Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc., is a chain of 557 “Old Country Stores”, each combining a retail store and a restaurant in 41 states across the United States. Currently they have 4 in New Mexico but none in California =(
The Cracker Barrel chain serves traditional Southern comfort food, including grits, and their outlets have traditionally been located along interstate highways, though the company policy on this appears to be changing. There are two menus, one for breakfast and one for lunch/dinner, but breakfast is available all day. Both menus include a low-carb section.
The outer porch of a Cracker Barrel store has rows of rocking chairs for guests to enjoy before or after eating, and there is usually a fireplace and a checkers table within the dining area for an added country feel. The interior walls of the dining area are decorated with antiques such as photographs, advertisements, and household items. The retail store carries mainly nostalgic merchandise, collectibles, housewares, crafts, toys, classic candies, and items used in making Cracker Barrel entrees. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cracker_Barrel]
Gary and Mike dozing off chilling outside:
Here’s the menu (doesn’t it remind you of Trader Joe’s fearless flyer??):
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SIDES
Each main entree comes with 3 vegetable sides. Choices include: Whole kernel corn, Country green beans, Sweet whole baby carrots, Fried apples, Macaroni n’ Cheese, Apple Sauce, Pinto Beans, Dumplins, Turnip Greens, Cole Slaw, Steak Fries, Mashed Potatoes, Breaded Fried Okra, Hashbrown Casserole. (the sides we chose are in bold– all were really good, especially the fried okra!)
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ENTREES
Chicken Fried Chicken
A generous portion of our chicken breast fillet fried to a golden brown then topped with our Sawmill Gravy.
Amazing chicken fried steak. Crispy outside — hmm hmm moist inside (why can’t all chicken be like this??) =P Remember to load it up with the white Sawmill gravy! Oh the goodness!!!
Roast Beef Dinner
Our thick-cut USDA Choice Chuck
Roast is slow roasted in the “pot roast” tradition for more than 14 hours until fork tender.
Wow, another winner here..the roast is so moist it almost melts in your mouth! Good stuff!
Meatloaf Dinner
A thick cut of our special recipe
Meatloaf made with tomatoes, onions and green peppers.
Unfortunately, I thought the meat loaf was pretty plain.
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DESSERT
Baked Apple Dumplin
Covered with pecan streusel and Premium Vanilla Bean
ice cream n’ apple topping
Mike excited. yeah.
The Apple Dumplin was amazing — two large scoops of vanilla bean ice cream on top of thick warm apple pecan sauce, all surrounded with a crusty shell. The warm sauce is the best…that made the meal complete. What is not to like about it? Satisfies 2 tummies!
After this meal, how can I not thank God for food???? =)
Hungry Cactus’ final verdict: A
An affordable restaurant for yummy hearty comfort food. Their dishes look simple yet taste surprisingly good. A definite restaurant to visit again.