Cracker Barrel Old Country Store — Restaurant in Topeka

Was very disappointed in my experience this evening. Arrived around 8:30 pm. Was seated immediately. Given menus, then waited for what seemed like a long time. Long enough we just ordered as soon as the waitress come to the table. Ordered the Meatloaf with three sides. Mashed potatoes, cinnamon apples and asked for the premium special side of corn on the cob. Was told that they were all out of the corn on the cob for the evening. No problem, I'll just have some dumplings instead. After waiting for what seemed like another 10 minutes, the waitress returned to inform us that they was also out of cinnamon apples. I decided then that I'd be ok with just two sides. Waited another 10 minutes, when the waitress brought out our order. To my surprise, was told now that they was out of potatoes, and they replaced them with the corn on the cob, that I was told they were out of. Waitresses asked if there was anything else that we may need? We asked for some ketchup, and a refill of lemonade. The meatloaf only seemed to be warm, as the same for the dumplings. Maybe they were under the warmer for too long. The corn was actually very good. Seemed fresh, not like it had set in a water bath for hours on end. We did not see our waitress again till we had finished our meals. While we was waiting for our food, we observed another couple seated. They waited for sometime, and eventually got up and left. I can only imagine that they got tired of waiting for service. My observation was at least 4-5 waitresses, and 1 waiter coming in and out of the kitchen. There was not very many other customers in the restaurant, maybe 6-8 tables, tops. It really felt as if the staff was more concerned about cleaning up for closing, rather than serving. I wonder why you would be so busy closing the store between 8pm & 9pm, when the actual closing time is 10pm. After all, there are paying customers in the dining area. The staff seemed more concerned about collecting the lantern tops, than checking on tables. After paying for my meal, I did speak to one of the managers on duty. I am a strong believer that if you don't bring a problem to their attention, then it becomes belief, that all is well. And, you can't fix what's not broken. I'm hopeful, that some attention in the proper direction will be attended to. Best...

I wish I could give a lower score. Last night we went to Cracker Barrel to celebrate my granddaughter’s achievement in middle school. There were lots of empty tables, and yet we were seated super close to other diners. Our waitress came over never did a greeting or seemed excited to wait on us. We were unfamiliar with the new menus and had many questions concerning both the new entrees and some of our old favorites. The waitress’s attitude and manner made it clear that she did not want to engage. After a painful exchange, we placed our order. When our food finally arrived, she literally slammed the plates down. My granddaughter’s food literally skidded almost off the plate. There was no conversation just slamming of plates. As we were eating, Grandpa caught her attention (she hadn’t come back) and asked for more syrup. Four people at the table had pancakes and 3 small bottles of syrup. She brought back additional syrup and again just slammed them down. As we were eating, a couple from a nearby table stopped and commented on how rude the waitress was. Complete strangers validated that it wasn’t just our imagination but this girl was condescending, disrespectful, and seemingly unaware of what qualities a good server should have. Never picked up or cleared empty plates and never thanked us for coming in. Wish I could tell you her name, but but unfortunately, she wore her badge backward the entire time. There were two girls in that area serving last night the girl we had and another girl who wore glasses. Everyone in that area seemed uncomfortable because of the attitude in manner of this server. The food was tolerable, but not amazing. We thought by going in at the time we did we would have great service and even better food because there would be no dinner rush. I can’t believe someone actually trained this girl and I can’t believe management finds her behavior acceptable. She needs to find a job where she doesn’t have to deal with the public. I don’t know if I will recommend Cracker Barrel, but I do know if I’m ever asked, I will warn them about this server. My granddaughters celebration was tarnished...

Ordering online with curbside pickup was a terrible experience. It was my grandmother's 91st birthday and she just got home from a nearly 30 day stay in the hospital. She asked for Cracker Barrel so we chose to pick it up, take it to her home and enjoy her birthday meal there.

I arrive 5 minutes early at 5:25pm and clicked the I am here button and noted my parking spot. 15 minutes later and young man came out and told me they didn't have any fried apples. We had apples as a side for all 3 meals. I asked if we could substitute, he said yes, but didn't offer any suggestions. I asked him what might be sweet we could replace the fried apples with. He told me coke cake or apple custard. I had never heard or either of those, so I told him anything apple would do.

5 minutes later another young man came out, brings me my bag of food and told me they didn't have any fried apples and asked what I would like to substitute. I told him another young man had just come out and asked me the same thing. He told me they had apple cobbler, so I told him great.

5 minutes later a lady comes out and tells me I cannot substitute apple cobbler for the fried apples and askes me what I'd like to substitute. Again, no menu or anything to help me decide. I remember loaded mashed potatoes were an option so I asked her for those and reminded her that my food had already been delivered and it was getting cold.

5 minutes later, the manager comes out with a bag. It has 1 container of loaded mashed potatoes. I reminded her that we had ordered 3 meals and each had fried potatoes so shouldn't I get 3 loaded potatoes? She said they now had fried apples as they just came off the truck and asked if I'd rather have those. I SAID YES! I also informed her my food had been delivered and was getting cold and how terrible experience this had been.

At 6:00pm on the dot, the manager returns with 3 containers of fried apples. 30 minutes in the curbside spot. 4 different people dealing with the problem and I ended up with hot apples, but cold everything else. Never again...