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CB Casual Dining Cracker Barrel slow, bad food, poor staff
Cracker Barrel

Cracker Barrel review: slow, bad food, poor staff 63

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2:41 pm EST
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As a child, I used to love this restaurant. It had goofy pictures on the wall, a toy section. And damned good orange soda. But the past few times i've been forced to return, have all been one giant ball of pain and suffering. These events have been the same in different states of which i've eaten at the cracker barrel.

In the time it takes to get your food, you could have just made the same damn thing at home, and saved yourself the 20$. Anywhere between 30-40minutes is the average wait time i've experienced. I am not going here in a huge group of people, demanding all 20 of us has our food out instantly. Oh no, it's just me, and my mother. Having a nice little lunch. But still, it's taken up to 40 minutes for two plates. We do not order anything special with our food. Just the run of the mill menu items.

For example: a chicken salad, ranch dressing. How long can that take? My mother even ordered the exact same thing. But we sat around for 30 minutes while we got absolutely no recognition. Remember, this has happened at more then one restaurant, in different states.

So after 30 minutes of sitting around being ignored, we finally get our food. The first thing my mother says is 'where's chicken?", buried under the lettuce where a few pieces of chicken. As if it was an after thought.

It was painfully obvious the salads had been sitting around for a while, some of the croutons had turned squishy from sitting on top of a tomato for to long. I was scared to even try the hard boiled egg, which was ice cold by this point. The chicken was luke warm, whatever little bit we received, one could tell considering the cheese beneath it was barely melted. And one can deduce that hot chicken would melt the cheese, and cold # chicken sitting around for 20 minutes, would not.

Every time I order a simple coke, it tastes like dish water.
Yes, fountain drinks will vary in taste depending on the restaurants syrup to water ratio, but this was not cols syrup, it was dish water.

On one occasion the creamer for my mothers coffee had curdled.

Honestly, I cannot stand to return to this place. As a child it was a place of wonderment and delicious orange cola, now it's a waste land of cold food and rancid milk products.

At one time, a table of 20 was served, and out the door before my mother and I even got our food. And yes, we where there before the larger party arrived, and had ordered at least 10 minutes before hand.

These events are taken from various locations including: michigan, louisiana, and texas. I travel a lot -_-

Resolved

The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

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63 comments
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Bessiesbabygirl@gmail.com
Lancaster, US
Mar 13, 2024 3:14 pm EDT

Turkey Dinners were terrible. The turkey was dry and burnt around the edges. Very Skimpy pieces of turkey. Too much lumpy dressing. Dressing was dry and untasty. All three Dinners were terrible.

Curbside order number369841161

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Terrible service 2023
Albemarle, US
Dec 25, 2023 6:06 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

On Saturday December 16th we visited Cracker Barrel near Winston Salem, we arrived around 239ish, the host sat us at a table, we waited roughly 10 minutes and had to ask for a waitress. She finally came out took the order and went back to the kitchen. The food was terrible, cold and she never filled our drinks. Absolutely unbelievable!

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Goldilocks0319
Peekskill, US
Dec 17, 2023 1:03 am EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I have a gift card no [protected]. They said we need an additional 3 digit code. Since I can’t get through to a human being. I need help

Wendytimmkavanah@gmail.com.

Help. [protected]

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Chris Dantis
, US
Nov 27, 2023 4:12 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

This order should of been cancelled as I told to manager to cancel it. Name on order - Chris Dantis / Order date 11/21/23 / Ordered around 10:30ish am - ready by 11:02am but never was ready and stood waiting for a least 20 min. Spoke to the manager and told him to cancel and I did not want the order.

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Howell2
, US
Nov 13, 2023 9:44 am EST
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We order for pick up a lot because of limiting issues. We like their food but they have screwed up so many times, getting the order wrong to some effect every single time, that we're done. Maybe Ramsey's will do better.

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Maxho23
Rutledge, US
Nov 04, 2023 11:35 pm EDT

we go to cracker barrel every two weeks.this time the service was bad.lady brought the wrong side.and the chicken was dried out.after the meal i ask for coffee and she brought it,she dropped the cream pod in the floor and just picked it up and threw it on the table.i was very disappointed.worse service ever.

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mark eichelberger
Hagerstown, US
Nov 04, 2023 3:24 pm EDT

cards [protected] and [protected] not accepted at hagerstown md crarcker barrel. cards never used.no expiration date. please resovle and call nancy at [protected] or mark at [protected] how do speak to cusmtomer service

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CL Clark
, US
Jul 31, 2023 9:41 am EDT
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The fish was horrible! It was fried til it curled almost into a ball! It was dryer than sand! I cannot believe how disappointed I was with my dinner! YUK

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Alan Elias
, US
Jun 03, 2023 8:41 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

After waitning 10 minutes to be seated the manager came over and when we asked for a table. He screamed at us and told us not to tell him how to run his business. This guy is crazy and violent. Get new manager immediately.

