier rung me out it showed $33.00. I told the waitress I wanted nothing for free and I wanted my original receipt so I could place a complaint and she just smiled and said, “Sorry I already...