Cracker Barrel Old Country Store — Restaurant in Piqua

A Memorable Family Meal at “Crack the Barrel” – As Our Grandson Now Calls It!

Our recent visit to the Cracker Barrel in Piqua, Ohio turned out to be a heartwarming, belly-filling experience that we won’t soon forget. We were a group of three adults and one very clever (and hungry) little boy, who charmingly decided to rename the place “Crack the Barrel”—and honestly, we may never call it anything else again!

Atmosphere & Service: From the moment we stepped inside, we were greeted with that signature Cracker Barrel warmth—rustic décor, a welcoming country store, and the smell of comfort food in the air. The staff was friendly and attentive without being intrusive, and our server was especially kind and patient with our grandson, who had lots of questions and plenty of enthusiasm to share.

Food: We came in for a hearty breakfast and early lunch, and every dish delivered exactly what we were hoping for—classic, well-prepared comfort food.

Our grandson ordered plain pancakes, and they were fluffy, golden, and just the right amount of sweet. He devoured them with a smile (and a generous helping of syrup), occasionally pausing to remind us we were dining at “Crack the Barrel.”

One adult opted for the chocolate chip pancakes, and those were a definite hit—rich, gooey chocolate in every bite, balanced out by a buttery crisp edge. Served with warm syrup and butter, they were a breakfast treat that felt indulgent but familiar.

We also had a plate of eggs and gravy, which were cooked just right—soft scrambled eggs with creamy, peppery white gravy over biscuits that were warm and flaky. Classic comfort on a plate.

For something heartier, one of us chose the beef tips, which came out tender, juicy, and full of slow-cooked flavor. They were served with mashed potatoes and a rich brown gravy that brought everything together perfectly.

Another adult opted for the meatloaf, paired with cheesy potatoes and baked apples. The meatloaf was savory and well-seasoned—just like grandma used to make—with a slight sweetness in the glaze. The cheesy potatoes were gooey and satisfying, and the baked apples were a highlight on their own—soft, spiced, and reminiscent of apple pie filling.

Kid-Friendly Vibe: Cracker Barrel has always been a great place for families, and this visit was no different. Our grandson felt right at home. Between the old-fashioned toys in the country store, the peg games at the table, and his own creative rebranding of the restaurant, it was clear he was having just as good of a time as we were.

Final Thoughts: Our visit to Cracker Barrel in Piqua wasn’t just a good meal—it was a lovely family memory. Great food, welcoming service, and a relaxed, homey environment made it a standout. And thanks to our grandson, we now have a fun new name for one of our favorite spots. So next time you're in Piqua and craving pancakes, meatloaf, or just a good old-fashioned meal, be sure to swing by “Crack the Barrel.”

Highly...

I order carside to go when I'm sick or in a hurry. Today is the THIRD time I have been left sitting in my car for ten minutes or more past the order ready time and had to go inside to find out what happened.

Today I called and spoke to a staff member to let them know I had arrived. She took my name and parking space number and said she was sending someone out. Ten minutes later I go inside to find two girls standing next to my order staring at an iPad with their backs to me. I said hello twice and they ignored me. I yelled hello while knocking on the counter and they finally turned around. I pointed to my order and told them I had been waiting. One of them says the person in back must not be wearing a headset, whatever that means. Then she tells me they're out of something I ordered. I told her I don't want a replacement, please just adjust the bill. She tells me my order was placed online so only a manager can do that. I then ask her to call a manager, who finally comes up front, and I have to repeat the entire experience to him.

Spectacularly terrible customer service from the girl who answered the phone, failed to ensure my order actually made it to my car, couldn't help me when there was a problem, then neglected to communicate the issue to the manager. The same girl was present for the other bad carside experiences. The food is usually at least fair, if not good. I wish they could replace the utterly...

We had 11 in our party tonight. We waited 35 minutes to be seated because they continued to seat small groups first. Our server was -------, who was amazing the whole time we were there. When she brought the biscuits she apologized that they had no clean plates so we had to use napkins. As we waited for our food, we watched people that came in at least 30 minutes after us, getting their food. When I asked about it, she talked to the general manager and he said that it is their policy to get smaller groups out quicker. Finally our food came. It was the worst food we've ever had at cracker barrel. The country fried steak was dry and tough. Some of the fish was so bad they couldn't eat it. I ordered the sugar ham. They cooked it so long that it was dry and tough. My carrots were so water soaked and cold you could smash them into a baby food consistancy . I finally asked to speak to the gm. He came out and when I told him all my complaints, he never apologized for any part of it. He just said he would bring the other half of my order out, and not charge me for my meal, which was nice since the only thing I ate much of was the hash brown casserole. Very disappointed in the gm and cook's tonight. I won't be going back for quite a while.. my suggestion is, if you have a large group, go...