Cracker Barrel

I've been a loyal Cracker Barrel fan for years, stopping at one nearly every road trip out of Long Island. Now, living in Maryland with one nearby, I'm surprised it took me so long to visit. I decided to try it out, and it didn’t disappoint!

I had their seasonal Granny Smith Apple Tea. It tasted like apple cider in tea form, incredibly refreshing with just the right amount of sweetness and tang. A perfect drink for fall, especially if you're an apple lover!

For an appetizer, I ordered the Loaded Hashbrown Casserole Tots. These crispy, bite-sized tots are made from Cracker Barrel’s famous Hashbrown Casserole, loaded with bacon and melted cheese, and served with Buttermilk Ranch. They were insanely good! The outside was perfectly crisp, while the inside stayed creamy and rich. However, they’re best eaten hot, once they cooled, they lost a bit of their magic.

I usually stick to their breakfast menu, but this time I ventured out and tried their Homestyle Chicken. It's two boneless chicken breasts, hand-dipped in buttermilk batter, fried to a golden crisp, and served with a choice of two Country Sides and biscuits or corn muffins. The chicken was spot-on: hot, crispy, and tender on the inside. As for the sides, I went with their mac and cheese and green beans. Sadly, neither wowed me. But the chicken absolutely made up for it.

Cracker Barrel remains a reliable comfort food spot. While the sides didn’t hit the mark this time, the seasonal drink and chicken made up for it. If you’re like me and can’t resist Cracker Barrel’s charm, give the Granny Smith Apple Tea and those tots a try!

After dinner, I couldn’t resist checking out the Country Store on my way out. It’s always packed with charming finds and this time I scored a pair of adorable Christmas salt and pepper shakers for just 99 cents each! They’re festive and will be perfect for the holiday season, such a fun little bonus to cap off my meal!