If you traveled to Cracker Barrel recently and felt like Cracker Barrel isn’t quite as good as you remember it…
Just know that you’re not alone.
Despite the fact that Cracker Barrel has actually done some pretty impressive new stuff with its menu, it’s not enough to make up for the other issues.
There are lots of people feeling this way (if the conversations I’m having are any indication), and I suspect I know why.
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It’s not any one issue all on its own – although maybe one thing jumped out at you more than anything else – but rather (I think) a combination of several different problems besetting this beloved breakfast spot.
So let’s dive in on these 11 things dragging Cracker Barrel down…
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Unfortunately, a lot of traditional favorites have been cut by Cracker Barrel.
From their beef brisket breakfast…to their baked apple dumplin’…strawberries n’ cream french toast…chicken livers…and loads of others.
(Here’s a more complete list of the losses.)
A traditional breakfast isn’t as great if you’ve lost a lot of the traditional favorites!
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Although Cracker Barrel hasn’t pulled a Waffle House and added a surcharge to their eggs – at least not yet – fact is that a meal at Cracker Barrel isn’t nearly as affordable as it used to be.
And I think we’re all feeling and noticing that. (Certainly lots of comments on this article concur!)
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I’ve heard from loads of people who have noticed that portions at Cracker Barrel have declined over the years.
I didn’t, like, weigh my cinnamon apples a couple years apart to make sure they were the same amount, but the eyeball test is pretty good – it feels like there’s some shrinking going on.
I’ll pay more, but give me a good amount of food for the money!
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I want to be clear that this isn’t a comment on all waitstaff at Cracker Barrels.
Plenty still deliver warm, fast, efficient service! But it’s frustrating when there aren’t enough waitstaff for the tables that are there, and food comes out cold or otherwise “not right.”
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I’ve read plenty of reports of people waiting an hour or more for their food to come out.
That’s just not ok. This isn’t a European steak house!
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There’s been a clear shift toward takeout across America, and Cracker Barrel is no exception.
When I’ve gone there recently, even at peak times, it has felt a little “dead.”
It’s no fun to go out to eat when there are only a few other people there!
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Cracker Barrel downsized in a pretty big way a couple of years ago, and has shed over 100 restaurants.
(In fact, earlier this year, they closed down their last location in Maine, having exited Oregon in 2024.)
It’s just not as convenient as it used to be.
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I’ve heard from plenty of people talking about declines in food quality at Cracker Barrel, both in terms of:
1) The dishes themselves being mediocre replacements for old fan favorites, and
2) Just not being cooked all that well.
Someone even told me the food tasted like it had been heated from frozen. No thank you!
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It kills me to say it, but there are plenty of mom and pop restaurants that deliver real quality, home-cooked food.
Cracker Barrel’s a chain, and increasingly it’s tasting like it.
(And this isn’t just me – I’ve read similar comments from tons of people.)
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If you look at Cracker Barrel’s closest competitors – Denny’s, IHOP, Waffle House, Bob Evans, Huddle House, diners – honestly, they all serve mostly the same food.
There’s some variation from store to store, but you can get two eggs, sausage, hash browns, and biscuits just about anywhere, you know?
And honestly, the price points are cheaper elsewhere.
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This isn’t true across every Cracker Barrel by any means, but I’ve certainly been in a few lately that have felt a little…old country store vs. Old Country Store.
Not dilapidated by any means, but in need of a fresh coat of paint, maybe some maintenance, a little freshening up.
That feeling of the location not being well-cared-for certainly impacts the dining experience too, you know?
It’s important to take pride in your stuff.
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So there you have it – ten frustrating reasons that Cracker Barrel just isn’t as good as it used to be.
It’s ok to shift to a competitor (here are a few good ones) if you’re feeling similarly dissatisfied.
But that brings us to the big question:
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What do YOU think?
Has Cracker Barrel declined in your experience? What would you attribute it to?
Let us know in the comments!
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