6 Reasons I Stopped Eating at Cracker Barrel After Years of Loving It

Cracker Barrel has always been one of those restaurants people connect with comfort, road trips, family dinners, and big plates of Southern-inspired food. For years, it was one of my favorite places to eat, from the oversized menu to the country store filled with candy, gifts, and nostalgic finds.

But over time, I started looking at the chain differently. Some menu items were heavier than I realized, and certain controversies and business decisions made it harder for me to enjoy the restaurant the way I once did. Like many longtime customers, I still understand the appeal, but I no longer feel the same excitement about going back.

This list breaks down six reasons I stopped eating at Cracker Barrel as often, from nutrition concerns to larger issues that changed how I see the brand.

Even if you enjoy the food at Cracker Barrel, most people will admit that the wait time to be seated is often too long. They don't work on a reservation system, so you have no choice but to walk in, tell the host the size of your party, and then ask how long it will take to be seated. Typically, it can be 15-20 minutes or longer.

When most people go to Cracker Barrel, it's because they know they're going to get a large meal. So, many of us go there hungry on purpose – but that can make the wait unbearable. They try to help by giving you a gift shop to wait in. The only problem is that it is filled with candy that only makes you hungrier.

When you go to Cracker Barrel, you know you're in store for tasty comfort food. The menu is so attractive that you end up ordering more than you intended. While it may be a great experience while you're at the table, when it comes time for the bill, reality hits you like a slap on the face. That's why, for many, visits to Cracker Barrel are few and far between.

You only need to go to Cracker Barrel once or twice to see how expensive it is, which is one of the main reasons I stopped going. If you also feel this way, know that you're not alone. In fact, in 2023, the CEO admitted that traffic levels in their restaurants were dropping for several quarters in a row. The reason they believed that they were losing customers was due to inflation and rising costs across the restaurant industry. Things have not changed much since then.

Whether you believe them or not, it's hard to ignore the fact that Cracker Barrel has had a fair share of scandals over the years. There have been some perceived scandals and controversies specifically related to discriminatory practices. Most of these lawsuits were settled out of court, but they sure didn't improve Cracker Barrel's reputation.

Over the years, there have also been other scandals at Cracker Barrel that have turned some people off from the restaurant. At one point, a diner sued the restaurant because they claimed that there was a harmful chemical in their drink. In the spring of 2021, Cracker Barrel was sued by several employees who felt that they weren't being paid fairly. Again, more research would need to be completed to gauge the validity of these scandals, but just hearing about them has made some diners skeptical.

I won't lie – Cracker Barrel used to be one of my restaurants. However, the more I started looking around, the more I started to see alternative eateries that were just as good, if not better, and many of them were also more affordable. If you want to stop going to Cracker Barrel, then look for alternative places online. You may even find that some of the restaurants in your local area are better.

The great thing about a place like Cracker Barrel is that it serves just about everything. So, think about what you like, and there's likely an alternative restaurant that'll serve your needs. Like the breakfast foods? Places like IHOP and Denny's have what you need at more affordable price points. Do you like the steak and potatoes? How about going to Texas Roadhouse or The Cheesecake Factory? If you like places that provide many options, then you always have Applebee's, Ruby Tuesday, and Chili's.

One of the biggest reasons why I started to turn from Cracker Barrel is because I realized just how unhealthy the food is. Among many other reasons, the food is high in calories. If you want to be healthy, you should pay attention to your caloric intake throughout the day. The average adult typically needs between 1,600 and 3,000 calories per day, depending on age, sex, and activity level. Some of the items at Cracker Barrel have half that for just one plate. Consuming too many calories and overeating can lead to weight gain and increased risk of heart disease and cancer, among other dangerous effects.

Most items at Cracker Barrel will have a lot of calories, but there are some you should avoid or at least eat in moderation. For instance, if you order the Sunday Homestyle Chicken and French Toast, you'll be eating 1,500 calories. Go for breakfast and eat the Steak n' Egg Hashbrown Casserole, and you'll be having over 1,000 calories for just that one meal. The Country Fried Pork Chops are also over 1,000 calories. If you do eat a meal at Cracker Barrel, be careful what you order.

The final reason I chose to stop going to Cracker Barrel is due to the immense sodium content in many of their menu offerings. Some of the options have over 2,000 mg of sodium. Health experts recommend only having a maximum of 2,300 mg of sodium in an entire day. Too much sodium can raise your blood pressure, which can lead to heart failure and stroke. Eating foods with too much salt can also lead to migraines and swollen hands and feet.

There are numerous items at Cracker Barrel that are big trouble when it comes to sodium. That Sunday Homestyle Chicken and French Toast we mentioned earlier also has 2,190 milligrams of sodium, which is basically your daily allowance. Another dish, the Country Fried Shrimp with Hushpuppies and Cocktail Sauce, has just over 2,000 mg of sodium. Then there is the chicken pot pie, which seems harmless enough. However, it has 2,740 mg of sodium, which is well over the amount you should consume in an entire day.