Brian Nagele
Cracker Barrel is a Southern-themed American restaurant chain. The restaurant is known for its extensive menu, consisting of traditional, Southern-inspired dishes guaranteed to hit the spot.
From fresh salads to deep-fried classics, there truly is something at Cracker Barrel for everyone. But with dozens upon dozens of mains, sides, and desserts to choose from, narrowing the menu down to the best of the best can be a tricky task.
That’s why we’ve done our own research to bring you the top 10 best cracker barrel menu items to treat yourself to today! Are you ready to meet your new favorite dish?
Maple Jam n’ Bacon Burger
Cracker Barrel’s Maple Jam n’ Bacon Burger is hands-down one of the best items on the chain’s menu, and in our opinion, it just can’t be beaten.
This burger is the ideal choice if you’ve got a hankering for something savory-sweet. The meaty saltiness of the bacon paired with the rich sweetness of maple onion strikes the perfect balance.
Plus, the burger comes with two patties and a side of fries, so it’ll definitely hit the spot!
Macaroni n’ Cheese
One of Cracker Barrel’s most popular and raved-about dishes is a simple, timeless classic: the Macaroni n’ Cheese.
The Cracker Barrel Mac n’ Cheese comes listed as a side on the menu, but it’s rich and filling enough to be a meal in its own right if you order the entrée portion.
Alternatively, it makes the perfect side for the Chicken Caesar Salad or Gravy n’ Biscuits (see below).
The dish consists of Elbow macaroni, stirred through with cheese and baked to perfection. The result is a gooey center, crispy top, and a plate of pasta that’s sure to satisfy!
Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola Cake
If you’re somebody with a serious sweet tooth, our recommendation for you would be Cracker Barrel’s Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola Cake.
There’s no shortage of delectable desserts on Cracker Barrel’s menu, but the combination of gooey chocolate fudge and sugary cola is on another level!
It’s everything you could want from a chocolate fudge cake: rich, warm, gooey, and served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!
Chicken n’ Dumplins
Simplicity and sumptuousness come together in mouth-watering harmony in Cracker Barrel’s famous Chicken n’ Dumplins. This is one of the classic staples of Cracker Barrel’s menu, so if you’re a fan of traditional recipes done right, this one’s for you!
Cracker Barrel’s Chicken n’ Dumplins features chicken tenderloins, simmered in a creamy sauce and seasoned with pepper.
You can choose two or three sides to go with your chicken, from corn to hashbrown casserole. You also get to pick your bread from a choice of buttermilk biscuits, cornbread muffins, or one of each!
Pecan Pancakes
If you’re in the mood for something simple, traditional, and sweet, pancakes are always an excellent choice.
However, Cracker Barrel’s Pecan Pancakes lend a crunchy, nutty twist to this classic dessert option.
Pecan nuts are added to the pancake batter before frying, creating an infusion of sweet saltiness through the fluffy batter.
For an extra-sweet taste experience, drizzle with syrup or let a knob of butter melt on top and enjoy!
Country Fried Shrimp
For the seafood lovers out there, Cracker Barrel has options for you, too! The Country Fried Shrimp platter is by far one of Cracker Barrel’s most well-loved fish dishes, and we can see why!
Served with a portion of hushpuppies, Cracker Barrel’s breaded shrimp dish marries the flavors of the ocean to Southern cuisine.
The shrimp comes with a choice of two country sides, plus buttermilk biscuits or corn muffins for a hearty meal you won’t forget about anytime soon!
Sunday Homestyle Chicken
One of the best Cracker Barrel menu items for bringing home-cooked comfort to the experience of eating out is the Sunday Homestyle Chicken.
Ordering the Sunday Homestyle Chicken from Cracker Barrel will get you a meal fit for a king (or queen!), with two boneless, buttermilk-battered chicken breast fillets. The chicken is served with your choice of classic Southern sides: either buttermilk biscuits or corn muffins.
You get to pick two more Cracker Barrel sides to add to your dish, including the famous macaroni n’ cheese, dumplins, mashed potatoes, or a range of vegetables.
Southern Grilled Caesar Salad
Fried chicken features repeatedly on Cracker Barrel’s menu, which is great for those seeking a hearty comfort food option.
However, if you’re looking for a lean protein dish, we highly recommend the Southern Grilled Caesar Salad!
This Caesar Salad recipe packs plenty of subtle, warm flavors into a light, classic dish. Succulent, golden-fried chicken strips and creamy buttermilk dressing complement a bed of refreshing Romaine lettuce.
Meanwhile, parmesan flakes and croutons lend extra tanginess and texture to the dish.
Gravy n’ Biscuits
Nothing says good old-fashioned, Southern food like a generous helping of gravy n’ biscuits.
Cracker Barrel has perfected this classic recipe so well that once you’ve tried it, you’ll definitely be coming back for more.
What makes Cracker Barrel’s Gravy n’ Biscuits so special is that it doesn’t try too hard to put a special twist on a tried and true recipe.
Instead, the buttermilk biscuits and sawmill gravy deliver a plateful of creamy, crumbly deliciousness to enjoy as a side, snack, or traditional breakfast option.
Fresh Steamed Broccoli
So far, we may have represented Cracker Barrel’s menu as more or less entirely consisting of large, hearty, meat-based portions.
However, we’re pleased to report that Cracker Barrel also has plenty of healthy sides for lovers of fresh, light flavors and low-calorie options to enjoy!
Cracker Barrel’s Fresh Steamed Broccoli makes a great stand-alone snack or a fresh, crunchy side to other items on the menu. As you can see, the steamed broccoli is pictured here alongside a serving of sweetcorn and Country Fried Steak.
The broccoli can be cooked to order according to whatever texture you prefer and comes seasoned with Cracker Barrel’s own savory seasoning mix for an extra burst of flavor.
Ate at the Medford CB and was disappointed with new menu. Used to go out of my way to eat at CB while traveling back east. Not so sure now. Calif. now has CB in Sac. Which is 90 mi away. Will not make detour to eat there.