10:a.m I had my grandson and a friend with me.

Its ok you are big I am small and you do not need my business.

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Leon Beaty
Boggstown, US
May 17, 2023 10:26 pm EDT
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These cards are "old"-but NO EXPIRATION takes care of that!

I have previously described my complaint.

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James Wermes
Rocklin Caif., US
May 13, 2023 6:43 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

On April 28 2023 we had a meal at your Restorante, it was a birthday dinner.

I ordered Sea food Plater + a baked potato, the potato as served looked and tasted like it had been cooked two days ago, the shrimp were pre breaded frozen packaged.

This is not what i expected from Cracker Barrel.

James Wermes

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Mark 755
Prescott Valley, US
Apr 11, 2023 8:40 pm EDT

You no longer carry catfish on your menu. There’s nothing more southern. What did you do, hire someone from NYC to do your menu? You’ve lost my business. OK, you need more characters. YOU SUCK, YOU SUCK, YOU SUCK. NO

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Susan Ike Jones
, US
Apr 03, 2023 7:28 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I UNDERSTANDING WHY, you do not accept ANY COMPLAINTS BY PHONE! I would Like to Be ACKNOWLEDGED! The fact that you do NOT WANT to address the problems at hand. Our Service was HORRIBLE for carryout, we had to wait over an hour and a half for our COLD MEAL, and the attitude of the employees was deplorable! You have become worse than Walmart!

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Barry Schoen
, US
Mar 12, 2023 3:50 am EDT

We Love Cracker Barrel But things have changed. Your Food is not allergen-free. Either a form of corn (184 derivatives of corn) or soy is now in the products you serve from your Kitchen. Many people have either Corn Allergine or soy and can not eat at your restaurant anymore. Oh for the good old days again.

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john keslar
Connellsville, US
Feb 19, 2023 8:07 am EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

we went out on feb 6th to new staton pa went to check out with our gift card and it would not take it it is a twenty five dollar one it said it was no good that it expired my name is JOHN KESLAR 1823 FIRST ST SOUTH CONNELLSVILLE PA 15425 PHONE NUMBER [protected] WE WERE THERE FOR OUR 25TH ANNAVERISTY IT WAS IN THE EVENING

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Donna Elaine Alexander
, US
Feb 12, 2023 3:58 am EST

Hair in my food . Tupelo Mississippi . February 03,2023 3:20pm

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Fran Kremmin
Deatsville, US
Jan 28, 2023 5:01 pm EST

The food that my husband and I ordered was way over done. For $52.02 it should have been edible and was not. The code on my reciept is [protected]. I am sure that nothing is going to happen but felt it needed to be said.

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Kate Lester
, US
Dec 10, 2022 3:58 pm EST

Ordered food online at around 7:40pm and didn’t get it till 8:40pm! The food was cold and old! Constantly asking staff about our order and would go back in the back and take 20 min just to tell us about a potential time. At one point a later said it’s being bagged but took another 10 min to do so. Want a refund!

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T Goins
, US
Dec 03, 2022 11:57 am EST

Found two hairs in my mashed potatoes today 11.27.22. Was almost done with food and didn't bother to say anything. I've never had a problem until today. Hair looked white or very light blonde. Couldn't tell which. You all can do better than that!

11.27.22 Around noon. Owensboro, KY 42301

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Brian502
Bardstown, US
Nov 12, 2022 9:31 am EST

We placed an order of three meals. We went to the Bardstown, KY location on 11/5/2022. We asked if we could have a couple of biscuits to just start off with. The waitress told us it would cost us an additional $2.99. We have at at Cracker Barrel for years and that has never been the case.

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dhiveydc
Louisville, US
Oct 10, 2022 9:44 am EDT

Went to Cracker Barrel today and used my gift card. I was told that the card was closed. It has not been used and no other explanation was given. What is Cracker Barrel doing? May not eat there again.

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Donald Bell
, US
Oct 02, 2022 5:38 pm EDT

Store

Brighton,MI

Date of service

September 16th

Ordered 2 pc catfish diner,I asked for an extra pc the waiter said it would be an extra $7 for it. This is too high for 1 pc.

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TL Lansford
San Antonio, US
Oct 02, 2022 10:21 pm EDT

General Manager at the IH 10 West Cracker Barrel in San Antonio Texas 78240 being rude and unreasonable.

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B Hartz
Scenery Hill Pa, US
Sep 03, 2022 10:33 am EDT

Given as gift. Will NOT work. It is black and white stripes about 14" high. New batteries tried. Sat in sun for hours. Simply will not work. Light is supposed to rotate. Where can I get a working replacement? We are regular Customers for food and gifts.

