Additional Coverage:
- 13 Cracker Barrel Items That Make The Trip Totally Worthwhile (financebuzz.com)
Craving Cracker Barrel? Here’s How to Get the Most Bang for Your Buck!
Dining out is a treat, especially when the budget’s tight. So, when you do decide to splurge, you want a meal that truly satisfies. Enter Cracker Barrel, a beloved spot known for dishing out nostalgic Southern comfort food perfect for those “don’t want to cook” days.
To help you stretch your restaurant dollars, we’ve rounded up the top Cracker Barrel menu items that deliver big on flavor without breaking the bank. (Just a heads up: prices and availability can change and might vary by location.)
1. Chicken ‘n Dumplins
Price: $11.99
This classic Southern dish is a Cracker Barrel legend, ordered over 11 million times a year! We’re talking tender chicken, a creamy sauce, and those delightful dough strips, all made fresh in-house daily.
They even use a proprietary dumpling mix that doubles as their biscuit recipe – a true two-for-one! You can even buy the dry mix to whip up this comfort food at home if you’re really pinching pennies.
2. Hashbrown Casserole Shepherd’s Pie
Price: $15.99
Why choose when you can have both? This genius fusion brings together two Cracker Barrel favorites.
Imagine large chunks of slow-cooked pot roast (as one Reddit user pointed out) topped with a crispy, golden layer of their famous hashbrown casserole. It’s comfort food squared!
3. Hashbrown Casserole
Price: $3.09
Is there any Cracker Barrel dish more iconic? The hashbrown casserole has countless copycat recipes for a reason.
The “secret” to its cheesy, potato-y, oniony goodness? Cream of chicken soup acts as the perfect binder.
Trust us, you’ll want this as a side, no matter if it’s breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
4. Country Vegetable Plate
Price: $10.49
Don’t fall into the “choice of two sides” trap! While that might suffice elsewhere, Cracker Barrel offers a smarter way to enjoy more of their delicious fixings. Opt for the Country Vegetable Plate and get your pick of four sides, saving you a few dollars compared to adding them à la carte.
5. Momma’s Pancake Breakfast
Price: $9.99
According to Cracker Barrel themselves, Momma’s Pancake Breakfast is their most popular item. And the best part?
You can enjoy this tasty meal all day long! It comes with two farm-fresh eggs and your choice of crispy bacon or savory sausage.
Plus, Cracker Barrel serves up real maple syrup – a sweet bonus you won’t always find elsewhere.
6. Meatloaf
Price: $12.49
Ever wonder what Cracker Barrel employees order? One Redditor, Sangrine, swears by the meatloaf, saying, “I personally like the meatloaf, [m]ac ‘n cheese, and their fried chicken.
You really can’t go wrong with any of it.” This homestyle meatloaf features tomatoes, onions, and green peppers, all topped with a layer of ketchup that tastes just like mom used to make.
7. Turkey and Dressing
Price: $14.49
Craving a Thanksgiving feast outside of November? Cracker Barrel has you covered on Thursdays!
Reddit user Typical-Hospital-351 raves, “My absolute favorite is the turkey and dressing dinner on Thursdays!” It’s the perfect fix for that holiday dinner hankering.
8. St.
Louis-Style BBQ Ribs
Price: $19.49
Mark your calendars for Saturday, because that’s when you can dig into these mouth-watering St. Louis-Style BBQ Ribs! Slathered in a sweet and tangy brown sugar BBQ sauce, these ribs are “slow-cooked until the meat falls apart off the bone,” according to a Delish reviewer, who compared their savory flavor to a Thanksgiving ham.
9. Maple Bacon Grilled Chicken
Price: $14.99
Introduced in 2020, this maple chipotle-glazed chicken has quickly become a customer favorite. Topped with cheese, bacon, a drizzle of ranch, and garnished with diced green onions, it’s a delightful medley of flavors that hits all the right notes.
10. Fried Apples
Price: $3.09
Simple yet sublime, Cracker Barrel’s “fried” apples (they’re actually baked!) are often described as the essence of apple pie.
The combination of butter, brown sugar, and apples caramelizes into a dish that’s near perfection. Is it breakfast?
A side? Dessert?
Yes, to all three!
11. Strawberry Stuffed Cheesecake Pancake Breakfast
Price: $13.49
If you’re eyeing dessert, consider a breakfast switcheroo! Cracker Barrel’s strawberry cheesecake pancakes are essentially a dessert in disguise, and reviewers have even rated them superior (and more affordable) than IHOP’s New York Cheesecake pancakes. Sweet deal!
12. Southern Fried Chicken
Price: $13.99
You can’t have Southern cuisine without a stellar fried chicken, and Cracker Barrel delivers. This popular dish boasts its own special recipe seasoning and is served with honey to drizzle over the crispy, flavorful chicken. Pure comfort on a plate!
13. Catfish
Price: $16.49
For the catfish connoisseurs out there, Cracker Barrel offers two tempting options. Go grilled for a Cajun-style spicy kick, or opt for the fried version, encrusted in cornmeal and served with a zesty tartar dipping sauce. Just a heads up, the Cajun seasoning can pack a punch!
The Bottom Line
While Cracker Barrel offers a beloved menu, they’re facing challenges that might make some diners choose to cook at home. With rising grocery costs making restaurant dining more of a luxury, and Cracker Barrel’s own price increases and “modern farmhouse-chic” remodels, it remains to be seen if loyal fans will embrace these changes.
Smart Money Moves for Everyone
Regardless of your financial situation, there’s always room to optimize. Here are a few quick tips:
- Tackle Debt: Debt can hinder financial progress. Consider tools like balance transfer credit cards or debt counseling to pay it off faster.
- Boost Your Income: If money’s tight, finding ways to earn extra income can provide much-needed breathing room. Explore new job opportunities or creative side hustles.
- Trim Expenses: While it might not sound fun, cutting expenses doesn’t have to be painful. Focus on your biggest costs for the most significant savings.
For example, compare auto insurance rates to potentially slash your bill, or use a travel credit card to offset vacation costs.
Read More About This Story:
- 13 Cracker Barrel Items That Make The Trip Totally Worthwhile (financebuzz.com)