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Road weary and hungry but wanting something more satisfying than the usual road-side food, we spied a place we weren’t familiar with but had a crowded parking lot…so it MUST be a good place to eat! Stepping inside, an amazing aroma alerted us to the possibility of a hearty meal and enticed us to stay, even though the waiting line was almost out the door! We were assured by others in line that the wait wouldn’t be long and was well worth it! They were right!

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® restaurants are one of my choice stops when traveling. In fact, when I first discovered Cracker Barrel, I made a point of stopping at every one we found on our annual trip across the country (from Colorado to Tennessee), if not for a meal, then blackberry cobbler or apple pie or even just coffee! At that time, Cracker Barrel restaurants had not expanded very much out of Tennessee (their home base) and were few and far between. I was so excited when one finally opened in Denver, that on our next annual trek across the country, we started with breakfast at the new Denver location!

Even now, years later, a delicious meal of ‘homestyle’ cooking in the familiar and comfortable atmosphere of a Cracker Barrel is always satisfying and always my choice when a Cracker Barrel is available!

Over countless visits, I have sampled most of the menu and have enjoyed everything I’ve been served. Since I don’t have as many opportunities to dine at Cracker Barrel as I used to, my food choice is the spicy grilled catfish (a unique seasoning only at Cracker Barrel)  with Country Green Beans and Hashbrown Casserole; UNLESS I manage to arrive on the day that Sweet Potato Casserole is the vegetable of the day!   I usually include a House Salad with Peppercorn Dressing (cold crisp greens with tomatoes, carrots, Colby cheese, bacon, and seasoned homemade sourdough croutons). And I dive into the plate of fresh hot biscuits (and/or cornbread muffins) brought to the table while the catfish cooks!

Breakfast, which is served all day-every day-at Cracker Barrel is another feast I look forward to. During those annual trips east, I even ordered catfish for breakfast!  but now I enjoy the catfish for dinner (Country Dinner Plate) and the Smokehouse Breakfast (eggs any way, grits, Sawmill gravy, biscuits and choice of bacon, sausage, or ham) if I am fortunate enough to be in town in the morning. You might like the Sunrise Sampler or Uncle Herschel’s Favorite …oooh…they are ALL yummy!

Eating at Cracker Barrel is only part of the experience. The walls and ceilings are covered with intriguing and fascinating antiques and memorabilia. Sit on the porch in one of the signature ‘Rocking Chairs’, play a game of checkers with a giant checker set next to the fireplace, or shop in the ‘old country store’ where a variety of gifts, travel entertainments and delightful seasonal items will captivate you!

The next time you are out and about, and spot a Cracker Barrel Old Country Store®, stop in and discover your favorite menu item!