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Steven Neal
, US
Aug 15, 2022 11:54 am EDT

Why did you remove eggs in a basket from your menu? We ate at cracker barrel in Sunbury Ohio three to four times a month. No more. Thanks

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Faris Crain
, US
Aug 06, 2022 9:03 pm EDT

im a service connected disabled veteran and a bike ridder will not go back or recommend your establishment again for breakfast everyone i know likes grits now we have to pay for grits when it use to be part of the meal now have to pay extra no [censored]ing way will ever go back again will advise me friends not to either

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BetsyBug
Chicago, US
Dec 02, 2020 5:43 am EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Ordered online 3 turkey dinners from the Hammond, Indiana Cracker Barrel on Thanksgiving day. Portions were small, sweet potato casserole was mushy. No dinner rolls. This was truly the first bad experience I've had with the restaurant. I will only eat there again if I can dine in. The whole experience wasn't worth the money or the effort.

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Gator Andy
, US
Jan 04, 2020 9:49 am EST

Bring back the chicken fried chicken! The tenderloin option is awful!

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XX3
, US
Oct 15, 2019 9:40 am EDT

I have ordered carry out several times from cracker barrel. The last two times they forgot the biscuits and corn bread to go with the order. In addition to that they forgot the gravy for the mashed potatoes. They were thick and hard. Not happy at all with the take out.

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XX3
, US
Oct 09, 2019 3:13 pm EDT

Am going to call store manager

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Toby DeGroft
, US
Jun 08, 2019 9:55 am EDT
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Took 10 mins to get acknowledged then another 10 till we were able to order a drink everything we asked for the waitress was very rude and disrespectful shaking her head and huffing like a child. Then says in a loud tone I'm running. Didn't check back on us we had to keep saying excuse me excuse me to get her attention for what we needed.

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Disgusted customer43
, US
Oct 22, 2018 5:10 pm EDT

They got my order wrong and there was hair in my food.Poor customer service. Will not return ever again! This restaurant is located on
3701 Elmsley Ct, Greensboro, NC 27406

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Roger Dale 43
, US
Oct 15, 2018 4:05 pm EDT
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Visited League City, TX store today Tues. Oct 8, 2018 at 4:30 PM. Nearly empty store. Service extremely slow, inattentive, and disorganized. Complained at checkout and was ignored. They did NOT offer to call a manager. Also Men's Restroom was very dirty. Disappointing all around.

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Antonio1974
Atlanta, US
Sep 10, 2018 10:41 am EDT

I was eating tonight at cracker barrel and i had the wrost inspenrence i eat my shrimps with ranch there was something round in the ranch i don't appreciate this i want to sue because of this even the manger said he never seen that before i have 4 witnesses that will tell the truth about it and a recetelli dont deserve this no one dose

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Sharleen Dotson
, US
Sep 01, 2018 11:47 pm EDT

I bought a Christmas tree from Cracker Barrel on line the top did not work I have called been promised calls back left messages emailed and left fb messages and no response I have been trying to reach them for two weeks still no response they are not very customer friendly I would not recommend buying online

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Mary james12
, US
Sep 01, 2018 1:06 pm EDT
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We have been going to crackerbarrel for 36 years they still cant get our eggs cooked right. We order them xtra well fried. Tell them to burn the eggs. Theyare undercooked everytime. You send them back then the food is cold. Won't be going back.

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Betty Pringle
, US
Aug 20, 2018 8:41 am EDT

We both ordered the campfire roasted beef. The carrots & potatoes in my order were not cooked and sent it back. Didn't get the lemon for water nor the biscuits until later when they brought my order the second time. They brought separate carrots & a bake potato. Not the same as camp-fire roasted vegetables.

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server girl
Wilmington, US
Jul 17, 2013 10:37 am EDT
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I'm just glad no black people tried to dispute the tip thing! As a black server, I know it's true and very annoying!

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TheGruesomes
Lexington, US
Jun 08, 2012 12:29 pm EDT

I have been working for Cracker Barrel in Lexington, NC for a little over a year and a half now as a Backup cook and as of just recently a server. I can say that this is the best paying job that I have had so far, granted the tips could be a bit better, but it's not horrible. Our managers can have their days just like anyone else, you all have to remember "### rolls downhill". I know that some of the servers could step up their game and offer better service to our customers, but some just don't give a ### they are just there to make their money and leave. As for the "Server Absolutes" are concerned, I do feel that the customers feel rushed, I have had some of them ask why I am rushing them to order and I apologize to them, I think this needs to change not only for the customers but for the CBOCS employees as well.

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mom of worker
Indianapolis, US
Jun 06, 2012 9:55 pm EDT

Cracker Barrel cheats it's employees out of pay. They also don't give you the hours that you have been hired for. Stay away from Cracker Barrel. 6 weeks later still waiting for missing pay, every week they say it will be in next weeks check.
DO NOT WORK FOR THIS COMPANY!