We were on the road, needed a place to stop and eat and decided against fast food. One place beckoned. Cracker Barrel Old Country Store.
Cracker Barrel is to travelers what honey is to Winnie the Pooh. They are known for good food, friendly service and reasonable prices.
Cracker Barrel was founded in 1969 with a menu based on Southern Cuisine. Today, Cracker Barrel has over 600 stores in 42 states.
Each store has a big front porch with rocking chairs, as you would typically find in the south. They have a general store in as you enter with gifts, candies, jams, jellies and other merchandise. At the restaurant side, customers are quickly seated and served, since Cracker Barrel is aware of travelling deadlines.
I ordered a Grilled Chicken BLT with a side of Cole slaw and a bowl of pinto beans. It was very good and less than $10. Nancy ordered a burger and it was huge, two giant patties and a large plate of fries, also under ten bucks. Charlotte ordered Grilled Trout and her husband, Dick Forrester, selected the Country Fried Streak. Both were very good according to our dining companions.
We don’t have a Cracker Barrel in Charlottesville because of the Sign Nazis with Albemarle County. Cracker Barrel relies on that famous gold and red sign – high in the air – to attract the attention of potential patrons and Albemarle County does not believe that customers should be aware of businesses that rely on signs. I suppose we are to use extra sensory perception.
Cracker Barrel is not fancy. The food is good, not exceptional. But it’s a great place to stop for a bite to eat if you’re on the road.